One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Originally recorded as a solo by Brian, sped up a semi-tone to make his voice sound younger (like a teenager). Carl does a great live version of this on their double live album "In Concert" from 1972.
The dogs barking are actually Brian's dogs. I think he included that at the end of the song (and album) to tie in the "pet sounds" album title. You should listen to the whole album. Pure classic!
Caroline no is of its ❤ time . Very beautiful the way it is put together … it was played in the car on a sunny day recently , and it was one of those moments you don’t forget gorgeous 🎶🌷💞
The line about her hair isn't that she got depressed and cut it all off--just that she grew up and cut her hair more like an "adult." It's about the loss of young love innocence.
I believe this was the period where The Beach Boys and Beatles were trying to outdo one another. They both write songs about their everyday lives when growing up... The Beatles had Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane, The BeachBoys had In My Room and God Only Knows. So Brian decided to include the train sounds as something they heard often growing up. I've read I. Comments that train enthusiasts really love listening to and identifying the trains by their sounds and are happy that this was recorded for posterity. Brian & Asher wrote "Caroline No". They said it started when one of them said "That's not the Carol I Know" and the other took it as "Caroline No"...and they wrote it. Also the group "America" has covered this, as well as Timothy B. Schmidt, of the Eagles. Thanks Harri!
In 1966 the dynamic of young people started changing to that of one more socially conscious . Less frivolous, people started to change. I think this song captures this in him asking why did you change. It was an amazing time of transformation. Brian and Carl captured this beautifully
Beautiful harmonies, unmistakenly The Beach Boys. A sad song, I imagine Brian who has suffered his whole life with depression, had it overflow into even into his early writings. Great reaction. Thanks Harri and Tim. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Yes, it's there in some of the earlier pre- Pet Sounds songs too. For example "In My Room" (Written by Brian Wilson and Gary usher) could be taken that way.
Having written so many songs in praise of sun sand and girls this seems like Brian's antidote to all that, answering the question what happens after all those teenage larks when adult life must be faced and we must grow up - the song mourns the loss of youthful beauty and innocence, and it is probably one of the best songs to do that. Elvis Costello's "Allison" covers much the same ground with equal sadness. Given that the song was the "Pet Sounds" album closer, the sound effects on the end are essentially artistic bumpers to close the album. Brian Wilson initially put this out (in a different version/mix) as a solo single, but later that year rehabilitated it as what we heard here. For a song that was never one of the "20 golden greats" of the Beach Boys it had - and retains - a wide fan base and the song's theme (and even, it's title!) has inspired other artists to record it or reference it. The emotion of meeting an old love, now settled down and changing into middle age is an occasionally recurrent theme in popular music. Hear Also: Alison by Elvis Costello I knew the Bride (when she used to Rock and Roll) by Dave Edmunds Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James by Manfred Mann Caroline, Yes by the Kaiser Chiefs etc.
The Beach Boys were becoming huge in America a year before anyone on this side of the pond ever heard of The Beatles. Once The Beatles records starting selling, the Beach Boys kept stepping up their game to compete. This "Pet Sounds" is their response to "Revolver". VERY good album.
I read an interview with Brian Wilson's wife who said that the reason she had changed was that Brian Wilson lived life in his little drug-enhanced world and left it up to her to take care of everything else in running the family. Of course she changed.
The songs on pet sounds go together Brian put in sound effects between the songs You should listen to it in it entirety One of the greatest albums ever recorded
This song left me drained when I was a kid, just discovering girls. This song made me wary so as to never trust a moment, but rather trust a relationship. And DUDE PET SOUNDS ID THE GAME CHANGER for the Beach Boys! Now how about NETHERLANDS by Dan Fogelberg?
Although critical and popular reception was not overwhelming at first, time has placed Pet Sounds on the short list of greatest pop albums. And ensured Brian's reputation as a musical genius, not that there was any doubt!
Beautiful. You speak of depression, I am terrible at names and remember one of the Beach Boys, the writer and band member stopped the touring because what I remember to be possibly depression or maybe just worn out of coming up with the music, the pressure.
Harri, you recently (perspective, viewing) reviewed Neil Young’s “Long may you run”, from Unplugged. Neil references this very song in his lyric, by title and artist, in his lament.
