About the Song
There’s a rare kind of vulnerability in The Carpenters – Make Believe It’s Your First Time that brings listeners back to the delicate thrill of love’s first moments. Released in 1983 on their album Voice of the Heart, this song carries a poignancy that reflects the later stages of Karen Carpenter’s career, a time marked by both beauty and bittersweet reflections. Listening to this song feels like stepping back in time to relive those precious beginnings—the excitement, the wonder, and the feeling that the world has just opened up before you.
Written by Bob Morrison and Johnny Wilson, Make Believe It’s Your First Time is a gentle ballad that invites us to reconnect with the magic of love. Karen Carpenter’s voice, known for its warmth and unparalleled clarity, imbues the lyrics with a tenderness that feels both soothing and intimate. In this song, she’s singing not just to a lover, but to anyone who understands the power of a shared moment. With lyrics like “Make believe it’s your first time, and I’ll make believe it’s mine,” she calls upon the listener to approach love with a fresh heart, reminding us that the simplest gestures can carry the deepest meaning.
The arrangement, orchestrated with Richard Carpenter’s signature sensitivity, keeps the melody soft and unobtrusive, allowing Karen’s voice to take center stage. It’s this balance that makes The Carpenters – Make Believe It’s Your First Time so compelling. The song doesn’t overwhelm with grand declarations; instead, it lingers like a whisper, inviting listeners to pause, breathe, and remember that even the quietest expressions of love can resonate profoundly.
For those familiar with The Carpenters’ body of work, this track holds a special place. It represents not only the timelessness of their music but also Karen’s ability to connect with her audience on a deeply emotional level. As the notes drift gently through the air, we’re reminded of the enduring power of love, and how revisiting it with fresh eyes can transform even the most ordinary moments into something extraordinary.
In The Carpenters – Make Believe It’s Your First Time, we find both nostalgia and renewal—a beautiful reminder that love can feel brand new, no matter how many times we return to it.
Barbara Desetto