The Singles: 1969–1973

The compilation include a re-recorded single version of "Top of the World" and newly re-recorded "Ticket to Ride" specially for the compilation.

It also includes a number of musical introductions and segues between the songs "Superstar", "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Goodbye to Love", the latter two were sped up in pitch, much to the regret of Richard in subsequent years.^[6]

Richard Carpenter gave the album this title because he doesn't like the term "greatest hits" because he felt it was "an overused thing".^[7] He continues:

Individuals and groups with two or three hits all of a sudden put them on an album, use filler for the rest and title it "greatest hits". This album contains eleven true hits and it just wasn't slapped together. We've remixed a few, re-cut one and joined a couple of others. It's simply something I believe we owe our audience and ourselves.^[7]

On January 5, 1974, the album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200, becoming the Carpenters' first and only number one album in the US.^[8] The Singles: 1969–1973 has been certified 7× platinum in the US, becoming Carpenters' best selling album to date in the US. In the UK, the album reached number 1 for 17 non-consecutive weeks. In Canada, the album was in the Top 100 for 33 weeks,^[9] and number 21 in the year-end chart.^[10]

In their review, Billboard noted that "Karen's clear, clean, pristine tones have a glisten whether its heard on "We've Only Just Begun" or 'Top of the World." Placed end-to-end, the group's music has a compelling quality which stands the test of time. They are capable of making 'Ticket to Ride" by Lennon/McCartney their own special vehicle, principally because of Karen's slow, invoking vocal. Brother Richard's orchestrations and arrangements, plus his own sweet harmonizing on this and the other cuts, adds the middle and bottom ranges to Karen's top levels." ^[11]

Cashbox called it "a brilliant package at a perfect time. What a splendid combination for the duo who have done as much to change the face of pop music as any group in its history. Every song on this album is genuine gold...this collection is really one of the best we’ve seen in quite some time and Karen and Richard Carpenter can look forward to a very bright and happy holiday season because this package is sure to delight everyone who has ever loved music.^[12]

In the British magazine Music Scene, Richard Green wrote, "In terms of recording success it's almost impossible to fault the chippies and though they may not be your cup of tea, an awful lot of people seem to have a taste for the beverage. The fact that nine of the twelve tracks were million sellers must prove something."^[13]

AllMusic rated the album four stars, commenting that "there's a certain inherent sadness listening to this concise 12-song collection of the Carpenters' early hits, especially as it opens with "We've Only Just Begun," with its hopeful, dreamy lyrics - for it was never supposed to be definitive, just the first of at least two such collections. Listening to this material, it's easy to accuse the Carpenters of being hopelessly retro even in their own time. But the lush melodies brought out in Richard Carpenter's arrangements and Karen's singing are justification in themselves."^[14]

Notes

• "We've Only Just Begun" begins with an excerpt of "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and contains elements of "Superstar."
• "Superstar," "Rainy Days and Mondays," and "Goodbye to Love" are continuously mixed.

• Bernie Grundman, Richard Carpenter – 1999 CD, 2014 SHM SACD and 2014 SHM CD remastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering
• Richard Carpenter - 1991 remastering

US 7" promo (1973); A&M LLP 238

1. "Ticket to Ride" (1973 version)
2. "(They Long to Be) Close to You"
3. "We've Only Just Begun"
4. "Top of the World"
5. "Rainy Days and Mondays"