The world quietly lost a creative soul this week — someone whose melodies touched millions, though his face remained unknown to many.

He was the kind of artist who lived in the background, letting the voices of others carry his words and music into history. But for those who knew, his influence was undeniable.

Messages began appearing online — poetic, emotional, and deeply personal. One longtime collaborator wrote that their very first song together was titled “It’s hard to say goodbye…” and added, “Sadly, we hit the nail on the head.”

It was only then confirmed that Roger Nichols, the composer behind some of The Carpenters’ most beloved hits — including “We’ve Only Just Begun” — had passed away peacefully at home on May 17. He was 84.

Nichols’ songwriting partner Paul Williams shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, noting Roger’s wife Terri and daughters Claire and Caitlin were at his side in his final moments: “They were his dream come true. His greatest joy.”

Together, the duo crafted emotional masterpieces like “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “I Won’t Last a Day Without You”. Their music was also performed by icons like Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Petula Clark, and The Monkees.

Fans flooded the internet with tributes. One wrote: “Each time one of your records spins, he’ll live again somehow. Immortality through art.” Another lamented that Roger never got the widespread recognition he deserved, despite being the architect behind timeless songs.

His daughter Claire added her own words: “We are all so proud of the man he was and in awe of the legacy he leaves behind.”