Owen Ashworth started to make music on a small casio keyboard back in 1997. His first two albums, "Answering Machine Music" and "Pocket Symphonies for Lonely Subway Cars," were made using nothing but small, battery-operated keyboards and Ashworth's own voice (along with occasional accompaniment by guest musicians). These early albums are now available on one CD, appropriately titled "The First Two Albums by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone."
Ashworth has released numerous EPs and full-length albums, with a trademark austere lyrical style that conveys emotions through its simplicity and directness.
CFTPA expanded its sound in 2006 with Ashworth's release 'Etiquette,' now using more instruments and effects (as well as more professional production and vocals from Jenny Herbinson). This album has given Ashworth room for experimentation and thinking space.
In 2009, CFTPA's newest album, titled 'Vs. Children,' was released. Although vocally very similar to his earlier work, the album features a greater variety of acoustic instruments and further demonstrates Ashworth's interest in pursuing more complex arrangements for his songs. His live shows reflect this as on his most recent tour he is joined by a full band.
In 2010 Ashworth announced that he was retiring the "Casiotone for the Painfully Alone" name, as well as the songs he wrote under that name. He now performs as Advance Base and a producer.
White Corolla
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's stalled at the save-on 'cause the starter's temperamental
Call your boyfriend it goes to voice mail
Leave a message, baby, get me please
Wait at the laundromat read a magazine
Tear out the page with the picture of some shoes
You get impatient go to a cafe
See a girl from your high school but you look away
One packet sweet 'n' low one packet sugar
Your boyfriend texts you he's sorry that he's late
He didn't hear the ring he's on his way, on his way...
You take your cough drops you call them hoarse pills
But they won't help anything if you keep smoking
Go to a movie go to the rodeo
Ride the train with the vagrants and watch the buildings fall away
The song "White Corolla" by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is a melancholic story of a woman who is waiting for her boyfriend while her car is stalled at the save-on. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a mundane and lonely day in the life of this woman as she waits for her boyfriend to arrive. The white car that the woman is driving looks like a rental car and is stalled at a store because the car's starter is temperamental. She then tries to call her boyfriend but he doesn't answer the call. While waiting for him she goes to the laundromat and reads a magazine. She tears out a page with a picture of some shoes as she gets impatient and decides to go to a cafe.
At the cafe, she sees a girl from her high school, but she looks away. She takes her coffee black, just the way her mother would, and uses both sweet 'n' low and sugar packets. Later, her boyfriend texts her, apologizing for being late, and she takes her hoarse pills (cough drops), but they won't help if she continues smoking. She then goes to a movie, goes to the rodeo, and rides the train with vagrants while watching the buildings fall away. The song's lyrics are an insightful portrayal of the monotony and isolation of modern urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Your little white car looks like a rental
The appearance of your small white car reminds me of a vehicle that one might rent temporarily.
And it's stalled at the save-on 'cause the starter's temperamental
Your car has broken down at a local store because the engine has sporadic issues starting.
Call your boyfriend it goes to voicemail
You attempt to contact your significant other on the phone, but they do not answer and their voicemail begins recording.
Leave a message, baby, get me please
In your voicemail message, you plead with your partner to return your call as soon as possible.
Wait at the laundromat read a magazine
While your clothes are being washed or dried, you occupy your time reading a periodical at the local laundry facility.
Tear out the page with the picture of some shoes
You remove a sheet from the magazine featuring attractive footwear designs that interest you.
You get impatient go to a cafe
Becoming restless, you relocate to a nearby coffee shop to pass the time.
See a girl from your high school but you look away
You encounter an acquaintance from your previous educational institution, but you avoid making eye contact and divert your attention elsewhere.
You take your coffee black, the way your mother would
You consume your coffee without adding any cream or milk, which is reminiscent of your parent's preference.
One packet sweet 'n' low one packet sugar
To add some sweetness to your beverage, you sprinkle in one packet of artificial sweetener and another of granulated sugar.
Your boyfriend texts you he's sorry that he's late
Your significant other sends a written message apologizing for being tardy to your intended meeting.
He didn't hear the ring he's on his way on his way...
Your partner missed your call due to a lack of perceived notification, but they are now en route to your current location.
You take your cough drops you call them hoarse pills
You regularly ingest medical candy to ease your respiratory discomfort, which you refer to as throat medication.
But they won't help anything if you keep smoking
Continuing to smoke will counteract the curative properties of the lozenge remedies and negatively affect your overall health.
Go to a movie go to the rodeo
You attend a film screening or travel to a venue featuring a livestock exhibition and entertainment spectacle.
Ride the train with the vagrants and watch the buildings fall away
While commuting on public transportation, you observe the passing cityscape as it slowly fades from view and encounter social outcasts along the way.
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matthew Garnier
Your little white car looks like a rental
And it's stalled at the save-on 'cause the starter's temperamental
Call your boyfriend it goes to voice mail
Leave a message, baby, get me please
Wait at the laundromat read a magazine
Tear out the page with the picture of some shoes
You get impatient go to a cafe
See a girl from your high school but you look away
You take your coffee black, the way your mother would
One packet sweet 'n' low one packet sugar
Your boyfriend texts you he's sorry that he's late
He didn't hear the ring he's on his way, on his way...
You take your cough drops you call them hoarse pills
But they won't help anything if you keep smoking
Go to a movie go to the rodeo
Ride the train with the vagrants and watch the buildings fall away
bren g
Teenager me would come to this video when I was feeling down. The animation and characters never failed to bring a smile to my face. I'm now an adult with a daughter who is so excited for Summer Camp Island! (Tbh I'm also already in love with the show!) Blows my mind lol.
Michi Moon
I still come to this video from time to time, I'm 18 now lol I remember watching this when I was 12
Amanda McIntyre
Me too. Im 27 now and coming back for the first time since I was a teen. Currently crying
Le Vector Robertove
I want 10-hour version of the sad dancing cat.
CherrileePie
I haven't seen this in years, and yet in still doesn't fail to put a smile on my face. 😊 Thank you Julia for your beautiful creations. ❤️
Luke Yellowtail
CherrileePie I'm looking for some older songs an you cant find any on YouTube. There not available anymore
te0nani
But it's so sad :(
Sir Chicken Funker
@te0nani is it..?
Gabriela Leites
And after 9 years, here we are again! Still adorable and awesome <3
M.D. Baer
Another great piece, Julia. I love your vibe and the sensitivity and the creativity.