Switch to the old melodies from the golden 1970s and you’re almost living the quintessential lines from that soulful song ‘It’s Yesterday Once More’ for it transports us back to the days when we were (or blissfully felt we were ! ) in love with a dream that took the form of a person, an idea, a voice or a song in the most pristine garb of an idyllic, romantic adventure !
Of the many old memories that never seem to fade was a song released in US in 1972 by the group ‘Carpenters’ that had become a rage, but we first heard it on the tape that my NRI sister & B-in-law (now Singapore based) brought during their visit to India in the mid-70s. Those were days of audio tapes, recorders – you’d magically rewind & hear favourites again & again. One particular song (among many wonderful ones) just won hearts and captured our imagination for its lyrics, melody and a sublimely, clear voice quality was ‘Top of the World’ by group’s lead singer ‘Karen Carpenter’ !
Here was a lilting number that made one feel-good (with what we today call ‘Wow’ effect) for it had in it lines that spoke of youthful splendor of a discovery ‘There’s wonder in most everything I see’ and romanticism of ‘Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eye’! Truly it resonated the idea of being in love with such supreme joy that had us spellbound as youth, and more so for those who were ‘carrying the torch’ for someone special.
What makes this song eternally elevate spirits even now, when we and our peers are in our autumn years ? For one, the song’s title ‘top of the world’ conveys thoughts of contentment, happiness, gratitude in the relationship, all quite old world, devoid of brashness and aggressiveness seen today. For music lovers, it’s lilt has ageless charm of the 70s and yet sounds so fresh.
But what about that singer, Karen Carpenter with amazing vocal skills. She had formed the highly successful, famed musical group ‘Carpenters’ with her elder brother, Richard. Tragically and like so many other greats from the world of music, she died at the very young age of 32 ! As she herself sang beautifully ‘I’m on the top of the world, lookin’ down on creation’ !
Working on Living 