About the song
“Rainy Days and Mondays,” a melancholic yet tender ballad by The Carpenters, resonates with its soulful melody and poignant lyrics. Released as the lead single from their eponymous third album, the song was crafted by acclaimed songwriting duo Paul Williams (lyrics) and Roger Nichols (music), renowned for their hit “We’ve Only Just Begun.”
The genesis of “Rainy Days and Mondays” began when a demo of the song reached Richard Carpenter, who immediately sensed its potential as a vehicle for his and Karen Carpenter’s expressive talents. Recorded just before Karen’s 21st birthday, the song was kept deliberately sparse in arrangement by Richard, allowing Karen’s emotive vocals to shine through beautifully.
Upon its release in 1971, “Rainy Days and Mondays” ascended swiftly on the charts, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Easy Listening chart, marking it as one of The Carpenters’ most successful singles. Its journey to the top was halted only by Carole King’s dual-sided hit “It’s Too Late”/”I Feel the Earth Move.” The song’s success also extended to Canada, where it reached number 3 on the RPM Top Singles chart.
Critically acclaimed for its expressive emotionality, the song has been lauded as one of The Carpenters’ finest achievements. Billboard described it as a “fine love song,” while Record World praised its “subtle and sweet” folk ballad style with a touch of continental flair.
Despite its initial success in North America, “Rainy Days and Mondays” initially failed to chart in the United Kingdom until a reissue in 1993, where it finally peaked at number 63. Its enduring appeal is further evidenced by its gold certification by the RIAA, signifying over 500,000 copies sold in the United States alone.
“Rainy Days and Mondays” remains a timeless classic in the Carpenters’ repertoire, celebrated for its evocative lyrics and Karen Carpenter’s unforgettable vocal delivery. Its universal theme of melancholy on rainy days strikes a chord with listeners worldwide, ensuring its place as a beloved piece of pop music history.
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Lyrics
Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old
Sometimes I’d like to quit
Nothin’ ever seems to fit
Hangin’ around
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
What I’ve got they used to call the blues
Nothin’ is really wrong
Feelin’ like I don’t belong
Walkin’ around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
Funny, but it seems I always wind up here with you
Nice to know somebody loves me
Funny, but it seems that it’s the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me (the one who loves me)
What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out (talk it out)
We know what it’s all about
Hangin’ around (hangin’ around)
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
Funny, but it seems that it’s the only thing to do (only thing to do)
Run and find the one who loves me (ooh)
What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out (to talk it out)
We know what it’s all about
Hangin’ around (hangin’ around)
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
Hangin’ around (hangin’ around)
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get
Me down