He did the writing/arranging of their music for themost part. But they were both extraordinarily talented by my reckoning.
----------------------
from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Carpenter_(musician)

Richard and Karen signed with A&M Records on April 22, 1969. "Let's hope we have some hits," Herb Alpert told them. According to Richard, Alpert gave them artistic freedom in the recording studios but after Offering, their first album, was released and wasn't a big seller, it was rumored that some of A&M's people were asking Alpert to abandon the Carpenters but he believed in their talent and insisted on giving them another chance.

Alpert suggested the Carpenters record a Burt Bacharach and Hal David song called (They Long to Be) Close to You written in 1963. Though Richard worked up an arrangement only at Alpert's insistence, the song was an overnight success. Released on May 14, 1970, it rocketed up the Top 40 charts to No. 1, where it stayed for four weeks during June and July,[13] paving the way for the duo's future records.

Sitting at home one night, Richard was watching TV and saw a commercial for Crocker National Bank. He recognized the voices of Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, two A&M songwriters on the commercial's theme song "We've Only Just Begun". Richard made some calls to confirm their involvement and asked if there was a full version of the song, which Williams affirmed. Carpenter managed to turn the bank commercial jingle into an RIAA-certified Gold record. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has become a popular wedding song. The song also successfully launched the careers of Nichols and Williams, who went on to write multiple hits for the Carpenters and many other artists.[14]

Richard composed many of the Carpenters' hits as well with John Bettis as lyricist such as:

"Goodbye to Love" (1972; #7; one of the first pop ballads to have a fuzz guitar solo—influenced the development of the power ballad[15])
"Top of the World" (1972; No. 1. Though the Carpenters originally opted to not release this song as a single, a version recorded by Lynn Anderson reached No. 2 on the Billboard Country chart; following the success of Anderson's version, the Carpenters decided to release their version as a single, and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.)
"Yesterday Once More" (1973; #2)
"Only Yesterday" (1975; #4)

I used to listen to their songs as a kid. My dad told me that Karen Carpenter died due to an eating disorder.

Okay Wikipedia confirms that. Except for their cover of Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride”, I like all their songs. It’s not as bad as Phil Collins’ take on “Groovy kind of love” but close ;-/.

Dad (who is musical) told me that when you make a cover there is a legal requirement that you change the original somewhat. I guess that’s why covers never sound like the originals. I wondered why it sounded nothing like the Beatles version.

I had it and played it quite a lot, but completely forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me, I don't like completely forgetting things. But I saw the album cover in my mind as soon as I hit ay.

I sometimes find that after I hear a cover and take to it, I don’t like the original as much.

But in this case I like it..Thanks Figarosmom.

Ticket To Ride (The Beatles)
Please Mr. Postman (The Marvelettes)
There's a Kind of Hush (Herman's Hermits)
Beechwood 4-5789 (The Marvelettes)
Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (Klaatu)
Goofus (Les Paul)
I Believe You (Dorothy Moore)
Solitaire (Andy Williams)
Touch Me When We're Dancing (Bama)

That was another band which made a lot of covers. Many of the bands from the 50s-70s did..The Hollie’s, Herman’s Hermits..it’s hard to tell who sang the original sometimes.

I have been trying to locate a song called “Freight Train” sung by a band in the approx style of The Hollies have, but it was clearly a cover going by its Wiki entry:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_Train_(folk_song)

I can’t find the cover I am looking for. If anyone knows which one it is, I’d like to know..
Thanks