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Roger Nichols, songwriter behind the Carpenters’ hits, dead at 84

BBG News

The composer responsible for penning “We’ve Only Just Begun” and numerous other popular songs for the folk-rock duo, the Carpenters, named Roger Nichols, has passed away at the age of 84.

On May 17th, it was announced through a social media post by Paul Williams, a long-term collaborator of Nichols, that Nichols had passed away. The circumstances leading to his death were not disclosed.

The first song that I collaborated with Roger Nichols on was titled ‘It’s hard to say goodbye …’. Regrettably, we seem to have captured our feelings perfectly. Four days ago, Roger Nichols passed away peacefully, surrounded by his lovely family, with Terry and their proud daughters Claire and Caitlin by his side.

Williams emphasized that his subject was equally disciplined and gifted. His compositions sparked the creation of words, mirroring each note and lyric perfectly. The lyrics were embedded within the emotions of his music, making the writing process effortless.

Born in Montana, Nichols debuted his first solo album titled “Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends” on A&M Records in 1968. This record has since gained recognition as a cult favorite within the California pop-rock genre, featuring collaborations with Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks, and Lenny Waronker. Yet, his major breakthrough came when he composed a heartfelt jingle for a Crocker-Citizens National Bank advertisement, which later catapulted him to fame as a songwriter.

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Richard Carpenter, one half of the renowned duo with his sister Karen, caught a melody on TV and inquired if Nichols and Williams possessed a complete version of the track. They swiftly expanded it into a tune that eventually transformed into the duo’s massive 1970 hit “We’ve Only Just Begun.” The single was recognized at the subsequent Grammy Awards and nominated for song of the year.

Alongside Williams and other lyricists, Nichols collaborated to pen several of the Carpenters’ most cherished tunes such as “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” “Let Me Be the One,” and “I Kept on Loving You.” Apart from his successful compositions for the Carpenters, Nichols also worked together with other artists like the Monkees, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Petula Clark, and Art Garfunkel to create songs that were recorded by them and numerous others.

In response to William’s post, Claire Nichols commented that her mother Terri, along with her sisters Caroline and Caitlin, hold great pride for the man Williams was and are amazed by the legacy he has created.

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2025-05-23 23:01

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