Mission Statement

Guilty Pleasures: The Music Edition is intended as a forum to review songs that were once considered out-of-favor. Readers are asked to rate the songs using a 10 point voting system (10=strong like, 1=strong dislike) and provide their comments.

The objective is to review the songs offered here with a fresh listen for things like intent (objective), structure, influences (to or from), production value, and performances, all within the context of its musical time frame and while trying to forget past reactions. Hopefully we can hear something different in a song we once thought was less-than-pleasing.

So remember, valid reactions include:

1) None of my friends ever liked this song, but I always did.

2) I never liked this song, but listening to it again after all this time now it makes me want to: (a) tap my foot, or (b) shove a pencil in my ear.

All legit.

-Ken

Friday, December 24, 2010

"Merry Christmas Darling" by The Carpenters

Well, I guess if you do something once a year you can call it an Annual Tradition (no jokes about bathing, please). It occurred to me that I posted this song during the holidays last year prior to the establishment of the Guilty Pleasures: The Music Edition postings, but after further review, think it is an ideal candidate for this years Christmas selection.

Much has been chronicled about the Karen Carpenter story, and all would agree that her death was a tragic and untimely waste of an extraordinary talent. But as wonderful as her singing was, I always use this song to call attention the the incredible vocal arrangements and overdubs created by her brother Richard Carpenter, and respectfully suggest that the last four bars of Merry Christmas Darling is stunningly perfect music.

Sure, the schmaltz factor on this tune hits an all-time high (or low, depending on your view), but realizing how few 'new' Christmas songs have been successfully added to the genre can put the impact of this song into perspective. Let's use this song to remind us to be thankful for the privilege of spending time with our family and friends during the holidays.

All the best,

KO

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