Singles 1969-1981

The Carpenters elevated easy listening to a form of art on a dazzling series of lovelorn singles. Richard’s lush arrangements and Karen’s pristine vocals lit up early hits “For All We Know” and “We’ve Only Just Begun,” which glowed with warmth and yearning. The duo made melancholy sound like the sweetest of emotions on “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Only Yesterday,” and branched out with “Superstar,” a spookily atmospheric track about infatuation. They even employed jaunty handclaps and a Motown feel for “Please Mr. Postman.”