Caroline No Lyrics
Where is the girl I used to know
How could you lose that happy glow
Oh, Caroline no
I remember how you used to say
You'd never change, but that's not true
Oh, Caroline you
I want to go and cry
It's so sad to watch a sweet thing die
Oh, Caroline why
Things that made me love you so much then
Could we ever bring 'em back once they have gone
Oh, Caroline no
If you're looking at this song in terms of the whole Pet Sounds theme, it's such a heart-breaking constrast to the opening track, Wouldn't It Be Nice. How quickly things change. Everyone's first relationship is a Pet Sounds relationship.
To me, this song is about the impermanence of everything good and beautiful in this world, and our inability as humans to control or prevent change and loss in our lives. Nothing stays innocent and pure for very long before it becomes corrupted or irreversably altered.
It was true of the Americas that were once viewed as a prestine "New World" but often feels like an overdeveloped mess now. And it's true of we ourselves as well.
But although the meaning of this song is applicable to many things in this broad sense, I have to say that the example of the girl (Caroline) resonates with me most of all. Women always try to change themselves in an effort to be more acceptable in someone else's opinion, even if they seemed as if they were perfect the way they were in the first place. I think it's tragic, some of the things women do to themselves. Why can't they just be who they naturally are?
And from my perspective, it does feel like a betrayal of whatever personal feelings you might have invested in a girl. Even if you barely know her, it's still sad to see. In a way, it goes along with the Cranberries song, "Pretty". This is probably my favorite Beach Boys / Brian Wilson song.
@Androcles what a ridiculous, stupid, sexist comment. First, women do not change themselves anymore than men do. Second, women do to themselves exactly what they want to do, it's not your business to criticize it. Third, given the type of person you seem to be, I am pretty certain you would never actually accept a woman as she "naturally" is (no makeup at all, keeping the hair on her legs etc). And fourth, a woman does not owe you anything. Ever. Especially not due to your feelings. "Invested", as if you were doing her a favor by liking her... Yuck....
@Androcles what a ridiculous, stupid, sexist comment. First, women do not change themselves anymore than men do. Second, women do to themselves exactly what they want to do, it's not your business to criticize it. Third, given the type of person you seem to be, I am pretty certain you would never actually accept a woman as she "naturally" is (no makeup at all, keeping the hair on her legs etc). And fourth, a woman does not owe you anything. Ever. Especially not due to your feelings. "Invested", as if you were doing her a favor by liking her... Yuck.
About that song, the music is extraordinary, the lyrics not so much. They are simply a bit immature (oh no, sometimes people change their hairdo and stop relationships!). It is excusable from a young naive person, it's never fun to be dumped, but it's certainly not a masterpiece of writing.
Along with "Warmth of the Sun", this is one of the most beautiful melodies Brian ever wrote. It has the distinction of being the only song/single during Brian's tenure with the group to ever be released as a Brian Wilson solo recording,
This song is verly haunting - and it brings back memories of love lost - in my case her name was Debbie. She was my best friend - our love rose so high, and came crashing down so hard - it still hurts today - 30 years later! Sunshine you are always with me!
One of my favorite songs of all time. I've always took it to be a statement about loss of innocence, joy and wonder. The girl he used to know is gone, and has been replaced by someone who has become much harder and unhappy, and probably more than a little cynical. We've all seen people like that who lose their young enthusiasm and innocence and turn into something uglier: bitter, hardened grown-ups. It's a beautiful song. They don't write stuff like this much anymore.
I think this song is about wanting a certain something so bad it becomes to hurt physically. I think this certain something that the narator is wishing for is for jay-z to collaborate with the beastie boys. I personally have been wanting this to happen for a while, so this song means alot to me.
I shouldn't be surprised to see so many comments on this more obscure song because it is just so beautiful. Their sound defies adjectives and makes a simple lyric into one of the most emotional, artistic, and musically gorgeous laments. Try and cut it or get a copy that doesn't segue into the train and barking dog sound effects. I agree, they don't make music like this anymore (or people don't listen to it)... maybe that's because for the most part music was still music then.
I just noticed recently that the cymbals kind of sound like scissors (Where did your long hair go?) Maybe I'm reaching....haha
i once met a girl called caroline.... this song makes me think of her
hope your happy sugar x
Written by Brian Wilson and released on Pet Sounds, this was his favorite song on the album. In his life his girlfriend had just dumped him and cut her hair short. That is where the line "where did your long hair go" comes from.