Wildwood Lights

twentyfourbit:

Ryan Adams: “Carolina Rain” (Live on Songwriters’ Circle)

Despite reports of a few awkward moments regarding the show’s collaborative format, Ryan Adams, Neil Finn, and Janis Ian all turned in inspired solo performances for BBC 4’s Songwriters’ Circle last week. For his part, Adams dusted off 5 older fan favorites along with a pair of Ashes & Fire songs. His full set is online here, but singled out above is an excellent take on a personal favorite: “Carolina Rain,” 29’s road-weary centerpiece.

Given that the lyrics mention “Rose” twice, this recently revealed tidbit from Adams is worth noting here: “I’ve never told anyone this,” he told The Sun, “and it’s great to tell someone finally — but [former Cardinals bassist] Catherine [Popper]’s character in a loving way was the inspiration for the character Rose in all my tunes.”

Catherine Popper is the main reason I took up the bass guitar.  I remember seeing her when I saw Ryan playing for the first time at the Palace Theatre (the St Kilda one, not the new one) in Melbourne.  She was so cool and made playing the bass seem effortless.  It was sad to see her leave the Cardinals, but I did always love her replacement, Spacewolf (RIP).  Now that Ryan has said that “Rose” is based on her, it’s like unlocking some sort of code, and I want to go back and revisit a lot of his songs, just to put her to the character.  The first of which comes to mind is Goodnight Rose, which seems slightly more romantic now that the character has a face, and that face is Catherine.

Goodnight Rose, we’re going to win

Put your troubles behind you and go on to bed

Let go of the worry, there’s so much nobody understands

Don’t live your life in such a hurry, life goes by us so so fast

And the sun will come up again, and I will be here,

If you get scared just hold my hand

Tomorrow is yours, and who knows, maybe we’ll win

The whole she-bang

Goodnight Rose, goodnight, goodnight Rose

Good morning sunshine, a new day begins

And the hustle and bustle of the traffic reach you kindly
I can tell because you are smiling

Come on, give ‘em everything that the winning demands

Just one more ribbon, Rose, before the mantle place caves in

And the sun will come up again, and I will be here

Rose, if you get scared, just hold my hand

Get out of that dress, go on to bed

The bar is closed   

Goodnight Rose

Goodnight, goodnight Rose

Goodnight Rose

Goodnight, goodnight Rose