The Carpenters – Think Bensonium

Day 442: Close to You, The Carpenters

Roderick Benson — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 23:00:04 +0000

Covid Island Discs is finally drawing to a close. In theory the last of the Covid-19 restrictions in the UK will be removed on the 21^st of June 2021. Whether we will stay out of restrictions beyond the 21^st is anyone’s guess given the Indian variant of the virus is rapidly becoming the dominate form in the UK and so might lead sadly to a third wave. I guess ultimately it will all depend on how effective the vaccines are against this new variant and how many people in the population have been vaccinated.

Therefore there is now only 2 full week’s left until the 21^st of June so we are into the final 14 songs. So I could not possibly finish Covid Island Discs without another song from Karen Carpenter. She truly had such an incredibly beautiful voice and whenever I hear one of her songs I always feel a little melancholic because of her own tragic battle with anorexia nervosa which sadly she lost many years ago now.

Day 391 (21st Wedding Anniversary): We’ve only just begun, The Carpenters

Roderick Benson — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 23:00:19 +0000

OK so this time last year I shared the song for my twentieth wedding anniversary which was Day 26: Happy Anniversary Baby by the Little River Band. Couldn’t think of another anniversary theme song so went for the next best thing a song that has been played at many a wedding and that is this Carpenter’s classic “We’ve only just begun”. Although this song is perhaps a little sickly sweet, as always I am always blown away but Karen’s angelic voice. In some ways, this song is kind of unusual because, being in a minor key, it actually sound a little melancholic for a tune that is celebrating marriage.

I guess my learning experience from my wedding day is just how fast 21 years goes; seemingly in the blink of an eyelid. Anyway, thank you my dear Helen for looking after me and putting up with my shenanigans for 21 years. It has been an interesting, sometimes fun, sometimes sad and sometimes scary journey with you as we have both experienced the things God has ordained for us during our married years.

Day 283: Merry Christmas Darling, Karen Carpenter.

Roderick Benson — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

As everyone will be well aware there are plenty of Christmas classics that fill our radio stations every year. While I have included some I am also on the hunt for less well known ones for Covid Island Discs.

I have only ever posted one Carpenter hit so far all the way back on day 190. This is a song Karen did for Christmas and I thought I would include it here because while the song might seem a bit cheesy Karen’s Carpenters voice really was phenomenal. Sadly she passed away much too young from anorexia nervosa.

Day 190: Calling Occupants of interplanetary Craft, The Carpenters

Roderick Benson — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 23:00:00 +0000

I think Karen Carpenter had one of the most unique voices of any female singer. This is one of the most interesting songs the Carpenters produced. Again another tragic figure who lost the battle with the mental health issue of anorexia nervosa. RIP Karen.