Their first, eponymous album was released in April 1972, the bulk of which was composed by Wyatt himself, with the exception of the lush mellotron-laced "O Caroline" (a Dave Sinclair composition with lyrics by Wyatt about his recent breakup with girlfriend, Caroline Coon) and Phil Miller's "Part of the Dance". For their second album, Matching Mole's Little Red Record, released in November 1972 and produced by Robert Fripp, Sinclair was replaced by New Zealand-born keyboard player and composer Dave MacRae who had already played a guest role on the first album. This album was more of a team effort, with Wyatt concentrating on lyrics and vocal melodies and leaving the composing to his bandmates.
Matching Mole disbanded in late September 1972 immediately upon completion of a European tour supporting Soft Machine, with Sinclair and Miller going on to form the more successful Hatfield and the North. A new lineup consisting of Wyatt, MacCormick, ex-Curved Air keyboardist Francis Monkman, and jazz saxophonist Gary Windo - was due to record a third album in 1973, but this was cancelled when Wyatt fell from a window and was paralyzed from the waist down and was therefore unable to continue drumming. He later recovered and embarked on a celebrated solo career, but Matching Mole was no more. In early 2000's, Cuineform Records reissued some of the band's archived live recordings as two live albums, Smoke Signals (2001) and March (2002).
O Caroline
Matching Mole Lyrics
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And we try to make the music We'll try try to
Have some fun
But I just can't help thinking that if you were
Here with me
I'd get all my thoughts in focus and play
More excitingly
I want you still Caroline
I need you still Caroline
If you call this sentimental crap you'll make me mad
Because you know that I would not sing about
Some passing fad
And if my attempts of rhyming aren't convincing
To your ear
Then memory's betrayed you through the passing
Of the year
I love you still Caroline
I want you still Caroline
I need you still Caroline
You must think it doubtful but I mean the words
I sing
Or that all attempts to reach you this way could
Not mean a thing
But you must admit we both thought we'd be
Man and wife
And that I could make you happy for the best part
Of your life
The lyrics to Matching Mole's song "O Caroline" are a declaration of love and longing for a woman named Caroline. The singer, who is accompanied by David on the piano and may play on a drum, is trying to create music and have fun, but he can't help but think if Caroline were with him, he would play more excitingly and get all his thoughts in focus. He tells Caroline that he still loves, wants, and needs her, and if she calls it sentimental crap, it would make him mad because he wouldn't sing about some passing fad. He acknowledges that memories may have been betrayed through the passing of the years, but he means the words he sings, and all attempts to reach her this way couldn't mean nothing. He asks her to admit that they both thought they would be man and wife, and he could make her happy for the best part of her life.
The lyrics reveal the singer's vulnerability as he expresses his love and desire for someone who may no longer be with him. He tries to reach out to her through music, but he can't help but feel incomplete without her. The song expresses a sense of loneliness and the desire to reconnect with a lost love. The music itself is simple but effective, with soft piano chords and gentle drums that provide a melancholic and romantic atmosphere that perfectly captures the sentiment of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
David's on the piano and I may play on a drum
We are making music together in our own way, with each of us contributing our skills and having fun while doing it.
And we try to make the music We'll try try to Have some fun
Our goal is to create enjoyable music that we can both have a good time playing and listening to.
But I just can't help thinking that if you were Here with me I'd get all my thoughts in focus and play More excitingly
Although we are having fun, my mind can't help but wander and think how much better this would be if you were here with me, allowing me to play with greater energy and enthusiasm.
I love you still Caroline I want you still Caroline I need you still Caroline
Despite the distance between us, my love for you has not faded and I still desire your presence and companionship in my life.
If you call this sentimental crap you'll make me mad Because you know that I would not sing about Some passing fad
If you dismiss my love song as shallow and meaningless, it will anger me because my feelings for you are genuine and long-lasting, not just a passing trend.
And if my attempts of rhyming aren't convincing To your ear Then memory's betrayed you through the passing Of the year
If you find fault with my poetic skills or lack of convincing rhymes, it is a sign that your memory has faded over time and you have forgotten the depth of our connection.
You must think it doubtful but I mean the words I sing Or that all attempts to reach you this way could Not mean a thing
You may doubt my sincerity or the effectiveness of my song to reach you, but I want you to know that I am speaking from the heart and that this is one way for me to communicate my emotions to you.
But you must admit we both thought we'd be Man and wife And that I could make you happy for the best part Of your life
Even though we are apart now, we both shared a vision of building a life together as husband and wife, and I still believe that I am capable of bringing you happiness and joy in the long run.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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