The Carpenters

[Anne Bonny]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_to_You_(The_Carpenters_album" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) for some reason the site will state we don't have this exact title did you mean...click on the did you mean to bring it up. This classic album cover from 1970 reveals just how long I have been gender fluid I was probably roughly 16 by the time I had purchased this probably about 1973. Of course my gender has been this way much longer than that I believe since I became aware certainly age 9, with some inklings of it even before that age 3-4. I remember having this album...most boys were listening to heavy metal, and rock...I was listening to Olivia Newton John and the Carpenters quite a lot I believe I have most of their albums, my wife also had some of their albums. The music and Karen Carpenters clear voice can still draw you in with their songs surrounding love...being alone, then of lovers and their life and relationship. Yesterday for some reason I went to you tube and found a video with over an hour of their love songs wow it was a blast from the past. The 1970's a more innocent time when people were decent...hum perhaps it is my age realizing how long ago it was...I am 58.

I also listened to the Beatles, and pop but my musical selections were...hum...John Denver!? I was listening to the Carpenters with all the girls who were lonely and longing for a relationship...true.

Anyway the gender fluid angle is I remember looking at the cover vinyl records were an experience and on the cover of Close to you Karen is in a beautiful flowing maxi dress with white sandals and I remember wanting to be able to wear her outfit, still do. Looking at it today gee...it is almost like a flannel night gown. I will have to see if I can find some sandals like those I suppose or perhaps not? They arn't bad though white with a 2.5" heel...

[Heather W]

Don't want to make you feel old Anne but my Mother talks about the music of the 70"s. I can remember when I was younger she would play that music and I thought how yucky! Thankfully I have grown up and matured and some of it is pretty good. Not too sure about John Denver but the Carpenters and Olivia Newton John are kewl. I do have to admit the fashions of that era certainly are different.

[Martha G]

Being a mature woman, I don't mind talking about the Carpenters

I have many of their CD's and they were a favorite of mind!

[Diana Michelle]

The Carpenters, does that bring back some memories. The music back then was fun and with the wide variety there was something for everyone, every mood, and every situation. I remember going to more than one wedding in the 70's and they played "Close to You" for the bridal dance or the recessional. It was just the right song for the circumstances. Yes we had our rock and roll and I admit to being a long time rock and roller but the tender love songs from The Carpenters, Olivia Newton John, John Denver and the rest have a special spot in my heart as well.

I don't know that I would agree with you Anne that the 70's was a time of innocence. As I think back on it there was a lot of turmoil with Vietnam, civil rights, even women's rights. It was also the decade of Watergate, the sexual revolution hitting full stride, the Iran hostage situation to mention a few. I also know it was a time of deep personal strife for a variety of reasons. Still I have fond memories of the 70's and in a way hope at least some of the music would come back.

[Anne Bonny]

Think it was the iconic...We've only just begun...that was big at weddings. Well simpler times than today but you are right lots of turmoil and certainly not a time of innocence for that suppose you would have to travel back to the 50's...perhaps ending about 1963 as asasination, Vietnam, drugs, protests etc came along about that time.

Well the Carpenters cast a spell but dwelling on loneliness...I believe I will opt for something more cheerful after revisiting their music more a reminder evoking nostalgia. And remembering wanting to wear her outfit, Ha!

[DonnaT]

Easier to use an image search in Google

http://www.amazon.com/Close-To-You-Rema ... B00000HY5E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Anita]

The Carpenters hold a special place in my heart, even though most of my albums were hard rock. “Close to You” was just a wonderful song when it came out—I was 19, and that summer was not a big one for romance. But it wasn’t because I wasn’t trying.

The song that really got to me was “For all we know.” That was the spring of ’71, and I made the decision to become a rock musician during that time. All the songs that were playing in the months of March-April took on a lot of meaning for me, and that was one of them.

“Superstar” came at a low point in my life, so I remember that one, too. I had just moved to California, and was a low-paid factory supervisor, riding herd over other minimum-wage workers. It was not a happy time. I got through it, because I had nothing to go back to where I’d come from. Culture shock can be pretty severe.

[Anne Bonny]

Yep! Ha ha! That's the picture, funny how they evoke memories and I recall wanting to wear her outfit and those sandals. I did go to the Garage and pull the album for display...kind of leaning against some other records in the living room. One with Debbie Harry on the cover of Parallel Lines...loved that dress too and wanted to wear it. White with some white wedges with the male members standing behind her Blondie...

You know my gender I suppose was set at birth as a gender fluid dynamic mix cannot help being who I am. It is really horrible that I have had to fight GRRRR!!!! to overcome everyone wanting to stuff that part of me into a deep dark closet trying to grind half of me into the dust and kill me! You cannot live as half a person. Makes me really resent the influence of the religious conservative moralists who have done this to our society...they really need to be ground into the dust and forced to back off within their little group of misfits, prudes and prigs...they want to live tied all in knots fine go ahead but they have no right to try to force everyone else to comply to their twisted guilt ridden belief system!!!

Sorry but is what it is.

I was over protected because there were no good drugs for controlling asthma when I was young up till the early 70's, then I had horrible acne, and was terribly shy. I did not even attend my high school prom and only kind of sorta had a girl friend, and another unknown to me who signed my yearbook come to find out and I liked her!!! shoot!

Anyway...So I was really into the Carpenters because I wanted a girlfriend I wanted to have friends and this music really connected with all the emotions I was feeling. I am glad I pulled this music out because it looks as If ... hopefully this year sometime for my poor wife's sake - she is suffering as I am - I will once again in my life be all alone and looking to find another partner.

[Wesley]

It sure sounds like we came of age about the same time. 1973. . . 7th-8th grade. . first girlfriend. . .About the time I seriously started wearing a bra and panties. . and discovering sexuality.

I certainly remember the cloths of that era as well. . .Phesant blouses, big nylon strings in hair, granny glasses, maxi dresses. . . nylon panties. . white tricot bras. . . pep club girls wearing keds. . being able to fit into a 34B!

That was a long time ago. .

Having my stash found by mom. . . (At least she did not make a big production of it)