CARPENTERS - GOODBYE TO LOVE

Released: June 19, 1972

Charts:  UK: #9   US: #7 

"Goodbye to Love" was the first hit song written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis for the Carpenters, released in 1972. Often regarded as the prototype for the power ballad, it reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it initially appeared as the B-side to "I Won't Last a Day Without You," but the sides were switched shortly after release, and "Goodbye to Love" climbed to No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart, marking the Carpenters' second top ten hit in that region.

While visiting London, Richard Carpenter saw a 1940 Bing Crosby film, *Rhythm on the River*, on *The Late Movie*. In the film, characters frequently refer to a song titled "Goodbye to Love," although it's never actually heard. Carpenter found the title intriguing and thought it would make a great song. Despite having the melody in his head, he struggled with the lyrics, so he completed the arrangement after returning to the U.S. His writing partner, John Bettis, then finalized the lyrics, resulting in the Carpenters' hit song.

While working on the tune, the Carpenters decided to incorporate a fuzz guitar solo into the song. Karen Carpenter personally called guitarist Tony Peluso to ask him to play on the record. Peluso recalled being initially skeptical that it was actually Karen on the phone, but after she repeated her name, he realized he was truly speaking to one of his idols. 

In the “Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters” documentary, Tony Peluso mentioned that "Goodbye to Love" was one of the first, if not the first, power ballads to feature a fuzz guitar solo. When Peluso arrived to the studio told Richard Carpenter he couldn't read music. Richard played and sang the melody for him, instructing Peluso to "take it away" at a specific point in the song. Remarkably, 99% of the iconic guitar solo was completed on the first take.