Caroline
by @toddnorem
Liner Notes
Song #7
The origins of this one dates back to Fall of 2019. I started writing a few songs at the time, but this is the one that still sticks with me. I would play it often when I'd pick up an acoustic and played it for @joefahey a few times during the Covid summer when we traded songs regularly on FaceTime. I just never had a definitive version. Never captured it beyond various working versions on my iPhone.
I remember talking to Joe about how songs could work in so many different arrangements and always thought this one could work in a more pop context.
Well, I tried. It didn't work. And then capturing it solo didn't seem to work either. So I went back to looking for the right drum track. Recorded another acoustic one take version and slept on it. Woke up thinking it was crap. Tried to turn it into a song with a hip hop beat. Abandoned that. Tried it again solo acoustic one take a few times before landing on this version, which I think works. At least for now.
I invented the character, but I thought of my grandma while I wrote it.
Lyrics
Looking out the window with her steel blue eyes Says her mind feels young body’s past its prime And that no-one knows the secrets we keep Price of admission you’re too young but it’s steep
Oh Caroline, oh Caroline
Can you read this to me she asks, says please They keep making typewriters with smaller keys I was never a burden, never asked for help Even with a husband I took care of myself
Oh Caroline, oh Caroline
All these busy people where do they go Always looking down, no-one smiles anymore Some things you must age to know Life’s best savored in moments and steeped real slow
We made a promise for a lifetime To his end, he did keep Gone, but not forsaken I was his Caroline, I was his Caroline
Being alone is the hardest part Another Amazing Grace when a fire burns out Seems the only time I see my friends Is when that old black car rounds another bend
And God bless you, you’ve been so kind Helping an old lady pass the time If it’s not too much can I see you again It’s never too late to make a new friend
Oh Caroline, oh Caroline
Comments
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It’s such a treat to hear this song revisited and think about those days of FaceTime song swapping. It’s fascinating to learn how differently songs can jump out when approaching the arrangements in different genre styles. I remember those discussions pertaining to this song in particular and I love that you put time in on it to explore some radically different approaches yet scrapped all that work to just pick up a guitar and sing it. It turns out to be the most natural thing you could do because this sounds absolutely perfect as a singer songwriter thing, reminiscent to me of Bruce Springsteen or Patterson Hood. Your voice is about as relaxed and confident as I’ve ever heard and the beautiful, rolling fingerpicking guitar gently flows throughout. I also love that it’s written via an elder’s voice, words of wisdom through phrases feel absolutely real. And to know that this character was based on your grandmother makes it all the sweeter.
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Very sweet song here Todd. Reminds me of an old John Prine tune “hello in there” not in style but the theme. Heartfelt and beautiful. Lovely. I can’t imagine it with the hip hop beat? But love to hear it 😊