Songs That Mention California
(With Comments and Lyrics)
Page 2: G - M
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| This List is Alphabetized by the Artist (Band Name or Artist Last Name) Numbers are on top. Ignore any article at the beginning such as "The" or "A" except for non-English languages. Artists name + band name combos are filed under the artist's last name. Aliases or stage names are filed under the first name: Lana Del Rey is filed under "L". |
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| Artist |
Title (click the link to listen to the song) |
Description and Lyrics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
G |
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Warren G. & Nate Dogg |
Regulate | Nate Dogg is a rapper from Long Beach, active from 1990 - 2008. Warren G is also a rapper from Long Beach active since 1992. He formed the hip hop trio "213" named for the former area code of Long Beach. The song is from "Above the Rim" a soundtrack album released in 1994, and it also appears on Warren G's debut album "Regulate...G Funk Era" also released in 1994. It was a huge hit that reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. There's a synopsis of the song on Wickipedia if you are having trouble following the story or what is happening in the third verse when they change the subject and start 21 and Lewis refers to an intersection in Long Beach. LBC also refers to Long Beach. The most important lesson learned from the song, though, is Don't wear your Rolex to a dice game! That's just common sense. "[WG:] Regulators We regulate any stealing of his property We're damn good too But you can't be any geek off the street Gotta be handy with the steel if you know what I mean. Earn your keep! Regulators! Mount up! [WG:] It was a clear black night, a clear white moon Warren G was on the streets, trying to consume Some skirts for the eve, so I can get some phones Rolling in my ride, chilling all alone [ND:] Just hit the east side of the LBC On a mission trying to find Mr. Warren G Seen a car full of girls ain't no need to tweak All you skirts know what's up with 213 [WG:] So I hooks a left on 21 and Lewis Some brothers shooting dice so I said "Let's do this" I jumped out the ride, and said "What's up?" Some brothers pulled some gats so I said "I'm stuck." [ND:] Since these girls peeping me I'ma glide and swerve These hookers looking so hard they straight hit the curb Onto bigger better things than some horny tricks I see my homey and some suckers all in his mix [WG:] I'm getting jacked, I'm breaking myself I can't believe they taking Warren's wealth They took my rings, they took my Rolex I looked at the brother said "Damn, what's next?" [ND:] They got my homey hemmed up and they all around Can't none of them see him if they going straight pound-for-pound They wanna come up real quick before they start to clown I best pull out my strap and lay them busters down [WG:] They got guns to my head I think I'm going down I can't believe this happening in my own town If I had wings I would fly Let me contemplate I glanced in the cut and I see my homey Nate [ND:] Sixteen in the clip and one in the hole Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold Now they dropping and yelling It's a tad bit late Nate Dogg and Warren G had to regulate I laid all them busters down I let my gat explode Now I'm switching my mind back into freak mode If you want skirts sit back and observe I just left a gang of hoes over there on the curb [WG:] Now Nate got the freaks And that's a known fact Before I got jacked I was on the same track Back up back up 'cause it's on N A T E and me The Warren to the G [ND:] Just like I thought They were in the same spot In need of some desperate help But Nate Dogg and the G-child Were in need of something else One of them dames was sexy as hell I said "oh, I like your size." She said "my car's broke down and you seem real nice Would you let me ride?" I got a car full of girls and it's going real swell The next stop is the Eastside Motel [WG:] I'm tweaking Into a whole new era G-Funk Step to this I dare you Funk On a whole new level [ND:] The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble [WG:] Chords Strings We brings Melody G-Funk Where rhythm is life And life is rhythm [ND:] If you know like I know You don't wanna step to this It's the G-Funk era Funked out with a gangster twist If you smoke like I smoke Then you're high like everyday And if your ass is a buster 213 will regulate" |
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Chris Gaffney |
Artesia | Chris Gaffney was a singer-songwriter who was raised mostly in Arizona and southern California, active until his death in 2008. This alt-country song is from "Mi Vida Loca" released in 1992. Artesia is a small city in Los Angeles County that was known for its dairy farms before they were all paved over to make room for houses and strip malls. ('Expressway To Your Heart' refers to the 1967 R&B classic by the Soul Survivors.) Dave Alvin recorded a version of this song with a few changes to clarify the lyrics (the parts I couldn't understand that are in brackets) and with a long spoken introduction that puts the song in context "He looked at his car It cost 125 He had dreams of a new showroom floor He got Pete and Rosy, Santos and Richie Headed straight for the old [?] wars It was the best of all times In a hot dairy valley We all rode faster in Georgie's new ride And with Dee Dee singin' 'Expressway To Your Heart' Staying home would be just like suicide Speeding down Carson or north to Alondra Staying young might be staying alive Because now when the wind blows from out of Artesia You can't smell 1965 Hey my old man's in there We all knew he was crazy As we flew by the old mental state He stopped takin' names Got lost in the bum's rush And his love turned from violence to hate He must have seen something Something you don't see It all came with old Frank's passage of time Because now when the wind blows from out of Artesia You can't smell 1965 Speeding down Carson or north to Alondra Staying young might be staying alive Because now when the wind blows from out of Artesia You can't smell 1965 Now when the wind blows from out of Artesia You can't smell 1965" |
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Galantis (featuring Sofia Carson) |
San Francisco | This is an electronic dance track from 2018. Galantis is two Swedish dance producers. The featured vocalist Sofia Carson is an American singer and actress. Because the song does not rhyme San Francisco with "disco," and because they're fans of Stevie Woner, I will let them get away with some gross inaccuracies about the cityt in the lyrics - that you can climb the Golden Gate Bridge, that you can stay in a bar all night, and that the sun shines in the Summer in San Francisco. "I met you in a bar in San Francisco Said you used to have a car before the repo Smokin' lucky cigarettes, I think the smoke went to my head And now that summer night plays on repeat We climbed the Golden Gate Bridge just to watch the stars collide And played that Stevie Wonder song a couple thousand times I'm kinda scared to say it was the best night of my life But I know I won't forget San Francisco No, I know I won't forget, I know I won't forget I know I won't forget that night in San Francisco In San Francisco In San Francisco I met you in a bar in San Francisco But when the sun came out, we had to let go When you took that Greyhound bus, thought it was the end of us But now you're all I dream of when I sleep We climbed the Golden Gate Bridge just to watch the stars collide And played that Stevie Wonder song a couple thousand times I'm kinda scared to say it was the best night of my life But I know I won't forget San Francisco No, I know I won't forget, I know I won't forget I know I won't forget that night in San Francisco In San Francisco In San Fran In San Francisco In San Fran In San Fran In San Francisco" |
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The Game |
California Dream | The Game (Jayceon Terrell Taylor) is a rapper from Compton, active since 2000, and the star of reality televison shows including "She Got Game" and "Marrying the Game." The title of the song is the name of his daughter, California "Cali" Dream Taylor, born in 2010, whose birth appears to be the subject of this song. It's from his album "The R.E.D." released in 2011. "" I'm at the house bout to roll this kush up I can get a call at any minute, so I'm just doing push-ups Waiting on what seems to be forever I burned a hole in my Polo sweater cause I was nervous That's how crazy birth is, loading up this Beretta Cause this time I'm having a baby girl So it's whatever, whenever... whatever You my willow and it's my will to make this last forever First thing I'm a tell her? Daddy's your umbrella Get with a glass slipper Cali, you my Cinderella Gotta be a dream, hold up, that's your middle name! Both your brothers big now, so baby you my little Game Who gonna be the Godfather? Lil Wayne? Y'all smoke too much but got Cali tatted on his veins And I just got a text from your mama Saying the water burst, I guess it's time for my comma... You walk through the door, she on the ground crying She don't wanna get up, you had a baby right here I ain't cleaning that s**t up! I finally got her out the house, now we on the elevator She screaming, her left the car seat But I'm a tell her later Forget the car seat - man - I'm hella-faded She like "I know you ain't high! " Man, I'm celebrating... Now we in the car, she won't put on her seatbelt Screaming at the top of her lungs: "I need help! " Weaving through traffic, minutes between contractions Close your eyes right now, and you can see it happening Imagine: she pulling on me "stop I'm about to crash, s**t! " Butterflies in my stomach, heart beating fast as s**t Every time I have a kid, it's like the first time Kids the best, but they be coming at the worst times Now we here, Tiff get in the wheelchair Butterflies still here - am I happy? Hell yeah! I parked the car, now I'm running through the halls lost Trying to figure out which one of these rooms is ours Think: damn... one of the nurses stuck her head out They gave her an epideral so I pulled the couch bed out Took a nap, woke up, they almost got the head out She grabbing on the rails, looking like she about to pass out Told her to breathe, grab my phone and hit record "Breathe! 1, 2, 3, 4 - one more - 1, 2, 3, 4" Push! C'mon Tea, push! God damn it, just push! " Nurse coaching her, doctor pulling on shoulders Giving me the notion to cut the umbilical She out, 8 pounds 4 ounces Hold up: I'm about to make an announcement See, every time a child is born somebody leave the world So I thank the woman who gave her life for my baby girl "" |
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The Game (featuring Snoop Dogg & Xzibit) |
California Vacation | The Game is a rapper and actor from Compton, Snoop Dogg is a rapper and actor from Long Beach, and Xzibit is a rapper and actor who moved to Los Angeles as a teen. This gangster rap is from The Game's second studio album "Doctor's Advocate" released in 2006. [Xzibit & The Game] "West Coast The Doctor's Advocate Get a blunt, roll the weed, light it up n***a Sippin' on gin and juice, fill up your cups n***a The West Coast back crackin' like it's '94 So b***h get on your knees and give me head like it's '94 And don't come up for air 'til the beat drop I'm the Doctor's Advocate Call it a sneak peak at the motherf***in' "Detox" Take note, grab a pen And let the world know the West is ridin' again I graduated from Dre school, top of my class Treat my switches like my b***hes, got 'em droppin' that ass Still bangin' 'The Chronic' like 'Doggystyle' came with it And I roll up sticky on my b***h back while I hit it I done been there, done that, had beefs and won that Five million records on one plaque, I hung that Still got Dr. Dre lowridin' in the '6-4 When you see us, throw it up for the f**kin' (West Coast) [Snoop Dogg & Xzibit] My heart beat for the West (West Coast) We grow the best weed on the West (West Coast) We lowride on the West (West Coast) So I'ma die throwin' up tthe West (West Coast) My heart beat for tthe West (West Coast) We grow the best weed on the West (West Coast) Still lowridin' on tthe West (West Coast) You should take a trip and visit the West (West Coast) Check game, I'ma show you how to bang 'Uncle Snoopy, is it true you from that 20 gang?' All the time neph', I gotta let my nuts hang A chest full of chains, left hand with a pinky ring I'm in a Steeler cap, Swisher Sweet, peel 'em back My lil' hoodrat, baby got that mini MAC Baby got that twenty sack, baby got plenty that Whatever you send us, my nucca, we gon' send it back I'm in the club with the snub, gettin' love With twenty thousand