After Tod left his previous group, Cop Shoot Cop, he quickly regrouped and formed Firewater to explore the styles of music Cop Shoot Cop had only hinted at, including klezmer, cabaret, ska, jazz, and gypsy forms. More than one source described the original Firewater lineup as an "indie rock supergroup", based on members such as Duane Denison of the Jesus Lizard, Yuval Gabay of Soul Coughing, Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields, and Hahn Rowe. This original lineup proved unable to tour, and Tod recruited new musicians for the band's first tour. While the lineup has changed over the years, with many different musicians appearing on different albums and tours, Tod remains the singer, songwriter, and bassist of Firewater.
Firewater has released six albums, and has seen some success, especially in Europe and on United States college radio stations.
Their previous album, Songs We Should Have Written, is a collection of cover songs. It includes songs written by Robyn Hitchcock, The Rolling Stones ("Paint It Black" reinterpreted as a crawlingly slow raga which "shove(s) a few downers down the song's throat to counter the original version's adrenaline-fueled fire" ), and a "dark and sweet" take of Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On", described as "10 times more ominous and 20 times more pleasurable" than the original. The album also includes a modern rendition of the Johnny Cash anthem "Folsom Prison Blues".
Their latest album, The Golden Hour, has been recorded with various local musicians and friends when Tod A went on sabbatical and travelled through Thailand, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey and Israel. The record was released May 6 in 2008. The band is currently (October, 2008) touring in support of the album.
Caroline
Firewater Lyrics
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You remember every word she said
And every word rings in your head
Except, "I'm Sorry"
And when the dark comes down
Upon this stark and sullen town
Will all her ghosts still hang around
To wreck the party?
Whispering in the trees
You caught her like a disease
But they still haven't found the cure
She took what she could skive
With her transparent eyes
And she starved herself of everything
Money couldn't buy
Caroline
Another steel-gray dawn
You wonder whether to go on
When obligations linger on
As if you made them
You're so sick and tired
Of disinfectants, cops, and lawyers
All satan's angels are his choir
Sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Caroline on the bridge
Not allot left to give
Never mind what she did
She could only betray herself
She walked a crooked line
Led you deaf, dumb, and blind
And she compromised your
Confidence in every single crime
Caroline
The song "Caroline" by Firewater is a melancholic retelling of a failed relationship. The lyrics depict the pain and haunting memories that linger after a breakup, as the singer is left alone in an empty bed, reminiscing on every word his former lover said. He longs to hear the apology that she never gave him, and wonders if her ghosts still haunt the town where they once lived together. The chorus refers to Caroline as a disease that crept up on him and which he cannot cure - indicating that the relationship was ultimately toxic and destructive.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more and more disillusioned with life. He wakes up to steel-gray dawns, questioning whether he should continue with the obligations that tie him down. The lyrics describe a world that is tainted with corruption and evil, where even the angels sing hymns of praise to Satan. The last two verses focus on Caroline herself, portraying her as someone who led the singer along a crooked path, compromising his confidence and betraying herself in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
In your empty bed
Lying in your bed alone
You remember every word she said
Recalling every word that she spoke to you
And every word rings in your head
Every word keeps playing in your mind
Except, "I'm Sorry"
The only words missing are an apology
And when the dark comes down
When the night falls
Upon this stark and sullen town
In this gloomy, cheerless city
Will all her ghosts still hang around
Will her memories still haunt you
To wreck the party?
And ruin your mood?
Caroline on the breeze
The name Caroline carried by the wind
Whispering in the trees
The name whispered by the leaves
You caught her like a disease
You were infatuated by her, addictively so
But they still haven't found the cure
A hint that the cure is unlikely
She took what she could skive
Took what she could get sneakily
With her transparent eyes
With her guileless gaze
And she starved herself of everything
And deprived herself of all things
Money couldn't buy
That money cannot secure
Caroline
A repetition of Caroline's name
Another steel-gray dawn
Facing another uninspiring morning
You wonder whether to go on
Wondering if you should continue to endure
When obligations linger on
Although responsibilities persist
As if you made them
As if you are the reason for their existence
You're so sick and tired
Exhausted and fed up
Of disinfectants, cops, and lawyers
Weary of cleaners, law enforcement, and legal personnel
All satan's angels are his choir
Implying that evil forces are involved
Sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Sing in praise of Satan
Caroline on the bridge
Caroline on the bridge
Not allot left to give
Not much left to offer
Never mind what she did
Forget her transgressions
She could only betray herself
The only one she could deceive is herself
She walked a crooked line
She was deceitful and untrustworthy
Led you deaf, dumb, and blind
She misled you and clouded your senses
And she compromised your
She put your
Confidence in every single crime
Faith in her through each of her actions was broken
Caroline
A final repetition of Caroline's name
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stewart Ransom Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind