"Caroline the Queen"
Caroline is not a person I know. And, to be honest, I don't drink regular coffee. I wrote this song more because I loved the way the chorus went, melodically, more than anything else. I had written it as a direct influence of my good friend, Alec Gross, who is simply brilliant. Brilliant writer, brilliant singer, brilliant guitar player, brilliant harmonica player, and a heck of a nice guy. Here is a snippet of him performing his beautiful song "You Make Sense to Me" with me, Andy Mac, and Matt Jones singing backup:
So, anyways, he has been a breath of fresh air, as far as listening to music. And his words, though simple, hit so hard and so deeply. While "Caroline" remains a very lighthearted song, I was trying to accomplish a similar goal. Tell a story, with straightforward terms and images, and use harmony to really make the song catchy.
I wanted Caroline to be a barista because I had worked as one for awhile on Long Island one summer. To date, it was my favorite job I've ever done, making drinks for people, sharing stories. There's something so calming about preparing food and drink concoctions for others, I think it's in my blood from my Mother.
The other thing of note in the song is the quote from a Robert Burns poem, from which "Of Mice and Men" was titled, and several other notable works have got their title. Burns was a Scottish Poet from the late 1700's, who was referred to Scotland's Favourite Son. The poem is called "To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough"
Small, crafty, cowering, timorous little beast,
O, what a panic is in your little breast!
You need not start away so hasty
With hurrying scamper!
I would be loath to run and chase you,
With murdering plough-staff.
I'm truly sorry man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
And justifies that ill opinion
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor, earth born companion
And fellow mortal!
I doubt not, sometimes, but you may steal;
What then? Poor little beast, you must live!
An odd ear in twenty-four sheaves
Is a small request;
I will get a blessing with what is left,
And never miss it.
Your small house, too, in ruin!
Its feeble walls the winds are scattering!
And nothing now, to build a new one,
Of coarse grass green!
And bleak December's winds coming,
Both bitter and keen!
You saw the fields laid bare and wasted,
And weary winter coming fast,
And cozy here, beneath the blast,
You thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel plough past
Out through your cell.
That small bit heap of leaves and stubble,
Has cost you many a weary nibble!
Now you are turned out, for all your trouble,
Without house or holding,
To endure the winter's sleety dribble,
And hoar-frost cold.
But little Mouse, you are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often awry,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
Still you are blest, compared with me!
The present only touches you:
But oh! I backward cast my eye,
On prospects dreary!
And forward, though I cannot see,
I guess and fear!
Every morning I set out to live well, to have a good day. And everyday I arrive home feeling like I don't know what I'm doing. There are moments, though, when people can ease that feeling, and seeing them becomes a little treat. So, this song talks about that sort of thing. I just don't know a Caroline who makes my coffee everyday.
Here are the lyrics to "Caroline the Queen":
I woke up spilling out
Into a foggy day, without much sense
I take all of my best-laid plans
And still feel like a mouse inside a man
I come through
The longest line just to see you
Caroline
I hang on every word you say
Caroline
You are the Queen of my Cafe
You are the dream inside my day
You've got a certain way
Of transforming the words that leave your lips
Into full-on liquid gold
That strangers take away in sips
I can't make due
With other girls who replace you
Caroline
I hang on every word you say
Caroline
You are the Queen of my Cafe
You are the dream inside my day
My mornings take hours
And hours take days
But it calms my head just to hear you say
My drink order is made
Caroline
I hang on every word you say
Caroline
You are the Queen of my Cafe
You are the dream inside my day
And when I wake it's you I see
And I will take a piece of you with me
So, a total inspirational nod to Alec Gross, to Robert Burns, and to coffee!!! Tip your baristas, folks! And, if you're feeling saucy, donate to help make my album possible! Visit www.johnschmittalbum.com today! Please email me at johnschmittmusic@gmail.com for any questions. THANK YOU!
-John
www.myspace.com/johnschmitt
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