Crips and twenty thousand Bloods And we don't give a f**k about none of y'all And when you hit the city, you better holla' at the Bigg Dogg I done seen n***as hit L.A. and get they chain snatched Then they call me up beggin' me to get they chain back What I look like, the motherf***in' police? There's certain rules you got to follow when you in these streets Especially when it comes to this Cali s**t And I ain't talkin' bout hangin' in the valley b***h Gangbang n***as all up in the alley, Crip On some real talk, n***a we the real ones (West Coast) My heart beat for the West (West Coast) We grow the best weed on the West (West Coast) We lowride on the West (West Coast) So I'ma die throwin' up the West (West Coast) My heart beat for the West (West Coast) We grow the best weed on the West (West Coast) Still lowridin' on tthe West (West Coast) You should take a trip and visit the West (West Coast) [Xzibit & The Game] I heard the blue rag n***as ain't f**king With the red rag n***as on the West Coast (F**k you mean?) S**t, from what I seen, red and blue can make green Black Wall Street and X only Since jealousy breeds hatred, hatred breeds violence Violence breeds enemies, more permanent silence California alliance, it's more important than ever So throw it up, we lowridin' together (Yeah!) Make the West Coast rise forever Eses, Bs and Cs, represent your letter Got Game the go-getter, Xzibit the rhyme spitter Snoop Dogg the boss, we gangsta at all costs Y'all n***as is so soft and pussy so f**k off 'Fore one of my n***as draw that hammer and dump off It's kush you gon' cough (Cough cough) yeah, inhale the smoke Bandana hang, bang the Coast, my n***a (West Coast) [Snoop Dogg & Xzibit] My heart beat for the West (West Coast) We grow the best weed on the West (West Coast) We lowride on the West (West Coast) So I'ma die throwin' up the West (West Coast) My heart beat for the West (West Coast) We grow the best weed on the West (West Coast) Still lowridin' on the West (West Coast) You should take a trip and visit the West (West Coast) [Outro: Xzibit] West Coast West Coast West Coast" |
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The Game (featuring 50 Cent) |
Hate it or love it | This is from The Game's album "The Documentary" released in 2005. In it we learn that The Game is a rapper who had such a tough life growing up in Compton, where they use wood for coffins instead of school books, he didn't even have 50 cents when his Grandmomma died, but in this song he's so rich he not only has 50 Cent rapping with him, he also goes back to Cali wearing a very expensive Jacob watch. "....On the grill of my lowrider Guns on both sides right above the gold wires I'll fo-five em Kill a n***a on my song but really do it Thats the true meaning of a ~ghostrider~ 10 g'z will take ya daughter out of Air Forces Believe you me homie I know all bout losses I'm from Compton where the wrong colors be cautious One phone call will have ya body dumped in Marcy I stay strapped like car seats Been bangin' since my lil n***a Rob got killed for his Barkley's That's 10 years I told Pooh in 95' I'd kill you if you try me for my Air Max 95s Told Banks when I met him I'mma ride And if I gotta die rather homicide I ain't have 50 Cent when my Grandmomma died Now I'm goin' back to Cali with my Jacob on See how time fly? From the beginnin' to the end Losers lose, winners win This is real we ain't got to pretend The cold world that we in Is full of pressure and pain Enough of me n***a now listen to Game Used to see 5-0 throw the crack by the bench Now Im f****n with ~5-0~ it's all startin' to make ~sense~ My moms happy she ain't gotta pay the rent And she got a red bow on that brand new Benz Waitin' on Sha Money to land sittin' in the Range Thinkin' how they spend 30 million dollars on airplanes When there's kids starvin' Pac is gone and Brendas still throwin' babies in the garbage I wanna know what's goin' on like I hear Marvin No school books they use that wood to build coffins Whenever I'm in the booth and I get exhausted I think what if Marie Banker got that abortion I love ya Ma' " |
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The Jerry Garcia Band |
Mission in the Rain | Jerry Garcia was a songwriter, lead guitarist, and vocalist for the Grateful Dead, formed in 1965, but he started his musical career in 1960. He founded this band in 1975. This song is from the album "Don't Let Go" recorded live in San Francisco and Berkeley and released in 1976. The Mission [District] is a neighborhood in San Francisco. "I turn and walk away then I come 'round again It looks as though tomorrow I'll do pretty much the same. I must turn down your offer but I'd like to ask a break You know I'm ready to give everything for anything I take. Someone called my name you know I turned around to see It was midnight in the Mission and the bells were not for me. Come again, walking along in the Mission in the rain, Come again, walking along in the Mission in the rain, Ten years ago, I walked this street my dreams were riding tall Tonight I would be thankful Lord, for any dream at all. Some folks would be happy just to have one dream come true But everything you gather is just more that you can lose. Come again, walking along in the Mission in the rain, Come again, walking along in the Mission in the rain, All the things I planned to do I only did half way Tomorrow will be Sunday born of rainy Saturday. There's some satisfaction in the San Francisco rain No matter what comes down the Mission always looks the same. Come again, walking along in the Mission in the rain." |
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The Garden |
California Here We Go | The Garden is an experimental rock band formed in Orange County in 2011 by twin brothers. This crazy song was released in 2016. "Can you help me? Tell me what I'm doing here, now I move on Or has it happened And have I already won? (Yeah, you have) I've been waiting patiently (Yes, you have) About to bust through the door So can you help me? (Yes, I can! I can!) Or do I have to help myself? California, here we go California, here we go California, here we go California, here we go California, here we go California, here we go California, here we go California, here we go Love surrounds me And I can give it back (Yes, I can!) I must be cautious Not to find myself trapped (Don't get trapped) California Disguising what we lack California (Yeah) Can you cut me some slack? California here we go California here we go California here we go California here we go California here we go California here we go California here we go California here we go California here we go (California) California here we go California here we go (California) California here we go California here we go (California) California here we go California here we go (California) California here we go" |
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Art Garfunkel |
99 Miles From L.A. | Art Garfunkel is a singer and actor from New York best known for being one half of the great Rock-and-Roll-Hall-of-Fame-inducted duo Simon and Garfunkel. This song is from his 1975 solo album "Breakaway." The song was written by Hal David and Albert Hammond, who also performed it and released it as a single in 1975. You can see the lyrics under Albert Hammond. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Judy Garland |
On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe | This song, sung by lead vocalist Judy Garland, the American actress/singer from The Wizard of Oz and all those other movies, won the Oscar for best song for its use in the movie The Harvey Girls in 1945. There's hardly any mention of the state, but the train is on its way to Califor-ni-ay, so here it is. "Do you hear that whistle down the line? I figure that it's Engine Number 49 She's the only one that'll sound that way On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe See the ol' smoke risin' 'round the bend I reckon that she knows she's gonna meet a friend Folks around these parts get the time of day From the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Here she comes (Ooh, ooh, ooh) Hey, Jim, you better get the rig (Ooh, ooh, ooh) She's got a list of passengers that's pretty big And they'll all want lifts to Brown's Hotel 'Cause lots o' them been travelin' for quite a spell On the way to Califor-ni-ay On the Atchison, Topeka On the Atchison, Topeka On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe...." |
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The Gatlin Brothers |
All the Gold in California | The Gatlin Brothers are a country trio formed in 1973 that became Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers in 1979. This #1 country song is from their album "Straight Ahead" released in 1979. It's a cautionary message about the search for fame and fortune in California. They also recorded a live version more than 40 years later in 2023 on Larry's Country Diner that shows they've still got what it takes. The song has been covered by many others, including: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis in 2015; The Texas Tenors in 2021; Hawaiian band Maoli did a great country reggae version in 2023; and Tim McGraw & LOCASH made a casual cover of the song in 2020. "All the gold in California Is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills In somebody else's name So if you dreaming About California It don't matter at all Where you've played before California's a brand new game Tryin' to be a hero Winding up a zero Can scar a man forever Right down to your soul Living on the spotlight Can kill a man outright 'Cause everything that glitters is not gold And all the gold in California Is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills In somebody else's name So if you dreaming About California It don't matter at all Where you've played before California's a brand new game...." |
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Dan Gautreau & Tom Stubbs |
California Calls | Dan Gautreau is a songwriter-producer-mixer based in the United Kingdom. Tom Stubbs is a songwriter-composer based in Los Angeles who also works under the name Wolfgang Black. This lo-fi indie song is from the album "Lo-Fi Indie" released in 2013. "There's one more decision A secret to keep That you wait around to say I'll make the promises You make the plans Strangers together in new lands Unpack the car, I'll take the keys You're shaking the words right out of me Of all my decisions the best one's erased True words would say I spent all night in your arms Scared that I would fall I know I'll be by your side Till California calls One minute, one more to say I'm still forgotten in your masquerade I'll make the decisions while you take 5 We'll still be lovers in other lives Cause there's always you And there's always me I spent all night in your arms Scared that I would fall I know I'll be by your side Till California calls It's a cold night in your arms Scared that I would fall I know I'll be by your side Till California calls California calls...." |
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Marvin Gaye |
I Got to Get to California | Marvin Gaye was a singer-songwriter from Washington, D.C., active from 1957-1984. Gaye helped to create the Motown sound as a session player and a solo artist and his hit 1971 album "What's Going On" is consistently listed as one of the greatest albums of all time. This song is from his 9th studio album "M.P.G." released in 1969. "I got to get to California right away I got to get to California right away Just to see the evening sun setting in the west Breaks my heart, reminds me of the true love that I left In the sunset I can see my baby's face just haunting me Reminding me of the tenderness that heaven knows was in her kiss I had a love that was mine mine mine mine alone But I played the fool and Lord I left my happy home What a fool a man can be, but this loneliness inside of me says I got to get to California right away I got to get to California I wish I was there by my baby's side Lord I wish I had listened to my heart and not my pride She tried to tell me that I had no reason for jealousy, but I was blinded by my pride and I just couldn't see Now I've got to hurry, now I've got a reason to worry I've got to be on the move, true love I'm gonna lose I pray it's not too late, oh I might have to catch a freight I got to get to California right away I got to get to California right away I may have to hitchhike baby Might have to hop a freight Yea yeah now I've got to hurry Now I've got a reason to worry I've got to be on the move Or true love I'm gonna lose What a fool a man can be But this loneliness inside of me says I got to get to California right away I got to get to California Might have to hitchhike, baby Might have to hitch a ride Oh oh now now I got to get to California" |
