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"'''We've Only Just Begun'''" is a single by [[the Carpenters]], written by [[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]] (music) and [[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]] (lyrics). It was ranked at No. 414 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's list of "[[The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/|title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time|date=2011-04-07|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> It also became Carpenters' second consecutive top-five single in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.
"'''We've Only Just Begun'''" is a classic song by the renowned American duo, [[the Carpenters]]. Written by [[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]] (music) and [[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]] (lyrics), the song initially gained traction as part of a wedding-themed advertisement. It later became a chart-topping single, securing its place as one of the Carpenters' signature tracks. The song was ranked at No. 414 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's list of "[[The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]."<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/|title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time|date=2011-04-07|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> It also remained on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for 17 weeks, reaching a peak position of No. 2.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=23 May 2025 |title=Carpenters |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/carpenters/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=Billboard}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Creation for advertising===
===Creation for advertising===
The song was originally in a wedding-themed [[television commercial]] for [[Crocker National Bank]] in [[California]] in early 1970, with Paul Williams on vocals.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Little girl blue : the life of Karen Carpenter|last=Schmidt, Randy (Randy L.)|isbn=978-1-84938-550-3|location=London|oclc=858842610|year = 2010}}</ref> [[Hal Riney]] of the San Francisco-based advertising agency [[Hal Riney & Partners]] had commissioned the song to help Crocker appeal to young people. The song played over footage of a couple getting married and just starting out. In the song, direct reference to the bank was left out, in part to make the song more marketable. The commercial turned out to be very popular, but it attracted customers in which the bank was not interested: young adult customers with no collateral for loans. The campaign was eventually suspended, and Crocker subsequently franchised it to other banks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_lnwNIlJUo  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/7_lnwNIlJUo |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Excerpt from Hal Riney biographical feature |website=Youtube.com |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=2018-08-20}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
The origins of ''We've Only Just Begun'' can be traced back to a 1970 [[television commercial]] for [[Crocker-Citizens National Bank]] in [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2025-05-24 |title=Roger Nichols, Grammy-Nominated Co-Writer of ‘We’ve Only Just Begun,’ Dies at 84 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/roger-nichols-dead-grammy-nominated-songwriter-1235980516/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Facing challenges with name recognition and competition, the bank sought to connect with young customers starting their lives. [[Hal Riney]],  a creative force at the advertising agency [[Hal Riney & Partners]], envisioned a new kind of commercial - one that told a story through music, rather than selling a product directly. Riney's team provided songwriters [[Paul Williams (songwriter)|Paul Williams]] and [[Roger Nichols (songwriter)|Roger Nichols]] with the slogan, "You've got a long way to go. We'd like to help you get there," and explained that the commercial would highlight a couple's wedding and their journey ahead.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Bentz |first=Alyssa |date=2018-12-03 |title=The bank commercial that became a hit song |url=https://history.wf.com/hear-the-bank-commercial-that-became-a-hit-song/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=Wells Fargo History |language=en}}</ref>
 
Williams and Nichols wrote the song in a single afternoon, matching the warmth and optimism Riney wanted. The resulting ad - set to wedding visuals and Williams's heartfelt vocal - intentionally left out direct references to the bank, making the message universal.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Schmidt |first=Randy |title=Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter |publisher=Chicago Review Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1569768181 |location=Chicago, Illinois |publication-date=1 September 2011}}</ref> The commercial's launch was an immediate hit: it resonated with younger customers, boosted brand recognition, and even led to a surge in requests to use the song for wedding and graduations. The unique approach of focusing on storytelling and customer experience, rather than bank products, helped set a new standard for advertising in the industry.<ref name=":2" /> However, the campaign ultimately attracted mostly young adults who did not yet have sufficient collateral for loans, which was not the bank's primary target demographic. As a result, Crocker-Citizens National Bank discontinued the commercial despite its popularity, though its impact on advertising and music endured.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />


