The song "Caribbean Sunset" by John Cale tells the story of a complex and enigmatic woman. The lyrics depict a relationship with a woman who is difficult to understand. When she says no, she may actually mean maybe, and she denies being a certain type of girl. The narrator also highlights her unwillingness to admit when she has done something wrong. The woman is characterized as being like a foreign language that the narrator has learned but still struggles to comprehend fully. Though she claims that words don't matter, she relies on them when she needs them the most. This suggests that she may be guarded and selective about when and how she communicates her true thoughts and emotions. The repetition of the phrase "Caribbean, Caribbean, Caribbean" evokes a sense of longing and desire for an idyllic tropical setting, perhaps symbolizing an escape from the complexities of the relationship. The song further delves into the woman's unsettled life, as she prefers to sleep on the streets or not sleep at all. She has become increasingly wary of her friends and appears to be uncertain about many aspects of her life. Overall, "Caribbean Sunset" portrays a woman who is elusive, contradictory, and struggling with her own identity and stability. The lyrics capture the narrator's attempt to understand her and unravel the complexities of their relationship.
