Oh Caroline

Album: Being Funny In A Foreign Language (2022)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Oh Caroline" is a playful song about The 1975 frontman Matt Healy's unrequited love for a girl. The singer is desperate for Caroline to give him a chance.

    Baby, I'll do anythin' that you want to
    I'll try anythin' that you want to
    I'll try
    'Cause you're on my mind


    Healy tries begging on his knees, getting cucked, and even confesses to feeling suicidal, such is his all-consuming love for Caroline.
  • The song is entirely fictional. Healy wanted a three-syllable name and "Caroline" fit the bill. The chorus came first:

    Oh Caroline
    I wanna get it right this time
    Cos you're always on my mind


    The lyric felt really universal to Healy, and he noted it didn't have to be about him. "You don't need to have lived a story to write one," he told Apple Music. "Caroline is whoever you want it to be - you can change that name in your head."
  • Healy and The 1975 drummer George Daniel wrote "Oh Caroline" with:

    Californian singer-songwriter Ilsey Juber. Other songs on his resumé include Shawn Mendes' "Mercy," Martin Garrix (featuring Bebe Rexha)'s "In The Name Of Love," and Mark Ronson (featuring Miley Cyrus)'s "Nothing Breaks Like A Heart."

    The 1975 touring keyboardist Jamie Squire. He co-penned five songs on Being Funny in a Foreign Language, including the lead single "Part Of The Band."

    The 1975's Dirty Hit labelmate Benjamin Francis Leftwich. The singer-songwriter also contributed to the writing of "Part Of The Band."

    London-based songwriter Jimmy Hogarth. His production and songwriting credits include Amy Winehouse's "Help Yourself," Duffy's "Warwick Avenue," and James Blunt's "Wisemen."
  • Healy and Daniel co-produced "Oh Caroline" with Being Funny in a Foreign Language co-producer Jack Antonoff.
  • The video shows The 1975 as elderly men reminiscing about the days of their youth and performing the track on-stage.

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