During her time in the band, she worked on the solo projects Ramona Lisa and CEP before embarking on a career under her own name after Chairlift's disbandment in 2017. Her debut studio album, Pang (2019), featured collaborations with producer Danny L Harle and was released to critical acclaim. On December 5, 2022, Polachek announced her second studio album under her full name, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, and was released on February 14, 2023.
Polachek has worked extensively with other artists, collaborating with Blood Orange, Fischerspooner, Sbtrkt, Christine and the Queens, Charli XCX and the British music collective PC Music, as well as penning material for Beyoncé ("No Angel") and Travis Scott.
Caroline Shut Up
Caroline Polachek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do I love you too much?
Then I tell myself
"Caroline, shut up"
'Cause there's only one way
One way to find out
If it ever gets better
Than right now
I dare you to come closer
Let me see you in the light
I dare you to stay with me
You know I get low sometimes
I dare you to make time stop
Instead of speeding up
I dare you to go slow, don't rush
Sometimes I wonder
Do I love you too much?
Then I tell myself
"Caroline, shut up"
'Cause there's only one way
One way to find out
If it ever gets better
Than right now
Na, na, na, na
Now you got me jealous and I'm not the jealous type
Na, na, na, na
Spending all the cash that I'm saving up
Na, na, na, na
Lying in the bath, spit out a fountain of wine
Na, na, na, na
Looking like a God, you know you fuck me up
Sometimes I wonder
Do I love you too much?
Then I tell myself
"Caroline, shut up"
'Cause there's only one way
One way to find out
If it ever gets better
Than right now
And this is hard, God
Give me scissors and I'm running on a tightrope
And I've gotta trust it now
Ah, woah
Just don't let go
Sometimes I wonder
Do I love you too much?
Then I tell myself
"Caroline, shut up"
If tomorrow you want me
Then I don't have a doubt
That it gets even better
Than right now
The song "Caroline, Shut Up" by Caroline Polachek is a raw and emotional ballad that explores the complexities of love and the fear of vulnerability. The opening lines set the tone for the song, as Polachek muses about whether she loves someone too much. She then tells herself "Caroline, shut up," indicating her struggle to keep her emotions in check and not reveal too much.
The chorus of the song serves both as a reminder to herself and a challenge to her lover. Polachek dares her partner to come closer and stay with her, despite her occasional lows. She wants them to make time stop and take things slow, rather than rushing towards an uncertain future. Throughout the song, Polachek acknowledges her fear of loss and the uncertainty of love, but she also holds onto hope that things can get better.
The bridge of the song introduces a sense of desperation, as she prays for strength to overcome her fears and doubts. She acknowledges that love is a risk, and she needs to trust her instincts and not let go. The closing lines of the song suggest that even though tomorrow is unpredictable and unknown, she believes that her love will continue to grow and get better with time.
Overall, "Caroline, Shut Up" is a poignant and relatable song that captures the challenges of navigating love and the fear of being vulnerable. It's a song about taking risks and daring to love, even when it's not easy.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I wonder
At times, I question
Do I love you too much?
Is my love more than what it should be?
Then I tell myself
Then, I remind myself
"Caroline, shut up"
To stop overthinking and worrying, I silence my own mind by saying my name
'Cause there's only one way
Since it's the only way
One way to find out
There's only one method to discover
If it ever gets better
If things get better
Than right now
Than how they currently are
I dare you to come closer
I challenge you to move near
Let me see you in the light
Allow me to look at you clearly
I dare you to stay with me
I challenge you to remain by my side
You know I get low sometimes
You are aware that I sometimes have moments of sadness
I dare you to make time stop
I challenge you to pause time
Instead of speeding up
Rather than hastening things
I dare you to go slow, don't rush
I challenge you to move at a slower pace, taking your time
"Na, na, na, na"
Sounds used to indicate a switch in the flow of the song
Now you got me jealous and I'm not the jealous type
You have made me envious, although such feelings rarely overwhelm me
Spending all the cash that I'm saving up
You're spending the money I've been keeping aside
Lying in the bath, spit out a fountain of wine
You're relaxing in the bath and drinking wine
Looking like a God, you know you fuck me up
You appear godlike, and that affects me powerfully
And this is hard, God
This situation isn't easy, Lord
Give me scissors and I'm running on a tightrope
If you provide me with scissors, it would feel like I'm walking on a tightrope
And I've gotta trust it now
And now, I need to have faith in this situation
Ah, woah
An indication of emotions
Just don't let go
Please, don't release your hold
If tomorrow you want me
If you still desire me tomorrow
Then I don't have a doubt
Then I'm certain
That it gets even better
That things will improve
Than right now
Than how they currently are
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Caroline Polachek, Danny Harle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greasy Pig Studios
I was singing this damn song in the shower for several weeks as I worked on these lyric videos. Caroline is a lovely person, I took no pleasure telling her to shut up in my head :)
Sara Carraway
Did you make these lyric videos? They're GORGEOUS.
Greasy Pig Studios
@Sara Carraway I animated this and most of the other lyric videos, taking over from Eric Epstein who did the original designs and did the first few videos. Kudos to them!
G Siya
@Greasy Pig Studios wow that's amazing, actually i want them too for something
kiu
@Greasy Pig Studios well kudos to you both! these look amazing
toxic.pink
I saw her live. The show was outstanding. I can stress how amazing it was. People who had no idea who she was came to the stage because her presence was so powerful.
Avery TPWK
omg i bet it was amazing. A Caroline Polachek show is number one on my concert bucket list
you can call me adym
caroline dont you ever dare shut up your music is so amazing
Michael Bizley
"spit out a fountain of wine" OH NOW IT MAKES SENSE THANK YOU QUEEN
terryblueberry
is it a metaphor for blood...?! 😰