Parmalee is a Country Rock band from North Carolina that recently signed wi… Read Full Bio ↴Parmalee is a Country Rock band from North Carolina that recently signed with Stoney Creek Records. Their name is derived from the small town of Parmele, NC, where they started creating music in a small barn. Parmalee consists of lead singer and guitarist Matt Thomas, bassist and vocalist Barry Knox (Matt and Scott Thomas' cousin),Josh McSwain (lead guitar, vocals, and friend), and drummer Scott Thomas (Matt's brother). "Musta Have A Good Time" will give you a preview of the new music to come in 2012...

CAROLINA
Parmalee Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She feels like Carolina

It's hard to understand the way I'm living
And I know you think I'm never coming home
But I miss your pretty smile, and I'm coming back in a little while
But I'm a thousand miles away again

And she feels like Carolina, looks like California
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

No matter how far I go, you know I can't stop thinking about her
And there's nothing like the way I feel, the way I feel when I'm beside her
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh

She feels like Carolina, looks like California
Shiny like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
Carolina, California
Like home's not so far away
She feels like Carolina, looks like California

She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

Overall Meaning

In Parmalee's song "Carolina", the lyrics discuss the feeling of homesickness when being far away from someone you love. The singer misses the person he is talking about, and describes the person as making him feel like home is not so far away. Despite being a thousand miles away, he is still thinking about her and feels her presence. He compares her to different states like California and New York and says that he'll always be there for her.

The song's lyrics depict a sense of longing for familiarity and comfort, which is often associated with "home". The use of "Carolina" in the song's title refers to the state that Parmalee is from and likely evokes personal feelings of nostalgia and longing for a place that is familiar and comforting. The sense of longing is further emphasized by the repetition of the line "She makes me feel like home's not so far away." This line is a reflection of how when someone loves you, no matter how far away they are, they can make you feel like you are not alone.

Additionally, the use of different states and their unique characteristics implies that the person that the singer is missing is special and unique in their own way, similar to the unique features that each state has. The song's imagery of city lights and personal emotions emphasize that the person is important to the singer and that their bond is unbreakable despite the distance.

Line by Line Meaning

Home is where my heart is still beatin'
I long for my home and feel most like myself there.

I don't know when I'll see her again
I am uncertain when I will next see my loved one.

I hate to see her cry when I'm leavin'
It pains me to witness her sadness at the time when I have to leave her side.

Now I'm a thousand miles away again
I am far away from my beloved and feel the distance between us.

And she feels like Carolina, looks like California
My loved one feels like home, reminiscent of Carolina, and exudes the beauty of California.

Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
My partner's radiance reminds me of the bright lights of New York's Broadway.

When she looks back I'm behind her
I am always supporting and following her, standing firmly behind her.

I'll always be there for her
No matter what, I vow to be there for my loved one, through thick and thin.

She makes me feel like home's not so far away
My dearest makes me feel like I am still connected to my home and my roots.

It's hard to understand the way I'm living
It's difficult for others to comprehend the lifestyle I lead.

And I know you think I'm never coming home
My loved one may worry that I will not return home.

But I miss your pretty smile, and I'm coming back in a little while
I long to see my partner's lovely smile and plan to return home soon.

No matter how far I go, you know I can't stop thinking about her
Despite the distance between us, I cannot stop thinking about my beloved.

And there's nothing like the way I feel, the way I feel when I'm beside her
Nothing compares to the emotions I feel when I am with my loved one.

She makes me feel like home's not so far away
My love for my partner makes me feel more connected to home, despite being physically distant.

Carolina, California
My partner's attributes of Carolina and California combine to create a unique and special person.

Like home's not so far away
My partner makes me feel like I am at home, even though I am far away.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Barry Knox, Joshua McSwain, Matt Thomas, Rick Beato, Scott Thomas

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@gustavoalbertomorenocazare7941

3y↑9

Home is where my heart is still beating
And I don't know when I'll see her again
I hate to see her cry when I'm leaving
But now I'm a thousand miles away again

And she feels like Carolina
Looks like California
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She feels like Carolina

It's hard to understand the way I'm living
And I know she thinks I'm never coming home (never coming home)
But I miss her pretty smile, I'm coming back in a little while
But I'm a thousand miles away again

And she feels like Carolina
Looks like California
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

No matter how far I go, you know I can't stop thinking about her
And there's nothing like the way I feel, the way I feel when I'm beside her

[2x]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh

She feels like Carolina
Looks like California
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

