Benign Slab Of Oppression: “Hurting Each Other” by The Carpenters

One of the occupational hazards of writing a blog based on the charts is that sooner or later you’re going to end up writing about the same music, over and over. The Carpenters ended 1971 and begin 1972, hence becoming the first act since The Beatles to appear here with consecutive entries, and much more than Creedence, their omnipresence is becoming a tad oppressive – and we’re not done with them here yet. I have virtually nothing left to say about The Carpenters or their music; suffice it to mention that “Hurting Each Other” is a cover of a 1965 song which has been interpreted by everyone from Chad Allen and The Expressions to The Walker Brothers – although Richard seems to have been influenced by the vocal arrangements on Ruby and The Romantics’ 1969 recording. The pain remains suppressed, while the emotional low is so unbearable you could put this out on Bella Union and get a Guardian five-star review tomorrow. To paraphrase Karen, can’t we just STOP?

Date Record Made Number Two: 26 February 1972

Number Of Weeks At Number Two: 2

Record At Number One: “Without You” by Nilsson

UK Chart Position: None

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