"Carrie" by Europe

Experience the emotive power of Europe's 1987 smash hit ballad, "Carrie." This iconic soft rock love song, known for its soaring vocals and keyboard-driven melody, became one of the band's biggest international successes, showcasing a gentler side compared to their harder rock anthems.

Released January 3, 1987, "Carrie" was the third single from Europe's chart-topping album The Final Countdown. Co-written by singer Joey Tempest and keyboardist Mic Michaeli, this quintessential power ballad struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Its blend of soft rock sensitivity and arena-ready emotion made it a standout track, highlighting the band's versatility beyond their signature song.

"Carrie" remains a defining soft rock love song of the late 80s power ballad era. Europe crafted a timeless track exploring themes of farewell and changing circumstances within a relationship. Its memorable melody, heartfelt lyrics, and polished production contributed significantly to the multi-platinum success of The Final Countdown album, solidifying Europe's place in 1987's rock landscape.

SONG MEANING: "Carrie" is a bittersweet farewell song about a relationship ending. The lyrics express sadness and resignation as the singer says goodbye to Carrie, acknowledging that things aren't the same ("Things they change my friend," "Can't you see it in my eyes"). It reflects on shared memories but accepts the need to part ways, holding onto a faint hope of meeting again someday ("Maybe we'll meet again somewhere").