Rainy Days and Mondays

My mother died unexpectedly in 2004 (when I was in my 20s). I remained, well, "strong" until I heard this song, and was a complete mess for a while thereafter. ALL my grief came out when I heard this song and thought about my mom who loved me unconditionally.

I agree with the Mondays part, but I like rainy days, and it's been scientifically proven that they do counter sadness. But never mind that, this song is lovely. It seems to me pretty straightforward- it's about a girl whose got the mopes (could be clinically depressed, seems this is a regular occurence). Her "friend" (could be a man or woman, it doesn't specify) and the fact that they love her makes it all better.

I know that Karen didn't write this song, but when you learn about her problems it really seems as if she could have wrote it. As with many of the Carpenters' songs - when you know more about the people behind the cheesy smiles, Karen's voice then seems to drip with a beautifully bitter irony.

I really recommend the film 'Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story' by Todd Haynes to anybody who has ever even heard one of their songs. Really wonderful movie.

How DID she die? Weight gain or drugs? Drug overdose or illegal drugs? All I know is that the doctors are saying that it was drugs to give hope for the anorexics and the family is saying that it was weight gain because of their reputation. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I love The Carpenters. The Carpenters is my 3rd favorite band. :)

Oh yeah, about the song. I think it's great. I sing this song whenever I have plans to go out and suddenly it rains. I love rain, but not when I have plans. I noticed that almost all of their songs express love. I think it's great. But it's very predictable. Still, I love The Carpenters. Hehe..

Carpenters are love.

She died of heart failure as a result of anorexia nervosa. She did use Ipecac to aid in purging, so technically that was a factor in her death but not really what straight-up killed her. Not long before her death, she was force-fed and gained like 20 pounds in two weeks. Unfortunately, at the time, doctors didn't realize that that's more than a little unhealthy, and especially hard on an already weak heart. It's a very complicated story.

Todd Haynes' account of her story is not to be taken as historically accurate. He pretty much used her for his commentary on society. It could've really been about anybody.

Anyway, this song made me fall in love with the Carpenters. It will always be my favorite from them.

This song alone should destroy that 'hokey' factor that so many people place on the Carpenters name. They had PLENTY of substantial songs.

This is my absolute fave Carpenters song. I don't know any middle of the road song except maybe "Anyone WhoHad A Heart" by Dionne Warwick that can be sad and melancholy yet exciting and dynamic all at once.

It's a remarkable song, but the beauty of the song comes largely from how Karen sings it. She's able to go seamlessly from a downbeat, matter-of-fact tone in the first verse to an almost-triumphant dynamic big finish, while capturing all the right notes.

This song represents soo well how I'm feeling sometimes, especially on rainy days and Monday :) Anyway, for me, the meaning is this: The singer is a thinker and as most of the thinkers, she's sad, prone to depression, "blue" (she's got the blues). They can see easily the imperfections and drawbacks in the world -
Talkin' to myself and feelin' old Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothin' ever seems to fit Thinkers tend to overthink things and even when there's "Nothin' really wrong", they see it. So does she, thus she's sad and feeling like she "doesn't belong". Despite that, she's trying to be happy and even make other people happy - "Some kind of lonely clown".
She finds it comforting and nice that someone loves her, but that's not enough for her. She wants something more in life, so she finds it funny that for the world the one and only thing is to "Run and find the one who loves me". She's accepted this "idea", but she finds it quite disappointing that it "has come and gone before". So she doesn't want even to discuss it - it's ordinary, nothing new. No need to talk it out We know what it's all about Hangin' around Nothin' to do but frown Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

And despite she's living with this idea, she's "fitting" in the world, in rainy days and Mondays - usually moments which predispose you to thinking - she feels down again... I hope I explained it well :)