Carol
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


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Oh, Carol
Don't let him steal your heart away
I'm gonna learn to dance
If it takes me all night and day

Climb into my machine so we can groove on out
I know some swinging little joint where we can jump and shout
It's not too far back on the highway not so long a ride
You park the car out in the open you can walk inside
A little cutie takes your hat and you can thank her ma'am
'Cause every time you make the scene you find the joint is jammed

Oh, Carol
Don't let him steal your heart away
I'm gonna learn to dance
If it takes me all night and day

Now, if you want to hear some music like the boys are playing
Hold tight, bang your foot don't let it carry you away
Don't let the heat overcome you when they play so loud
Won't the music intrigue you when they get a crowd
Well you can't dance I know you would you could
I got my eyes on you, baby, 'cause you dance so good

Oh, Carol
Don't let him steal your heart away
I'm gonna learn to dance
If it takes me all night and day

Oh, Carol
Don't let him steal your heart away
I've got to learn to dance




If it takes me all night and day
Oh Carol, oh Carol

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones's song "Carol" is about a man, the singer of the song, who has his eyes on a girl named Carol. He warns Carol not to let another man steal her heart away and offers to take her to a swinging, little joint where they can dance and have fun. He is determined to learn how to dance if it takes him all night and day because he wants to impress Carol. He encourages Carol to hold tight and get into the music so that they can dance together. At the end of the song, the singer reiterates that he has to learn how to dance if it takes him all night and day to impress Carol.


The song is a mix of rock and roll and rhythm and blues, typical of The Rolling Stones's early sound. The lyrics express a youthful, carefree energy that was characteristic of the rock and roll genre at the time. The song was written by Chuck Berry, a famous American musician known for his rock and roll hits in the 1950s and 1960s. The Rolling Stones were heavily influenced by Chuck Berry and covered several of his songs, including "Carol." The song was released as a single in 1964 and was included in the album "12x5" the same year.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Carol
The singer addresses Carol and begins the song.


Don't let him steal your heart away
The singer warns Carol to be careful so as not to have her heart broken.


I'm gonna learn to dance
The singer intends to learn how to dance.


If it takes me all night and day
The artist is willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to dance properly.


Climb into my machine so we can groove on out
The artist invites Carol to get into their car so they can leave and have fun.


I know some swinging little joint where we can jump and shout
The singer knows of a cool place where they can have fun and dance.


It's not too far back on the highway not so long a ride
The cool place is not too far away and is easily accessible by car.


You park the car out in the open you can walk inside
After arriving at the cool place, the artist tells Carol that they can park the car outside and walk in.


A little cutie takes your hat and you can thank her ma'am
When they arrive at the cool place, someone will take their hat and the artist tells Carol to thank them politely.


'Cause every time you make the scene you find the joint is jammed
The artist explains that the cool place is often crowded and busy.


Now, if you want to hear some music like the boys are playing
The singer asks Carol if she wants to listen to the kind of music that the boys are playing.


Hold tight, bang your foot don't let it carry you away
The artist encourages Carol to dance but not let it consume her completely.


Don't let the heat overcome you when they play so loud
The singer advises Carol to not let the excitement of the music overwhelm her.


Won't the music intrigue you when they get a crowd
The singer finds the music interesting and hopes that Carol will too when others gather to listen.


Well you can't dance I know you would you could
The singer believes that Carol can dance even though she may not believe it herself.


I got my eyes on you, baby, 'cause you dance so good
The artist is watching Carol because she is a good dancer and wants to impress her.


Oh, Carol
The artist repeats the song's title to end the track.


Don't let him steal your heart away
The singer once again cautions Carol not to let a man break her heart.


I've got to learn to dance
The singer emphasizes the importance of learning how to dance.


If it takes me all night and day
The artist is dedicated to learning how to dance properly and is willing to put in the time and effort.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Greg Halder


on 2000 Light Years From Home

Totally underrated track and album..

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