Her third studio album, ‘Gardening’ (2023), is a stripped-down set of songs, delving into difficult themes like bleakness, doubt and fear, sung in a voice that is hauntingly ethereal. A sense of calmness that runs through it. ‘Romain’s Place’, for example, is a ballad about what seems to be domestic abuse: “Through it all there was a lot that kept me from leaving/ like your fists around my wrists…”. But there are also upbeat moments, like ‘Sun, Moon, Stars’, that sees Jakobsen joined by Ane Brun on vocals and a beautiful string outro: “You are the reason that I am alive”, suggesting there’s a light in the end of every tunnel. In fact, Jakobsen has said the same in ‘Dark’, from her debut EP, ‘The Lingering’.
Siv Jakobsen is based in Oslo, and trained in Boston’s Berklee College, where she found her folk pop identity. Soon, her life experiences became the themes of her work. Siv knows well that the best way to face a problem is to stare it in the eyes and acknowledge it. That’s where the healing begins. And that’s what she’s been doing, slowly-yet-steadily, from her first release in 2015 to 2020’s ‘A Temporary Soothing’, and now with ‘Gardening’, while also touring extensively. Siv’s lyrics, vocals, pauses, breaths, fingerpicked acoustic guitar sound, and arrangements all come together to calm her bruises. With each of her albums, she opens up to us even more, evoking emotion with precision to amazing effect.
Caroline
Siv Jakobsen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blinks in vain, because the image stays the same
The mirror's careless to the hollow gaze
Staring blankly without a trace of hope to lean on
Caroline plays his part so perfectly
With bows and pearls, he's dressed in someone else's dream
Prays to change what's carved in stone
But desire never leaves his heart alone
Behind bars, hiding scars and playing parts
He has the right mind in the wrong body
Caroline is dreaming of a different life
Where his frame is made to match his mind
Cause to him it's a simple choice
He wants to be like the other boys
But like a bird without it's wings
He is caged without the means to fly and so he sings
So he sings
Will I always be alone?
Behind bars, hiding scars and playing parts
With the right mind in the wrong body
The right mind in the wrong body
The lyrics to "Caroline" by Siv Jakobsen reveal the story of a character named Caroline who struggles with gender identity. The opening line, "Caroline's reflection doesn't match its mate", sets the tone for the rest of the song. Caroline, who is referred to with male pronouns, sees discrepancies between his appearance and his true self. He tries to conform to societal norms by dressing in "bows and pearls", but it only makes him feel like he is wearing "someone else's dream." The hollow gaze in the mirror is a reflection of the emptiness he feels inside, searching for hope and a way out of his predicament.
Caroline's desire to change what is "carved in stone" speaks to the limitations placed on individuals by society's rigid expectations of gender roles. His desperate need to be like "other boys" is a reminder of the exclusion and marginalization faced by individuals who do not fit into the binary gender system. He feels trapped, singing "like a bird without its wings", and unable to fully express himself. The repetition of "Will I always be alone? / Behind bars, hiding scars and playing parts / With the right mind in the wrong body" highlights his isolation and the mental and emotional agony he experiences.
"Caroline" is a poignant and powerful song that sheds light on the often-overlooked topic of gender identity. It captures the struggle, the pain, and the longing of individuals trapped in a body that does not match their true self. Through this song, Siv Jakobsen invites the listener to empathize with Caroline and to recognize the need for greater acceptance, understanding, and support for those who do not conform to traditional gender norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Caroline's reflection doesn't match it's mate
Caroline's physical appearance does not align with their gender identity
Blinks in vain, because the image stays the same
Caroline tries to change their appearance but it never satisfies them
The mirror's careless to the hollow gaze
The mirror does not understand the pain that Caroline feels when looking at their reflection
Staring blankly without a trace of hope to lean on
Caroline feels hopeless and alone
Caroline plays his part so perfectly
Caroline tries to fit into societal expectations of gender roles
With bows and pearls, he's dressed in someone else's dream
Caroline dresses in a way that does not reflect their true self, but rather follows norms of society
Prays to change what's carved in stone
Caroline hopes to change their physical appearance to match their gender identity
But desire never leaves his heart alone
Caroline's desire to be true to themselves is constant
Will he always be alone?
Caroline fears that they will never be accepted for who they truly are
Behind bars, hiding scars and playing parts
Caroline feels trapped and forced to hide their true identity
He has the right mind in the wrong body
Caroline's gender identity does not match their physical body
Caroline is dreaming of a different life
Caroline wishes to live a life that reflects their true self
Where his frame is made to match his mind
Caroline wants their physical appearance to align with their gender identity
Cause to him it's a simple choice
For Caroline, being true to themselves is a simple decision
He wants to be like the other boys
Caroline's gender identity aligns with being male
But like a bird without it's wings
Caroline feels trapped and unable to fully express themselves
He is caged without the means to fly and so he sings
Through music, Caroline finds an outlet to express themselves
Will I always be alone?
Caroline fears that they will never be accepted for who they truly are
Behind bars, hiding scars and playing parts
Caroline feels trapped and forced to hide their true identity
With the right mind in the wrong body
Caroline's gender identity does not match their physical body
Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.