"Carolina in the Pines" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Michael Martin Murphey. It was released in August 1975 as the second and final single from the album Blue Sky - Night Thunder. It peaked at number 21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and number 25 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart in late 1975.Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition (Billboard Publications) The song was re-recorded with John McEuen on banjo and released in May 1985 from his compilation album The Best of Michael Martin Murphey. The re-release peaked at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and at number 11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart in mid-1985. Bluegrass band The Special Consensus recorded the song on their 2002 album Route 10.
Background "Carolina in the Pines" describes Murphey's wife whose actual name was Caroline: "I tried to write a love song about my wife without trying to relegate her to a secondary position as a supporter of me. I tried to make it about her as an individual. That's what [she and I] try to do in life. Caroline Hogue was the second of Murphey's five wives: the couple had married in 1973 and would divorce in 1978.
Critical reception Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it "a countryish tune in a distinct John Denver vein."Billboard, August 16, 1975
Personnel Michael Murphey – vocals Jac Murphy – piano John McEuen - banjo
Chart performance
Original release Chart (1975) PeakpositionCanadian RPM Adult Contemporary4
Re-release Chart (1985)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Country Tracks 11
References