when i hear this song i think of an empty unhappy person, someone who travels from one situation to another searching for something, that they're missing.... but never seems to find it.. so keeps herself unattached and mobile.. hoping the next situation she places herself in will fix her..
....the last verse describes how although i assume caroline left the narrator, that the narrator still hopes that one day she'll 'cast the chains aside'.. and find whatever it is that she's searching for
...This is very similar to my interpretation. Not that the relationship between the narrator and Caroline matters much but the narrator was trying to help Caroline in some matter. I think Caroline starts getting uncomfortable feelings because all she's used to are people mistreating her.
...This is very similar to my interpretation. Not that the relationship between the narrator and Caroline matters much but the narrator was trying to help Caroline in some matter. I think Caroline starts getting uncomfortable feelings because all she's used to are people mistreating her.
I think because the narrator keeps referring to the other "she" that saw Caroline in the store and helped her pick up her "trunk" she kept her life in I always pictured Caroline as a distraught child or runaway. I get a mother-child relationship picture more from the powerful way Johnette sings the song more...
I think because the narrator keeps referring to the other "she" that saw Caroline in the store and helped her pick up her "trunk" she kept her life in I always pictured Caroline as a distraught child or runaway. I get a mother-child relationship picture more from the powerful way Johnette sings the song more than any lyric related basis I suppose.
Caroline is obviously loved by the narrator whether it be mother-child, friend-friend or star crossed lovers. Like any good songwriter Johnette leaves it open-ended enough to apply the emotions to any similar relationship you've had no matter the context or whether the person was female or whether you are or not as well.
when i hear this song i think of an empty unhappy person, someone who travels from one situation to another searching for something, that they're missing.... but never seems to find it.. so keeps herself unattached and mobile.. hoping the next situation she places herself in will fix her..
....the last verse describes how although i assume caroline left the narrator, that the narrator still hopes that one day she'll 'cast the chains aside'.. and find whatever it is that she's searching for
...This is very similar to my interpretation. Not that the relationship between the narrator and Caroline matters much but the narrator was trying to help Caroline in some matter. I think Caroline starts getting uncomfortable feelings because all she's used to are people mistreating her.
...This is very similar to my interpretation. Not that the relationship between the narrator and Caroline matters much but the narrator was trying to help Caroline in some matter. I think Caroline starts getting uncomfortable feelings because all she's used to are people mistreating her.
I think because the narrator keeps referring to the other "she" that saw Caroline in the store and helped her pick up her "trunk" she kept her life in I always pictured Caroline as a distraught child or runaway. I get a mother-child relationship picture more from the powerful way Johnette sings the song more...
I think because the narrator keeps referring to the other "she" that saw Caroline in the store and helped her pick up her "trunk" she kept her life in I always pictured Caroline as a distraught child or runaway. I get a mother-child relationship picture more from the powerful way Johnette sings the song more than any lyric related basis I suppose.
Caroline is obviously loved by the narrator whether it be mother-child, friend-friend or star crossed lovers. Like any good songwriter Johnette leaves it open-ended enough to apply the emotions to any similar relationship you've had no matter the context or whether the person was female or whether you are or not as well.
Powerful song (like all of Napolitano's work) :)