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G-Eazy (featuring DaM FunK) |
California Culture | G-Eazy is Gerald Gillum, a rapper and producer from Oakland and Berkeley, active since 2006. Dam-Funk is Damon Riddick, a funk musician and producer from Pasadena, active since 1988. This song is from G-Eazy's mixtape "Big" released in 2010. "On some old-school G s**t, haha California culture, yeah I like to drink, I like to smoke I like to chill and get high In my California state of mind (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) I like to drink, I like to smoke I like to chill and get high In my California state of mind (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) It was just one of those days I was laid back chilling, and my homie hit me up around one He said, "Yo G, wake up, I gotta couple bad chicks And they all wanna chill and have fun." I said, 'Got weed?' He said, 'Got blunt?' I said, 'Off top, man, you already know And if you want a bottle, we can go to the sto' And if we run out we can go and get mo'.' They all came through Swisher Sweets all got packed And we burned five blunts down back-to-back Stayin' stoned to the bone, I couldn't be higher Playing Super Nintendo, street fighter Just chilling, super laid back, posture With 2001 on, knocking The Watcher Stay fly, stay high, like a vulture Bi**hes and blunts, California culture I like to drink, I like to smoke I like to chill and get high In my California state of mind (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) I like to drink, I like to smoke I like to chill and get high In my California state of mind (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) California boy, I was raised in Oakland Land of the grapes, everyday we smokin' Go and hit this, guaranteed you chokin' And we get hella high, start laughin' and jokin' That's how I was raised, first smoked in the eighth grade All my homies sold weed, they was self-paid Self-made, young entrepreneurs Selling dime bags to the herb connoisseurs Used to skip classes to burn my treats Come back next period reeking of weed And my teachers would know it was me So I got a five day suspension, like every other week Word, shout out to Berkeley High, with the granddaddy Purp, kept me Berkeley high, hah Super cool, man, I tried to warn ya You can tell by my style, I'm from California I like to drink, I like to smoke I like to chill and get high In my California state of mind (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) I like to drink, I like to smoke I like to chill and get high In my California state of mind (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind) (Cal-Cal-Cali state of mind)...." |
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G-Eazy (with Blueface, ALLBLACK, & YG) |
West Coast | G-Eazy and ALLBLACK are rappers from Oakland, Blueface and YG are rappers from L.A. and Compton. This is from 2019. There are lots and lots of words in this. (Maybe hip-hop should cap the word total like Twitter.) My favorite line in the song is - "I got more b**ches than PetCo." PetCo doesn't sell dogs, so maybe this means he's single.... "Six million ways to mob, choose one (Some-some-something about the West coast) It's something in the water (Something about the West coast) Ayy, ooh, ayy, ooh (it makes me wanna ride) [G-Eazy] You can't imagine the way that this cash feelin' (ooh) Don't know what’s harder, the first or the last million (which one?) My last album took care of my grand children (ayy) You try to win, cracked you head on the glass ceiling (ow) What it is, sick wit' it, it is The way this money look, I'll be signed to Sony for years Micro-dosing 'shrooms and I might just go pop a thizz They see that black 'Rari, they know that it's one of his Ooh, realest in the room (room) Could fill a pool with all the alcohol that I consume (ooh) I'm coming this summer, yeah, it's safe to assume (what?) I'm finna clean up using Golden State's broom West Coast, real town business (ayy, ooh) Puma check just got cleared, merry Christmas More sales, you catching more L's I drove here in a Scraper playin' this on four 12's [Chorus:] Something about the West coast It makes me wanna ride Shake it Westside Throw ya hands up, let's ride To the city of the scene Put it on the one, get ya body on the dance floor It's all love, yeah, and it's never bad, look Something about the West coast It makes me wanna ride Shake it Westside Throw ya hands up, let's ride To the city of the scene Put it on the one, get ya body on the dance floor [Blueface] Blueface, baby (uh) (Yeah) yeah aight (aight) It's the face of the West Coast Been mackin', and I got more b**ches than PetCo (been mackin') VVSs breakin' and bustin' like the Metro (bustin') West Side Yankees, Midtown business (town business) Yeah aight, schoolyard to the children (to the children) Used to be broke, Cash Money got me healin' (wet) You can't show me how to make a mil' 'til you make a mil' Welcome to the West Coast, this the best coast (West coast) You can find the best hoes and the best dro Doin' the dash in the Aston up and down Pico (ooh) Freak ho, my pants saggin' 'til the meat shows (ooh) Yeah aight, welcome to the meatshow (to the meatshow) Two dicks, big p**ser and the Glicko (uh) (Blueface, baby) (big p**ser and the Glicko) Yeah aight, I like my money in blue faces, baby I like f****n', all my b**ches call me F***er We can't f**k if you can't take the rug burn (Blueface, baby).... [Chorus] [ALLBLACK] Is it Lake Merritt on Sunday or a game at the Oracle? Is it them Too $hort type Gary Payton players from the Big O? Is it that timeless tycoon style like Shakur and Mac Dre? That's what they askin' when they hear ALLBLACK in they stereo Corner store white tee's and a fifth of that dog water to go Slappin' "Saturday Love," goin' dumb up out the window I got Dirty Harry, no L's, I ain't stopping for Five-O (No L) Chase some s**t through Oakland, San Jose, Vallejo, and Frisco Book your flight to this motherf***er and come feel the love Gangbangin', sideshow swingin', home of the Bloods and Cuz (ALLBLACK) I be with rich white boys you could've sworn was bums (That's me) Spread the gang, feed your people, and come f**k with a thug Can't nan n***a take the credit for the plays I run Lendin' my wicked, face tatted like Jacob Nugs Ain't hella tall, but I still bop on s**t like Spud That Black Panther, slash Doberman Pinsch' from the Dubs BLACK [Chorus] [YG] West, west, west, west, west, west (West) The bitty on my back, got a hunnid racks on my chest (Yes) You is now rockin' with the boolest n***a, instant flex (The boolest) My socks like a cholo, and my shoes got Nike checks (Nike checks) Z-z-z-z, pull the Sup' up to the 'jects Z-z-z-z, as I chug up this Hen Z-z-z-z, gotta keep this s**t west (Bounce, b**ch) They like, "Damn, how YG and Blueface connect?" (Bounce, bounce, bounce) 'Cause Bompton ain't playin' with you Inglewood ain't playin' with you (Bang) Long Beach ain't playin' with you (Nah) Them game ties stayin' with you (They stayin') This game don't stop, n***a, you can't blow no damn whistle (Uh-uh) This s**t forever, so I'll forever walk around with my pistol (4-Hunnid) I'm the type to pull up on your b**ch on her lunch break (On your b***h) I'm the type, she see I wanna f**k, I got a f**k face (On your b***h) I'm somewhere big boolin' on a Sunday (With your b**ch) Then it's white socks and hard bottoms and brazy girls on Monday Ooh, west Y'all n***as know what it is (4-Hunnid) Westside s**t, n***a Westside, n***a (Westside) Pac voice G-Eazy, what's happening, from the Bay to LA, n***a, yeah" |
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Geggy Tah |
L.A. Lujah | Geggy Tah is a postmodern band from Pomona, California, active from 1994 to 2001. This very strange song is from the band's first studio album "Grand Opening" released in 1994. The chorus is a parody of dissonant medieval monks chanting "Hallelujah" punctuated with car horns. There's even a sly reference to the Hollywood hills. "L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah Driving through a drive-thru Rolling down bulletproof glass Buy a swirly ice cream And the little bro radio blasts L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah Descend into LAX Can't wait to get the rental car And blast the radi radio And run into a movie star L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah Bless the holy Bless the wood Bless the hills Bless the hood Bless the sensitive people who feel And the ones honking their automobile horns A breathing fire woman (Three little pigs) Is down on her hands and knees In the middle of the freeway (Is she praying?) She's just looking for the lost car key L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah L.A. Lujah La la la La La La la la La La La la la La la la La la la La La" |
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Geggy Tah |
Whoever You Are | This is from the album "Sacred Cow" released in 1996. This is a song about driving on L.A. freeways (with a reference to their song "L.A. Lujah" discussed above) but these days anybody who lets you change lanes in any city is worth a thank-you song. "You let me change You let me change You let me change You let me change All I wanna do is to thank you Even though I don't know who you are You let me change lanes While I was driving in my car All I wanna do is to thank you Even though I don't know who you are You let me change lanes While I was driving in my car Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are All I wanna do is to exit So I go to where I can get off On a curve, through the shoulder There's no parking in that trough So I drive around all day Combing atmospheric haze Till I wanna get on again Then, all I have to say is All I wanna do is to thank you Even though I don't know who you are You let me change lanes While I was driving in my car All I wanna do is to thank you Even though I don't know who you are You let me change lanes Driving in my car Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are All I wanna do is to tune in Radio L.A. Lujah ( L.A. Lujah) 'Cause we're broadcasting live And we wanna hear all of ya On the mike is Geggy Tah But a whole lot more of all of ya Let us hear ya, let us hear ya In a big echoing holla All I wanna do is to thank you Even though I don't know who you are You let me change lanes While I was driving in my car Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are All I wanna do is to thank you Even though I don't know who you are You let me change lanes While I was driving in my car Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are I wanna thank you Whoever you are" |
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The J. Geils Band |
Californicatin' | The J. Geils Band was a rock band formed in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts under the leadership of guitarist J. Geils. This song is from the band's eleventh and final studio album "You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd" released in 1984, which does not feature the band's original lead vocalist Peter Wolf, who quit the band the previous year to work on solo projects. Maybe that's why the vocals are so hard to hear on this song, or maybe it's just bad production drowning them out. Or maybe I just need to clean out my ears and try again. The lyrics below are mostly just a guess, except where I had no clue, but it's close enough for rock 'n' roll. The Red Hot Chili Peppers get all the credit for using the word "Californicate" in their 1999 hit "Californication" but these guys did it fifteen years earlier. "[Spoken] Not only that the weather's great out there. Yeah? Well, well, well Turn back your [earmuffs] listen up to what I'm saying There's no more fun than to be California [king] There's nukes all around us, we're quick disintegratin' So I'll stay in my home and do some Californicatin' I'll join me a cult for some chantin' and elatin' 'Cause it's all just a part of Californicatin' People out of work, there's no money at the station I can't find me a job so I'll try Californicatin' There's all kinds of persons, and all kinds of hatin' So put on a little [mercy] and some Californicatin' A hundred in the valley got my ... jacuzzi Maserati to the shore when I'm feeling Malibuzie A hey hey hey A hey hey hey A hey hey hey hey Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop mbop mbop mbop (California) Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop mbop mbop mbop Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop mbop mbop mbop (California) Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop dit dit dit dit dit do Climb up the hills when I'm lookin' for a spot Just a few little stars out in Griffith Park World don't stop now boy Take a look what you are makin' Some Hollywood name I'm really Californicatin' Got the sun right about now freakin' my head Got a tan full of nothin' lyin' next to me in bed ... I know that you're appreciatin' Now you think I've gone too far but I'm just Californicatin' Think it's a joke? I know you're a fool 'Cause I'm Californicatin' and I laugh like a fool Turn back your ... [earmuffs] listen up to what I'm statin' 'Cause ... in this world that should be Californicatin' A hey hey hey A hey hey hey A hey hey hey A hey hey hey A hey hey hey California here I come Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop mbop mbop mbop (California) Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop mbop mbop mbop Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop mbop mbop mbop (California) Dit dit dit dit dit dit dit Zoom zoom zoom zoom Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma Bop (California) Zoom zoom zoom zoom Bop a doo bop zoo wow (California) Zoom zoom zoom zoom Bop a doo bop do wow (Holllywood) (California) Zoom zoom zoom zoom Bop a doo bop wow (Hollywood) (L.A. ooh L.A.) (California) Zoom zoom zoom zoom Bop a doo bop do wow (Hollywood) (L.A. ooh L.A.) (California) Zoom zoom zoom zoom Bop a doo bop do wow...." |
