Chris “Oledude” Owens returns for his second appearance on SongWeb after the emotional and vibrant “Rainbow Soul.” Today, he takes us on another engaging journey into the human mind with “White Lie: Carolyn’s Story,” a song he released in July 2025.
Right from the start, the track grabs your attention. A frantic phone call opens the song, with Carolyn shouting, “Answer that phone! Come on! Hi, Selma! It’s Carolyn! I don’t know what to do.” This urgent spoken-word intro sets the tone for the tension and moral conflict that runs through the song, inviting us into a personal and socially charged story.
Musically, the song is rooted in rock. It features driving electric guitars, a tight rhythm section, and careful vocal layering. Geoffrey Owens, Chris’ brother and an actor known as “Elvin” on The Cosby Show, delivers a textured electric guitar performance that adds grit and melodic strength. Chris Oledude’s arrangement ensures that every instrumental and vocal moment serves the story, balancing clarity and raw energy. The recording at Steve Addabbo’s Shelter Island Studio in Manhattan benefits from Ray Aldaco’s engineering, while Mark Dann’s mix at Woodstock gives the track a polished yet emotionally engaging feel.
Vocally, the track showcases a masterclass in character-driven performance. Dr. Wendy A. Ward leads with commanding and expressive vocals. Lindsey Wilson and Chris Oledude provide layered backup and ad-libs that support the narrative without overshadowing the lead. Lines like, “You built this house for me, but little credit goes to you. You service all my needs. Your dreams, deferred, become mine, too,” balances accusation, regret, and social commentary, while Oledude’s ad-libs beautifully highlight moments of tension.
Thematically, “White Lie: Carolyn’s Story” examines power, privilege, and the lies that shape human relationships and social hierarchies. The refrain, “WHITE LIE! I’m a little white lie! I’m a bigger white lie… I’m a big white lie!” captures the main tension, shifting between self-awareness and deflection. The first bridges with the lines, “I live trapped by convention, in need of invention. Living with the pain of hiding from the world’s tensions,” offer introspection, elevating the track beyond a simple narrative into a meditation on morality and self-deception.
The track’s structure is adventurous and easily moves through verses, refrains, bridges, and even a rap section, reflecting the complexity of the story it tells. The ad-libs toward the end, “Woe… What did you want from me? It’s war! Dream deferred! Truth be told, it’s time to spread the word!” bursts with emotional release, offering catharsis while emphasizing the song’s urgent message.
Chris Oledude has a talent for exploring complex emotional landscapes through his music. “White Lie: Carolyn’s Story” shows his growth as a storyteller and producer. He takes us deep into human conflict, moral ambiguity, and the consequences of deceit, all while maintaining a compelling rock sensibility. This track is an experience and a narrative-driven rock journey that stays long after the last chord fades. Oledude confirms once again that his music is meant to be felt, thought about, and lived alongside.
Listen to “White Lie: Carolyn’s Story” on Spotify
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