Hey Caroline
Hey Caroline
Yes, in the past I could steal horses with Caroline, walk from club to club all
night and enjoy the sunrise together in the morning.
And Caroline had a lot of weird and original projects in mind, wanted to tackle
a lot of things. I thought to myself "Wow, let's see how it will be." She had a
clear compass and wanted to change the world.
Then I lost sight of her - and only met again twenty years later, almost by
accident. But I couldn't find the Caroline I knew. She was completely different,
only concerned with her mundane everyday things, talked about the weather ...
But wait ... I've changed myself too! Have I not become boring and routine too?
Have we all changed that much? Is that just life?
The lyrics of the song are here (pdf).
I composed this song back in 2007 - and published it at that time on my
website. One or the other may remember it, and you can find the earlier
picture sequence here:
.
some questions
Question:
In the sequence of images for "Hey Caroline", the contrasts stand out: bright
yellow and then again only dull gray. Are these opposites intentional?
andy enroe:
Of course, these opposites are intentional. Every image, every animation is
deliberately chosen that way. These contrasts, once brightly colored, then
again just black and white, show the contrasts in the person of Caroline:
In the past, lively, spirited and original - today lost and suffocated by
life in everyday life and routine.
Q: Well, I think these yellow smileys are too cheesy, for example.
a.e.: Ah yes. Sure, the visual representation should be understandable - and "making it understandable" is hardly possible without a bit of cliché. Everything, i.e. the sequence of images and the song itself, is always a balancing act between being "incredibly innovative and new" and "still being understandable". Perhaps this balance has not been achieved here, or - on the other hand - this has been exactly well done.
Q: Ok, so "Hey Caroline" describes a reunion which is a disappointment because Caroline has changed unexpectedly. Is that a personal experience? Is that autobiographical?
a.e.: Both, yes and no: No, because I don't have a specific person in mind who is exactly like Caroline. Yes, because many people I have known for a long time have changed significantly in their life towards "adapting to requirements" - and have thus long lost their former youthful freshness and simplemindedness. And of course I look a little at myself.
Q: So have you lost that "youthful freshness" yourself?
a.e.: Haha, i hope not. As an artist you are actually an observer of this world. And one always understands - hopefully - the world a little better. I would like to combine this knowledge and this serenity with youthful freshness and glowing enthusiasm.
a.e.: But ...
Q: But what?
a.e.: But "Hey Caroline" is about something else, namely that previous dreams, goals in life, and ideas of meaning have been given up. Caroline actually gave up on herself as a person. In favor of something else, in favor of security, conventions and bourgeoisie. That's just the sad thing!
Q: Mmmh?
a.e.: Nevertheless, every listener should interpret his own idea into Caroline. The song is kind of a "soundboard".
Q: The song "Hey Caroline" was written - according to your website - already in 2007. Are all sorts of old songs now being re-released?
a.e.: Ha, so no. There are simply a lot of songs that are dumped "somewhere on the hard drive". Just like treasure is raised, I pull out these great old songs and mix them up again. But I or we are also in the process of inventing new riffs and melodies - and thus composing completely new songs.
Q: You have been writing rock songs and rock ballads for a long time now. What do you think of in retrospect?
a.e.:
Mmmm ... yes, we've been around for a long time - and there are now a lot of
good, unique songs. But what can I say about it?
Everyone can enjoy these songs on our two websites and watch some crazy picture
sequences. But it is the case that every new song is started from scratch: It's
like a reset - all over again! And then it's the struggle for the perfect
arrangement and the perfect song.
Q: Are you even climbing an age barrier this month?
a.e.: You mean I'm turning thirty now? Haha, yes that may be.
Q: Haha, so ...
a.e.: Fortunately, rockmusic is not age-independent - the Rolling Stones or Manfred Mann's Earth Band are on stage at a very advanced age. So that's not an issue. I or we just do what inspires us.
Q: Will future songs be in the same style? Or are changes to be expected?
a.e.: Sure, I have thousands of ideas in mind. And Tanja too has constant ideas, fictions and suggestions. And there is the typical enroe style, and of course we stay true to that. But surprising variations can also be expected.
Interview by Frank Müller.
Length 4:24 min 6.0 mb
Composed and recorded already in 2007;
new arrangement + mixing in 2021.
Composed by andy enroe;
executive song advisor: tanja soler zang;
guitars, bass: tanja soler zang;
vocs, drums, organ: andy enroe.
Model: Martina Juali Navroti;
fotos, slide concept and construction: andy enroe.
