Karen Carpenter – “I’ll Be Yours” / “Looking for Love”
“I’ll Be Yours” b/w “Looking for Love” represents a significant piece of musical history in the career of Karen Carpenter. Released in 1966 under her name, this single is notable as the first recorded output by what would later become the iconic duo, The Carpenters. Although Karen’s brother, Richard Carpenter, played a crucial role in writing and recording the music, the single was released under the Magic Lamp label, a small and budget-conscious label of that time.
“I’ll Be Yours” and “Looking for Love” were recorded when Karen and Richard were still establishing their sound and presence in the music industry. The songs were crafted with a blend of pop and soft musical elements that hinted at the distinctive style The Carpenters would become known for. Unfortunately, the single did not achieve commercial success and failed to make an impact on the charts. The promotional efforts were minimal, reflecting the early stage of their career and the infancy of music videos as a promotional tool.
The release is a rare collector’s item today, with only about 500 copies ever pressed. Its scarcity has made it quite valuable, with current prices ranging between $2,000 to $2,500. This rarity is partly due to the fact that the master tapes for these recordings were lost in a fire at Joe Osborn’s house in 1974, as noted in the liner notes of the 1991 4-CD box set From the Top, where these tracks were later included. All reissues since then have been sourced from a single 45 rpm copy owned by Richard Carpenter.
Despite its limited initial success, “I’ll Be Yours” and “Looking for Love” hold a special place in the history of The Carpenters, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most beloved musical acts of the 1970s.