For All We Know (1970 song)
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"For All We Know" is a soft rock song written for the 1970 film Lovers and Other Strangers, with music by Fred Karlin and lyrics by Robb Wilson (Robb Royer) and Arthur James (Jimmy Griffin). Both Royer and Griffin were founding members of the soft rock group Bread. It was originally performed, for the film's soundtrack, by Larry Meredith.[1] The best known version of the song is by American pop duo the Carpenters which reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the US Billboard Easy Listening chart in 1971. The song was also a hit for Shirley Bassey at the same time in the United Kingdom. It has since been covered by various artists, including Petula Clark.
The song became a gold record. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1971.[1]
The Carpenters version
"For All We Know" | ||||
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Single by Carpenters | ||||
from the album Carpenters | ||||
B-side | "Don't Be Afraid" | |||
Released | January 15, 1971 | |||
Recorded | Late 1970 | |||
Genre | Pop[2] | |||
Length | 2:33 | |||
Label | A&M 1243 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Fred Karlin, Robb Wilson,[1] Arthur James | |||
Producer(s) | Jack Daugherty | |||
Carpenters singles chronology | ||||
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Richard Carpenter of Carpenters heard the song during an evening of relaxation at the movies while on tour. He decided it would be ideal for the duo. It became a hit for them in 1971, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, spending seven weeks in the Top 10, and No. 1 for three weeks on the US easy listening chart.[3]
When the original song was nominated for an Academy Award, the Carpenters were not allowed to perform it at the ceremony because they had not appeared in any film. At their request, the song was performed by British singer Petula Clark. (Clark would later perform the song in concert on February 6, 1983, in tribute to Karen Carpenter, who had died two days before.)
According to Richard, the intro was originally played on guitar. They had run into
In 1972, Richard and Karen appeared on Tom Jones's London Bridge Special, where they performed "For All We Know". This version was not released to the public until 2000, with the release of The Singles: 1969–1981.
Personnel
- Karen Carpenter – lead and backing vocals
- Wurlitzer electric piano, orchestration
- Joe Osborn – bass guitar
- drums
- Earle Dumler – oboe
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Note
- Released as a double A-side with "Superstar" in the UK
Shirley Bassey version
The song became a hit in the UK for Welsh singer Shirley Bassey in 1971, at the same time as the Carpenters' version, with the two songs competing for chart strength.[1] Bassey's version peaked at No. 6 during a 24-week chart run.[13] It also reached No. 20 in Ireland.[citation needed]
Petula Clark version
Nicki French version
"For All We Know" | ||||
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Single by Nicki French | ||||
from the album Secrets | ||||
Released | 1995 | |||
Length | 3:11 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) | Fred Karlin, Robb Wilson | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Nicki French singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"For All We Know" on YouTube |
English singer
Critical reception
Steve Baltin from
Charts
Chart (1995) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA) | 89 |
Scotland (OCC)[16] | 31 |
UK Singles (OCC )
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42 |
UK on a Pop Tip Club Chart (Music Week)[17] | 2 |
See also
- If I Were a Carpenter (1994)
- List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1971 (U.S.)
References
- ^ ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Molanphy, Chris (September 10, 2021). "Spirit of '71 Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 47.
- ^ "Carpenters Fans Ask- Richard Answers, May 2005". Richardandkarencarpenter.com. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ISBN 9780312619749.
- ISBN 9781888408126.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 27, 1971" (PDF).
- ^ "RPM Top AC Singles - March 13, 1971" (PDF).
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles of '71 - January 8, 1972" (PDF).
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1971/Top 100 Songs of 1971". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
- ^ Billboard, December 25, 1971.
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1971". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
- ^ "Official Charts Company - The Chart Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- YouTube
- ^ Baltin, Steve (1996-02-10). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 16 April 1995 - 22 April 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
- ^ "The RM on a Pop Tip Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 1995-03-25. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
External links
- Carpenters - For All We Know on YouTube