The song was originally in a wedding-themed television commercial for Crocker National Bank in California in early 1970, with Paul Williams on vocals.

[5] As a single, the full song was first recorded by Smokey Roberds, a friend of Nichols, singing under the name "Freddie Allen".

According to Williams in the documentary Close to You: Remembering The Carpenters "We'd had some success with songs before, a few album cuts and some B-sides - but no singles.

This was a major break, a chance to get an A-side and maybe even a hit, so we would have absolutely lied through our teeth if there wasn't a full song."

Released in late summer 1970, the single featured Karen's lead vocals and the overdubbed harmonies of both siblings.

2 on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100 behind the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" and the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You", becoming the pair's second million-selling gold single, spending nine weeks in the Top 10.

[6] The song also helped them to win two Grammy Awards in 1971: Best New Artist and Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus (for "Close to You").