Carolina (Carolina)
California (California)
Like home's not so far away

She feels like Carolina (Carolina)
Looks like California (California)
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

@nels6536

5y↑7

Home is where my heart is still beatin'
I don't know when I'll see her again
I hate to see her cry when I'm leavin'
Now I'm a thousand miles away again

And she feels like Carolina, looks like California
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She feels like Carolina

It's hard to understand the way I'm living
And I know you think I'm never coming home
But I miss your pretty smile, and I'm coming back in a little while
But I'm a thousand miles away again

And she feels like Carolina, looks like California
Shining like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

No matter how far I go, you know I can't stop thinking about her
And there's nothing like the way I feel, the way I feel when I'm beside her
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh

She feels like Carolina, looks like California
Shiny like those New York lights on Broadway
When she looks back I'm behind her
I'll always be there for her
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
Carolina, California
Like home's not so far away
She feels like Carolina, looks like California
She makes me feel like home's not so far away
She makes me feel like home's not so far away

All comments from YouTube:

@sledman6163

5y↑891

Came here because of Rick Beato and his story

@fuelhemi426

4y↑14

Same here. His video is kind of uplifting.

@evgenyivanov6311

3y↑14

Weird. In my timeline his video came out 28 minutes ago. Those pesky time machines are confusing.

@joeh4437

3y↑6

Me too.

@jeremyy2019

3y↑5

same

@stephenjhayes1

3y↑2

Same

57 More Replies...

@HELENBRAILSFORD

11y↑154

My son, just told me this was his favorite song. I had never heard it. As soon as we hung up the phone i looked it up and listened...My son is in prison for the next...um, well a long time. But, needless to say I got it. Made me cry. Thanks for this tune it will forever hold a special spot in my heart now. My son is only 21, and yes he understands his punishment, but I still miss him...and will forever and a day, love him!

@denisebrannon7218

4y↑4

I like this song

@ashmonkey2572

4y↑2

This is so sad

@mathiashilbert8076

4y↑7

What a bad taste in music😂

@ashmonkey2572

4y↑1

@MhYfm X Savage :D

@tannybecerra

4y↑5

God bless you and your son

26 More Replies...

@jacksonandrews5463

3y↑3

Martin country will always be proud of these boys

@Justinian43

10y↑13

Carolina, california... There's this beautiful girl by that name...this song always reminds me of her

@hillbilly4895

4y↑13

Beato bringeth me...good song. Now I have to break it all down Rick-style.

@arturpimentel2335

3y↑63

Rick Beato's "The INSANE Story of My #1 Song BROUGHT ME HERE

@jcwelte7833

3y↑1

yesssssssssssssss

@pianoguy-rz4nq

7y↑1.4K

shoutouts to Rick Beato

@LJMadrigalMusic

7y↑10

yep.. just saw his video saying something about this song and i just fell in love in it

@CA-ml3iv

6y↑2

lmao

@brycethomas1138

6y↑52

pianoguy6497 kudos to rick.... but this song is so cliche and lame. Country is a turd.

@LJMadrigalMusic

6y↑9

Bryce Thomas why is country music a turd? at least the lyrics are friendly and warm

@brycethomas1138

6y↑36

LiJohnnMusic Official alot of this pop country stuff is just corny in my opinion. I mean the chorus drops "carolina" "california" "new york lights" and "broadway" all in 4 bars... and the "ooohhh whoaa" bridge chant is just so blantantly stale.. its all just so predictable and cliche, but hey some people like that sort of thing. Im not huge on any country music but ill take the old badass country dudes over this stuff anyday.

29 More Replies...

@arseymcpherson

4y↑2

This is like music for people who don't like music. Music for the masses. Wedding dance music. Where the cash is. Rick nailed it.

@AimingWanderously

Most songwriters and performers do it for the money. Some do it for the art and pleasure, those are the ones you don't hear on the radio.

@SpiralDream

Goes to show that having all the musical knowledge in the world is nothing without creativity. Dude's own band was a failure as well. Great teacher though. He falls in the category of people like Michael Angelo Batio in that regard.

@321lollypops

10y↑1

My dad actually grew up down the road from these guys and I had no idea until the other day when I was talking about this song. :)

@kckong3

3y↑258

who else is here from Rick Beato's "The INSANE Story of My #1 Song! " LOL... pretty lady, nice song

@debajitpalchoudhury1571

3y↑1

@ferranmelero7727

3y↑1

@jlpayne052710

3y↑1

Yup

@chuckydombroski

3y↑1

@SheikhEuphoria

3y↑1

Hahahaha me

8 More Replies...

@chiefdeckape

11y

I grew up in Bethel NC , and I am happy to see y'all putting Eastern NC on the map

@bernardhossmoto

5y↑45

Rick Beato damn sure knows money is in cheesy country.