===Recording history===
===Recording history===
As a single, the full song was first recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend of Nichols, singing under the name "Freddie Allen". It was released in March 1970 but did not get significant airplay. Separately, [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]] saw the TV commercial and guessed correctly that Williams was the vocalist (both of them were under contract to [[A&M Records]]). Carpenter ran into Williams on the record company's lot and asked whether a full-length version was available. Although the TV commercial had only two verses and no bridge, Williams stated that there was a bridge and an additional verse, forming a complete song, which was then delivered.
Before becoming a Carpenters classic, ''We've Only Just Begun'' was recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend of Nichols, under the [[pseudonym]] "Freddie Allen". It was released in March 1970 but did not get significant airplay.<ref name=":3" /> [[Richard Carpenter (musician)|Richard Carpenter]] encountered the song while watching Crocker-Citizens National Bank TV commercial and immediately recognized Paul Williams' distinctive voice. Curious about the possibility of a full-length version, Carpenter approached Williams and Roger Nichols at [[A&M Records]], where both parties were under contract, to ask if the song extend beyond what was featured in the ad.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />  The TV version consisted of two verses with no bridge, but Williams assured Carpenter that a fuller version of the song had already been written.<ref name=":3" />


According to Williams in the documentary ''[[Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters]]'' "We'd had some success with songs before, a few album cuts and some B-sides – but no singles. This was a major break, a chance to get an A-side and maybe even a hit, so we would have absolutely lied through our teeth if there wasn't a full song."
According to Williams in the documentary ''[[Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters]]'' "We'd had some success with songs before, a few album cuts and some B-sides – but no singles. This was a major break, a chance to get an A-side and maybe even a hit, so we would have absolutely lied through our teeth if there wasn't a full song."


Carpenter selected the composition for the duo's third single and included it on the LP ''[[Close to You (The Carpenters album)|Close to You]]''. Released in late summer 1970, the single featured [[Karen Carpenter|Karen]]'s lead vocals and the overdubbed harmonies of both siblings. Three months after their hit "[[(They Long to Be) Close to You]]", "We've Only Just Begun" was released, hitting No. 1 on the ''[[Cash Box]]'' singles chart and No. 2 on the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming the pair's second million-selling [[gold single]], spending nine weeks in the Top 10. It was considered by both Karen and Richard to be their [[signature song]]. According to ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'' (6th edition), on the U.S. [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]] singles chart, it was the duo's best-performing tune, lasting seven weeks at No. 1 (beating the six-week stay at the top of "Close to You").<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1970-10-10|title=Billboard Adult Contemporary Week of October 10, 1970|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The song also helped them to win two [[Grammy Award]]s in 1971: [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] and Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus (for "Close to You").
The Carpenters' rendition, featuring Karen Carpenter's melancholic lead vocals and Richard Carpenter's harmonies, seized significant commercial success upon its release in August 1970, three months after their hit "[[(They Long to Be) Close to You]]" was released. It became the group's second consecutive top-five single, peaking at No. 2 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name=":1" /> and No. 1 on the [[Cashbox Top 100 number-one singles of 1970|Cash Box]] single chart.<ref name=":4" /> Furthermore, it spend seven weeks as the top song on the Adult Contemporary chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard Adult Contemporary Week of October 10, 1970 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1970-10-10 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> This performance made it one of their most successful and celebrated tracks.
 
The Carpenters' version went on to win prestigious awards, contributing to their Grammy wins for Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo or Group for their album ''Close to You'' in 1971.<ref name=":5" /> Additionally, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in recognition of its lasting historical and cultural significance.<ref name=":5" />


Williams recorded his own version of the song for his 1971 album ''[[Just an Old Fashioned Love Song]]''.
Williams recorded his own version of the song for his 1971 album ''[[Just an Old Fashioned Love Song]]''.


