Laura Veirs (born Laura Pauline Veirs on 24 October 1973 in Colorado Spring… Read Full Bio ↴Laura Veirs (born Laura Pauline Veirs on 24 October 1973 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is an American singer-songwriter.

Veirs was raised in Colorado, studied geology and Mandarin Chinese at Carleton College, worked as a translator for a geological expedition in China, and now lives in Portland, Oregon. Veirs has said that she didn't seriously listen to music until she was in her 20s; instead, she just heard what was in her environment. She listened to folk / country / classical / pop, around the house & on the radio, during her youth.

Attending Carleton College in rural Minnesota, Veirs latched onto feminist punk rock from the Pacific Northwest, eventually starting an all-female punk band called "Rair Kx!". Veirs studied geology and Mandarin Chinese. After college, she embraced older country and folk music. Her first foray into songwriting started with a geological expedition in China, where she served as translator. She was miserable and immersed herself into writing lyrics as a way of coping.

She put out her own self-titled album Laura Veirs, recorded live and featuring just her and guitar, in 1999. She has since made five highly acclaimed records with producer Tucker Martine. 2003 saw the release of Troubled by the Fire, a full-band effort that found the artist sharing the studio with such luminaries as Bill Frisell and violist Eyvind Kang. She signed to Nonesuch Records the following year with the atmospheric follow-up Carbon Glacier. Year of Meteors followed in August of 2005. She collaborated with The Decemberists on "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)", from their 2006 album The Crane Wife. Her sixth record, Saltbreakers, was released worldwide on Nonesuch Records in April 2007. Her seventh album July Flame was released in January 2010.

In November 2011, Veirs released the album Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs For Children. The album presents mostly traditional songs, and features an array of guest musicians, including Colin Meloy, Jim James, and Bela Fleck. The album won a Parents' Choice Award in 2012.

In September 2012 her first feature film soundtrack was released: Hello I Must Be Going.

Veirs tours frequently in Europe, the US and Australia both solo and with her backing band Saltbreakers, consisting of Karl Blau on bass, guitar, and backing vocals, keyboardist Steve Moore, and Tucker Martine on drums.

Carol Kaye
Laura Veirs Lyrics

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She can really play it
She can really lay it down
"Smile," "Good Vibrations"
"Help Me Rhonda," "Homeward Bound"

It would be so cool to be like Carol, Carol Kaye
Maybe I can meet her, maybe shake her hand one day

Not a household name but she's been in your head all day
It would be so cool to be like Carol, Carol Kaye

Overall Meaning

The song "Carol Kaye" by Laura Veirs is an ode to the legendary bassist, guitarist, and studio musician, Carol Kaye. The lyrics describe Kaye's impressive musical accomplishments, including her work on hit songs like "Help Me Rhonda," "Good Vibrations," and "Come Together." Veirs expresses her admiration for Kaye and her desire to meet her someday and emulate her success.

Kaye was a prolific musician who played on thousands of recordings during her career. Her distinctive basslines and guitar work on memorable songs from the 1960s and 1970s have made her a highly respected figure in the music industry. Veirs recognizes Kaye's influence and impact on popular music, praising her talent and acknowledging that her name may not be recognizable to everyone but her contributions are widely felt.

The song's lyrics also highlight Kaye's versatility and musical range, as she played on recordings across various genres including pop, rock, jazz, and R&B. Veirs describes Kaye's impressive list of credits, which include the theme song for "Mission: Impossible," and notes that she hails from Everett, Washington, making her accomplishments even more remarkable.

Overall, "Carol Kaye" pays homage to a talented and influential musician whose legacy extends far beyond her name recognition. The song celebrates Kaye's work and serves as a reminder of the many unsung heroes of the music industry who have made important contributions to popular music.

Line by Line Meaning

She can really play it
Carol Kaye is a skilled musician.

She can really lay it down
Carol Kaye can passionately play her music.

"Smile," "Good Vibrations", "Help Me Rhonda," "Homeward Bound"
Carol Kaye has played on many famous songs including all of these.

It would be so cool to be like Carol, Carol Kaye
The artist admires Carol Kaye and her musical talent.

Maybe I can meet her, maybe shake her hand one day
The artist dreams of meeting Carol Kaye in person.

"Songs of Innocence" "Natural Man," "Feelin' Alright" "I'm a Believer" "Come together," "In the Heat of the Night" "Mission Impossible," oh she's "Out of this World" Ten thousand sessions from an Everett, Washington girl
Carol Kaye has been involved in thousands of recording sessions for various famous songs, including all of these.

Not a household name but she's been in your head all day
Although not a popular or well-known artist, Carol Kaye's music has still been heard and enjoyed by many people.

It would be so cool to be like Carol, Carol Kaye
The artist continues to admire Carol Kaye and her musical talent.

Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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