If you listen to the entire album minus Sloop John B, you see the full story of a relationship that starts off sweet and ends in heartbrake. Both parties make mistakes, and patch things up, but due to being young and being overly optimistic almost in euphoria, they fail to see they are drifting away and growing apart. Eventually there is parting of ways, with the boy left at the train station in disbelief when the girl of his dreams rides away forever with the trailing sounds of dogs barking at the train disappearing in the distance. Overall theme is sad, but a reality for so many high-school sweethearts. It all takes you back to the message of God Only Knows, knowing that God can get you through anything. Listened to this album repeatedly after my first fiance left just months from our wedding day. A year later I met my now wife, and we have been together nearly 29 years.
My first exposure to this song was Leeann Grimes at the Grammy salute to the Beasch Boys. Wow wow wow. What an incredible song. And salute to Leeann who forever embedded this song in my mind.
This is one of the reasons why 'Pet Sounds' is the Beach Boys that I appreciate most. This was a sort of departure for them from their usual surfing - good vibes - high energy style. Much accredited to Brian Wilson wanting to experiment more.
The lyrics were written by Tony Asher who Brian was teamed with to write songs for the Pet Sounds album. It was originally titled "Carol, I Know" which Brian misheard as "Caroline, No." The girl in the song is Tony Asher's ex-girlfriend Carol Amen.
That is one theory. Other possibilities were that the words were inspired by a past girlfriend of Asher's named Carol Amen. He initially conceived the title phrase as "Carol, I Know", misheard by Wilson as "Caroline, No". Other reports, which Wilson disputed, variously suggest that the song was written about himself, his former schoolmate Carol Mountain, or his then-wife Marilyn. Asher credited the impetus for the song to Wilson's disappointment with "sweet little girls" who grow up into "bitchy hardened adults".
2 likes with 8 views 2 mins ago 90.4K subs one of most favorte bands I also love this song maybe try a song by the Beach Boys called Girl Don't Tell me the train going away in the end of song is a symbol of a lost relationship you always do a good review thanks
It's a song about a girl he loved so much who died while sick slowly losing her beauty as the sickness grew changing her physical appearance as her sickness grew more intense though she promised him that she would be fine. After her death, he continually remembers her as the Carol I knew!! Their house was by the railroad..the sound of the train makes it more lonely as if something just passed away and gone forever..
Interesting take but its more about the loss of Caroline's innocence (shortened hair and waning happiness), their failing relationship and carrying on from it.
This song is by far my favorite Beach Boys song. It is hauntingly sad and the lyrics describe “a disillusioned man who reflects on his former love interest and the loss of her innocence”Basically Caroline has moved on and chopped off her 1960s long hair for a 70s shag!❤❤❤❤
This song is about a young carefree girl who said she would never change. Youthful promise, I won't become like my parents. A teenager who had such a zest for life. Then he sees her, in passing...hair cut in a short "career type" style, businness suit, total yuppie. Changing her joy for life for the sad realities of work, paying bills...... I read this song was about a woman that his co-writer of this son, he saw by happenstance, and it shocked him how she had changed. The train is a "pet sound", eh? I've felt this way at times....
It is hard for some people to switch gears with Brian Wilson's reputation of the Beach Boys happy upbeat songs, Pet Sounds album. Caroline No, heard out of context from the album as a whole, is hard to take. With the album it is easier, many songs differrent themes, transitional sound effects like the train and barking dog you heard between songs...up and down in spirit. Capital records hated it and after releasing it, immediatley released Vol.II of Beach Boys Greatest Hits to make money to cover the cost of Pet Sounds which was not selling well.. It is now cosidered a classic in relation to pop music history, inspired the Beatles to work on Sgt Pepper album, etc. But generally, people were stuck in the Beach Boys' "Cars, Girls, Surfing and the Beach" formula, which in 1966 was definitely on it's way out with the pyschodelic and " hippy movement", acid rock" creeping in. Wilson knew this and to some of the Beach Boys, esp Mike Love, they were disappointed in Brian's efforts and tedious studio work at the time...Mike bascially had an attitude of "Don't fuck with the formula." But reality was at the time, as Jimi Hendrix said at the Monterray Concert in 1967, "Surf music is dead." [Paraphrased].
"Caroline No" is from the Beach Boys masterpiece 1966 concept album "Pet Sounds". Brian Wilson was the genius songwriter of the group. Lots of good songs on that album "Sloop John B", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows" etc.
