The Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More” holds a magical ability — it can instantly transport listeners back to the very first moment they heard it, no matter how many years have passed. Released in 1973 as part of their album Now & Then, this iconic song soared to a peak of No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the duo’s biggest-selling record worldwide and their best-selling single in the United Kingdom.
Crafted by the talented half of the duo, Richard Carpenter, alongside lyricist John Bettis, “Yesterday Once More” captures the wistful, almost haunting power of music — reminding us how songs of a bygone generation come back as vividly as a long-lost friend when we play them again. The poignant lyrics — “Every sha-la-la-la, every wo-o-wo-o, still shines. Every shing-a-ling-a-ling, that they’re startin’ to sing’s so fine. All my best memories come back clearly to me. Some can even make me cry, just like before. It’s yesterday once more” — echo the deep emotion and nostalgia the song evokes.
In a candid documentary, Richard Carpenter revealed that “Yesterday Once More” was his favorite song he ever wrote. He explained, “The oldies were enjoying a resurgence in popularity during the early ’70s, much to Karen’s and my delight. I thought it would be nice to write a song about this and use the piece to bookend the oldies medley we were planning to record for Now and Then. The resulting ‘Yesterday Once More’ became our eighth domestic gold single, and one of our biggest hits worldwide.”
Lyricist John Bettis reminisced about the creation process, sharing how the duo was on the road frequently, leaving Richard little time to find new materials. Bettis prepared over 70 song titles, but only “Yesterday Once More” caught Richard’s attention. Bettis recalled the frustrating hours spent on the verses, uncertain if the song could be finished — until Karen Carpenter’s encouraging presence shifted the mood. “Karen was always checking on us… She came in and said, ‘What have you got for me?’ We played her the chorus, and she, of course, loved it.”
Though their record-making partnership lasted a mere fourteen years before Karen’s tragic passing, The Carpenters left behind an indelible legacy. Their songs like “Yesterday Once More” make listeners feel as though the past is alive again — a reminder that some memories, and melodies, never fade.
For those who want to relive this emotional journey, the timeless performance of “Yesterday Once More” continues to captivate hearts worldwide, reaffirming why it remains a beloved classic across generations.
