The Carpenters’ “Beechwood 4-5789”: A Nostalgic Tribute to the 1960s
In 1981, The Carpenters released their album Made in America, which featured a nostalgic remake of the Marvelettes’ 1962 hit, “Beechwood 4-5789.” This track, though not one of their biggest hits, holds a special place in the Carpenters’ discography as it was the last single released before Karen Carpenter’s untimely death in 1983. The decision to cover “Beechwood 4-5789” was a departure from the duo’s usual style, driven largely by Karen’s own enthusiasm for the song. Despite the track’s modest performance on the charts, its release was a significant moment in the Carpenters’ career, reflecting Karen’s deep love for the music of the early 1960s and her desire to bring that joy to a new generation.
Richard Carpenter was known for his meticulous control over the Carpenters’ musical choices, but the idea to remake “Beechwood 4-5789” was evidently Karen’s. According to Mike Curb, Karen was excited about the song and played him the original over the phone, exclaiming, “I’ve gotta play a song for you! You’ll get a kick out of it! It is really fun! It’ll bring back memories.” Despite his initial reservations about the song’s hit potential, Curb couldn’t dampen Karen’s enthusiasm and supported her decision. This personal connection to the song and Karen’s passion for it are evident in the recording, which captures the playful energy of the original while adding the signature Carpenters’ touch of polished harmonies and lush production.
Released as the fourth single from Made in America on March 2, 1982—Karen’s thirty-second birthday—”Beechwood 4-5789″ debuted on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on March 27, 1982, and entered the Billboard Hot 100 on April 24, 1982, at number 83. Although it didn’t become a major hit, peaking at number 74 on the Hot 100 and number 18 on the A/C chart, the song still marked a significant achievement for the Carpenters. It became their twenty-seventh single to reach the Hot 100, maintaining their streak of chart appearances since their major label debut in 1969. Internationally, the song saw better success, particularly in New Zealand, where it reached number 10 in March 1982, making it the last evident top ten hit by the Carpenters on a major national chart.
Accompanying the single was a 1960s nostalgia-themed music video, shot on A&M’s Chaplin Stage. The video captures the essence of the era, with scenes set in a soda shop where the song’s single is placed in a jukebox, prompting couples to dance in their chairs as Karen sings. The video also features a young woman’s bedroom, implied to be Karen’s character’s room, where Karen is seen seated in front of a dresser, singing alongside Richard, who plays the keyboard. This clever superimposition of the duo onto the dresser gives them a miniature appearance, especially when contrasted with the iconic pink Princess telephone that Karen holds. The video concludes with Richard and Karen performing with the band in the soda shop, bringing a joyful and nostalgic end to the visual experience.
“Beechwood 4-5789” may not have reached the heights of some of the Carpenters’ earlier hits, but it remains a charming and heartfelt tribute to the music of the past. For Karen, this song was a way to connect with the joyous spirit of the early 1960s, a time that clearly held special meaning for her. The track stands as a testament to Karen’s love of music and her ability to bring warmth and sincerity to every performance, even as she faced the personal struggles that would ultimately lead to her tragic passing. Today, “Beechwood 4-5789” endures as a nostalgic gem, a reminder of Karen Carpenter’s incredible talent and the timeless appeal of the Carpenters’ music.