Listen to Anthony Rivers at the Troubador Los Angeles Caroline no, with Brian Wilson in the audience, and Brian Loves the version.a few days before 911.
The album is Pet Sounds. The sounds at the end of the song are sounds Bryan Wilson likes or 'pet sounds'. Caroline No is sad. In My Room is about depression. Listen to God Only Knows. Paul McCartney said it is his favorite pop song.
"I don't think I've ever heard a Beach Boys song so depressing." Just wait until you've heard _'Til I Die._ The title alone tells you how bad of a place Brian was at.
So, he only loved her for her long hair! No long hair, no romance. When we were teenage girls, we cried over this song, vowing each other that WE would never cut OUR hair and break our boyfriend's hearts. But now, it seems very shallow, and she is better off without him. (She probably got tired of sleeping on brush rollers.) : )
The album version of the song and the single are sped up from the original speed. It was at the request of Brian‘s father who was a massive asshole. The suggestion was to make Brian sound more youthful even though he wasn’t even 22.
Other Beach Boy songs that always get passed by Summer in Paridise Disney Girls Long Promised Road Denny's Drums Cotton Feilds (cover) Hushabye California Saga
Yes, I have no idea why "Denny's Drums" gets passed up. Except that I can drum better than he did in that song, and I can't drum at all! "Summer in Paradise" is okay, but I don't consider it a Beach Boys' song as much as a Terry Melcher song. Brian isn't on it and the production is too typical of the era.
Phillip - I think you are confusing this song with Warmth of the Sun, which Brian wrote the next day after the assassination - this was late 63, and he did not write Caroline No till 66, almost 3 years later
@@EricSmith-hd1wk Thank you for clearing that up Eric. I was told my version of the story years ago, it made sense so I didn’t question it. I should have done a little investigating before repeating it. Thanks for pointing it out, it a beautiful song just the same.
Yes, it's a Beach Boys' "style." You haven't listened to everything they did over the decades. This song has its roots in "Surfer Girl," "The Surfer Moon," and many other songs, and ancestors are tracks like "Let the Wind Blow" and Carl's "One More Night Alone."
Yes, a sad song indeed! Where did your long hair go? The girl I used to know..... how did you lose that happy glow? Who took that look away? I wanna go and cry.... it's so sad to watch a sweet thing die..... etc. CAROLINE BECAME A FEMINIST and was no longer, attractive, sweet and lovable. This is what Brian Wilson said years ago when interviewed.
You should listen to the original, without Brian's voice being sped up. That bit of speeding wrecks the song for me -- sounds like a tape glitch and makes Brian "whine" (1:18 - 1:20 of your video). Brilliant song otherwise.
I thought exactly in that song, it's the sounding embodiement of depression... but a musical miracle at the same time. Somehow it works, it's very odd and depressing and still fascinating
Really? I think the most depressing Beach Boys song was "No surf here, beat me till I am dead with my Surfboard" A capital re issue . Yeah, ok I made that up. But DAN FOGELBERG NETHERLANDS!
After Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows and Sloop John B (a brilliant remake of a traditional song) Caroline No, for me, was the dullest song on the album.
I'm in the minority since I don't worship everything Brian Wilson ever created - lol - this was always a weak, throw away song to me - and so not surprising that I find Pet Sounds very uneven in quality - some of Brian's arrangement choices are absolutely brilliant but other times just plain quirky and out of sorts - still not really complaining since most music artists would kill to have a musical legacy on the scale of BW - but I do wonder if Brian had anyone around him who would tell him straight up that they thought something he created was not so good and shouldn't be on an album
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Originally recorded as a solo by Brian, sped up a semi-tone to make his voice sound younger (like a teenager). Carl does a great live version of this on their double live album "In Concert" from 1972.
Best flipping Beach Boys album ever besides Pet Sounds! Good version of Darlin!
The dogs barking are actually Brian's dogs. I think he included that at the end of the song (and album) to tie in the "pet sounds" album title. You should listen to the whole album. Pure classic!
that opening funny sound was drummer Hal Blaine hitting water bottles this is one of the Wrecking Crews best song with Brian
This album is a masterpiece
The Beach Boys ballads are among their very best works.
Caroline no is of its ❤ time . Very beautiful the way it is put together … it was played in the car on a sunny day recently , and it was one of those moments you don’t forget gorgeous 🎶🌷💞
The line about her hair isn't that she got depressed and cut it all off--just that she grew up and cut her hair more like an "adult." It's about the loss of young love innocence.
I believe this was the period where The Beach Boys and Beatles were trying to outdo one another. They both write songs about their everyday lives when growing up... The Beatles had Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane, The BeachBoys had In My Room and God Only Knows. So Brian decided to include the train sounds as something they heard often growing up. I've read I. Comments that train enthusiasts really love listening to and identifying the trains by their sounds and are happy that this was recorded for posterity.
Brian & Asher wrote "Caroline No". They said it started when one of them said "That's not the Carol I Know" and the other took it as "Caroline No"...and they wrote it.
Also the group "America" has covered this, as well as Timothy B. Schmidt, of the Eagles. Thanks Harri!
In 1966 the dynamic of young people started changing to that of one more socially conscious . Less frivolous, people started to change. I think this song captures this in him asking why did you change. It was an amazing time of transformation. Brian and Carl captured this beautifully
Beautiful harmonies, unmistakenly The Beach Boys. A sad song, I imagine Brian who has suffered his whole life with depression, had it overflow into even into his early writings. Great reaction. Thanks Harri and Tim. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Yes, it's there in some of the earlier pre- Pet Sounds songs too. For example "In My Room" (Written by Brian Wilson and Gary usher) could be taken that way.
Brian is still alive!
@@barrywilliams2539 I know. With the omission of has, I wrote him off. I happy he's still here. 👍✌️🇨🇦
@@marybaillie8907 I actually checked to see if it had slipped under the radar and I'm happy that he's still here too.🦘
Gives me chills this song as does the whole Pet Sounds album. Amazing album.
Having written so many songs in praise of sun sand and girls this seems like Brian's antidote to all that, answering the question what happens after all those teenage larks when adult life must be faced and we must grow up - the song mourns the loss of youthful beauty and innocence, and it is probably one of the best songs to do that. Elvis Costello's "Allison" covers much the same ground with equal sadness.
Given that the song was the "Pet Sounds" album closer, the sound effects on the end are essentially artistic bumpers to close the album. Brian Wilson initially put this out (in a different version/mix) as a solo single, but later that year rehabilitated it as what we heard here. For a song that was never one of the "20 golden greats" of the Beach Boys it had - and retains - a wide fan base and the song's theme (and even, it's title!) has inspired other artists to record it or reference it. The emotion of meeting an old love, now settled down and changing into middle age is an occasionally recurrent theme in popular music.
Hear Also:
Alison by Elvis Costello
I knew the Bride (when she used to Rock and Roll) by Dave Edmunds
Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James by Manfred Mann
Caroline, Yes by the Kaiser Chiefs
etc.
One of my favorite Brian Wilson masterpieces. Sad but has such a great sound.
Just the way Brian puts such sorrow into the line, "It's so SAD..." is just beautiful.
Thank you, Stephanie! That specific moment has always been my favorite part of this song! Tugs at the heartstrings, for sure!
The Beach Boys were becoming huge in America a year before anyone on this side of the pond ever heard of The Beatles. Once The Beatles records starting selling, the Beach Boys kept stepping up their game to compete. This "Pet Sounds" is their response to "Revolver". VERY good album.
Actually it was in response to rubber soul...
Pet sounds is the best album of the 60s
@@Tyler-uo7rfb 100 per cent agree with
thanks for my very fav Beach Boys tune ever
Best love song ever.
I read an interview with Brian Wilson's wife who said that the reason she had changed was that Brian Wilson lived life in his little drug-enhanced world and left it up to her to take care of everything else in running the family. Of course she changed.
An incredible song that breaks my heart each time I hear it
In My Room is tougher to deal with for me, and Warmth of the Sun, is another one that is always a tear jerker.
From PET SOUNDS... when John and Paul first heard this they left without saying anything. Sometime later they released Sgt. Pepper.
Feels flow is a Carl MASTERPIECE , Just Beautiful, Caroline is a sad one though. Thanks Harri
* Feel Flows.
The songs on pet sounds go together
Brian put in sound effects between the songs
You should listen to it in it entirety
One of the greatest albums ever recorded
Long May You Run by Neil Young makes a passing reference to this song.
With those waves singing Caroline No...
After Long May You Run I was wondering if he purposely selected this for today. Great choices both Harri!
Beautiful song - it will be stuck in my head for days. If you like the song, Glenn Frey of the Eagles has a great solo recording of it.
I think it’s actually Timothy Schmitt.
It’s on Glenn’s solo album named “After Hours”.
not Glenn it was Timothy
This song left me drained when I was a kid, just discovering girls. This song made me wary so as to never trust a moment, but rather trust a relationship. And DUDE PET SOUNDS ID THE GAME CHANGER for the Beach Boys! Now how about NETHERLANDS by Dan Fogelberg?
Hey Harri, Brian Wilson does a beautiful solo song called "Love and mercy" which I know you would love. Love, peace and music my friend. x
She grew up. This song is about how we change and lose our innocence as we grow up.
One of many incredible songs in the Beach Boys' catalogue that doesn't fit the "fun in the sun" mold.
Surf's Up is an even sadder one.
Also 'Till The Wind Blows is another.
Both brilliant.
Don't forget In My Room also.
Although critical and popular reception was not overwhelming at first, time has placed Pet Sounds on the short list of greatest pop albums. And ensured Brian's reputation as a musical genius, not that there was any doubt!
Beautiful. You speak of depression, I am terrible at names and remember one of the Beach Boys, the writer and band member stopped the touring because what I remember to be possibly depression or maybe just worn out of coming up with the music, the pressure.
One of my favorite songs ❤️
Harri, you recently (perspective, viewing) reviewed Neil Young’s “Long may you run”, from Unplugged.
Neil references this very song in his lyric, by title and artist, in his lament.
Neil wrote ten years after Brian W’
1976 vs’ 1966.
If you listen to the entire album minus Sloop John B, you see the full story of a relationship that starts off sweet and ends in heartbrake. Both parties make mistakes, and patch things up, but due to being young and being overly optimistic almost in euphoria, they fail to see they are drifting away and growing apart. Eventually there is parting of ways, with the boy left at the train station in disbelief when the girl of his dreams rides away forever with the trailing sounds of dogs barking at the train disappearing in the distance.
Overall theme is sad, but a reality for so many high-school sweethearts. It all takes you back to the message of God Only Knows, knowing that God can get you through anything.
Listened to this album repeatedly after my first fiance left just months from our wedding day. A year later I met my now wife, and we have been together nearly 29 years.
My first exposure to this song was Leeann Grimes at the Grammy salute to the Beasch Boys. Wow wow wow. What an incredible song. And salute to Leeann who forever embedded this song in my mind.
This is one of the reasons why 'Pet Sounds' is the Beach Boys that I appreciate most. This was a sort of departure for them from their usual surfing - good vibes - high energy style. Much accredited to Brian Wilson wanting to experiment more.
Brian Wilson wrote this about his failing marriage.
The lyrics were written by Tony Asher who Brian was teamed with to write songs for the Pet Sounds album. It was originally titled "Carol, I Know" which Brian misheard as "Caroline, No." The girl in the song is Tony Asher's ex-girlfriend Carol Amen.
That is one theory. Other possibilities were that the words were inspired by a past girlfriend of Asher's named Carol Amen. He initially conceived the title phrase as "Carol, I Know", misheard by Wilson as "Caroline, No". Other reports, which Wilson disputed, variously suggest that the song was written about himself, his former schoolmate Carol Mountain, or his then-wife Marilyn. Asher credited the impetus for the song to Wilson's disappointment with "sweet little girls" who grow up into "bitchy hardened adults".
Marilyn certainly thought it was about her. She had just recently had her hair cut short, and when she heard this song she felt it deeply.
It was about how women were becoming increasingly less attractive - feminism!
2 likes with 8 views 2 mins ago 90.4K subs
one of most favorte bands
I also love this song
maybe try a song by the Beach Boys called Girl Don't Tell me
the train going away in the end of song is a symbol of a lost relationship
you always do a good review thanks
It's a song about a girl he loved so much who died while sick slowly losing her beauty as the sickness grew changing her physical appearance as her sickness grew more intense though she promised him that she would be fine. After her death, he continually remembers her as the Carol I knew!! Their house was by the railroad..the sound of the train makes it more lonely as if something just passed away and gone forever..
Interesting take but its more about the loss of Caroline's innocence (shortened hair and waning happiness), their failing relationship and carrying on from it.
