Watch and Listen to Karen Carpenter Sing Leon Russell’s “A Song for You,” Like It was Meant to be Sung

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

“A Song for You”
Words & Music by Leon Russell

I’ve been so many places,
In my life and times,
I’ve sung a lot of songs,
I’ve made some bad rhymes,
I’ve acted out my love on stages,
With ten thousand people watching,
But we’re alone now,
And I’m singing this song to you.

I know your image of me
Is what I hope to be,
I’ve treated you unkindly,
But darling, can’t you see,
There’s no one more important to me,
Darling can’t you please see through me,
‘Cause we’re alone now and
I’m singing this song to you.

[Bridge]

You taught me precious secrets,
Of the truth withholding nothing,
You came out in front, and I was hiding,
But now I’m so much better,
And if my words don’t come together,
Listen to the melody,
‘Cause my love is in there hiding.

I love you in a place
Where there’s no space and time,
I love you for my life,
You are a friend of mine,
And when my life is over,
Remember when we were together,
We were alone,
And I was singing this song to you.

[Instrumental Break]

But I love you in a place,
Where there’s no space and time,
I love you for my life,
You are a friend of mine,
And when my life is over,
Remember when we were together,
We were alone, and
I was singing this song for you.

[Outro]

We were alone and
I was singing this song for you
We were alone and
I was singing my song
Singing this song for you.

 

 

Comments I made at Youtube: I’d heard and very much liked Leon Russell’s version many times, but this is incredible.

I’m used to her singing in a much lower register. Here, she climbs the ladder—not crazy high, but high enough—and turns this into a very moving song. Leon Russell’s version is very nice, but this version could bring a tear to one’s eye, even if one didn’t know the Karen Carpenter story.

Postscript: I take back what I just said. It’s impossible for me to respond to this song apart from what I know of Karen Carpenter’s life.