Time

1) Overview
Time is the first solo album by Richard Carpenter, issued October 11, 1987 on A&M. It features Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick on guest vocals and includes a tribute to Karen Carpenter, “When Time Was All We Had,” alongside Carpenter’s own piano-driven compositions. The project was produced by Richard Carpenter himself. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29)) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_in_Your_Eyes_%28Richard_Carpenter_song%29))

2) Recording History
- Recording spanned September 1, 1986 to July 5, 1987 at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California; producer: Richard Carpenter. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29))
- Engineers listed: Michael Bowman, Rob Jacobs, and Robert de la Garza; Roger Young handled recording and mixing. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29))
- Notable sessions included guests Dusty Springfield (“Something in Your Eyes”), Dionne Warwick (“In Love Alone”), and Scott Grimes (“That’s What I Believe”), plus Herb Alpert’s flugelhorn on “When Time Was All We Had” and John Phillips on select tracks. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29))
- The album’s initial singles were “Something in Your Eyes” (1987) and “Calling Your Name Again” (1987). The release group notes a United States release dated 1987-09-08. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29))

3) Chart Performance & Recognition
- The lead single “Something in Your Eyes” reached UK No. 84 and US Adult Contemporary No. 12, though the track overall did not become a major global hit. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_in_Your_Eyes_%28Richard_Carpenter_song%29))
- The Time album itself did not chart prominently on major album charts according to the discography record. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Carpenter_%28musician%29))
- Billboard’s contemporary note on the album praised Carpenter’s melodic craft and arrangement, acknowledging the guest shots but noting its broader appeal may be limited. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29))
- A notable legacy moment is the instrumental piece “Karen’s Theme” later tied to The Karen Carpenter Story (1989). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Carpenter_%28musician%29))

4) Cultural Impact & Legacy
- AllMusic’s retrospective framing describes Time as a lush, symphonic project that bridges Carpenters’ legacy with late-80s production. ([allmusic.com](https://www.allmusic.com/album/pianist-arranger-composer-conductor-mw0000031193))
- The album’s song “Something in Your Eyes” inspired a Chinese-language cover by Pat Chan in 1987. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_in_Your_Eyes_%28Richard_Carpenter_song%29))
- Time’s significance today rests in its status as Carpenter’s sole late-80s solo outing and in its blending of Carpenters repertoire with contemporary collaborators. Karen’s memory is enshrined in the closing dedication and in related projects he pursued later. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_%28Richard_Carpenter_album%29)).