...within six weeks the song "Close to you" was number one. |
"Our debut single "Ticket To
Ride" stayed on the charts for several months and ultimately
peaked at 54. This showed some promise for us but did not move many
"Offering" albums. Nevertheless, Herb Alpert continued
to "keep the faith" and we started recording a second album. In late
1969 Burt Bacharach heard our version of "Ticket To Ride".
This led to our being asked by Burt to open a benefit show he would
be doing in February of 1970 and performing a medley of his songs.
Herb brought an obscure Burt/David song to my attention during this
time entitled "They long to be close to you". It didn't quite fit
the medley but Herb felt that we should include it in the new album.
"Close To You" was released in late May of 1970 and within six weeks the song "Close To You" was number one. The "Close To You" album also includes "We've Only Just Begun", written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams for a "soft sell" TV bank commercial, "Begun" caught my ear after seeing the commercial a few times. It became our third single and ultimately our signature song. Also featured in this album are "Help"(which was slated to be our second single until "Close to you" and four songs John Bettis and I wrote while I was still in college - The four songs are "Crescent Noon", "Mr. Guder", "Maybe It's You" and "Another Song"." -
R I C H A R D C A R P E N T E R |
A&M Records Inc. 28 August 1970 |