Caroline, No

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"Caroline, No"
Song

"Caroline, No" is a Brian Wilson song co-written with Tony Asher. It appeared on the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds, released in 1966. It is the last song on the album.

Title and Subject Matter

Inspired by a former girlfriend of lyricist Tony Asher who had moved to New York and cut her hair, the song was initially written as "Carol, I Know". When spoken, however, Brian Wilson heard this as "Caroline, No." After the confusion was quickly resolved, the pair decided to keep the somewhat accidental title, bringing a poignant earnestness to the song's sad melody. The song's opening lyric, "Where did your long hair go?" indicates that the song's protagonist is dissatisfied with his partner's new haircut and in general with changes in her personality.

Recording

The song's backing track was recorded January 31, 1966 at in Western Recorders in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Wilson produced the session, and Chuck Britz was the engineer. As with the rest of the Pet Sounds backing tracks, Wilson employed players from select group of southern California session musicians later nicknamed the Wrecking Crew. Wilson chose these players because of their work with Phil Spector. Although the Wrecking Crew were primarily younger musicians, most were formally trained and already veterans of session playing. "Caroline, No" is in many ways the apotheosis of Wilson's work with the Wrecking crew. Harpsichord and bass flutes accompany more typical pop/rock instrumentation in a rich sound that, like other compositions from this period, reflects a jazz influence. The unique percussive exchange that opens the song features a tambourine and a large empty water bottle from the studio, played either by drummer Hal Blaine or percussionist Frankie Capp.

After Brian Wilson's double-tracked vocals were overdubbed, the entire recording was sped up (although recorded in the key of F, it sounds in the key of F#). This was done at the suggestion of Wilson's father Murry. Although he was no longer managing the Beach Boys, it is often speculated that Brian Wilson was pressured into this decision. Wilson, however, maintains that he preferred the "sweeter" sound of the sped-up version. It is also thought by some that the song was sped up to make Wilson's voice sound younger.

Brian later stated that "'Caroline, No' was my favorite on the album, the prettiest ballad I've ever sung. Awfully pretty song. The melody and the chords were like Glenn Miller...a Glenn Miller-type bridge. The fade-out was like a 1944 kind of record...Listen for the flutes in the fadeout." The sound of a passing train can be heard at the end of the track accompanied by barking from Brian's dogs, Banana and Louie.

Whose single is it?

"Caroline, No" was Brian Wilson's first solo single, released on Capitol Records as Capitol 5610 on March 7, 1966. Although Brian Wilson was the driving force behind the Beach Boys at the time, the solo release of "Caroline, No" was perhaps his first official recognition as an individual outside the band. However, it was also released on The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album (as well as on subsequent Beach Boys compilation albums), so there it is credited as a Beach Boys recording, even though Wilson is the only Beach Boy performing on the record.

Recognition and Influence

Album appearances

The song's first album appearance was on The Beach Boys classic 1966 album Pet Sounds.

The song appears on several occasions from different stages of the recording process and in different formats on The Pet Sounds Sessions box set:

  1. It appears on disc one in the first original stereo mix of the song.
  2. On disc 2, the 'Caroline, No' highlights from tracking date appears, which documents the progress of the recording of the instrumental track of the song. This track goes for over four minutes.
  3. Again on disc 2, the complete backing track is featured.
  4. On disc 3, an A cappella (or vocals only) version of the song is featured.
  5. A 32 second 'Caroline, No' promotional spot is featured on disc 3
  6. Also on disc 3 appears the song in stereo at its original speed.
  7. A second 'Caroline, No' promotional spot is also featured on disc 3 which goes for 28 seconds.
  8. Lastly on disc 3 appears the song in mono at its original speed.
  9. The song also appears on the bonus disc, disc 4, in its original mono mix.

A Live version of the song also appears on the band's 1973 live album The Beach Boys In Concert.

Details

Performers

Overdub session

  • Hal Blaine: Drums (in vamp)
  • Carol Kaye: Electric Bass
  • Al de Lory: Harpsichord
  • Steve Douglas: Tenor Saxophone

Sheet music cover

File:Carolineno sheet.jpg
Original sheet music cover for Caroline, No

References

  • Wouldn't It Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds by Charles L. Granata. Chicago Review Press, 2003.
  • Pet Sounds reissue liner notes, written by Brad Elliott, 1999

See Also

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