Close to You is the second studio album by the American music duo the Carpenters, released on August 19, 1970. In 2003, the album was ranked No. 175 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list. The album contains the hit singles "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and "We've Only Just Begun". The success of the title track earned Carpenters an international reputation. The album topped the Canadian Albums Chart and peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard albums chart. It was also successful in the United Kingdom, entering the top 50 of the official chart for 76 weeks during the first half of the 1970s. The album and its singles earned Carpenters eight Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Carpenters won the Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus for the album.

We've Only Just Begun is a single by the Carpenters, written by Roger Nichols (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics). It was ranked at No. 414 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It also became Carpenters' second consecutive top-five single in the Billboard Hot 100. Lyrics: [Verse 1] We've only just begun to live White lace and promises A kiss for luck and we're on our way We've only begun Before the rising sun, we fly So many roads to choose We start out walking and learn to run And yes, we've just begun [Chorus] Sharing horizons that are new to us Watching the signs along the way Talkin' it over, just the two of us Workin' together day to day, together [Verse 2] And when the evening comes, we smile So much of life ahead We'll find a place where there's room to grow And yes, we've just begun [Chorus] Sharing horizons that are new to us Watching the signs along the way Talkin' it over, just the two of us Workin' together day to day, together, together [Verse 2] And when the evening comes, we smile So much of life ahead We'll find a place where there's room to grow And yes, we've just begun

Rainy Days and Mondays is a song by the Carpenters from their self-titled third album, with instrumental backing by the Wrecking Crew. It was written by Paul Williams (lyrics) and Roger Nichols (music), who had previously written We've Only Just Begun, another hit for the duo. Lyrics: Talkin' to myself and feelin' old Sometimes I'd like to quit Nothin' ever seems to fit Hanging around Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down [Verse 2] What I've got they used to call the blues Nothin' is really wrong Feeling like I don't belong Walking around Some kind of lonely clown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down [Bridge] Funny, but it seems I always wind up here with you Nice to know somebody loves me Funny, but it seems that it's the only thing to do Run and find the one who loves me (The one who loves me) [Verse 3] What I feel has come and gone before No need to talk it out (Talk it out) We know what it's all about Hanging around (Hanging around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down [Saxophone Solo] [Bridge] Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do (Only thing to do) Run and find the one who loves me (Ooh) [Verse 3] What I feel has come and gone before No need to talk it out (Talk it out) We know what it's all about Hanging around (Hanging around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down Hanging around (Hanging around) Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down