In 1984, a 24-year-old woman named Valerie Brown was vacationing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Just for fun, she decided to do some recordings in a small studio in the area. This was her B-side, something much more innocent than her A-side. 

It actually was written for and debuted within a wedding-themed television commercial for Crocker National Bank in California in the winter of 1970, with Paul Williams on vocals. The commercial turned out to be very popular, but it attracted customers the bank was not interested in, young adult customers without any collateral for loans, so the campaign was eventually suspended, after which the concept was franchised by Crocker to other banks. Richard Carpenter heard the song, and the rest is history.

Whatever happened to Valerie Brown, this up-until-now unknown talent? Well, in 1988, she married a handsome man from Burlington, and became Valerie Palmer, my mother. I love you, Mom.

I received some great advice from Dean Friedman: "The best advice I can offer is to trust your own ears." So, that's what I did. I hope you like it. 

"We've Only Just Begun"
Written by Paul Williams & Roger Nichols
Performed by Valerie Brown
Recorded at Paradise Recordings, Myrtle Beach, SC
Edited and Mixed by Greg Palmer
©1984 Paradise Recordings-Songfest Productions
©2019 Palmer Music

We've Only Just Begun (by Valerie Brown)

Greg P