MY HIT LIST #64 RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS

There are times when popular music transcends notions of popularity and desposability. When a popular song is 'more than' just a pop song. One such case is Rainy days and Mondays by The Carpenters.
A sad song with a vocal delivery by Karen Carpenter that is beautiful and yearning. The production by Jack Dougherty, and all the component parts are perfect.

The song is about depression, loneliness and the hook of rainy days and Mondays strikes a chord with anyone who has felt that low. Karen's own internal sadness and issues made her the perfect vocalist for the song.
Richard and the other backing singers also make an excellent contribution on this beautiful song.

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around some kind of lonely clown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you
Nice to know somebody loves me
Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me

What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what it's all about
Hangin' around nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me

What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what it's all about
Hangin' around nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
Hangin' around nothing to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

-Roger Nicholls & Paul Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjFoQxjgbrs

with Karen on drums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT3MzfGGn8g

different version

The song was The Carpenters fourth number one billboard hit. Inconceivably it never charted in the UK on release in 1971.

I think it's one of the greatest records ever made and that Karen Carpenter had one of the great voices. People that only appreciate the Carpenters on a misguided kitsch level are missing the point; the Carpenters were all about the craft and the talent. Rainy days and Mondays is them at their best.