Yesterday Once More

"Yesterday Once More", written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, was a hit song by The Carpenters from their 1973 album Now & Then. Composed in the key of E, "Yesterday Once More" preceded an "Oldies Medley" on the album, consisting of nine songs from the 1960s. At the end of the song a motorcycle engine was heard to transition into the first song of the medley: "Fun, Fun, Fun". The motorcycle was mixed out on The Singles: 1969-1973 compilation. However, very few copies of that particular version are on CD. Though the song failed to top the US Billboard charts, peaking at #2 on the Hot 100 chart, it did go to #1 on the American adult contemporary chart, becoming their eighth #1 on this chart in four years. Though not quite as celebrated as signature songs Close To You or We've Only Just Begun, the ballad is nonetheless the Carpenters biggest selling record worldwide. Richard Carpenter admitted on a recent Japanese Carpenters documentary that it is his favorite of all the songs he's written. He has gone on to perform the instrumental version at concerts. According to Cash Box Magazine, on June 2, 1973, "Yesterday Once More" was the highest debut single, debuting at #71. By August 4, it had skyrocketed to #1.

[Verse 1] When I was young I'd listen to the radio Waiting for my favorite songs When they played I'd sing along It made me smile [Pre-Chorus] 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 [Chorus] Every shalalala, every oho, oho Still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's So fine [Post-Chorus] When they get to the part where he's breaking her heart It can really make me cry Just like before It's yesterday once more (Shoobidoo, wangdang) (Shoobidoo, wangdang) [Verse 2] Looking 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 [Pre-Chorus] It was songs of love that I would sing to them And I'd memorize each word Those old melodies still sound so good to me As they melt the years away [Chorus] Every shalalala, every oho, oho Still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's So fine [Post-Chorus] All my best memories come back clearly to me Some can even make me cry Just like before It's yesterday once more (Shoobidoo, wangdang) (Shoobidoo, wangdang) [Chorus] Every shalalala, every oho, oho Still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's So fine Every shalalala, every oho, oho Still shines Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing's So fine