The Carpenters – Yesterday Once More

About The Song

“Yesterday Once More,” written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, emerged as a hit song for the Carpenters from their 1973 album “Now & Then.” The song revolves around the theme of reminiscing about songs from a bygone generation. Notably, it transitions into an extensive medley comprising eight covers of 1960s tunes seamlessly woven into a simulated oldies radio program, occupying the entire B-side of the album.

In its single version, the song peaked at the second position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, narrowly missing the top spot, which was claimed by “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” by Jim Croce. This marked the duo’s fifth number two hit, solidifying their position as the act with the second-most number two hits on the chart, trailing only Madonna. “Yesterday Once More” also reached the pinnacle of the easy listening chart, securing their eighth number-one hit on that chart within four years. Globally, it stands as the Carpenters’ highest-selling record and their best-selling single in the UK, where it peaked at number 2.

Richard Carpenter, in a Japanese documentary, expressed that “Yesterday Once More” was his favorite among all the songs he had written. He has even performed an instrumental version of the song at concerts. According to Cash Box, on June 2, 1973, “Yesterday Once More” made a notable debut, entering the singles chart at No. 71. By August 4, it had ascended to the coveted No. 1 position.

Video

Lyrics

When I was young
I’d listen to the radio
Waitin’ for my favorite songs
When they played I’d sing along
It made me smile

Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they’d gone
But they’re back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

When they get to the part
Where he’s breakin’ her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more

Lookin’ back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed

It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I’d memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine