Karen Carpenter: “A Song for You,” with Bob Messenger’s Sax Solo (Lyrics)

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

In 1970, I saw Leon Russell sing this song, and it stayed with me. While Karen Carpenter gave what I now my consider the best rendition of it, I believe she changed a few words—“times” to time, “life” to love, “rhymes” to rhyme.

If I should be wrong, and Leon Russell sang it as “time,” “love,” and “rhyme,” well, he shoulda sung it my way!

In any event, the song has a hold on me. It has some clever moments (“And if my words don’t come together/Listen to the melody/‘Cause my love is in there hiding”), and some touching ones (“You are a friend of mine/And when my life is over/Remember when we were together”). It has a wonderful performance by Karen Carpenter, who reaches up for some notes beyond her usual stomping ground, it has beautiful backup singers (whom I wish I could name) going a capella, excellent work by the so far nameless string section, lovely accompaniment and charts by Richard (who also produced the record), and a stunning, 64-second sax solo by Bob Messenger, who was one of the informal, legendary sessions musicians known as “The Wrecking Crew.”

(Among other great musicians, Richard also used drummer Hal Blaine, harmonica player Tommy Morgan, and guitarist Tony Peluso, all of whom were also associated with “The Wrecking Crew.” )

When I had The Boss play it a few months ago, she immediately hit on the part I’d wanted her to hear—“And when my life is over….”

 

 

“A Song for You” Words and Music by Leon Russell (1970; 1942-2016)

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 life on stages,
With 10,000 people watching,
But we’re alone now,
And I’m singing this song for you.

I know your image of me,
Is what I hope to be,
I 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 for you.

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 or 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.

[Bridge: Bob Messenger’s Sax Solo]

You taught me precious secrets,
Of a 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 or 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.

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