“Rainy Days and Mondays”: Legendary hitmaker behind Carpenters’ biggest songs says goodbye at 84
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The world of music has lost one of its quiet giants. Roger Nichols, the creative force behind some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century, passed away on May 17 at the age of 84. Truly, this news feels like a rainy day on a Monday.
While his name may not be as instantly recognizable as the stars who sang his tunes, Nichols’ melodies have been the soundtrack to countless weddings, rainy afternoons, and moments of hope and heartbreak for generations.
If you’ve ever found yourself humming We’ve Only Just Begun or feeling a pang of nostalgia during Rainy Days and Mondays, you’ve already been touched by his genius.
A Songwriter’s Songwriter
Born in 1940, Roger Nichols was a man of many talents—violinist, athlete, craftsman, and, above all, a master of melody.
His journey into the heart of American pop music began in the mid-1960s, when he was paired with lyricist Paul Williams by the legendary Herb Alpert at A&M Records. It was a partnership that would change both their lives—and the sound of an era.
Williams, reflecting on their collaboration, described Nichols as “as disciplined as he was talented.”
While Williams admits to having the “attention span of a sea otter,” Nichols was the workhorse, often pushing through hours of writing to perfect a song. Their creative chemistry was undeniable, and together they crafted a string of hits that would become classics.
The Carpenters Connection: From Jingle to Generational Anthem
Perhaps the most remarkable story in Nichols’ career is the origin of We’ve Only Just Begun.
It started not as a pop song, but as a jingle for a Crocker Bank commercial. Nichols and Williams were asked to write a tune for the ad, and what began as a snippet soon blossomed into a full-fledged song at the request of the bank.
Enter Richard Carpenter, who heard the commercial and saw its potential. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Carpenters’ version of We’ve Only Just Begun became an instant classic, a staple at weddings and a symbol of new beginnings.
Also read: Veteran actor from “Space Jam” and “The China Syndrome” dies at 86
Nichols and Williams followed up with more hits for the sibling duo, including Rainy Days and Mondays and I Won’t Last a Day Without You.
Their songs captured the bittersweet beauty of everyday life, blending melancholy with hope in a way that resonated deeply with listeners.
Beyond the Carpenters: A Broader Legacy
While the Carpenters may have launched Nichols’ career into the stratosphere, his influence extended far beyond.
He and Williams penned Out in the Country for Three Dog Night, and Nichols’ melodies found their way into the repertoires of artists across genres.
Source: Carpenters / Youtube.
His work was marked by a rare combination of technical skill and emotional depth—a gift for crafting tunes that felt both timeless and deeply personal.
A Life Lived Fully
Despite his success, Nichols eventually stepped away from the music business, citing the industry’s changing landscape.
In a 2020 interview, he said, “I pretty much stopped when the music business became so weird.”
Instead, he chose a quieter life, pursuing other passions—fishing, jewelry-making, house-flipping, and, most importantly, family.
Also read: The bar’s a little quieter now: Beloved “Cheers” star dies at 76
His songwriting partner Paul Williams shared a touching story about Nichols’ later years: “He said, ‘I wanna go fishing… wanna go back to Montana.’ He smiled and said something about having a family and maybe making a home by a nice little river… it was clear that he was already gone.”
Nichols found his dream, building a life by the river with his wife Terry and daughters Claire and Caitlin.
A Family Man and Inspiration
Nichols’ daughter Caitlin paid tribute to her father on social media, describing him as a “violinist, a UCLA basketball player, a songwriter, fisher, jeweler and ‘house-flipping guru.’”
Source: @caitliniula / Instagram.
His other daughter, Caroline, wrote, “He lived his life to the very fullest, loved his family so so much, and impacted the lives of so many people through his music, his work ethic, and his heart. He was a visionary and was an absolute inspiration to life.”
His final years were marked by moments of joy and pride, including walking Caitlin down the aisle in his wheelchair at her wedding in September 2024—a memory that Williams recalled with deep affection.
Source: @ccarot_caken / Instagram.
The Enduring Power of a Song
Roger Nichols’ music has woven itself into the fabric of American life. We’ve Only Just Begun isn’t just a song—it’s a promise, a hope, a memory.
Williams captured it best in his tribute: “Roger, I can picture thousands of proud dads and their beautiful daughters that walked down the aisle to your gorgeous music or danced their father and daughter dance to We’ve Only Just Begun... picture them standing and applauding what you brought to their lives and to mine. You brought love and beauty into this world, and we will never forget you.”
As we remember Roger Nichols, let’s celebrate not just the hits, but the heart behind them. His life is a reminder that sometimes, the most profound impact comes from those who work quietly behind the scenes, pouring their soul into every note.
Related stories:
Did a Roger Nichols song play in your special moments? Do you have a favorite Carpenters memory, or a story about how his music touched your life? We’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!
Rest in peace, Roger Nichols. Your songs—and your spirit—will live on.
