Music Appreciation

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts) Thu Apr 4, 2019, 06:57 PM Apr 2019

Superstar --- Karen Carpenter -vs- Luther Vandross

"Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell with a songwriting credit also given to Delaney Bramlett[1] that has been a hit for many artists in different genres and interpretations in the years since; the best-known version is by the Carpenters in 1971.

In its first recorded incarnation, the song was called "Groupie (Superstar)," and was recorded and released as a B-side to the Delaney & Bonnie single "Comin' Home" in December 1969. Released by Atlantic Records, the full credit on the single was to Delaney & Bonnie and Friends Featuring Eric Clapton.

The song "Superstar" became most popular after its treatment by the Carpenters. Richard Carpenter became aware of the song after hearing it sung by Bette Midler on late night television. He remembered, "I came home from the studio one night and heard a then relatively unknown Bette Midler perform it on The Tonight Show. I could barely wait to arrange and record it. It remains one of my favorites."

In the early 1980s, American R&B singer Luther Vandross had "Superstar" in his stage act, sometimes in a rendition that stretched to 12 minutes, with vocal interpolations and an interpretive dancer.

Vandross then recorded "Superstar" in 1983 in a slower, more soulful fashion, as part of a medley with Stevie Wonder's "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" on his album Busy Body. Released as a single the following year, it became an R&B hit, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Top R&B Singles chart.[12] It did not have much pop crossover effect, however, only reaching number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100.

6 votes, 0 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	Karen Carpenter
	3 (50%)
	Luther Vandross
	2 (33%)
	I can't decide, I like both versions.
	1 (17%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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