The Carpenters were always different. In a world of glitter, glam, prog, rock and myriad styles of music they followed their own musical mantra, one where harmony, love of the old songs and melody reigned supreme. Yet theirs was no bland pop, not formulaic nor predictable, they produced some of the most inventive pop during their 14-year career. The Carpenters recorded 11 albums, released 31 singles, and toured the world with drummer/vocalist Karen beguiling audiences with her beautiful voice and Richard wowing the public with his keyboard skills and arranging abilities.

In 1970, the Carpenters' version of the Burt Bacharach song "(They Long to Be) Close to You" shot to No. 1 in America and lingered on top of the Billboard Hot 100 for a month. Follow-up single "We've Only Just Begun," written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, topped out at No. 2 and was also the opening track from the Carpenters masterful second album, Close To You. The breakout double platinum collection hit No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1971 Grammy Awards, losing out to Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water.