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Giant Red Rabbit |
Sacramento Queen | Giant Red Rabbit is a rock power trio from Sacramento. This is from their album "Garage Revival" released in 2022. "Let me tell you a bit about a girl in town I know She loves you with her smile while she melts you with her soul She's not like any other girl this Sacramento Queen When she walks into the room you hold your breath to the scene Now I'm quite sure how to say it right so I'll sing it just like this She turns me upside inside out When she slides in for a kiss I got one foot on the back beat And the other on the snare She's the best damn woman on the planet now And I'll shout it everywhere She's mine She's mine She's mine Ohhhh she's my Sacramento Queen Sacramento Queen She doesn't want no boy she says she only wants a man So, I stepped up my religion now and I'm doing the best I can She picks me up never puts me down she never looks down on me She puts a smile upon my face when she says I set her free I got one foot on the back beat And the other on the snare She's the best damn woman on the planet now And I'll shout it everywhere She's mine She's mine She's mine Ohhhh she's my Sacramento Queen Sacramento Queen Sacramento Queen Ohhhh she's my Sacramento Queen She's my Sacramento Queen She's my Sacramento Queen" |
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Gin Blossoms |
California Sun | Gin Blossoms is a rock band formed in Arizona in 1987. This song is from their album "Major Lodge Victory" released in 2006. "Just three days And I'm missing you more Than I thought I would I'm missing you more Than I'd like to say I'm hanging on a hope That's swinging from a rope That's all the same My biggest mistake Was letting you get away Oh baby California sun So bright and beautiful Yeah but that was yesterday How'd you slip away? California sun California sun Been about a week And I finally fall asleep As the sun comes in Through the broken blinds Lying all alone Sinking like a stone Wish you were here Can't sleep you off my mind Oh no, baby California sun So bright and beautiful Yeah but that was yesterday How'd you slip away? California sun I'm searching door to door Sunset down to the shore Where'd you disappear I wonder were you go I don't really want to know You can find me here California sun So bright and beautiful Yeah but that was yesterday How'd you slip away? California sun...." |
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Gipsy Kings |
Hotel California |
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Girlfriends |
California | Girlfriends is pop punk duo made up of Nick Gross, a musician from Laguna Beach, and Travis Mills, a musician and actor from Riverside. This is from their album "girlfriends" released in 2020. "California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me All my friends are doing drugs to Drown out their anxiety California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me All my friends are doing drugs to Drown out their anxiety I don't wanna make all the same mistakes And it's such a tragedy California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me All the lights seem to love you And where you go, they all move When the cameras are on you I'm in the corner, cloud in a bright room And I don't wanna throw you Be the angel of bad news But I'm watching you shining, meanwhile, I'm dying Damn, what did I do? And I wish that I hated you It would help with these regrets I was so scared of losing you So I lost myself instead Yeah, I'm running out of space God, I hate this place now California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me (A mess of me) All my friends are doing drugs to Drown out their anxiety (Anxiety) I don't wanna make all the same mistakes And it's such a tragedy California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me (A mess of me) Feeling uptight, feeling let down Got no place to go I'm worn out from the runaround All I had left was you And I don't wanna wait no more It's been getting harder to pretend I don't wanna chase you anymore 'Cause I can't waste my time again California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me All my friends are doing drugs to Drown out their anxiety I don't wanna make all the same mistakes And it's such a tragedy California looks good on ya But it made a mess of me (A mess of me) A mess of me" |
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Glass Animals |
Heat Waves | Glass Animals is an indie rock band from England, active since 2010. This song is from their third album "Dreamland" released in 2020. After 59 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the song finally peaked at #1 in March 2022. "Last night, all I think about is you Don't stop, baby, you can walk through Don't want, baby, think about you You know that I'm never gonna lose Road shimmer wigglin' the vision Heat, heat waves, I'm swimmin' in a mirror Road shimmer wigglin' the vision Heat, heat waves, I'm swimmin' in Sometimes, all I think about is you Late nights in the middle of June Heat waves been fakin' me out Can't make you happier now Sometimes, all I think about is you Late nights in the middle of June Heat waves been fakin' me out Can't make you happier now Usually I put somethin' on TV So we never think about you and me But today I see our reflections clearly In Hollywood, layin' on the screen You just need a better life than this You need somethin' I can never give Fake water all across the road It's gone now, the night has come, but Sometimes all I think about is you Late nights in the middle of June Heat waves been fakin' me out Can't make you happier now...." |
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Glasses Malone (featuring Nakina) |
Mr. California | Glasses Malone is a rapper from Watts and Compton, active since 2003. Nakina is a singer and songwriter from Los Angeles. This song was released in 2023. I can't find or figure out the lyrics for this sex rap but the chorus seems to go something like this: "(Mr. California) Was up? (Boy you should let me suck ya) And I will (I'm so glad you chose me baby) Me too (And I'm gon' make you happy)" |
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Glass Onion |
San Diego Sun | I can't find any information about this band except that it's a trio consisting of Terry Thompson, Bill Williams, and Jim Ryan. The song was put on YouTube in 2021 but it sounds like it might be older than that. The lyrics are they're hard to understand, but this is the chorus which is most of the song. "San Diego sun San Diego sun San Diego sun San Diego sun You take my breath away...." |
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Mindy Gledhill |
California | Mindy Gledhill is a Utah-based singer-songwriter from Eureka, California, active since 2004. This pop song is from her album "Anchor" released in 2010. "Have you been to California Seen the sights and people there Walked the streets of sleepy sea towns Tasted salty ocean air Once I flew to New York City Took my picture in Times Square Soho nights and Broadway lights Such a pity you weren’t there Pack your bags and lock your door I’ll take you places you’ve not been before All I’ve ever wished to do is Travel through this life with you Make your way to London, England Paris, France is also nice Ooh la la, when people say hello They kiss your cheeks three times Pack your bags and lock your door I’ll take you places you’ve not been before All I’ve ever wished to do is Travel through this life with you Monte Carlo is awaiting Bombay intoxicating The sky in Bora Bora is The color of your eyes Pack your bags and lock your door I’ll take you places you’ve not been before All I’ve ever wished to do is Travel through this life Pack your bags and lock your door I’ll take you places you’ve not been before All I’ve ever wished to do is Travel through this life with you" |
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Jason Glenn |
California Crazy | Jason Glenn is a country music singer-songwriter out of Nashville. This song is from his album "California Crazy" released in 2018. "She came from a small town just outside Costa Rica Looking for a place to call home in this golden state Didn't take long til she found it in Santa Monica With me palm trees and the waves Lucky for me she's here to stay She's California crazy California cool Long tan legs short sun dress laying by the pool She's Hollywood hot Rodeo fine Smooth as the Napa Valley sweet red wine She's California crazy that California crazy girl's all mine She's Hittin' the streets of L.A. in her MK shades Burnin' it up cruzin down Pacific Coast Highway Playing it cool til the moonlight heats things up In the sand with the stars up above Everyday we're falling in love She's California crazy California cool Long tan legs short sun dress laying by the pool She's Hollywood hot Rodeo fine Smooth as the Napa Valley sweet red wine She's California crazy that California Crazy girl's all mine California's where it's at when she unpacked She never went back and I thank God for that She's California crazy California cool Long tan legs short sun dress laying by the pool She's Hollywood hot Rodeo fine Smooth as the Napa Valley sweet red wine She's California crazy that California Crazy girl's all mine Yeah that California crazy girl's all mine" |
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Global Deejays |
The Sound of San Francisco | Global Deejays aka Global Playboyz or Ravers on Dope are an Austrian tech house DJ team. This dance track that samples Scott McKenzie's 1967 song "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair" was released in 2004. The single version is from their 2004 album "Network." There are several other mixes of the song, some of which are called "San Francisco Dreaming" "Global Deejays Paris London L.A. Chicago Tokyo Baghdad New York Hear the Global Deejays Moscow Memphis Capetown Dallas Amsterdam Boston Berlin San-Fran-cisco If you're going to San Francisco Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair If you're going to San Francisco You're gonna meet some gentle people there In the street If you come In the street If you come In the street If you come In the street If you come to San Francisco...." |
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Globelamp |
Washington Moon | Globelamp is a music project by American singer-songwriter Elizabeth Le Fey, who was formerly associated with the band Foxygen. The song is from her 2015 album release "Orange Glow." Her southern California roots and connections with Olympia, Washington are apparent in the chorus of this song. It's a desire that maybe only those of us who have lived in both California and Washington can understand. "Acid rain on sunny days Map the stars inside my brain A palm tree is a satellite What thoughts keep you up at night, my dear? Come near to me I want a California sun and a Washington moon In the same room, at the same time I can't be in two different places Although I've tried There was a rainbow in your room So I got up to dance with you If we kick off our muddy shoes Forget about our heavy blues I saw colors under the covers I want a California sun and a Washington moon In the same room, at the same time I can't be in two different places Although I've tried It rains for days and days I can't complain When I wanted it this way When I made it this way I want a California sun and a Washington moon In the same room, at the same time I can't be in two different places Although I've tried " |
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Chase Goehring |
