Caroline

When it comes to naming children, The D Man prefers classic Anglo-Saxon names with strong allusory power.  Tapping into my familial roots and recalling bygone ages also helps to avoid the trendwinds of the day.  Dylan, for example, is decidedly from the Isles and their maritime climbs, and the name alludes to poets (Thomas) and troubadours (Bob) alike.  So it will come as no surprise that we have named our first daughter, Caroline.  Strong and feminine, it is a name fit for queens.

Caroline is also the greatest name in pop music history.  With that possibility in play, the choice was too easy.  Welcome to the show!  A musician's muse and a daddy's girl for sure.

• "Caroline, No" by The Beach Boys (1966).  Brian Wilson and Terry Asher penned this beautiful song as Wilson's first solo single, but it ended up on the magnificent Pet Sounds anyway.  Wilson said it was the prettiest ballad he ever sung.  Hard to argue with him.
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond (1969).  Hands!  Touching hands! You know this one!
• "Long May You Run" by Neil Young (1976).  With your chrome heart shining in the sun / long may you run.  Neil Young reminisces about the waves singing, what else, Wilson's "Caroline, No."  The D Man has been known to sing this throat-catching number--along with "Silver & Gold"--as bedtime lullabies to my boys.  Pretty girls will like this one, too.
• "Pretty in Pink" by The Psychedelic Furs (1986).  The Psychedelic Furs' title track from the John Hughes/Molly Ringwald movie.  Yes, the song is about Caroline.
• "Caroline" by Fleetwood Mac (1987).  From Tango in the Night, the final album released by Fleetwood Mac's classic line-up.  Lindsey Buckingham wrote the song and carried the vocals.
• "Roses" by Outkast (2003).  Caroline plays a starring role in a sweet-smelling track from Outkast's monster album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.  Caroliiiiiiiiine, all the guys would say she is mighty fine . . .
• "Caroline" by Old Crow Medicine Show (2008).  The popular touring band offers their lady some banjo.  She accepts.  Caroline, you do just fine.
• "Caroline" by Wolfmother (2009).  Even Australian pop-metalists sing about Caroline.  The D Man can already hear the soundtrack to a weekend of teenage rebellion, which, hopefully, will only consist of staying out past curfew and drinking too much Red Bull.
• "Caroline" (2013).  Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) and Jimmy Lavalle (The Album Leaf) team up for this acoustic strummer bedded in beautiful electronic touches.  If there was ever a sign we picked the right name, this timely tune confirmed our hopes and expectations.  Check out a recent  live solo version of the song, which Mark (incredibly) dedicated to us at his recent Salt Lake City show.