@kattrakee

2y↑3

Rick Beato brought me here 🎶🎵🎵🎵🎶🎵⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♥️

@RichieWongTang

9y↑7

I will never forget this song, this was the first country song that I listened after I had emigrated to United States. And this will always be the best country song ever.

@ninjatemari1

10y

My brother is a third generation Marine. He's stateside for now, but still 800 miles away. Can't wait to see him again.

@Bulletproof6010

10y↑7

the dude in the video is from Anthem Lights

@Oscar-jp4jb

I'm from California. I visited North Carolina recently. The people of NC were great folks.

@OHHnoYOUdidntMAN

7y↑552

Rick Beato

@DavidRFIT

6y↑34

Yeah Rick is great but this song actually sucks balls.

@dimegobt

6y↑3

+David RF it was a hit song which was the whole point of making it...

@paulaleibrandt9910

He is not all rhat

@paulaleibrandt9910

He forgot where he came from..insincere

@4GotSumthing

6y↑5

I never heard Rick say this song is an artistic achievement . He simply states that he co-wrote it. In a business where making a fortune used to come easy - making a living has become nearly impossible. (a good lyric i think) . (now, how can I ca$h in...) Don't take it too seriously, - after all it's just music.

7 More Replies...

@cynthiareitz7875

7y↑37

I absolutely love this song. my husband was deployed and told me to listen to it. the first time I heard it i just cried. and as i sat there i thought about how I use to be so mad about picking up his clothes off the floor and throwing away his dip cans and bottles,and put all his things away when he left them out in the mornings getting ready, and cleaning up the dirt from his boots. I realize that even though it bugged the shit out of me all of that meant that he was home. so when he was away I missed it. the never knowing will drive ya crazy. The home coming was the absolute best feeling in the world. I cleaning up after him now still bugs me, but I tell myself he's home. that's what matters.

@tristanbracken6054

4y↑1

@paperchasin23 bruh...

@cathyberry9579

2y↑2

You've figured out your Priorities in Life now! Thumbs-up to you!
It takes a while for the rest of us & move forward after our painful existence & a reason to feel hopeful in this wacky
world! We've got this
in Memory of Those that passed b4 us

@lnl3237

2y↑1

@Cathy Berry Thank you both for sacrificing so much for your country. I try to be worthy of it.

@shanemorley9440

1y↑1

Thank you for your service 😘 god bless you!!!

@Robsmith6640

51w

Aaawww that's so nice of you to have that in mind he is home... Amazing song you know 🎶

1 More Replies...

@haleye7210

11y

This song is amazing. And that guy in the video is GORGEOUS!

@johngroslouis3202

10y

Parmalee, please come to Austin,TX so I can go to one of y'all's concerts!! I love this song, and y'all are great!

@onepercenttraveler2405

4y↑140

Rick Beato is amazingly talented. This band is terrific too. I'd like to see Rick do a version too!

@johndelucia8856

2y↑2

Who?

@Swalker20659

1y↑8

@John DeLucia Rick Beato...he co-wrote the song and has a YouTube channel. He is very knowledgable about music and is addicting to watch.

@BryTunesMusic

1y↑2

he made an episode about this song - I think it's called "my number one song"

@greenbeagle13

1y↑10

@One Percent Traveler - I am here BECAUSE of Rick Beato. This is an incredible song. Honestly, I wasn't listening to much music in 2013 so I never heard of this band or this song, but this is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks to Rick Beato...

@btsdancestudio5691

1y↑3

@John DeLucia A very famous YT Star!

4 More Replies...

@fuckthis95

8y↑2

Saw them live.. it was so good.
This Our Song Babe.

@adamtous21

10y

He sounds like Daughtry!!! Amazing!!!

@marymorcos2091

7y↑15

North Carolina will always be my home no matter where I end up in the future.

@Garrett.Schreiber20

Same here

@theworldisajojoreference8342

Same

@markcollins7100

You are so much right my Dear, thought I was the only one. So where are you from and hope all is okay with you over there my Dear?

@kimbasciano_

I'm a city girl born and raised in NY, yet I love country music!