While his name may not be as instantly recognizable as the stars who sang his tunes, Nichols’ melodies have been the soundtrack to countless weddings, rainy afternoons, and moments of hope and heartbreak for generations.
If you’ve ever found yourself humming We’ve Only Just Begun or feeling a pang of nostalgia during Rainy Days and Mondays, you’ve already been touched by his genius.
A Songwriter’s Songwriter
Born in 1940, Roger Nichols was a man of many talents—violinist, athlete, craftsman, and, above all, a master of melody.
His journey into the heart of American pop music began in the mid-1960s, when he was paired with lyricist Paul Williams by the legendary Herb Alpert at A&M Records. It was a partnership that would change both their lives—and the sound of an era.
Williams, reflecting on their collaboration, described Nichols as “as disciplined as he was talented.”
While Williams admits to having the “attention span of a sea otter,” Nichols was the workhorse, often pushing through hours of writing to perfect a song. Their creative chemistry was undeniable, and together they crafted a string of hits that would become classics.
Renowned songwriter Roger Nichols, who co-wrote Carpenters classics like We’ve Only Just Begun and Rainy Days and Mondays with Paul Williams, has died at the age of 84. Image source: Real News / Youtube.
The Carpenters Connection: From Jingle to Generational Anthem
Perhaps the most remarkable story in Nichols’ career is the origin of We’ve Only Just Begun.
It started not as a pop song, but as a jingle for a Crocker Bank commercial. Nichols and Williams were asked to write a tune for the ad, and what began as a snippet soon blossomed into a full-fledged song at the request of the bank.
Enter Richard Carpenter, who heard the commercial and saw its potential. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Carpenters’ version of We’ve Only Just Begun became an instant classic, a staple at weddings and a symbol of new beginnings.
Also read: Veteran actor from “Space Jam” and “The China Syndrome” dies at 86
Nichols and Williams followed up with more hits for the sibling duo, including Rainy Days and Mondays and I Won’t Last a Day Without You.
Their songs captured the bittersweet beauty of everyday life, blending melancholy with hope in a way that resonated deeply with listeners.
Beyond the Carpenters: A Broader Legacy
While the Carpenters may have launched Nichols’ career into the stratosphere, his influence extended far beyond.
He and Williams penned Out in the Country for Three Dog Night, and Nichols’ melodies found their way into the repertoires of artists across genres.
Source: Carpenters / Youtube.
His work was marked by a rare combination of technical skill and emotional depth—a gift for crafting tunes that felt both timeless and deeply personal.
A Life Lived Fully
Despite his success, Nichols eventually stepped away from the music business, citing the industry’s changing landscape.
In a 2020 interview, he said, “I pretty much stopped when the music business became so weird.”
Instead, he chose a quieter life, pursuing other passions—fishing, jewelry-making, house-flipping, and, most importantly, family.
Also read: The bar’s a little quieter now: Beloved “Cheers” star dies at 76
His songwriting partner Paul Williams shared a touching story about Nichols’ later years: “He said, ‘I wanna go fishing… wanna go back to Montana.’ He smiled and said something about having a family and maybe making a home by a nice little river… it was clear that he was already gone.”
Nichols found his dream, building a life by the river with his wife Terry and daughters Claire and Caitlin.
A Family Man and Inspiration
Nichols’ daughter Caitlin paid tribute to her father on social media, describing him as a “violinist, a UCLA basketball player, a songwriter, fisher, jeweler and ‘house-flipping guru.’”
Source: @caitliniula / Instagram.
His other daughter, Caroline, wrote, “He lived his life to the very fullest, loved his family so so much, and impacted the lives of so many people through his music, his work ethic, and his heart. He was a visionary and was an absolute inspiration to life.”
His final years were marked by moments of joy and pride, including walking Caitlin down the aisle in his wheelchair at her wedding in September 2024—a memory that Williams recalled with deep affection.
Source: @ccarot_caken / Instagram.
The Enduring Power of a Song
Roger Nichols’ music has woven itself into the fabric of American life. We’ve Only Just Begun isn’t just a song—it’s a promise, a hope, a memory.
Williams captured it best in his tribute: “Roger, I can picture thousands of proud dads and their beautiful daughters that walked down the aisle to your gorgeous music or danced their father and daughter dance to We’ve Only Just Begun... picture them standing and applauding what you brought to their lives and to mine. You brought love and beauty into this world, and we will never forget you.”
As we remember Roger Nichols, let’s celebrate not just the hits, but the heart behind them. His life is a reminder that sometimes, the most profound impact comes from those who work quietly behind the scenes, pouring their soul into every note.
Related stories:
- Legendary composer behind “Annie” and “Bye Bye Birdie” passes away at 96
- "M*A*S*H", "The King and I" legend and actor mentored by Gene Kelly passes away at 82
Did a Roger Nichols song play in your special moments? Do you have a favorite Carpenters memory, or a story about how his music touched your life? We’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!
Rest in peace, Roger Nichols. Your songs—and your spirit—will live on.
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