I Need to Be in Love
| "I Need to Be in Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Single picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Carpenters | ||||
| from the album A Kind of Hush | ||||
| B-side | "Sandy" | |||
| Released | May 21, 1976 | |||
| Recorded | 1976 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Richard Carpenter | |||
| Carpenters singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| A Kind of Hush track listing | ||||
10 tracks
| ||||
"I Need to Be in Love" is a song written by Richard Carpenter, Albert Hammond and John Bettis. It was released as a single on May 21, 1976. It was featured on the A Kind of Hush album, which was released on June 11 of the same year.
Background
The single featured a version without the piano lead-in and starts immediately with a flute introduction by David Shostac.[1] Richard recalled that it was Karen's favorite Carpenters song.[2]
Re-release
In 1995, it was released as a CD single in Japan, after being chosen for the theme song of the drama Miseinen. It was taken from the best-selling compilation 22 Hits of the Carpenters (promoted as a double A-side with "Top of the World"). On his website, Richard Carpenter wrote that "It became one of the biggest sellers of 1995, ultimately going quadruple platinum. In more ways than one, Karen would have loved that!"[2]
Reception
Cash Box said that it starts with a "beautiful string introduction" and that "Karen Carpenter's voice slips in with a sweet ballad melody."[3]
Personnel
- Karen Carpenter - lead vocals
- Richard Carpenter - piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, harpsichord, Hammond organ, orchestration
- Joe Osborn - bass
- Tony Peluso - electric guitar
- Jim Gordon - drums
- Earle Dumler - English horn
- Gayle Levant - harp
- David Shostac - flute
- The O.K. Chorale - backing vocals
Chart performance
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 25 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[5] | 1 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] | 24 |
| Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[7] | 1 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 14 |
| Japanese Singles Chart (Oricon) | 62 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[9] | 36 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[10] | 47 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[11] | 31 |
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
| Japan (Oricon) | 5 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (RIAJ)[13] I Need to Be in Love / Top of the World |
4× Platinum | 450,000[12] |
| Japan (RIAJ)[14] Digital |
Gold | 100,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
References
- ^ "A Kind Of Hush | The Carpenters Complete Recording Resource". Carpenters.amcorner.com. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ^ a b "Carpenters •• I Need To Be In Love". Richardandkarencarpenter.com. 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 5, 1976. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "Carpenters Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "Carpenters Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 4299a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ RPM Adult Contemporary, July 31, 1976
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Carpenters". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 4/7/1976 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Cash Box" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. 1978-07-17. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ McClure, Steve (February 10, 1996). "The Carpenters Are A Hit Among Young Japanese". Billboard. p. 49. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved July 28, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Japanese single certifications – カーペンターズ – 青春の輝き／トップ・オブ・ザ・ワールド" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 1996年1月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – カーペンターズ – 青春の輝き" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved October 19, 2020. Select 2017年3月 on the drop-down menu
