It was a song that had been bouncing around from artist to artist for several years before The Carpenters got a hold of it. Once they did, that was that, as the combination of Richard's smart arrangement and Karen's inimitable vocals realized the song's untapped potential. That song was "(They Long to Be) Close to You," which earned the duo their No. 1 breakthrough single in 1970. Here's how this classic ballad took quite the journey before reaching its home.
The post The Story and Meaning Behind “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” One of the Carpenters’ Most Affecting Easy Listening Classics appeared first on American Songwriter.