Yesterday, after a hard day's work, I went with my friend Kate and we bought some office supplies because she was supposed to print her work. It was past 4 PM when we left the office. We headed to Alabang Town Center to buy the supplies that she needed. On the drive home, I was fidgeting with her CD case for Nickelback's Darkhorse album. I opened the case and I was eying her wickedly because another CD was in it -- the Carpenter's greatest hit album. That is how I learned of their cover of Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft.

I asked her how on earth did that CD ended up in the wrong case when she explained that the CD was her mother's. I scanned the CD since it was from the Carpenters. While reading the track titles, she predicted that she was sure I'll like one track. I asked that we listen to it and out of curiousity, I asked her if we could drive around a random block so I can finish listening to the song. As it turned out, the track is the weirdest song that I've ever heard of from the Carpenters.

Curious? Well, here's how it goes:



Want some more fun? Why don't we sing it together?

In your mind you have capacities you know
To telepath messages through the vast unknown
Please close your eyes and concentrate
With every thought you think
Upon the recitation we're about to sing

(*) calling occupants of interplanetary craft

Calling occupants of interplanetary most extraordinary craft

Repeat (*)

You've been observing our earth
And we'd like to make a contact with you
We are your friends

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft
Calling occupants of interplanetary ultra-emissaries

We've been observing your earth
And one night we'll make a contact with you
We are your friends

Calling occupants of interplanetary quite extraordinary craft

And please come on peace, we beseech you
Only a landing will teach them
Our earth may never survive
So do come, we beg you
Please interstellar policeman
Oh, won't you give us a sign
Give us a sign that we've reached you

With your mind you have ability to form
And transmit thought energy far beyond the norm
You close your eyes, you concentrate
Together that's the way
To send the message
We declare world contact day

Repeat (*) twice

We are your friends

As it turns out, the song was already a cover of the same song originally recorded by a band called Klaatu in 1976. It was supposed to be the original anthem for the World Contact Day. John Woloschuk, as qouted from Wikipedia, said:

The idea for this track was suggested by an actual event that is described in The Flying Saucer Reader, a book by Jay David published in 1967. In March 1953 an organization known as the "International Flying Saucer Bureau" sent a bulletin to all its members urging them to participate in an experiment termed "World Contact Day" whereby, at a predetermined date and time, they would attempt to collectively send out a telepathic message to visitors from outer space. The message began with the words..."Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!"

Sadly, Klaatu's version was overshadowed by the Carpenters' version. Nevertheless, thanks to both their efforts, we now have a song to enjoy. Now, if I can just concentrate and contact the ultra-emissaries -- calling occupants of interplanetary craft!

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft!