This is Caroline Trettine. The only Caroline I own more than one song by. Largely thanks to Martin.
Caroline Trettine - Sleep With Me
Although there appear to be hundreds of songs featuring Carolines, there are very few song-makers with that name.
Only two other singing Carolines in my hard-drive...
Caroline & The Treats - Me And My Vibrator
Caroline Carter - The Ballad of Possibilities (Come Along)
And while I'm usually inundated with artist suggestions, the only other one this week came from Walter...
Carolyne Mas - Thomas Dunson's Revenge
Which led me to investigate the alternate spelling and discover...
Carolyn Franklin - All I Want Is To Be Your Woman
As well as this absolute gem of a suicide anthem...
But a dearth of famous Carolines is good, because it means we can get straight onto the songs...
Let's start with your suggestions that didn't make the Top Ten...
The late, great Daniel Johnston - I Did Acid with Caroline (Lynchie)
Fleetwood Mac - Caroline (Martin)
Jefferson Starship - Caroline (Walter)
Lou Reed - Caroline Says I / Caroline Says II (Martin & George)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Caroline (Lynchie)
Cheap Trick - Oh Caroline (Martin)
Colin Blunstone (Formerly of the Zombies and then went solo) - Caroline Goodbye (Lynchie)
Jimmy Buffett - Woman Goin' Crazy on Caroline Street (Martin)
Talk Talk - Does Caroline Know? (Walter)
Now, I have to admit I get a bit rankled by Talk Talk, so when my millennial hipster politico friend, Ben, also suggested this one, I might have snapped.
You're not part of that whole "Spirit of Eden is the greatest album in the history of recorded music" conspiracy, are you? (Both Guy Garvey and Huey Morgan are among the disciples of this particular cult.)
My millennial hipster politico friend, Ben, replied:
It's a key album in the development of post-rock music. The blueprints are there but I don't think they knew what to do with it properly.
This turned into a whole argument with me railing against the very concept of "post rock" and Ben quoting Mogwai and post-metal and Math rock and me saying I'd rather listen to Twisted Sister. It got ugly. But there are worse ways to spend a Friday afternoon.
Ben also suggested...
Which is fine, but no postmen were hurt in the recording of that.
Also from Ben, a couple of great lyrical offerings...
She's still thinking about this when the bus goes passed caroline lee's house where there was a party last week. There were some german exchange students there who were very mature; they all ended up jumping out of the bedroom window. One of them tried to get her to kiss him on the stairs, so she kicked him. Later she was sick because she drunk too much cider. Caroline was drunk as well; she was pretending she was married to a tall boy in glasses, and she had to wear a polo-neck for three days afterwards to cover up the love-bite on her neck.
That was a very strong contender, partly because it scratches my "short stories in songs" itch and partly because it was the first Pulp song I ever fell in love with. But I guess I had to save it for Our Top Ten Susan Songs.
Cell phone number here, call if you have the time
Twenty-eight and bored, grieving over loss
Sorry to be heavy, but heavy is the cost
Heavy is the cost
Which, if I ever get round to completing it, will be a strong contender for Number One in My Top Ten Lonely Hearts Column Songs. Although it will obviously be up again Rupert Holmes.
Also on the lyrical side of things, strong calls from Walter...
The Undertones - Girls That Don't Talk
And Charity Chic...
Townes Van Zandt - Tecumseh Valley
Time to venture into the darkest recesses of my hard-drive... for some very strong runners-up...
Frank Turner - Least Of All, Young Caroline
Jake Thackray - Caroline Diggeby-Pratte
Mark Kozelek & Jimmy Lavelle - Caroline
Martin Stephenson and the Daintees - Caroline
Steppenwolf - Caroline (Are You Ready for the Outlaw World)
Tom Williams & The Boat - Caroline
The Candy Darlings - That's Where Caroline Lives
As for that pesky alternative spelling / pronunciation...
Ronnie Bond (drummer of The Troggs) - Carolyn
Cocteau Twins - Carolyn's Fingers
Finally, there was some discussion about the possibility of including Carolinas in this list, but I had to veto that on the grounds of Shaggy. Sorry.
Onto this week's winning ten...
10. Kate Nash - Caroline's A Victim
Because Kate Nash always makes me smile. And I need as many smiles as I can get these days.
See also...
Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Caroline's A Drop-Out
Over to our Canadian correspondent, Douglas...
I am enthused to be able to introduce you to another strong Canadian contender here!
If your willing to stretch out a little into the Country realm (as I believe by your other selections you are on occasion) my collection yields up the somewhat shocking voice of Colter Wall, from Saskatchewan (that's prairie town, Canada style if you are not up on your Canadian geography, the heart of Canadian Country music). A little test? See if you too, like the Proclaimers, "can say "Saskatchewan" without starting to stutter..." Anyway, give a listen to his song "Caroline" from 2015, and see if you can believe that the lad had barely turned 20 at the time of recording that song.
No, he certainly doesn't sound 20. I have heard Ricky Ross playing Colter on his Radio Scotland Country show, but I hadn't heard this one. It's utterly bewitching though. Thanks, Douglas.
Because Jez would never forgive me if this wasn't in here somewhere.
Can't argue with this suggestion from John Medd. How many other songs can you think of where the roses smell like poo poo?
All the guys would say she's mighty fine (mighty fine)
But mighty fine only got you somewhere half the time
And the other half either got you cussed out, or coming up short
6. The Beach Boys - Caroline, No
"Caroline, No" by The Beach Boys has to be a contender! says Lynchie.
And let's not forget the answer song, thanks to Rigid Digit...
5. The Go-Betweens - Caroline And I
Surprised nobody picked this one.
Alive at a similar time
It gave me something small that I could feel
That maybe as you grew, you knew how I'd feel
And Caroline and I knew how you'd feel
Rattled through our teenage years
Battled and loved who we fought
The first time you left home on your own I knew
A little bit of you is gone when you do
And Caroline and I well we grew, well that's true
Caroline and I
4. Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink
Clearly the best lyrical suggestion of the week, via Rigid Digit...
3. Matching Mole - O' Caroline
A sweet '70s song this time, says C, with Robert Wyatt on vocals.
An utterly enchanting song, adds John Medd.
Alyson continues...
You've beaten me to it C, as that was the song I would have suggested. I think I discovered it from one of the other blogs a couple of years ago and was blown away it - there is a great YouTube clip with loads of '60s/'70s scenes in black and white which brings always brings on an overwhelming sense of nostalgia when I watch it: just matches the sound of the song so well.
The Swede concludes...
Spot on C, an absolute beauty. Another Robert Wyatt tune at least partially inspired by Caroline Coon (as well as Carla Bley and Marsha Hunt) is 'To Carla, Marsha and Caroline (For Making Everything Beautifuller)' from his 1970 LP 'The End of an Ear'. Not sure if Rol will allow that though.
That may bend the Song For Whoever rule, Swede, but it is quite lovely. Matching Mole for the win though... if only there weren't such stiff competition this week.
Martin and Rigid Digit both picked this for Number One. I respect that. But sometimes there's just no competition.
1. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
There are those of you who may not like Sweet Caroline, and I don't often say this, because everyone is entitled to their opinion and it's all subjective and opinions are like arseholes... but you're wrong.
Sweet Caroline has a wistful nostalgia about it. It starts small but grows and then explodes. This is where Nirvana got the whole quiet quiet LOUD thing from. And best of all, it has the "Der der ders!" which even Bublé can't beat. I'm really sad if you don't like it because when I'm down, Sweet Caroline can pick me up like virtually no other song.
Good times never seemed so good...
My millennial hipster politico friend, Ben, says...
"Also, if you do Sweet Caroline, make it the Hoff version or Me First & The Gimme Gimmes."
...which just goes to show you, there really is little hope for the youth of today.
David Hasslehoff - Sweet Caroline
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes - Sweet Caroline
I actually quite like the Hoff's vocal performance here, but the backing track is awful.
And the Me First... cover sounds like every other Me First... cover. Amusing the first time you hear it. After that...
Still, if it's covers you want, try these...
More faithful than you'd imagine.
Manages to make it his own.
Elvis Presley - Sweet Caroline
Just in case you're wondering how to dance in the der-der-ders.