This song is by far my favorite Beach Boys song. It is hauntingly sad and
the lyrics describe “a disillusioned man who reflects on his former love interest and the loss of her innocence”Basically Caroline has moved on and chopped off her 1960s long hair for a 70s shag!❤❤❤❤
This song is about a young carefree girl who said she would never change. Youthful promise, I won't become like my parents. A teenager who had such a zest for life. Then he sees her, in passing...hair cut in a short "career type" style, businness suit, total yuppie. Changing her joy for life for the sad realities of work, paying bills...... I read this song was about a woman that his co-writer of this son, he saw by happenstance, and it shocked him how she had changed. The train is a "pet sound", eh? I've felt this way at times....
I forgot the song
Carl's Big Chance (instramental)
Denny's Drums is also an Instrmental
Til I Die is a great Beach Boys song!
One of the saddest songs ever. Reminds me of my youth and the boy I left behind.
It is hard for some people to switch gears with Brian Wilson's reputation of the Beach Boys happy upbeat songs, Pet Sounds album. Caroline No, heard out of context from the album as a whole, is hard to take. With the album it is easier, many songs differrent themes, transitional sound effects like the train and barking dog you heard between songs...up and down in spirit. Capital records hated it and after releasing it, immediatley released Vol.II of Beach Boys Greatest Hits to make money to cover the cost of Pet Sounds which was not selling well.. It is now cosidered a classic in relation to pop music history, inspired the Beatles to work on Sgt Pepper album, etc. But generally, people were stuck in the Beach Boys' "Cars, Girls, Surfing and the Beach" formula, which in 1966 was definitely on it's way out with the pyschodelic and " hippy movement", acid rock" creeping in. Wilson knew this and to some of the Beach Boys, esp Mike Love, they were disappointed in Brian's efforts and tedious studio work at the time...Mike bascially had an attitude of "Don't fuck with the formula." But reality was at the time, as Jimi Hendrix said at the Monterray Concert in 1967, "Surf music is dead." [Paraphrased].
'sad ' is a part of life .
"Caroline No" is from the Beach Boys masterpiece 1966 concept album "Pet Sounds". Brian Wilson was the genius songwriter of the group. Lots of good songs on that album "Sloop John B", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows" etc.
Listen to Anthony Rivers at the Troubador Los Angeles Caroline no, with Brian Wilson in the audience, and Brian Loves the version.a few days before 911.
The album is Pet Sounds. The sounds at the end of the song are sounds Bryan Wilson likes or 'pet sounds'. Caroline No is sad. In My Room is about depression. Listen to God Only Knows. Paul McCartney said it is his favorite pop song.
I am so surprised that this is The Beach Boys. To me this sounds like a British group. Beautifully sad. Great request and reaction
Beautiful song. Girl grew up. cut her hair mature in her personality.. where is.the.girl.I.know.where did she go..great albam
bw WROTE THIS SONG ABOUT HIS 1ST LOVE, A GIRL NAMED CAROL MOUNTAIN. THE LOSS OF INNOCENT LOVE IS SO SAD. -----------------------MJL, 76 Y/O
Nice one Tim, I’m not really familiar with this for some reason. I’ve seen the Beach Boys a few times too.
For beautiful and sad, try “The Warmth if the Sun”. Written by Brian Nov 22,1963
Brian was saying something with the train sound ending..........
You should also listen to "The Warmth of the Sun "
Pet Sounds is a Brian Wilson song cycle about his romance with his wife. Every song, This is the breakup song.
Last song of this masterpiece album...
Pet Sounds is the name of the album
"I don't think I've ever heard a Beach Boys song so depressing."
Just wait until you've heard _'Til I Die._ The title alone tells you how bad of a place Brian was at.
Really was a Brian Wilson solo/single.
So, he only loved her for her long hair! No long hair, no romance. When we were teenage girls, we cried over this song, vowing each other that WE would never cut OUR hair and break our boyfriend's hearts. But now, it seems very shallow, and she is better off without him. (She probably got tired of sleeping on brush rollers.) : )
Brian wrote about this, his girlfriend, Caroline, many years ago.
The album version of the song and the single are sped up from the original speed. It was at the request of Brian‘s father who was a massive asshole. The suggestion was to make Brian sound more youthful even though he wasn’t even 22.
A very personal song for Brian which has translated to all of us who/ve ever heard it...
