Make Believe It's Your First Time

"Make Believe It's Your First Time"
Single by The Carpenters
from the album Voice of the Heart
B-side "Look to Your Dreams"
Released 1983
Format 7" single
Recorded 1979
Genre Pop
Length 4:08
Label A&M
1940
Writer(s) Bob Morrison; Johnny Wilson
Producer(s) Richard Carpenter
The Carpenters singles chronology
"Beechwood 4-5789"
(1982)		 "Make Believe It's Your First Time"
(1983)		 "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore"
(1983)

"Make Believe It's Your First Time" is a song written by Bob Morrison and Johnny Wilson, and recorded by Bobby Vinton and later by The Carpenters.

Vinton's version was released as a single in late 1979 (b/w "I Remember Loving You") and reached No. 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 17 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It is Vinton's last Billboard Hot 100 entry to date.

The song was also recorded in 1979 by Karen Carpenter as a track intended for her debut solo album, which was ultimately shelved until 1996, with the release of her eponymous album, Karen Carpenter. After Karen's death in 1983, the song was re-recorded and it, with its B-side, "Look to Your Dreams", were included on the duo's first posthumous album, Voice of the Heart.

Karen Carpenter rendition

Between 1978 and 1980, Karen Carpenter went to New York to record a solo album with Phil Ramone producing. "Make Believe It's Your First Time" was one of twenty tunes recorded. Karen's solo version is far more subdued with only a piano as her accompaniment.

Voice of the Heart rendition

Between the time Karen came home from recording her solo album and coming home from her anorexia nervosa treatment, Carpenters recorded this version of "Make Believe It's Your First Time". Richard Carpenter's arrangement uses far more instrumentation, adds a bridge written specifically for this version, and adds background vocals.

Chart Peak position
UK Singles Chart 60
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 7
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles 1

Personnel

External links