This song is a work-lead by Karen Carpenter and was recorded in 1980 for the "Made In America" album, but was not included on the final release of that album. Karen recorded the song at Richard's request, but simply did not like the song, and so it was never finished. When Carpenter fans learned of the track, they begged Richard to complete it and release it. In an interview, Richard was quoted as saying that if he ever released it, Karen would "come down and get me!" But for the 2000 Japanese release of "As Time Goes By," Richard finally completed the track for inclusion on the album. 20 years after it was recorded, the song was finally released to the public. To place the song in it's historical context, the song was recorded in 1980 by Karen, after she had completed her solo album earlier that year. The album was intended to show fans a different side of Karen than they were used to hearing. The album featured Karen singing in a slightly higher voice and performing a few disco tunes, as well as the love ballads she was known for. But the powers-that-be at A&M Records panned the album and it was shelved. Karen returned to the studio with Richard to begin work on the next Carpenters album. I believe she may have viewed the song as the type of song she had been trying to get away from on her solo album. That may have been her original objection to the song, I think. But now, in view of what happened just a few years later, the song has an added poignancy that makes it all the more beautiful. There's something sad, yet heartening at the same time when Karen sings that line: "Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection - the lovers, the dreamers - and me..." The Rainbow Connection