@MymusicJessieLynne

10y

This is perfect, yet so true. It's only another 14 days till I get to see my texan. Though it feels like a century. I am in idaho, he is obviously in texas. Fingers crossed that time flies. I miss you Clinton Ray. :)

@jockospillink7318

4y↑1

Lookin California feelin Minnesota

@newbernareachamberofcommer3322

Can't wait until they are in New Bern, North Carolina!!!

@paula3622

20w

Home is Carolina.. sweet person and only her authentic self.only real💜

@Shady0233

9y↑10

So glad these guys finally made it big. I remember listening to Carolina back around 07 with all of drinking buddies along with Brantley and now both are making big waves. One of my personal all time favorite songs thank you Parmale and keep it up!!

@jcbiggs7381

10y

listened to these guys for many many years.. glad they finally made it cuz they worked their ASSES off.

@ScooobTube

11y

heard this on the radio...had to look it up. It made me want to cry:p

@MrStatguy

3y↑1

Rick Beato got me here and got me playing guitar again.

@lachic2022

These are some of the deepest lyrics I have ever heard.

@Eyeswideopen863

I'm from a little town near Parmalee, North Carolina. Haven't been home in two years.... this song is making me home sick.

@joshsheets1234

10y↑5

Currently this is by far my favorite and the best country song out there. I can honestly say I listen to this song over 15 times a day! Love it!!

@ChasitiGoble

10y

Not a single man in this band is lacking a gorgeous strand of existence. *

@ProdMattButler

23w↑1

This song deserves so much more recognition. It’s one of those songs that makes want to sing with every fiber of my being. Those vocals are so good

@kkdeveauxgue2592

WoW Parmalee that Carolina song is Awesome that's gotta be country rock, Mann I felt that song.. I'm a fan now keep up that good songwriting

@gowwear

10y

These guys will be performing pre game this Sunday at the Panthers game!!

@SuperJOHNWELLER

10y↑1

THESE FELLOWS ARE FROM RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD.THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS AND DESERVE TO BE #1 ON BILLBOARD COUNTRY CHARTS..

@theloniouscoltrane3778

5y↑27

2019
I know that Rick Beato co-wrote this song,
but my expectations were too high.
But Rick is still a good music teacher.

@mdarrenu

Yeah me too. But this is country style and glad he made money off it. I doubt he wrote the lyrics though, right? I think of Rick as a music or song production historian. Probably the only one.

@roushanam

hmmm...what is amazing is he made the mediocre material work.

@Megan-kw1bl

10y

Governor Pat McCrory gave this song a shout out!! NC represent!!! :D

@damianoradaman

Now I get the concept of "bro country" that Rick said!

@katthefanenthusiast5793

This sounds like Daughtry but with a country twist!

@cherylbacon7652

11y

This song reminds me of my husband. 3 He's a US Soldier, & it's just perfect. :)

@gustavoalbertomorenocazare7941

3y↑9

@Irishjay1025

9y↑6

I have listened to this song like 5 times in the last hour. Got to Raleigh/Durham and just as we were getting ready to get out this song came on and let loose the flood gates. Standing in line now with tears in my eyes!

@johnshaler3740

6y↑1

Rick Beato is the man.

@AndreaMartin95

10y

Hmm it amazes me how much time someone has when wanting to comment on a young lady you don't know. In reality she looks like she's doing something she enjoys while y'all are wasting time being jealous! Gorgeous girl, she looks classy! I'm envious! Great song, homes never to far away when love over powers the obstacles of having to leave your loved ones back home for quite sometime!

@coronaligh33

10y

Don't mean to take away from all the heartfeltness of the video/song, but did anyone else notice that he's sipping on fireball??

@cindyritter6113

10y

LOVE this song!! "Looks like California"..Born-n-raised!!!

@Robsmith6640

51w

Yeah you just said it straight Cindy.... Such an amazing song

@Tinytacohead

10y

Gettin ready to roll cross country & definitely putting this one on the CD I'm making my GF first! :)

@California.countrymusic

11y↑6

This is the type of music you must keep doing, stop the other stuff, this is the rythm & the lyric you must keep, a CD with 12 song of this type of songs, it will be a HIT, keep it up.

@20maxilo

49w

this song reminds me of when I lived up North. It was just good ol times.

@nels6536

5y↑7

@dDoOyYoOuUtTuUbBeE

2y↑1

The same old interchangeable soup. Hundreds of similar songs.

@skrip_skrip4814

8y↑1

i love this so much, it gives me a happy/sad feeling

@montanahandy2024

10y↑8

and she feels like carolina...<3

@wyatt1828

8y↑5

I lived in Wyoming but moved to South Carolina so I like this song

@lukerogers7786

First band i ever saw in concert. Great band, wrong girl that was by my side.

@dlvox5222

This is how one squeezes out every ounce of a good hook.

@BlueCollar72

Home is where my heart is, but my heart is 30 some miles away...

@bosottile2022

10y↑6

My boyfriend is deployed. Two years since we have been able to be together. He is currently in Afghanistan on his 3rd tour and is FINALLY home on October 18th. Every time we Skype, he plays this song. Makes me smile and cry every time I hear it. Lyrics are 200% our life <3

@kewkabe

2y↑1

This got to #1! I hope Rick Beato does a "what makes this song great" video on this.

@summere4863

10y↑5

Started following them on twitter and honestly another group that should be given a lot of recognition. Awesome group! :)

@kimbasciano_

Why doesn't this have more views?? Love it!

@Trivette_williams

This is for all those brave soldiers away from home.
Wishing for y'all to come back home safe and sound.

@TREUBEN

This is one of my fav country songs 😄😄😄

@Zahrte

11y

Yea it does. But this song def helped me through the deployment, cried just about every time I listened to it. But you gotta get back up when you get knocked down. Thats life.

@janevogel2601

Rick Beato brought me here. Love Rick!

@ShellyBabyyy

7y↑3

Such an amazing country band! Can't believe I was lucky enough to meet them behind stage at a Brantley Gilbert concert, Very humble kind people!

@Yesica1993

How is this "country"?

@marjoriejordan6679

11y

this deserves millions more views

@adensun0fficialspac3gh0st7

11y

best country song ever

@deadpoolcousionsmr2644

Shine like those New York lights on Bordway

@ericgurganus4796

10y

Tonight i watched Parmalee play in the town of Williamston, NC in which i live.... and Martin County.... Just like them. They played great and the're music is great!

@freeslave8824

5y↑1

Thanks Rick Beato!

@bayonnettarocks9735

8y↑50

Whenever I hear this on the Highway I flip.This song makes me happy whenever I am sad.I listen to this in the car to school and back.Good job. Claps

@humanbeing3479

8y↑3

Bayonnetta Rocks! Makes me sad

@johnshackelford3558

7y↑3

Bayonnetta Rocks! that's what I do.

@myduquette6876

Thanks you guys

@nikolapece5862

11y

I'm from Macedonia, still.. love this song :)

@aprilturner2393

36w

Great concert in Jacksonville al!!!!! Love it❤

@cullenseymour1303

Carolina best song ever

@josielporter

10y

I agree a military salute video to this song would be PERFECT! I am a veteran and my Marine wife this song hits more places than you can understand.

@maryjones8765

10y

I love this song so much!! And a To those who disliked it, y'all don't know real or country music. This song, i can really relate to it when I'm around my crush/best friend...

@8596576280

9y↑13

this is the song for me and my girl I'm in the military and away alot every time I hear this song I see her and I can't do anything but smile

@baothoj37

10y

heard this on the radio and every time i get to the station that plays it, the song was always about to end!!
i like this song!!! ^^

@nicolerenee2057

I nearly squealed when I saw it was one of the guys from Anthem Lights, combine that with one of my favorite songs and this is golden

@pradagang2907

3y↑2

Rick Beato created Bro Country confirmed.

@burideksoliven1954

10y↑2

I started to love this song since my visit in North Carolina.
great song!

@raleighskipper5517

my name is Carolina I could listen to the song over and over again and not get tired of it it's kind of about my uncle he's a thousand miles away again

@l0vesspell

10y↑11

As a former military child, it was heart wrenching to have to watch my dad leave, and now, as a spouse, it breaks my heart even more to see my kids have to say goodbye to daddy. This song really does hit home for all of us military families. From deployments, to moves, to training where the family members are not allowed to go, we are always left thousands of miles behind. So many of us would love a military salute video to this song!

@ifeomamokolo339

This song reminds me of a love of mine that lives in North Carolina. miss him.

@beastgaming6840

This is my favorite country song

@oklahomabailenforcement6462

10y

good to party with yall tonight in Nashville!! on to Greenville to get our fugitive!

@ZacharyDial

How crazy. I had no idea Rick Beato produced this. It's one of those songs that was everywhere and then I completely forgot about until the chorus kicked in.