I saw a Public TV special about the Carpenters, and it changed my view of them.

When you see her perform, you realize that Karen was not a terribly pretty girl. She was a band geek with an overbite, made up to look like a vapid sex symbol. I don't think she would have made it in the industry today. Ever see one of those Time/Life infomercials for compilations from the 50s, 60s, 70s? Not pretty. The pop stars of the era were not great looking people compared the bland and beautiful artists of today who need to look good in the video. I think this is why music sucks these days. They're not picking them for how they sound.

It's not my thing, so I'm not going to to argue the merits, but I promise you, the music of the Carpenters is played and remembered by millions of people who don't come to sites like this.

^ c.f. - Christopher Cross gets 5 Grammys in 1979, then MTV comes along in 1981 and it doesn't matter how good you sound if you look dorky.

Well, I wouldn't exactly call the work of The Carpenters a legacy of timeless music. Disposable pop doesn't have much of a shelf life.

Her music was as fulfilling as her typical meals.

Because she had the audacity to die as the result of an eating disorder. Flawed celebrities deserve nothing but spite. ~

I totally agree with you kingarthur, she was a beautiful and talented lady.

she gets a lot of love in the record store i work at :)

Some really vicious and mean comments here. Especially for a video so full of joy.

Well I never heard of Karen Carpenter so I'm going to hate all I want.

I really doubt she's going to read the comments, guys.

(Because she's dead.)