IF I HAD YOU

(Stephen Dorff / Gary Harju / Larry Herbstritt (m & l) )

As sung by Karen Carpenter 1979/80 on her solo album < Karen Carpenter > .

I wouldn't have the TV in the bedroom
I wouldn't have this teardrop in my eye
I wouldn't need the radio to be my lullaby
If I had you, if I had you.

I wouldn't need the sun to light the morning
If I could have your love to light my night
I'd never for a second keep our love from burnin' bright
If I had you in my life.

If I had you again
I wouldn't be the fool I've been
If I had you again
I'd never let the lovin' end
If I had you again
I'd show you baby, you're the only one.

So say that you believe in second chances
And say you'll let me be with you tonight
If you'll take my hand, I'll show you just how love could be so right
If I had you, if I had you.

If I had you again
I wouldn't be the fool I've been
If I had you again
I'd never let the lovin' end
If I had you again
I'd show you baby, you're the only one.

(bridge)

If you'll take my hand, I'll show you just how love could be so right
If I had you, if I had you.

If I had you again
I wouldn't be the fool I've been
If I had you again
I'd never let the lovin' end
If I had you again.

If I had you again, I'd never let the moment end
If I had you again, I'd always want you back with me.

(Carpenter and chorus fade)


NOTES:

The Carpenters were a talented brother/sister singer/
songwriting duo hailing from Los Angeles CA USA. 
Their distinctive soft rock sound provided contrast 
to the loud and raucous sounds of the day. As well 
as singing, Karen was accomplished at drums and 
brother Richard at piano. Sadly, the duo's career 
ended prematurely with the death of Karen Carpenter 
in 1983. She was 32 years old.

< If I Had You > had a very torturous distribution 
history. Originally it was produced by Phil Ramone 
1979/80 but the entire album was refused as a 
release by some A&M Record executives.

In 1989, this song (and 3 others from Karen's solo 
album) were released on the album < Lovelines > 
by A&M. Interestingly, this album was the 
last vinyl album produced by the Carpenters.

Finally after her death, Karen's entire solo album 
(including this song) was released in 1996 on CD 
in it's original form as Karen had intended.

This song was also released as the A side of a 45 
rpm single in 1989 (the B side was 
 < Lovelines >). (see elsewhere in this ILP database).




(Transcribed by David Story - March 2014)