We’ve Only Just Begun

AM 1217 Begun All Life
(Paul Williams, Roger Nichols) Irving Music, Inc. BMI 3:04

A&M 1217 Single released: 8/21/70
Billboard #2, 9/12/70
b/w All Of My Life

Original album mix:
CLOSE TO YOU and all CDs of this album
– A&M GOLD SERIES VOL 2
– A&M NEW GOLD SERIES VOL 2
CARPENTERS COLLECTED
CARPENTERS-THE COMPLETE SINGLES
– ESSENTIAL COLLECTION
JAPANESE SINGLE BOX
ULTIMATE COLLECTION (NL)
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (UK)
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (84)

Mono promo single mix is a foldown of the original album mix.

1973 remix with overture: starts with “Close To You” and orchestral overture
THE SINGLES 1969-1973 (all versions)

1985 remix: features extra stereo piano embellishments, brass stabs centered
– 20/20 BEST OF BEST SELECTION
– 40/40 BEST SELECTION (JP)
– 40/40 (US)
ANTHOLOGY (89)
BY REQUEST
– THE CARPENTERS COLLECTION (THEIR GREATEST HITS)
CLASSICS VOL 2 and YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (85)
FROM THE TOP
GOLD (JP)
GOLD (UK)
GOLD (US)
ICON
INTERPRETATIONS (UK)
INTERPRETATIONS (US)
THE NATION’S FAVOURITE CARPENTERS SONGS (UK)
ONLY YESTERDAY-THEIR GREATEST HITS
REMINISCING
THE SINGLES 1969-1981
THE SINGLES 1969-1981 SACD on SACD stereo layer and CD Audio layer
TWENTY TWO HITS OF THE CARPENTERS
ULTIMATE COLLECTION (UK)
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (98)
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (NL)

1985 remix: reversed stereo:
A ARTE DE CARPENTERS

1991 remix: features the same piano embellishments with the brass stabs in the right channel
ANTHOLOGY (97)
BEST OF BEST+
THE BEST OF CARPENTERS (Brazil)
– CARPENTERS BEST VOL. 2
CARPENTERS COLLECTION (Time-Life)
LOVE SONGS
MAGICAL MEMORIES OF THE CARPENTERS
SWEET MEMORY at last
THEIR GREATEST HITS AND FINEST PERFORMANCES (Readers Digest)

Karaoke mix: backing track to the 1991 remix
– ORIGINAL MASTER KARAOKE-YESTERDAY ONCE MORE

SACD 5.1 surround mix:
THE SINGLES 1969-1981 SACD on surround layer

Quad remix:
CLOSE TO YOU quad 8-track
THE SINGLES 1969-1973 Quad LP and 8-track

Live versions can be found on LIVE IN JAPAN and LIVE AT THE PALLADIUM

Instrumental version: totally different recording
PIANIST, ARRANGER, COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR

2018 RPO Mix: enhanced version recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
CARPENTERS WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Songbook recording:
RICHARD CARPENTER’S PIANO SONGBOOK

Chris May says: 
Regarding the SACD surround mix: Another great remix with great separation. Wurlitzer electric piano is back up in the mix (much like original from ’70), positioned more dominantly in the rear left.

Original promotional ad for this song as well the album release for CLOSE TO YOU:

Billboard Close To You Weve Only Just Begun Ad Sept 5 1970