Song #65 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “Superstar”, originally by Delaney & Bonnie and covered by The Carpenters. Here’s the original:
I definitely know the song – it was a huge hit for The Carpenters, and you couldn’t make it through the 70s without being familiar with their catalog – but I’m pretty sure I’d never heard this version before. Here’s The Carpenters:
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh baby. The Carpenters were often derided for their lounge act arrangements, but man Karen Carpenter could sing. When you think about her tragic life story, it really adds a haunting element to this rendition. Karen Carpenter would be only 62 years old today if she were still alive. You have to wonder what else she would have done had she not suffered from anorexia.
Richard was no slouch as an arranger for her. I’ve often wondered why he’s devoted the rest of his life to managing their (too small) catalog rather than arranging for other singers.