Oh man, a LOT of Beach Boys songs are sad! Brain is the deepest!
The final part of this song was a dog whistle that nobody could hear, but was recorded anyway.
Released As A Brian Wilson solo single.....
Yes, it’s a very sad song, but the way I see it: the Beach Boy’s equivalent to the Beatles’ Yesterday.
The lyrics, the music, the sound, show true SAD FEELINGS, MAGISTRAL !!!!!!!
I agree she cut her hair because she grew up and became a woman, loss of innocence...an adult version of the little girl I once knew.
This is the saddest song the Beach Boys ever did.
I think its the album
You should react to their song “Til I Die.”
Would you check out the song called highway man by the highway men
I know you like the band America Harri, you might want to check out their cover of this song.
You have to listen to God Only Knows!!! I think this song was on Pet Sounds too!!!
Now go and listen to " IN MY ROOM" it might have the same affect.
Brian solo cut, no other Beach Boys on this.
The train sound is part of PET SOUNDS ,its just a sound ,
Other Beach Boy songs that always get passed by
Summer in Paridise
Disney Girls
Long Promised Road
Denny's Drums
Cotton Feilds (cover)
Hushabye
California Saga
Yes, I have no idea why "Denny's Drums" gets passed up. Except that I can drum better than he did in that song, and I can't drum at all! "Summer in Paradise" is okay, but I don't consider it a Beach Boys' song as much as a Terry Melcher song. Brian isn't on it and the production is too typical of the era.
Peak Brian Wilson
This song was in reference to a girlfriend who had broke up with him.
Brian wrote this after the JFK assassination, the age of Camelot was over, Caroline represented the loss.
Phillip - I think you are confusing this song with Warmth of the Sun, which Brian wrote the next day after the assassination - this was late 63, and he did not write Caroline No till 66, almost 3 years later
@@EricSmith-hd1wk
Thank you for clearing that up Eric. I was told my version of the story years ago, it made sense so I didn’t question it. I should have done a little investigating before repeating it. Thanks for pointing it out, it a beautiful song just the same.
The song is ultimately sad. Like some of The Smiths stuff
that song is different..not a Beach boy style..I agree with you Harri
Yes, it's a Beach Boys' "style." You haven't listened to everything they did over the decades. This song has its roots in "Surfer Girl," "The Surfer Moon," and many other songs, and ancestors are tracks like "Let the Wind Blow" and Carl's "One More Night Alone."
This is perhaps the least Beach-Boys-like song they ever recorded. A great song, but it didn't enjoy the success it deserved.
This is a case where the reaction to the single would have been better. The ending with the train and dogs Is not on that version.
According to Brian’s ex it was about her and a girl he knew in hs
Yes, a sad song indeed! Where did your long hair go? The girl I used to know..... how did you lose that happy glow? Who took that look away? I wanna go and cry.... it's so sad to watch a sweet thing die..... etc. CAROLINE BECAME A FEMINIST and was no longer, attractive, sweet and lovable. This is what Brian Wilson said years ago when interviewed.
You should listen to the original, without Brian's voice being sped up. That bit of speeding wrecks the song for me -- sounds like a tape glitch and makes Brian "whine" (1:18 - 1:20 of your video). Brilliant song otherwise.
Very poignant song. If you want depressing, try "Until I Die."
I thought exactly in that song, it's the sounding embodiement of depression... but a musical miracle at the same time. Somehow it works, it's very odd and depressing and still fascinating
Really? I think the most depressing Beach Boys song was "No surf here, beat me till I am dead with my Surfboard" A capital re issue . Yeah, ok I made that up. But DAN FOGELBERG NETHERLANDS!
itsaBRIANWILSONSINGLE
After Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows and Sloop John B (a brilliant remake of a traditional song) Caroline No, for me, was the dullest song on the album.
Doggone it, listen all the way through before you do your comments. When you pause, the whole mood of the song is lost.
i think he has to pause, as per you tube..
I'm in the minority since I don't worship everything Brian Wilson ever created - lol - this was always a weak, throw away song to me - and so not surprising that I find Pet Sounds very uneven in quality - some of Brian's arrangement choices are absolutely brilliant but other times just plain quirky and out of sorts - still not really complaining since most music artists would kill to have a musical legacy on the scale of BW - but I do wonder if Brian had anyone around him who would tell him straight up that they thought something he created was not so good and shouldn't be on an album