Carey

Joni Mitchell's song 'Carey' is a vivid portrayal of a bohemian lifestyle, filled with transient beauty and fleeting connections. The lyrics paint a picture of a carefree existence in a tourist town, likely inspired by Mitchell's own experiences in Matala, Crete, during the early 1970s. The wind from Africa and the beach tar on her feet evoke a sense of place and time, grounding the listener in the rustic, unpolished charm of her surroundings. Despite the allure of this free-spirited life, there is an underlying tension between the desire for adventure and the pull of more refined comforts, symbolized by her longing for clean white linen and fancy French cologne.

The character of Carey, addressed throughout the song, represents a complex relationship. Described as a 'mean old daddy,' Carey is both a source of frustration and affection for Mitchell. This duality is captured in the repeated refrain, 'But I like you fine,' suggesting a deep, albeit complicated, bond. The Mermaid Café, a recurring setting in the song, serves as a backdrop for their shared moments of joy and camaraderie. Here, they toast to nothing and celebrate the eccentric characters around them, highlighting the transient and often absurd nature of their bohemian existence.

Mitchell's lyrics also touch on themes of escapism and the search for identity. She muses about potential future destinations like Amsterdam or Rome, places where she might find a sense of belonging or artistic inspiration. However, she ultimately chooses to live in the moment, under the 'starry dome' of the night sky, with scratchy rock 'n' roll playing in the background. This emphasis on the present moment, coupled with the acknowledgment that 'it's really not my home,' encapsulates the essence of the song: a celebration of impermanence and the beauty found in life's fleeting moments.