My Top 2000 Songs #1016: Calling Occupants

Yes, it's our second visit to the 1976 debut album from Canadian band Klaatu, a unique blend of prog and baroque pop that was, absurdly, hailed by some at the time as a secret Beatles reunion album. (News flash... it was not.)

And "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft" (the full song title from the album, shortened on the single) is certainly a unique track. Its extended length and science fiction theme and multi-part suite and odd voices and orchestration absolutely stake a claim for prog... but the delivery is pure mid-70s soft pop, a lovely, melodic track that tempers its instantly-dated ridiculousness with a chorus you're stuck singing in the shower for... like, forever. And it's rendered even stranger by the fact that it came to public attention not through the Klaatu original, but through a cover by...

The Carpenters!

And make no mistake, Karen Carpenter's inimitable voice is perfect for the song's soft pop heart. But, still, weird as hell, no? Especially with the whole outer-space video that accompanied its release. Ah, the 70s, I miss them so.

The original Klaatu album track (sorry, long lead-in time): 

Edited Klaatu video:

Carpenters cover (with dorky intro):

Carpenters on tv:

Babes In Toyland's rocking cover:

Deliriously disturbing puppet version: