Carolina

Adrianne Lenker's song "Carolina" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics open with a tender image of the world beating sweetly in someone's hands, likened to a heart or a clock. This metaphor sets the tone for the song, suggesting that the person addressed holds immense significance, almost as if they control the rhythm of the singer's world. The comparison to a clock also hints at the inevitable passage of time and the fleeting nature of moments shared together.

The song then takes us on a nostalgic walk down 7th Avenue, a place filled with memories of past times spent together, possibly in a romantic relationship. The mention of snow adds a layer of coldness and purity, perhaps symbolizing both the beauty and the chill of those memories. The repeated question, "Where did you go?" underscores a sense of longing and confusion, as the singer grapples with the absence of this significant person from their life.

In the latter part of the song, Lenker expresses regret for not having sung this song sooner, indicating a missed opportunity to communicate feelings that have now become more poignant in the person's absence. The repetition of the question "Where did you go?" becomes more haunting, emphasizing the depth of the singer's sorrow and the unresolved nature of their feelings. The song captures the essence of regret and the pain of losing someone who once meant the world, leaving listeners with a profound sense of empathy and reflection on their own experiences of love and loss.