California | Chase Goehring is a Tennessee-based singer-songwriter from Long Beach who got his start on TV's X-Factor in 2013. This song is from his EP "Jaded" relseased in 2016. "I wanna sit seaside with your hands in mine Wanna count the stars when the tide is high I wanna watch your face fall into mine I wanna feel the sand beneath my feet On an empty beach just you and me This time you're all mine I wanna live in California I wanna be with ya And I want you to be the reason for the ring on my ring finger I wanna live in California I wanna be with ya And I want you to be the reason for the ring on my ring finger California Gonna run my fingers through your hair Don't say a word babe, please just stare I would die to see your eyes Die to see your eyes Yeah you got me good in those short shorts Oh, I must admit you look real fine to me But there's more to you than this I wanna live in California I wanna be with ya (yeah) And I want you to be the reason for the ring on my ring finger I wanna live in California I wanna be with ya (yeah) And I want you to be the reason for the ring on my ring finger I wanna live in California Na na na na na, na na na na na, yeah yeah I wanna live in California I wanna be with ya And I want you to be the reason for the ring on my ring finger I wanna live in California, yeah I wanna be with ya, oh na na yeah I want you to be the reason for the ring on my ring finger California" |
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The Go-Go's |
Do The Malibu | This is not the all-female L.A. band, this Go-Gos was a surf music trio formed in the 1960s that was backed up on recordings by The Wrecking Crew. I assume they were from the L.A. area. This song about a dance called "The Malibu" is from "Swim with the Go-Go's" originally released in 1964. For a song that keeps bragging about a bongo beat there is a distinct lack of bongos on this song. Maybe they're mixed way in the back, but I can't hear any. "The tide was out The fire was glowin' Said to my girl Let's get goin' Do do the Malibu Do do the Malibu I played my bongos loud and clear And kids started coming From far and near to Do do the Malibu You know they Do do the Malibu When they heard my guitar beat They clapped their hands and shuffled their feet to Do do the Malibu Come on now Do do the Malibu They danced and the crowd grew bigger Me and my girl didn't figure That our dance would spread this way Now they do it cross the U.S.A, they Do do the Malibu You know they Do do the Malibu Everywhere there's a bongo beat That's where the kids direct their feet Do do the Malibu Do do the Malibu From California to the Florida Keys The Malibu beat makes them wiggle their knees Do do the Malibu You know they Do do the Malibu They danced and the crowd grew bigger Me and my girl didn't figure That our dance would spread this way Now they do it cross the U.S.A, they Do do the Malibu You know they Do do the Malibu From Jersey City to the Frisco Bay They come a runnin' when the bongos play, they Do do the Malibu You know they Do do the Malibu Come on now Do do the Malibu" |
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The Go-Go's |
La La Land | The Go-Go's are a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. This song is from "God Blss the Go-Go's" released in 2001. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "La-La Land" as: 1: a euphoric, dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life 2: used as a nickname for Los Angeles, California. Since the band is from L.A., I think this song is using both definitions - living in la-la land in la-la land. If not, at least I finally put a Go-Go's song on this list. Their great 1981 song "This Town" is clearly about L.A., but never mentions it. "C'mon everybody do you want something real? Can't seem to get ahead but it's no big deal Floating like a feather in a wide open space Landing in a perfect happy place Hello world we're here again Living life in la la land I hear what I wanna here living on cloud nine Jumping on a bed of flowers chasing the time "Oh it's a hard road" says everyone I meet We can't trust the ground beneath our feet Hello world we're here again Living life in la la land Hello world we're here again Living life in la la land Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Lalalalalala land, lalalala land Lalalalalala land, lalala laland Hello world we're here again Living life in la la land Hello world we're here again Living life in la la land" |
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The Go-Go's |
This Town | This song is from the band's debut album "Beauty and the Beat" released in 1981 and considered one of the seminal albums of the 1980s as well as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time, according to Rolling Stone. The song was written when the band was living in Hollywood and participating in the L.A. punk scene and there's absolutely no doubt that the town is L.A., even though it never mentions the city. "We all know the chosen toys Of catty girls and pretty boys Make up that face Jump in the race Life's a kick in this town Life's a kick in this town This town is our town (This town) It is so glamorous Bet you'd live here if you could And be one of us This town is our town (This town) It is so glamorous Bet you'd live here if you could And be one of us Change the lines that were said before We're all dreamers - we're all whores Discarded stars Like worn out cars Litter the streets of this town Litter the streets of this town This town is our town (This town) It is so glamorous Bet you'd live here if you could And be one of us This town is our town (This town) It is so glamorous Bet you'd live here if you could And be one of us This town is our town (This town) It is so glamorous Bet you'd live here if you could And be one of us This town, it's our town (This town) It is so glamorous I bet you'd live here if you could And be one of us This town This town This town This town" |
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Go-Jo |
Mrs. Hollywood | Go-Jo is a singer-songrwriter from Western Australia. This guitar pop single was released in 2023. "Missing in action Left me in L.A. With her, it's magic 'Til she runs away Hard as I try I've gotten really good At saying goodbye To Mrs. Hollywood She don't know what she does The movies aren’t enough 'Cause they don't make 'em 'bout us I'm just dancing with luck Or has she moved out of love? Maybe I'm being too much She’s always MIA Way out in California What can I say? She's got a talent for it Still wish she'd stay Guess I'll be waiting for her Standing in line For Mrs. Hollywood Finally felt like I was number one Two days together Now she's in Milan And I'm driving the highway Up to Malibu But her seat is empty And she stole the mood, yeah She don't know what she does The movies aren’t enough 'Cause they don't make 'em 'bout us I'm just dancing with luck Or has she moved out of love? Maybe I'm being too much She’s always MIA Way out in California What can I say? She's got a talent for it Still wish she'd stay Guess I'll be waiting for her Standing in line For Mrs. Hollywood She's always MIA MIA She's always MIA She's always MIA MIA She's always MIA She’s always MIA Way out in California What can I say? She's got a talent for it Still wish she'd stay Guess I'll be waiting for her Standing in line For Mrs. Hollywood" |
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Goldfinger |
California On My Mind | Goldfinger is a punk rock ska band from Los Angeles, active since 1994. This ska punk song with a trombone solo is from the album "Never Look Back" released in 2020. "Woke up, it's a beautiful day again One love, it's drifting through the air It's 10 AM and I'm feeling just fine Roll up to the liquor store on Diamond Street Skate down the pavement through the palm trees (woo) And I'm feeling just fine Nothing to do Nowhere to go And that's alright, yeah yeah Summer nights come and go I left my heart in Mexico Back to the beach in San Diego Where the sun shines, oh Endless days, drinking wine California on my mind There's a place between the mountains and the ocean That's where I belong That's where I belong That's where I belong With California on my mind Oh, that's where I belong The sun sets low across the bay And no dark clouds got in the way It's just you and me, we got all night To count the stars up high I want to feel the sand between my toes Imagine how far the water goes Those moments I can never hold Nothing to do Nowhere to go And that's alright, yeah yeah Summer nights come and go I left my heart in Mexico Back to the beach in San Diego Where the sun shines, oh Endless days, drinking wine California on my mind There's a place between the mountains and the ocean That's where I belong That's where I belong That's where I belong With California on my mind Oh, that's where I belong" |
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Goldfinger |
The City With Two Faces | Goldfinger is a punk band from Los Angeles, active since 1994, so the singer has earned the right to curse his city. We love hate songs, but that doesn't mean we hate love songs. This angry punk rock hate song is from the band's first album "Goldfinger" released in 1996. It's great that the singer is keeping track for us of how many time he sings the F-word, but I think his count is wrong - he says we heard it 7 times with 4 more to go, but then he says it 5 more times. It makes me wonder how many songs Nirvana really has about heroin.... "F**k L.A. I tried once to be civil But I just got put on hold I'm sick of hearing complaints The espresso is too cold You act like you're a friend But then you talk 'bout how we suck Just save it for your dildo That's the only thing you'll f**k If I was smart, I'd run fast (out of this town) Sometimes I want to shout and scream F**k L.A. Traded your Doc Martens In exchange for cowboy boots You're asking who's Keith Morris Yeah, you're punk rock Where's your roots You're a rocker, you're a biker You're punk rock, now you skate Last year it was Zeppelin Now it's Bad Brains You're a fake If I was smart, I'd run fast (out of this town) Sometimes I want to shout and scream F**k L.A. I f**king know what I'm talking about, f**kers Now don't get me wrong You're probably thinking We're just some trendy punk-rock band jumping on the bandwagon Like, how many times have you heard me say 'f**k' anyway? Seven to be exact, and we still have four more to go Now I know L.A.'s got some beautiful people It's also got some great bands NOFX, Bad Religion Hell, I owe my life to this city But I have had more motorcycles stolen here Than Nirvana has songs about heroin You can't really surf unless you want to get hepatitis Wait a second! If I was smart, I'd run fast (out of this town) Sometimes I want to shout and scream F**k If I was smart, I'd run fast (out of this town) Sometimes I want to shout and scream F**k L.A. F**k L.A. F**k L.A. F**k it! |
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Gomez |
California | Gomez is an English indie rock band formed in 1997. This song is from their 1999 album "Liquid Skin." "California got her right You will have to wait Calling from the Golden Gate Sentimental sparrows Keeping me awake Funny how the morning's late Funny how the morning's late Come around with your heavenly smile Come around and drag me out again After a while we can sit and watch them all rush by Come around and drag me out again Come around and drag me out again Always wanted to leave Always felt that I'd get stopped But I could never see myself In anybody else's arms In anybody else's arms…." |
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Good Charlotte (featuring M. Shadows & Synyster Gates) |
The River | Good Charlotte is an alternative rock band formed in Maryland in 1996. M. Shadows is Matthew Charles Sanders, a heavy metal singer from Fountain Valley, CA. Synyster Gates is Brian Elwin Haner Jr., a heavy metal guitarist from Long Beach, CA. This song is from Good Charlotte's fourth studio album "Good Morning Revival" released in 2007. "As I walk through the valley Of the shadow of L.A. The footsteps that were next to me Have gone their separate ways I've seen enough now to know that beautiful things Don't always stay that way I've done enough now to know this beautiful place Isn't everything they say I heard that evil comes disguised Like the City of Angels I'm walking towards the light Baptized in the river I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered In the city was a sinner I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own Now I'm trying to find my way back home Baptized in the river I'm delivered, I'm delivered You're from a small town You're gonna grow up fast underneath these lights Down in Hollywood on the boulevard The dead come back to life To the praying mother and the worried father Let your children go If they come back they'll come home stronger And if they don't you'll know They say that evil comes disguised Like the City of Angels I'm walking towards the light Baptized in the river I've seen a vision of my life and I wanna be delivered In the city was a sinner I've done a lot of things wrong but I swear I'm a believer Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own Now I'm trying to find my way back home Baptized in the river I'm delivered, I'm delivered Baptized in the river (On my own!) Baptized in the river (On my own!) I wanna be delivered...." |
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The Good Graces |
Cold in California | The Good Graces is a band fronted by Kim Ware, a singer-songwriter from North Carolina based in Atlanta, Georgia. This Southern indie folk song is from the album "Close to the Sun" released in 2014. "It's so cold in California I didn't even bring a coat And I guess I should probably warn ya That there's a reason we're going broke 'Cause I bought shoes and I bought bags And I bought everything But all the money in the world Won't bring you back to me Thought I saw you in the hallway But it was only in my mind See it's all part of the healing And it will go away in due time But I've been spending all my days Wondering what might have been But all the prayers sent up to God Won't bring back my best friend I threw away your favorite things The dogs are acting strange But still it's so hard to believe That everything has changed I've rearranged the furniture I even sold my bed But I'll have to buy a brand new house To get you out of my head Well it gets cold in California I probably should go buy a coat" |
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Steve Goodman |
Santa Ana Winds | Steve Goodman was a folk and country music singer-songwriter from Chicago, best known for writing "City of New Orleans." This song is from his album "Santa Ana Winds" released in 1984. The Santa Ana winds are strong, hot, dry winds that come down from the high deserts towards the valleys and coastal plains, exaggerated by the mountain passes. They often blow during autumn when they're infamous for fanning the flames of wildfires. They're also called "devil winds" and they can make it feel like you're in Hell. I like that instead of complaing about the winds, he wants them to blow him away so he can forget about his ex. "All day long I just sit around the house And watch the world go by, my oh my Since I lost her, nothing moves me Though I try, I don't know why L.A. weather hot and hazy Maybe that's what's got me crazy I wish those dusty Santa Ana winds Could come and carry me Out to sea Just like hot flashes, Santa Anas Come and rescue me From her memory I want to let my feelings go I want to feel that jetstream blow When the sun goes down crawl out of bed Say I'll be all right, tonight's my night Walk past that picture, see her face And I change my mind, happens every time I don't know why I can't get started I was fine til she departed I wish those dusty Santa Ana winds Could come and carry me Out to sea Just like hot flashes, Santa Anas Come and rescue me From her memory I want to let my feelings go Let me feel that jetstream blow I want to let my feelings go Want to feel that jetstream blow" |
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Go Radio |
That California Song | Go Radio is a rock band from Florida, active since 2007. This emotional rock song about writing a California song was released in 2008. "She said 'Sing me a lullaby so sweet That the lights would stay away from me Because my eyes see things they shouldn’t see Help me' So I started to tremble out a verse But my words weren’t lining up with her I meant the way that she hurt was even worse Than without me Then I got high And I lost faith in a melody Written for a girl when I had nothing left to hide And then I cried Because I’m missing you and missing Florida It’s a long way back from California And as the sun fell dark behind the sea I felt her eyes steal another look at me She said 'I’m looking for things I’ll never see' Release me And how’d this summer air just get so cold? And how’d this quiet girl just get so bold? And how can she be something I can’t hold? Tell me Then I got high And I lost faith in a melody Written for a girl when I had nothing left to hide And then I cried Cause I’m missing you and missing Florida It’s a long way back from California California Cuz I’m missing you, and missing Florida, It’s a long way back from California A long way back from California" |
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Lesley Gore |
California Nights | When she wasn't singing about crying at her own party, or pre-feminist anthems like "You Don't Own Me", Lesley Gore sang this 1967 pop song about how much she likes nights in California. "Along the sand, Let's walk the shore together, now, just hand in hand. It's gonna be fair weather, now, When the stars come out, stop to count them in the sky. Love California nights, When I'm walkin' with you hand in hand by the shore, Yes, I love California nights, At the beach where we'd swim with the tide rolling in. And there will be beneath the midnight sky above Just you and me, and we will whisper words of love While the fire light softly flickers in the sand. Warm California nights, With the breeze blowin' in - time for love to begin. I would miss California nights if I went on my way, Thinkin' now that I'll stay." |
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Gorillaz |
California and The Slipping of the Sun | Gorillaz are a virtual band from England, active since 1998, that appears as animated characters. This is from "The Fall" released in 2010. This song starts with a message delivered over an airport PA system, which then fades underneath some sung lyrics about California. Maybe the singer is taking a plane to L.A. "...California Oh ocean, now I come again before you Rode along with you In the slipping of the sun Sun on dreamers Repeat the faithful once again Like water off the mountains and It's the slipping of the sun Money is pouring Three days to go This autumn begins to focus North claims the imperial [Incomprehensible] totem Fantastic Trees, lakes Mountains Fantastic" |
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Gorillaz (featuring Snoop Dogg & Jamie Principle) |
Hollywood | Gorillaz are a virtual band from England, active since 1998, that appears as animated characters. Snoop Dogg is a rapper-actor-tv personality from Long Beach, working since 1992. Jamie Principle is a house music producer from Chicago. This is from the album "The Now Now" released in 2018. "Where the beautiful people at? I said where the beautiful people at? Beautiful people clap your hands Freaky people clap your hands Geeky people clap your hands Everybody clap your hands Hollywood is alright Hollywood is fragrant Jealousy is gunfire It makes you kill the vibe (She's a wonderful thing) Jealousy and dark times Sinking on the web There's more to love than that Jealousy is vibe down Jealousy is vibe down I'ma go walk All the way to the hills But you never know what's real So you have to be prepared You have to be ready You have to be ready 'Cause she can be a b***h And it's a wonderful thing Hollywood She's so seductive She's got me looking for that dream I bow down She knows how to do it Exactly the way I like it Hollywood is alright Hollywood is fragrant Jealousy is gunfire It makes you kill the vibe (She's a wonderful thing) Jealousy and dark times Sinking on the web There's more to love than that Jealousy is vibe down Jealousy is vibe down Man I came through with that big fat chain on my neck Little did they know, no sweat So I dimmed out, rimmed out and cracked the glass Twenty-five pounds, can you match that bag? 'Cause if you not, raise up I got a deal to make And couple bad b***hes I've been making a break Wake it and bake I put the cake on the plate Jealousy and me? Oh, we're making the day I'mma vibe with this, Hollywood, n***a I'mma survive this s**t I do that, did that, blow your f***in' wig back Forreal-a, gorilla, who loves goin' bareback They wanna eye me down, tie me down, lock me up But I'm a lion in the dog pound Now, how that sound? Hollywood is alright Hollywood is fragrant Jealousy is gunfire It makes you kill the vibe (She's a wonderful thing) Jealousy and dark times Sinking on the web There's more to love than that Jealousy is vibe down Jealousy is vibe down You're just what I need And it's a wonderful thing In this city of dreams And it's a wonderful thing You know how to ride me (And it's a wonderful thing) You know how to excite me (And it's a wonderful thing) She's a wonderful thing She's a wonderful thing" |
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Jassi Gosal & Jagan Randhawa |
Anthem | This is a Punjabi rap song that was was released in 2023. It might be the only song I've heard that mentions Yuba City, but that's not surprising since Punjabis make up over ten percent of the population there. The city hosts a Sikh festival in November that attracts more than a hundred thousand Sikhs. What does that have to do with the song. Probably not much since it's mostly about cars and girls and macho posturing. This is someone's translation of the Punjabi lyrics: "All the car shows in the evening Hey, at the car shows in the evening Hey, at the car shows in the evening Hey, at the car shows in the evening tires raise smoke, girl Boys keep raising hell in the streets, girl Hey, at the car shows in the evening tires raise smoke, girl Boys keep raising hell in the streets, girl Pannu keeps his vision at the peak Look Sandhu keeps popping donuts sitting on the wheel Real is the life that is seen in the reels, girl We steal hearts of ladies, girl Randhawa keeps the plane at take-off girl And silly Cheema always stays in the feels, girl Some are innocent, some are brothers from MAJHA Some are from DOABA, beautiful while some are born in MALWA Blood relations with Hundal and Bagri, girl Mistaken as moon, girl Not lacking wealth in the family, girl, they don't back down from a bet At dusk, Sandhar racing is a vibe check, girl Karan makes Mustang roar to the max, girl And Bagri in Shelby looks dashing, girl Sukha shows a gang sign from a Hellcat, girl And from Sandhu's Scat a 'Majhaili' can be seen They remain free of worries when in friends, girl Fans of extreme black but your color is tan, girl Goraya challenges the iron head on Picks weights of 100-100 Kgs not less Always finished whatever we started, girl Whoever tried to be a hero, we have made a peacock out of that person, girl When we are fully swagged out, girl, God knows It feels like we have conquered the world The holster keeps jumping, stuff keeps happening in the midnight When everything's shut down, an open trunk makes a Pub They Yuba... Yuba Then City... City Then Jatts keep roaming in whole Yuba City at midnight, girl Gathering friends and making a vibe, girl Then making calls to the lovers of the ladies, girl Neither do they let people sleep nor do they sleep themselves, girl They live in California, pea-hen tattoos on the thighs Your gait is not enough to melt our hearts If you are not sure yet, baby, even I am not bored Can't open for everybody it's a heart, not a coor Chap with me, imports a tool (gun) from Italy You can't bag me with that butterfly tattoo on your waist It's your misconception Goes straight to the foreheads that leaves the magazine Those bulls don't bow down who have won our friendship Those who don't go with our flow, girl With the use of oil, we make an engine out of them with full conviction, girl Your Jimmys, Johnnys are no math for us, girl Enmity with us is not child's play, girl This steel body is a life of ladies Stud is visible from far away when he puts his feet on the ground In the game, he is named Bhalwan, girl Whoever he rains at, pulls out their life away He scares with thigh-slapping, grappler/tackler Jatt, like a bull Says come on to the field, whoever wants to see him, girl Whoever he lays hand at, leaves a mark behind Come girl, see the game, don't get astonished We owe it to them in friendship, hence our life is with our friends JG with JR, girl, always fully ready on the move They do not know you so stop waving at them, girl Half of the queue with us is about to flee, girl An for that, I have got my car, girl" |
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Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone |
City of Stars | Ryan Gosling is an actor and musician originally from Canada, active since 1993, and Emma Stone is an Academy-Award-winning actress originally from Arizona, active since 2004. This song is from the 2016 movie "La La Land" which features Gosling as a struggling jazz pianist and Stone as an aspiring actress who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles. The city is never mentioned in the song, but Los Angeles is obviously the "City of Stars" in this love song, sung by Gosling solo on an ocean pier, then later as a duet by Gosling and Stone during a montage. The song, with music by Justin Hurwitz, lyrics by Bem J Pasek & Justin Paul, won several awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best original song. "City of stars Are you shining just for me? City of stars There's so much that I can't see Who knows? I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you That now, our dreams They've finally come true City of stars Just one thing everybody wants There in the bars And through the smokescreen of the crowded restaurants It's love Yes, all we're looking for is love from someone else A rush, a glance A touch, a dance A look in somebody's eyes To light up the skies To open the world and send it reeling A voice that says, 'I'll be here' And 'you'll be alright' I don't care if I know Just where I will go 'Cause all that I need is this crazy feeling A rat-tat-tat on my heart Think I want it to stay City of stars Are you shining just for me? City of stars You never shined so brightly" |
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The Gotobeds |
Cold Gold (L.A.'s Alright) | The Gotobeds are a post-punk band from Pittsburgh. This song is from their 2016 album "Blood // Sugar // Secs // Traffic." It reminds me a little bit of Pavement and other indie rock bands from 20 years ago. I suppose there's nostalgia for that now, too. There's a brief snarky reference to L.A. as a place where people don't move on, they just move. (I don't see a problem with that if you can afford the rent.) There's also an interesting reference to a Blue-tongued Skink in the third line that baffles me. "Dateline, she's got my gold in her mouth Cold gold, I don't know where to look! Suffering like a skink, whose tongue is black not blue Turn around, I'll see the real face of you I don't try to lead where it won't go I don't know where the f*ck it goes I don't try to lead where it won't go I don't know where the f*ck it goes Ba ba bada dada Ba dada dada bada I don't know where it goes Ba ba bada dada Ba dada dada bada I just don't know where it goes Update! We're separate strands of this cloth Cold gold, it leaves a taste in my mouth I'm from America, where we don't move on just move You ever seen L.A.? they're non-living proof ... ... ... ... I don't try to lead where it won't go I don't know where the f**k it goes I don't try to lead where it won't go I don't know I just never cared to look" |
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Brian Grace (featuring Naomi Star) |
Larkin (Vocal Version) | Brian Grace is a progressive jazz/rock musician from Maryland who has lived in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and currently lives in Long Beach. Naomi Star was a singer and actress who passed away in Los Angeles County in 2015. This song is from the album "The Streets of San Francisco" released in 2015. "The lights and the night can bring to you Bright and alive Streets that we drive Or walk as we talk The fog rolls in Cooling the mind Time will unwind for you A thrill as we stroll down Russian Hill Walking for miles Counting the smiles Afar we hear a cable car Rolling down from high Traveling glorified Another foggy day In the City By the Bay Restless souls Show signs and dreams of love Shining through More heart than bark Flying through the Deja vu Sensing our life sublime Renewed Time it can erase The smile upon you face But when you think of all the dreams and memories made Happiness won't fade The lights and the night will bring to you Larkin's knowing deep embrace And grace" |
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Brian Grace |
The Streets of San Francisco (Album) | Brian Grace is a progressive jazz/rock musician from Maryland who has lived in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and currently lives in Long Beach. Most of the songs on his album "The Streets of San Francisco" released in 2015 are instrumentals but I had to include them all on this list since they are named after, what else? streets in San Francisco: Van Ness Lombard Divisadero Larkin Mission Geary Ashbury Presidio Union Larkin (Vocal Version featuring Naomi Star) The City (A Coda) |
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Gram Rabbit |
California Christmas | Gram Rabbit is a rock band based in Joshua Tree, CA, active since 2003. This song is a single released in 2008. I like how it gets preachy after the usual warm weather cliches, and that it ends with eating my favorite sushi. "We’re gonna have a California Christmas We’re gonna ring some jingle bells tonight We’ll chop down our Christmas tree Even though it’s eighty-three degrees outside, that’s California style People everywhere still wearing sandals Shorts and skirts and sunglasses alike We went to the beach today And the streets were filled with an array of Christmas decor avant-garde Sharing is part of caring Giving is part of living What have you done this year to help out a friend my dear Open your heart to kindness Evil lives in the blindness Time to realize what life is for Sharing is part of caring Giving is part of living What have you done this year to help out a friend my dear Open your heart to kindness Evil lives in the blindness Time to realize what life is for We have no snow to slip on or go sledding There’s no Jack Frost nipping at your nose Miracle on Thirty-fourth or Sunset Boulevard We’ll shop and eat some California rolls Miracle on Thirty-fourth or Sunset Boulevard We’ll shop and eat some California rolls" |
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Steve Grand |
Back to California | Steve Grand is a singer, songwriter and model from Chicago. This song was released in 2014. (If his friend really has yellow eyes, that's jaundice. She needs to see a doctor.) "Do you remember California? twenty-oh-six You told me we could change this world I had no doubt about it I was always kind of awkward You never seemed to mind Just two kids in high school What could we know about life? You were my tiny dancer Golden hair and yellow eyes I was your disaster Always brushing you aside, I didn't see it right then But in the years we said goodbye I found I'll never know a better friend Than this one I left behind...ohhhh So you're getting married I hope he’s nothing like our daddies When we were young And love was something so f**ked-up It’s sure had its toll on me So it’s back to California in my mind Petty arguments on bus rides in muted sunlight We belong to California, young and free and wild Where our dreams grew big as your yellow eyes As they looked into mine Do you remember summer nights out in the parking lot? Checkin out those seniors, man those drum-line boys looked hot And we danced under the street lamps, high off that summer heat 'Just two more years! Just two more years!' and we'd be outta here...ohhhh Now we're getting older The world's grown dark and colder You're in law school I'm a bar back in the neighborhood So it’s back to California in my mind Petty arguments on bus rides in muted sunlight We belong to California, young and free and wild Where our dreams grew big as your yellow eyes As they looked into mine...." |
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Ariana Grande |
Snow In California | Ariana Grande is a pop superstar with an amazing four octave vocal range. This is from her Christmas Kisses EP that was released in 2013. I hate to be the one to break it to her, but I'm pretty sure that Santa is not the person who makes it rain. (Guys in strip clubs usually do that...or so I've heard....) Nevertheless, since this was released in the middle of a record-setting drought, I want to applaud her for using her talent to plead for some precipitation in the state, even if it's just to stop her guy from leaving. (The 1st Marine Divison Band also does a neo-soul version of the song. "Dear Santa, It's me Ariana I know it's been awhile but I really need Your help this year Let me make this clear See I really love him And it's been kinda tough cause He's only in town for the holidays Tomorrow he's flying away Away from me I don't need another gift I just have one wish This year can you Just make it snow in California I'll even settle for rain Don't want him to go tomorrow morning Give me something to make him stay Wrapped in his arms by the fireplace Will be the perfect gift Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow in Califor-ni-a Dear Santa, what happened to the plan we had? I checked the news and it said it'd be a sunny day Make it go away See I, I really need him to stay for a couple more days Can't you make his five o'clock flight delay? Won't you find a way? I don't need another gift, I just have one wish, oh yeah This year can you Just make it snow in California? I'll even settle for rain Don't want him to go tomorrow morning Give me something to make him stay Wrapped in his arms by the fireplace will be the perfect gift Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow in Califor-ni-a I know I'm asking for the impossible, but I believe in miracles I need my baby right here with me, so please, please Just make it snow in California? I'll even settle for rain Don't want him to go tomorrow morning Give me something to make him stay Wrapped in his arms by the fireplace will be the perfect gift Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow in Califor-ni-a...." |
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Eddy Grant |
California Style | Eddy Grant is a Guyanese-British singer-songwriter active since 1965 when he founded The Equals, whose 1965 UK #1 hit "Baby, Come Back" still sounds great today. His music blends many genres, including reggae, rock, synth pop, funk, disco, soul, and calypso. This song is from his album "Can't Get Enough" released in 1981, two years before his biggest hit "Electric Avenue." There's also a 9 minute extended version. "Do it California style (California style) Oh and then you will stay mine (California style) Love me like they do on Sunset and Vine (California style) Love me like they do on Sunset and Vine (California style) Do it California style (California style) Oh, and then you will stay mine (California style) Love me like they do on Sunset and Vine (California style) Love me like they do on Sunset and Vine (California style) Read it in the papers (Ha) And in the magazines (Ha) I seen it in the pictures (Ha) Ever since I was nine (Ha) Now I don't want to waste no time (California style) Now I don't want to waste no time (California style) I want my love to be perfect Just like the picture show Oh ho ho, oh ho ho, oh ho ho, ho Do it California style (California style) Oh and then you will stay mine (California style) Want you to love me like they do on Sunset and Vine (California style) Love me like they do on Sunset and Vine (California style) Got my education Looking at the roaring lLion (Ha) And my grades in kissing (Ha) Left them all behind (Ha) Now that I know that you'll be mine (California style) Now that I know that you'll be mine (California style) I want my love to be perfect Just like the picture show...." |
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Rob Grant & Lana Del Rey |
Hollywood Bowl | Rob Grant is a musician and a website domain developer based in Lake Placid, New York, and he is the father of Elizabeth Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey. This song from his debut album "Lost at Sea" released in June, 2023. Lana Del Rey co-wrote the song with him and sings the vocals. The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills that opened in 1922 and was named as one of the ten best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone magazine in 2018. "I know I'm not Joni Mitchell But I've got a dad who plays like Billy Joel I know I can't see the whole picture But I like to dream about my days of gold I've got a swimming pool, I like to float on the surface And think about all of my memories of home Oh, those days of old Twice I sang at the Hollywood Bowl And my dad plays just like Billy Joel And I'm young when I'm old and I'm old when I'm young when I'm old At the whims of my heart and my soul I don't think of myself as special But I like to live my life colorful and bold I've got a swimming pool, I like to float on the surface And think of the stories I've already told Oh I've got a feeling, I've got a memory Why wait for Heaven when I can have Heaven right here like I'm told? Oh, just like I'm told Twice I sang at the Hollywood Bowl And my dad plays just like Billy Joel And I'm young when I'm old and I'm old when I'm young when I'm old And I'll follow wherever you go Da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da I've got a swimming pool Da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da, da I like to float away..." |
