We’ve Only Just Begun / (They Long To Be) Close To You

Song Meaning

The juxtaposition of these two Carpenters classics creates a fascinating tension between nascent love and established devotion. "(They Long To Be) Close To You" opens with a simple, almost magical observation: the inexplicable pull of a loved one, framed by the whimsical question of why birds flock when they're near. It captures that initial spark, the almost supernatural magnetism that draws two people together before they even understand why. "We've Only Just Begun," on the other hand, dives headfirst into the practicalities and profound optimism of a shared future. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple embarking on their life together, marked by "white lace and promises" and the simple act of learning to "run" after starting out walking. This progression from tentative steps to confident strides mirrors the journey of building a life, emphasizing shared experiences and mutual effort in "workin' together day to day." The true magic lies in how these two songs, when heard together, illustrate the full arc of a relationship's beginning. The initial, almost fated attraction described in "Close to You" provides the foundation for the committed, forward-looking partnership detailed in "We've Only Just Begun." It suggests that the inexplicable magic of attraction eventually matures into a conscious, collaborative effort to build a life, finding joy in the shared journey and the promise of "so much of life ahead."