''[[Cash Box]]'' described the song as having "delicious lyrics and a sparkling production."<ref>{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=September 12, 1970|page=14|accessdate=2021-12-09|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-09-12.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}}</ref>
''[[Cash Box]]'' described the song as having "delicious lyrics and a sparkling production."<ref name=":4">{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=September 12, 1970|page=14|accessdate=2021-12-09|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-09-12.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}}</ref>


For Williams, the song was a personal victory; it was his first collaboration with Nichols that resulted in a hit single, and it opened the door to many more thereafter. In 1998, the recording was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] for recordings "of lasting quality or historical significance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame#w |title=GRAMMY Hall Of Fame |website=GRAMMY.org |access-date=2016-10-03}}</ref>
For Williams, the song was a personal victory; it was his first collaboration with Nichols that resulted in a hit single, and it opened the door to many more thereafter. In 1998, the recording was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] for recordings "of lasting quality or historical significance".<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame#w |title=GRAMMY Hall Of Fame |website=GRAMMY.org |access-date=2016-10-03}}</ref>


Although it only charted at number 28 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1970, its subsequent growth in popularity in the UK saw it voted second in ''[[The Nation's Favourite|The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song]]'', broadcast by [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song |url=https://www.itv.com/hub/the-nations-favourite-carpenters-song/2a4042 |access-date=25 May 2020 |agency=ITV}}</ref>
=== Legacy and Reception ===
Although it achieved only moderate success on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 28, the enduring charm of ''We've Only Just Begun'' ensured its legacy. UK listeners voted it the second-most loved Carpenters song in ITV's 2016 program ''The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song''.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song |url=https://www.itv.com/hub/the-nations-favourite-carpenters-song/2a4042 |access-date=25 May 2020 |agency=ITV}}</ref> For Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, the song represented a breakthrough, solidifying their careers as a songwriting team.<ref name=":0" />  


==Music video==
==Music video==
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|[[Oricon Singles Chart|Japan]]
|[[Oricon Singles Chart|Japan]]
| style="text-align:center;"|71
| style="text-align:center;"|71
|-
|Quebec ([[ADISQ]])<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129063315/http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf|url=http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf|title=Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec|publisher=[[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec|BAnQ]]|date=19 September 1970|access-date=22 June 2025|archive-date=29 November 2015|language=fr|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
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{{single chart|UK|28|date=19710206|accessdate=December 11, 2024|refname="carpentersuk"}}
{{single chart|UK|28|date=19710206|accessdate=December 11, 2024|refname="carpentersuk"}}

Latest revision as of 15:11, 22 June 2025

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"We've Only Just Begun" is a classic song by the renowned American duo, the Carpenters. Written by Roger Nichols (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics), the song initially gained traction as part of a wedding-themed advertisement. It later became a chart-topping single, securing its place as one of the Carpenters' signature tracks. The song was ranked at No. 414 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."[1] It also remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 weeks, reaching a peak position of No. 2.[2]

History

Creation for advertising

The origins of We've Only Just Begun can be traced back to a 1970 television commercial for Crocker-Citizens National Bank in California.[3] Facing challenges with name recognition and competition, the bank sought to connect with young customers starting their lives. Hal Riney, a creative force at the advertising agency Hal Riney & Partners, envisioned a new kind of commercial - one that told a story through music, rather than selling a product directly. Riney's team provided songwriters Paul Williams and Roger Nichols with the slogan, "You've got a long way to go. We'd like to help you get there," and explained that the commercial would highlight a couple's wedding and their journey ahead.[4]

Williams and Nichols wrote the song in a single afternoon, matching the warmth and optimism Riney wanted. The resulting ad - set to wedding visuals and Williams's heartfelt vocal - intentionally left out direct references to the bank, making the message universal.[4][5] The commercial's launch was an immediate hit: it resonated with younger customers, boosted brand recognition, and even led to a surge in requests to use the song for wedding and graduations. The unique approach of focusing on storytelling and customer experience, rather than bank products, helped set a new standard for advertising in the industry.[4] However, the campaign ultimately attracted mostly young adults who did not yet have sufficient collateral for loans, which was not the bank's primary target demographic. As a result, Crocker-Citizens National Bank discontinued the commercial despite its popularity, though its impact on advertising and music endured.[4][5]

