Superstar - The Carpenters (1971) • Not originally theirs – “Superstar” was written by Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett (of Delaney & Bonnie). The Carpenters’ version is the one that made it famous. • Originally titled differently – The song was first released as “Groupie (Superstar)”, with lyrics more explicitly about a fan infatuated with a rock star. • Karen Carpenter’s haunting vocal – Karen’s soft, intimate delivery turned the song into a deeply emotional ballad. Many critics cite it as one