Carousel
Carousels Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Carousels twirl all around exited youth.
I do not mind
at all.
We’re tonight in a world full of thrills—it can (come) carry me up,
far above
it all.

It’s a long way down

from here
to the sound.
Watch the faces
go ‘round—
to the stars
then the ground.

Ferris wheels carried us away
not so long ago.
Times I’ve betrayed.
Where would we be now if I had taken your hand?
Well the years they pass by slow
don’t they?

It’s a long way down
from here
to the sound.
Watch the faces
go ‘round—

to the stars
then the ground.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Carousel" have a whimsical yet melancholic quality to them. The song talks about the thrill and excitement of being young and carefree and how time passes by so quickly. The singer reminisces about the days when they would ride carousels and Ferris wheels with their friends, feeling like they were on top of the world. But now, as an adult, the thought of that time seems so far away, and the singer wonders what could have been if they had made different choices.

The opening line, "Carousels twirl all around exited youth," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The carousel represents the fun and carefree nature of being young, where there are no worries or responsibilities. The singer doesn't mind reliving those memories because they were so happy, despite them being in the past. They are now in a world full of thrills that can carry them away, but with that comes the realization that it's a long way down from that high.

The chorus of the song talks about the passage of time and how it seems like it's taking forever. The faces spun around on the carousel, and now they're older, and time seems to be moving faster. Ferris wheels carried the singer and their friends away, and the singer wonders where they would be if they had taken a different path. The song has a nostalgic quality to it, as if the singer is looking back on their past with both fondness and regret.

Line by Line Meaning

Carousels twirl all around exited youth.
The vibrant, vivid sensation of excitement and energy is portrayed through the imagery of carousels spinning, reflecting the youthful exuberance of life.

I do not mind at all.
The singer expresses their acceptance of and enjoyment in the thrill and chaos of life, suggesting a carefree and spontaneous approach to living.

We’re tonight in a world full of thrills—it can (come) carry me up, far above it all.
Amid a world of exciting possibilities and endless adventure, the singer feels as though they are being lifted up and away from the mundanity of everyday life.

It’s a long way down from here to the sound.
The artist recognizes the potential consequences of living in the moment, acknowledging that the farther one climbs, the harder the fall can be.

Watch the faces go ‘round—to the stars then the ground.
Through the cyclical, repetitive nature of a carousel, the artist observes the highs and lows of life, recognizing that there is always a risk of falling from great heights.

Ferris wheels carried us away not so long ago.
Referencing the impermanence of time and experience, the singer notes how quickly moments of joy and excitement can pass us by.

Times I’ve betrayed.
Amidst the reflection on the fleeting nature of time, the singer acknowledges their own shortcomings and moments of regret.

Where would we be now if I had taken your hand?
The artist wonders how their life would be different if they had made different choices, suggesting a sense of wistfulness and longing.

Well the years they pass by slow, don’t they?
In acknowledgement of the inevitable passage of time, the artist wonders at the slow pace of life, regretting how quickly experiences and opportunities can be lost.

Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS