Carey
Sara Gazarek Lyrics
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Last night I couldn't sleep
You know it sure is hard to leave here, Carey
It's really not my home
My fingernails are filthy
I’ve got beach tar on my feet
And I miss my clean white linen
Oh Carey, get out your cane
And I'll put on some silver
Oh, you're a mean old daddy
But I like you
Down to the Mermaid Café
And I will buy you a bottle of wine
And we'll laugh and toast to nothing
And smash our empty glasses down
Let's have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
A round for these friends of mine
Let's have a round for the bright red devil
Who keeps me in this tourist town
Oh Carey, get out your cane
And I'll put on some silver
Oh, you're a mean old daddy
But I like you
Maybe I'll go to Amsterdam
Maybe I'll go to Rome
And rent me a grand piano
And put some flowers 'round my room
But let's not talk about fare-thee-well’s now
The night is a starry dome
And they're playin’ that scratchy rock ‘n’ roll
Beneath the Matalla moon
Come on Carey, get out your cane
And I'll put on some silver
Oh, you're a mean old daddy
But I like you just fine
The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldn't sleep
You know it sure is hard to leave here, Carey
It's really not my home
Maybe it's been too long a time
Since I was scramblin' down in the streets
They got me used to that clean white linen
And that fancy French cologne
Come on Carey, get out your cane
And I'll put on some silver
Down to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
I said, oh you're a mean old daddy
But you're out of sight
Carey, get out your cane
In Sara Gazarek's song "Carey," the singer expresses her struggles with leaving a place that's not her home. She talks about the wind being in from Africa and how last night she couldn't sleep, suggesting that she's been feeling restless and disconnected. The singer confesses that while she likes the man she's addressing, Carey, he is a mean old daddy. However, they'll still be going out to the Mermaid Café where they will drink and toast to nothing, celebrating their friendship despite any difficulties.
The singer reveals that she has beach tar on her feet and dirty fingernails, which emphasizes the stark contrast between her current situation and the clean, luxurious living conditions she's used to. She admits that she misses her clean white linen and fancy French cologne, which suggests that she's someone in a position of comfort and privilege. While she may seem like a tourist, she senses a connection to this place, demonstrating the complex emotions that can accompany leaving a home, even if it's just a temporary one.
Overall, the song captures the difficult experience of leaving a place that is not one's home, particularly when it has become familiar and tied to positive memories. The singer seems conflicted about leaving, even if she recognizes that it's time to go. At the same time, she recognizes the value of her friendship with Carey, even if he's not always easy to be around.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind is in from Africa
The breeze all the way from the African coast is blowing now.
Last night I couldn't sleep
I had difficulty sleeping last night for some reason.
You know it sure is hard to leave here, Carey
Leaving this place is quite difficult for me, Carey.
It's really not my home
This place does not feel like my true home.
My fingernails are filthy
My hands and nails are very dirty.
I’ve got beach tar on my feet
My feet are covered with sticky tar from the beach.
And I miss my clean white linen
I am yearning for my white and clean clothing.
And that fancy French cologne
I am missing my exquisite and expensive French scent.
Oh Carey, get out your cane
Carey, please bring out your cane.
And I'll put on some silver
I will wear some silver jewelry.
Oh, you're a mean old daddy
Oh, Carey, you are a harsh and strict person.
But I like you
Regardless, I still like you.
Down to the Mermaid Café
Let's go down to Mermaid Café.
And I will buy you a bottle of wine
I will purchase a bottle of wine for you.
And we'll laugh and toast to nothing
We will laugh and raise a glass to no particular subject.
And smash our empty glasses down
We can break our empty glasses as we let out our emotions.
Let's have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
Let's drink to the odd people and brave soldiers.
A round for these friends of mine
Let's also drink to my dear friends.
Let's have a round for the bright red devil
Let's cheers to the upbeat red devil who keeps me in this touristy city.
Who keeps me in this tourist town
The devil keeps me stuck in this town filled with tourists.
Maybe I'll go to Amsterdam
Perhaps I will travel to Amsterdam.
Maybe I'll go to Rome
Maybe Rome will be my next destination.
And rent me a grand piano
I may rent and play a grand piano in my new location.
And put some flowers 'round my room
I will decorate my room with beautiful flowers.
But let's not talk about fare-thee-well’s now
We shouldn't speak of goodbyes just yet.
The night is a starry dome
The night sky is filled with sparkling stars.
And they're playin’ that scratchy rock ‘n’ roll
They are playing loud rock music that sounds scratchy.
Beneath the Matalla moon
Under the huge and bright Matalla moon.
Come on Carey, get out your cane
Carey, please bring out your cane again.
And I'll put on some silver
Once again, I will wear some silver jewelry.
Down to the Mermaid Café
Let's go back to the Mermaid Café.
Have fun tonight
Let's have fun tonight!
I said, oh you're a mean old daddy
I repeat, Carey, you are a tough and severe person.
But you're out of sight
But even still, I think you're great.
Maybe it's been too long a time
Perhaps it has been too long since I have been somewhere else.
Since I was scramblin' down in the streets
Since I was hustling and struggling down on the streets.
They got me used to that clean white linen
I’ve become accustomed to the comfort of clean and white cloth.
And that fancy French cologne
And the luxurious French fragrance that I use.
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind