Carey
L.A. Express, Joni Mitchell
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The wind is in from Africa Last night I couldn't sleep Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here Carey But 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 and my fancy French cologne Oh Carey get out your cane (Carey get out your cane) And I'll put on some silver (I'll put on some silver) Oh you're a mean old Daddy, but I like you fine Come on down to the Mermaid Cafe 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 another round for the bright red devil, who Keeps me in this tourist town Come on Carey get out your cane (Carey get out your cane) And I'll put on some silver (I'll put on some silver) Oh you're a mean old Daddy, but I like you I like you, I like you, I like you Maybe I'll go to Amsterdam Or 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-wells now The night is a starry dome And they're playin' that scratchy rock and roll Beneath the Matalla Moon Come on Carey get out your cane (Carey get out your cane) And I'll put on some silver (I'll put on some silver) You're a mean old Daddy, but I like you The wind is in from Africa Last night I couldn't sleep Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here, but it's Really not my home Maybe it's been too long a time since I was Scramblin' down in the street Now they got me used to that clean white linen and that Fancy French cologne Oh Carey, get out your cane (Carey get out your cane) I'll put on my finest silver (I'll put on some silver) We'll go to the Mermaid Cafe, have fun tonight I said, oh, you're a mean old Daddy, but you're out of sight
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Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Classification"Carey" is a track from Joni Mitchell’s critically acclaimed album "Blue" which was released in 1971.
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Song InspirationThe song was inspired by Mitchell's trip to Crete, Greece where she stayed in a community of travelling artists and musicians.
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Real-Life Character ReferenceThe title character "Carey" was a real person, an American man named Cary Raditz who Mitchell met in Crete. He was a cave-dwelling, red-haired chef and baker, hence the song's lyrics "Oh you're a mean old Daddy, but I like you."
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InstrumentationThe song features unusual tunings, a trademark of Joni Mitchell's music. The main instrument is an Appalachian dulcimer, a string instrument, which she combined with her distinctive open-tuned guitar.
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Song Meaning"Carey" is often interpreted as a reflection of Mitchell's desire for freedom and escape from societal norms.
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Chart PerformanceUpon its release, "Carey" did not chart in North America, but the album "Blue" peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard 200, and number three on the UK Albums Chart.
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Cultural ImpactRolling Stone Magazine named "Blue" the 30th greatest album of all time in 2003, and "Carey" remains one of its most popular tracks.
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Acclaimed by Fellow MusiciansOther musicians like Taylor Swift and Ellie Goulding have recognized "Carey" and the entire "Blue" album as influential on their own music.
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Live PerformancesJoni Mitchell often performed "Carey" in her live concerts, and it is present on several of her live albums, including "Miles of Aisles" (1974) and "Shadows and Light" (1980).
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Grammy RecognitionAlthough "Carey" did not win any awards, the album "Blue" holds a Grammy Hall of Fame award. The award honors recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.
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Citation
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"Carey Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/850918/Joni+Mitchell/Carey>.
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