Text by Bruce Gallanther (Downtown Music Gallery)

“O Caroline” was written by Dave Sinclair, composed the music, and Robert Wyatt wrote the lyrics from the first Matching Mole album (released 1972)

David’s on piano
And I may play on a drum
And we’ll try to make the music work, we’ll try to have some fun
But I can’t help thinking that if you were here with me
I’d get all my thoughts in focus and play more excitedly

I love you still, Caroline
I want you still, Caroline
I need you still, Caroline

If you call this sentimental crap, you’ll make me mad
‘Cause you know that I would not sing
About some fad
And if my attempts at rhyming aren’t convincing to your ear
Then memories betray you through the passing of the year

I love you still, Caroline
I want you still, Caroline
I need you still, Caroline

You must think it doubtful that I mean the words I sing
Or that all attempts to reach you this way
Could not mean a thing
But you must admit we both thought we’d be man and wife
And that I could make you happy
For the best part of your life

I love you still, Caroline
I love you still, Caroline
I love you still, Caroline
I love you still, Caroline

Robert Wyatt, founding member, drummer & singer for Soft Machine, has long been my main man: my favorite singer, songwriter, and whimsical/philosophical poet. Ever since hearing the first Soft Machine album in 1968 (while I was in Jr. High School), I’ve been a huge fan.

Mr. Wyatt was an important member of Soft Machine for their first four albums, but was forced out in 1971, something he has never completely gotten over. In 1972, he formed Matching Mole, which is similar to the French name Soft Machine.

This song, “O Caroline,” is the opening track on the first Matching Mole album. “The Caroline in the title is specifically English artist, journalist, and political activist Caroline Coon. She and Robert Wyatt broke up not long before the first Matching Mole album, as the lyrics make clear.” Lyrically, this is a sort of love song, yet nothing is what it seems to be when you listen closely to the lyrics of any Wyatt song.

Thanks to Soft Machine bassist Hugh Hopper (whom I interviewed when he was a member of Isotope), I was able to meet and spend an evening talking at length with Robert Wyatt and Alfreda Benge in December of 1975 (while doing a semester in London). When I asked Mr. Wyatt about the meaning of certain lyrics from his seminal album ‘Rock Bottom’, he said the meaning was elusive and had changed over time. The meaning is different for anyone who listens and considers what is going on.

Robert Wyatt is still alive, but word is that he and Ms. Benge both have health issues. Wyatt retired from making his own music a decade ago, though he occasionally appears on other musicians’ records. He was a special guest on Mary Halvorson’s 2020 album’ Artlessly Falling,’ singing on three songs.

I just read a book by Matching Mole bassist Bill MacCormick called Making It Up as I Go Along, which I found fascinating. Mr. McCormick was a childhood friend of Wyatt’s, so the book includes quite a bit on Wyatt, his time in Soft Machine, and afterward. Thanks to my pal Lester for the book.

I continue to listen to any records on which Robert Wyatt appeared. I find new meaning in anything that he’s composed over his long career/journey, and I still cry whenever I listen to Rock Bottom. A great big toast to Mr. Robert Wyatt from his many friends and fans from around the world!