Recording history

Before becoming a Carpenters classic, We've Only Just Begun was recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend of Nichols, under the pseudonym "Freddie Allen". It was released in March 1970 but did not get significant airplay.[5] Richard Carpenter encountered the song while watching Crocker-Citizens National Bank TV commercial and immediately recognized Paul Williams' distinctive voice. Curious about the possibility of a full-length version, Carpenter approached Williams and Roger Nichols at A&M Records, where both parties were under contract, to ask if the song extend beyond what was featured in the ad.[4][5] The TV version consisted of two verses with no bridge, but Williams assured Carpenter that a fuller version of the song had already been written.[5]

According to Williams in the documentary Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters "We'd had some success with songs before, a few album cuts and some B-sides – but no singles. This was a major break, a chance to get an A-side and maybe even a hit, so we would have absolutely lied through our teeth if there wasn't a full song."

The Carpenters' rendition, featuring Karen Carpenter's melancholic lead vocals and Richard Carpenter's harmonies, seized significant commercial success upon its release in August 1970, three months after their hit "(They Long to Be) Close to You" was released. It became the group's second consecutive top-five single, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100[2] and No. 1 on the Cash Box single chart.[6] Furthermore, it spend seven weeks as the top song on the Adult Contemporary chart.[7] This performance made it one of their most successful and celebrated tracks.

The Carpenters' version went on to win prestigious awards, contributing to their Grammy wins for Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo or Group for their album Close to You in 1971.[8] Additionally, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in recognition of its lasting historical and cultural significance.[8]

Williams recorded his own version of the song for his 1971 album Just an Old Fashioned Love Song.

Cash Box described the song as having "delicious lyrics and a sparkling production."[6]

For Williams, the song was a personal victory; it was his first collaboration with Nichols that resulted in a hit single, and it opened the door to many more thereafter. In 1998, the recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for recordings "of lasting quality or historical significance".[8]

Legacy and Reception

Although it achieved only moderate success on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 28, the enduring charm of We've Only Just Begun ensured its legacy. UK listeners voted it the second-most loved Carpenters song in ITV's 2016 program The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song.[9] For Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, the song represented a breakthrough, solidifying their careers as a songwriting team.[1]

Music video

The music video for the song was shot in a red background with the letters for the word "you". Karen was sitting in the letter "u" while Richard was standing beside her. He also was not playing the piano as he usually did. The video was shot as part of the 1971 television series Make Your Own Kind of Music.

Charts

<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>

Certifications

Template:Certification Table Top Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Bottom

Personnel

Carpenters compilation appearances

  • 1973 – The Singles: 1969–1973 (1973 remix with intro)
  • 1980 – Beautiful Moments
  • 1985 – Yesterday Once More: Their Greatest Hits (1985 remix)
  • 1989 – Anthology
  • 1991 – From the Top (1991 remix)
  • 1995 – Interpretations: A 25th Anniversary Edition
  • 1997 – Carpenters: Their Greatest Hits And Finest Performances
  • 1998 – Love Songs
  • 2000 – The Singles: 1969-1981
  • 2002 – The Essential Collection
  • 2004 – Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition
  • 2009 – 40/40
  • 2014 – Icon (as part of Universal Music's budget line compilation series)

Paul Williams version

Paul Williams, who had originally composed the song's lyrics, released a version of the song in 1971 on his album Just an Old Fashioned Love Song. It was also released as a single, with "Waking Up Alone" as the B-side. The 1971 version was a different recording from the version he had recorded for the original Crocker Bank ad.

Notable cover versions

  • Bitty McLean, released as a single on June 5, 1995, and reached No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart[17][18]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Carpenters singles Template:Authority control

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