King's major success began in the 1960s when she and her first husband, Gerry Goffin, wrote more than two dozen chart hits, many of which have become standards, for numerous artists. She has continued writing for other artists since then. King's success as a performer in her own right did not come until the 1970s, when she sang her own songs, accompanying herself on the piano, in a series of albums and concerts. After experiencing commercial disappointment with her debut album Writer, King scored her breakthrough with the album Tapestry, which topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971 and remained on the charts for more than six years.
King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years. Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter. She is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to be so honored. She is also a 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_King
Studio albums
Writer (1970)
Tapestry (1971)
Music (1971)
Rhymes & Reasons (1972)
Fantasy (1973)
Wrap Around Joy (1974)
Thoroughbred (1976)
Simple Things (1977)
Welcome Home (1978)
Touch the Sky (1979)
Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King (1980)
One to One (1982)
Speeding Time (1983)
City Streets (1989)
Colour of Your Dreams (1993)
Love Makes the World (2001)
A Holiday Carole (2011)
Carolina In My Mind
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you see the sunshine?
Can't you just feel the moonshine?
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind?
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Karin, she's a silver sun
And watch her watch the morning come
A silver tear appearing now
I'm cryin', ain't I?
Gone to Carolina in my mind
There ain't no doubt in no ones mind
That love's the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
And hey babe, the sky's on fire
I'm dying, ain't I?
Gone to Carolina in my mind
In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine?
Can't you just feel the moonshine?
And, ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind?
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Dark and silent, late last night,
I think I might have heard the highway call
And geese in flight and dogs that bite
The signs that might be omens say
I'm goin', I'm goin'
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
With a holy host of others standin' around me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me, if I'm up and gone to
Carolina in my mind
In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine?
Can't you just feel the moonshine?
Ain't is just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Gone to Carolina in my mind
And I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
Goin' to Carolina in my mind
Gone, I'm gone, I'm gone
Say nice things about me 'cause I'm gone south now
Got to carry on without me, I'm gone
"Carolina in My Mind" is a song by American singer-songwriter Carole King, released on her 1971 album Tapestry. The song has become one of King's most popular and beloved songs, and it remains a staple on classic rock radio. The lyrics explore King's desire to return to her childhood home in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. The song is filled with vivid imagery of sunshine, moonshine, and silver suns that paint an idyllic picture of the south. The song also touches on themes of love and loss, as well as the longing for a simpler, more peaceful life.
The first verse of "Carolina in My Mind" introduces the song's central theme of nostalgia and homesickness. King sings about being mentally transported to North Carolina, where the sunshine and moonshine are ever-present. She also laments the fact that life can be unpredictable, and that sometimes the people we trust can hurt us unexpectedly. The second verse introduces the character of Karin, who is portrayed as a radiant, shining figure. King urges listeners to approach Karin with caution, perhaps as a metaphor for the way we should approach all things that are beautiful and fleeting. The final verse returns to the theme of homesickness, juxtaposing the image of the south with the darkness of the moon.
In conclusion, "Carolina in My Mind" is a beautifully written and deeply personal song that explores themes of nostalgia, love, and loss. The song's use of vivid imagery and simple, poetic lyrics create a powerful sense of longing for a simpler, more peaceful life that many listeners can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
I am mentally escaping to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine?
The sun in Carolina is bright and clear
Can't you just feel the moonshine?
The warm, relaxing feeling that comes with the moonlight is present in Carolina
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It's typical for a friend to unexpectedly impact my life
To hit me from behind?
To surprise me with something out of the blue
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Again, I am escaping to Carolina mentally
Karin, she's a silver sun
Referring to someone named Karin, who has a positive aura and shines like a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shine
Be careful around Karin because she attracts attention in a good way
And watch her watch the morning come
Karin enjoys watching the sunrise in the morning
A silver tear appearing now
A reference to crying, with the tear appearing silver in the light
I'm cryin', ain't I?
I am indeed crying
Gone to Carolina in my mind
Once again, I am mentally escaping to Carolina
There ain't no doubt in no ones mind
Everyone knows that love is the best thing in the world
That love's the finest thing around
Love is the most beautiful and valuable thing in existence
Whisper something soft and kind
Speak gently and kindly in matters of love
And hey babe, the sky's on fire
A romantic reference to the beautiful colors of the sunset sky
I'm dying, ain't I?
I am overwhelmed with romantic feelings, almost to the point of being unable to handle them
Dark and silent, late last night
Late at night, it was dark and quiet
I think I might have heard the highway call
I believe I heard the call of the open road
And geese in flight and dogs that bite
Possible signs of change or transition
The signs that might be omens say
These signs may indicate something important
I'm goin', I'm goin'
I am ready to leave and move forward
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Once again, I am escaping to Carolina mentally
With a holy host of others standin' around me
Amidst a large group of people sharing in a communal experience
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
Despite being with others, I feel isolated and alone
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
This feeling of isolation seems like it will last forever
You must forgive me, if I'm up and gone to
Please understand my tendency to mentally escape to Carolina
Carolina in my mind
Once again, I am escaping to Carolina mentally
Say nice things about me 'cause I'm gone south now
Please remember me fondly since I am moving down south
Got to carry on without me, I'm gone
Life will go on whether or not I am present
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KrisPeter
This is how magic sounds. Absolutely perfect.