About the song
“Superstar” is a poignant song written in 1969 by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, which has been successfully covered by numerous artists across different genres over the years. Despite its various renditions, the most iconic versions were performed by the Carpenters in 1971, Luther Vandross in 1983, and Sonic Youth in 1994. The Carpenters’ rendition, in particular, catapulted the song to widespread fame and enduring popularity.
The Carpenters’ connection to “Superstar” began when Richard Carpenter discovered the song after watching Bette Midler perform it on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” on February 15, 1971. Intrigued by the song’s potential, Richard Carpenter, along with producer Jack Daugherty, decided to record it with the help of members from the Wrecking Crew, a renowned group of Los Angeles session musicians.
Given the Carpenters’ clean-cut image, Richard Carpenter made a slight alteration to the song’s lyrics to make it more suitable for their style. He changed the original line “And I can hardly wait/To sleep with you again” to “And I can hardly wait/To be with you again.” This minor yet significant tweak maintained the song’s emotional intensity while aligning it with the Carpenters’ wholesome persona.
The recording process of “Superstar” was remarkably efficient, with Karen Carpenter delivering an exceptional vocal performance in just one take. Her rendition was lauded for its emotional depth and intensity. Music critic David Hepworth praised Karen’s delivery, noting that even her guide vocal was flawless and didn’t require any further adjustments.
The Carpenters included “Superstar” on their May 1971 album, “Carpenters,” and subsequently released it as a single in August 1971. The song quickly ascended the charts, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, only held back by Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May.” It spent two weeks at number one on the Easy Listening chart that autumn, earning gold record status. Internationally, “Superstar” also found success, reaching number 18 on the UK pop singles chart and charting in Australia and New Zealand.
The impact of “Superstar” was further solidified when Richard Carpenter received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist. The song continued to resonate with audiences and appeared on two mid-1970s Carpenters live albums. It was also featured on several compilation albums, including the 2004 SACD compilation “The Singles: 1969–1981,” which included a remix of the original 1973 mix from the similarly titled compilation “The Singles: 1969–1973.”
“Superstar” stands as a testament to the Carpenters’ ability to transform a song with their unique touch, blending emotional vulnerability with technical precision. The song’s enduring popularity across generations and genres speaks to its timeless appeal and the lasting legacy of the Carpenters’ musical artistry.
Video
Lyrics
Long ago, and, oh, so far away
I fell in love with you before the second show
Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear
But you’re not really here, it’s just the radio
Don’t you remember, you told me you loved me, baby?
You said you’d be coming back this way again, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
I love you, I really do
Loneliness is such a sad affair
And I can hardly wait to be with you again
What to say to make you come again? (Baby)
Come back to me again (baby)
And play your sad guitar
Don’t you remember, you told me you loved me, baby?
You said you’d be coming back this way again, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
I love you, I really do
Don’t you remember, you told me you loved me, baby?
You said you’d be coming back this way again, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby
I love you, I really do