Frank Sinatra - Sweet Caroline
Probably my favourite cover.
Still. There is no competition here.
First thought
ReplyDeleteManfred Manns Earth Band - Davy's on the Road Again
I may be back
I hope not after that dreadful suggestion
DeleteWhat a lovely start to the day to see a blog post begin with Caroline Trettine!
ReplyDeleteAnd although I picked Kirsty for my #1 Caroline, you're right, there's really no arguing with the Diamond.
Now, on to Davids... though I may only pitch one: David Watts, either the Kinks original or the Jam cover. Altogether now:
I am a dull and simple lad
Cannot tell water from champagne
And I have never met the Queen
And I wish I could have all he has got
Wish I could be like David Watts
Go on then, one more: Bree Sharp - David Duchovny, which has an all-star cast video that can't fail to put a smile on the face of anyone who watched The X Files back in the day - really, watch right through to the end, beyond the song.
I bought a Colter Wall album last year - and it's fab! AND I knew Dave Flett of "Davy's On The Road Again" fame.
ReplyDeleteThe door is always open...
DeleteDanny Wilson - "Davy"
ReplyDeleteCheech & Chong - "Dave's Not Here" (It's not a song but it's on an album)
ReplyDeleteTom Petty - "Lonesome Dave"
John Hiatt - "Trudy And Dave"
If you ever do "Ethel" songs, can I suggested John Hiatt's "Ethylene"?
ReplyDeleteAin't Necessarily So, Bronski Beat version, talks about little David being small but o my
ReplyDeleteA worthy winner for Caroline.
ReplyDeleteAs for David - I remember you liked the Scars' track I put on over at my place recently, so wonder if you'll like another song from the same album - perfectly titled... as you might imagine... 'David'!
Boomtown Rats Dave
ReplyDelete(more later, hopefully)
Morrissey - Dagenham Dave
ReplyDeleteCarter USM - World Without Dave
Joan Baez - David's Song
and this one might be pushing it (as it's a surname)
Stereophonics - Billy Davy's Daughter
anyone mentioned Craig Daaaavid yet?
Craig David's Covid Song:
I stayed at home on Monday
I stayed at home on Tuesday
On Wednesday I stayed in
Same for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
On Sunday I stayed in
Sweet - Funk it Up (David's Song)
ReplyDeleteRemember David - A Flock of Seagulls
ReplyDeleteDavid Watts, has to be. The Jam version as it was the first one I heard.
ReplyDeleteDavey Crockett by Thee Headcoatees is a rollicking good tune and Black Jack Davey by the White Stripes is good if you like old English folk songs updated by 21st century blues revivalists.
...and may I just mention that Colter Wall has a fantastic track called "Me And Big Dave", wherein he absolutely sounds nothing whatsoever like a person in his 20's but everything like the embodime t of what is deep, soulful and great about country music in the Cash-like vein? Can the young Canadian rank two weeks in a row, perhaps clawing his way deeper in the Top Ten?
ReplyDeleteAnd if that is not your think, the Trash Can Sinatras once again have a contender, with the raucous and ebullient b-side (gawsh, they save some of the best for the flip sides, don't they?) entitled "Ask Davy". According to legend, when the as-yet-untitled track was being readied for release, the record exec types came to hassle the band abound the small matter of a title for the song before going to press. The band, sorely pressed, tried to brush off the corporate pedants by steering them for suggestions to the usually forthcoming bassist, Davy Hughes....and that is how the track came to qualify for this week's Top Ten...
Glad nobody named David Hasselhoff in the comments. The first name that came to my Memory was Dave Clark Five with Glad all over a song from my very young days.
ReplyDeleteOther songs that should be named are
Serge Gainsbourg - Harley David Son Of A Bitch (also covered by Bollock Brothers)
A nice Pop song from the 80's: A Flock of Seagulls - Remember David
John Hiatt - Trudy and Dave
Beastie Boys - A Year and a Day
'EZ Mike with the Disco Dave
He was going by the Name of Disco Dave
New Order - Murder
'I wouldn't do that Dave
I'm afraid, Dave
My nind is going
There is no Question about it