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Grateful Dead |
Estimated Prophet | The Grateful Dead is a rock band formed in Palo Alto in 1965, becoming the most successful and longest lasting band of the San Francisco Acid Rock era. This is from the band's 1977 album "Terrapin Station." "My time coming, any day, don't worry about me, no Been so long I felt this way, I'm in no hurry, no Rainbows and down that highway where ocean breezes blow My time coming, voices saying they tell me where to go. Don't worry about me, nah nah nah, don't worry about me, no and I'm in no hurry, nah nah nah, I know where to go. California, preaching on the burning shore California, I'll be knocking on the golden door Like an angel, standing in a shaft of light Rising up to paradise, I know I'm gonna shine. My time coming, any day, don't worry about me, no It's gonna be just like they say, them voices tell me so Seems so long I felt this way and time sure passin' slow Still I know I lead the way, they tell me where I go. Don't worry about me, no no no, don't worry about me, no And I'm in no hurry, no no no, I know where to go. California, a prophet on the burning shore California, I'll be knocking on the golden door Like an angel, standing in a shaft of light Rising up to paradise, I know I'm gonna shine....." |
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Grateful Dead |
Friend of the Devil | This is from the Dead's album "American Beauty" released in 1970. There's a single mention of the California city of Chino. That's not a great reason for me to put the song on this list, but I do it for two reasons: my brother used to have a wife in Chino so I've been there a lot; and this is my favorite Grateful Dead song - the studio version - not one of the probably thousands of live versions that Deadheads collect. Obviously, I'm not a Deadhead. (BTW, I don't know if Cherokee is the town in California or North Carolina or maybe somewhere else.) "I lit out from Reno, I was trailed by twenty hounds Didn't get to sleep last night 'till the morning came around. Set out runnin' but I take my time A friend of the devil is a friend of mine If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight. Ran into the devil, babe, he loaned me twenty bills I spent the night in Utah in a cave up in the hills. Set out runnin' but I take my time, a friend of the devil is a friend of mine, If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight. I ran down to the levee but the devil caught me there He took my twenty dollar bill and vanished in the air. Set out runnin' but I take my time A friend of the devil is a friend of mine If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight. Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night, The first one's named Sweet Anne Marie, and she's my hearts delight. The second one is prison, babe, the sheriff's on my trail, And if he catches up with me, I'll spend my life in jail. Got a wife in Chino, babe, and one in Cherokee The first one says she's got my child, but it don't look like me. Set out runnin' but I take my time, A friend of the devil is a friend of mine, If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight." |
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Grateful Dead |
Standing on the Moon | This song is from the Dead's final studio album "Built to Last" released in 1989. "Standing on the moon I got no cobweb on my shoe Standing on the moon I'm feeling so alone and blue I see the Gulf of Mexico As tiny as a tear The coast of California Must be somewhere over here - over here Standing on the moon I see the battle rage below Standing on the moon I see the soldiers come and go There's a metal flag beside me Someone planted long ago Old Glory standing stiffly Crimson, white and indigo - indigo I see all of Southeast Asia I can see El Salvador I hear the cries of children And the other songs of war It's like a mighty melody That rings down from the sky Standing here upon the moon I watch it all roll by - all roll by Standing on the moon With nothing else to do A lovely view of heaven But I'd rather be with you Standing on the moon I see a shadow on the sun Standing on the moon The stars go fading one by one I hear a cry of victory And another of defeat a scrap of age-old lullaby Down some forgotten street Standing on the moon Where talk is cheap and vision true Standing on the moon But I would rather be with you Somewhere in San Francisco On a back porch in July Just looking up to heaven At this crescent in the sky Standing on the moon With nothing left to do A lovely view of heaven But I'd rather be with you - be with you" |
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Grateful Dead |
West L.A. Fadeaway | This is from the Dead's twelfth studio album "In The Dark" released in 1987. The basic tracks were recorded on the stage of an empty, dark theater in San Rafael, hence the title. Therre's also a good cover of the song released in 2010 by Los Lobos. "Looking for a chateau Twenty one rooms but one will do Looking for a chateau Twenty one rooms but one will do I don't want to buy it I just want to rent it for an hour or two Met an old mistake Walking down the street today Met an old mistake Walking down the street today I didn't want to be mean about it But I, I didn't have one good word to say West L.A. fade-away West L.A. fade-away Little red light on the highway Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey I had a steady job Hauling items for the mob I had a steady job Hauling items for the mob You know the pay was pathetic It's a shame those boys couldn't be more copacetic I met a west L.A. girl Already know what I need to know I met a west L.A. girl Already know what I need to know Name, address and phone number, Lord And just how far to go West L.A. fade-away West L.A. fade-away Little red light on the highway Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey Looking for a chateau Twenty one rooms but one will do Looking for a chateau Twenty one rooms but one will do I don't want to rent it I just what to use it for a minute or two West L.A. fade-away West L.A. fade-away Little red light on the highway Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey Little red light on the highway Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey Little red light on the highway Big green light on the speedway, hey, hey, hey" |
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Gravity x Outfly |
California Blaze |
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Harold Grayson and His Trojans with vocal refrain by Bob Barker |
I Love You California | This is the state song of California, the one they play at funerals for politicians. That's appropriate because it sounds like something you'd hear at a circus played by a marching band. It was published way back in 1913, written by an L.A. clothier and an orchestra conductor named Francis Beatty Silverwood. In thos days few of the things that symbolize the state now were even around. There was no Golden Gate Bridge, no Disneyland, no traffic-jammed freeways, no smog, no drive-thru fast food franchises and strip malls, no Silicon Valley tech companies, no surfing. Girls on the beach were clothed head to toe, Napa Valley wine was hardly known, Yosemite was hard to get to, and the new movie industry in Hollywood had not yet made much of a name for itself. No wonder California sounds like a paradise in the song. I like this scratchy old version from 1930 that I've linked to, but there are plenty of other versions online to listen to if you can't wait for the next governor's funeral. These are the lyrics that Bob Barker sings, and below them is another version of the lyrics. "I love you California You're the greatest state of all I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall I love your fertile valleys Your dear mountains I adore I love your grand old ocean And I love her rugged shore When the snow crowned golden Sierras Keep their watch o'er the valley's bloom It is there I would be in our land by the sea Every breeze bearing rich perfume It is here nature gives of her rarest It is home sweet home to me And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh For my sunny California" Alternate lyrics "I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all. I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall. I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore. I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore. When the snow crowned Golden Sierras Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom, It is there I would be in our land by the sea, Every breeze bearing rich perfume. It is here nature gives of her rarest. It is Home Sweet Home to me, And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh For my sunny California. I love your red-wood forests – love your fields of yellow grain. I love your summer breezes and I love your winter rain. I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine. I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine. I love your old gray Missions – love your vineyards stretching far. I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar. I love your purple sun-sets, love your skies of azure blue. I love you, California; I just can't help loving you. I love you, Catalina, you are very dear to me. I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite. I love you, Land of Sunshine, half your beauties are untold. I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old." |
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A Great Big World |
Hey California! | A Great Big World is Ian Axel and Chad King, a musical duo from New York, active since 2011. This upbeat pop song is from their EP "Lights" released in 2021. "Where is my mind? Don't wanna get out of bed Stuck in the grind Don't wanna work 'til I'm dead Wish I had time To get away for the weekend I feel so stuck There isn't room here to breathe My neighbors suck I miss the grass and the trees Need to unwind Before I fall off the deep end I want it, I need it Can't wait another day I throw my toothpaste in my suitcase Uber straight to JFK I say hey, California I wanna lay out in your sunshine I said hey, California I wanna make you mine Pretty girls Running 'round in the sand Pretty boys Blond and hairless and tan I wanna be young and free Making out in the ocean I want it, I need it Oh, God, I love L.A. I see you vegans in your yoga pants Good morning, namaste I say hey, California I wanna soak up all your good vibes I say hey, California You make me feel alive Oh-oh I say hey, California I wanna lay out in your sunshine Hey, hey I say hey, California I wanna make you mine I want it, I need it Can't wait another day Let's go cruising up the 1-0-1 To San Francisco bay Hang out with hippies and techies Drink some fancy Cabernet Take a selfie on the Golden Gate And scream "I love CA!" Hey, California I say hey, California Hey, California I wanna soak up all your good vibes (California), oh-oh I say hey, California You make me feel alive (Hey, California) I say hey, California I wanna lay out in your sunshine (California), hey, hey I say hey, California I wanna make you mine (Hey, California), oh Hey, California I say hey, California, oh I say hey, California I said hey, California" |
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Great White |
Livin' In The U.S.A. | Great White is a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. This song is from their seventh studio album "Sail Away" released in 1994. "Well I used to work the graveyard Used to have to paint the stones Now I clean the farmyard Have to lick it clean alone I got a wife and kid Sharin' an Econoline We keep the sucker hid Underneath the Hollywood Sign You know I do all right Oh yea and it's ok I'd like to kill the light I'd love to sleep all day Livin' in a dream Livin' in the U.S.A. Livin' in a dream Livin' in the U.S.A. Then I used to have a penthouse Used to have a wife like you Now I keep the door locked Her attorney's tryin' to break in too Everyone's aboard It's quite the social set They leave me Polaroids Of everyone I never met You know they do all right It's the All-American way They like to stay all night The love to drink all day Livin' in a dream Livin' in the U.S.A. Livin' in a dream Livin' in the U.S.A....." |
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Deven Green and Ned Douglas |
California Christmas | Deven Green is a comedian who produces comedy parody videos. She's from Canada. Ned Douglas is a musician and audio engineer in Los Angeles. This video is described on the YouTube page as "a melancholy musical journey shot during the fires in Palm Springs." It was released in 2020. If the video is a parody of something, I don't know what it is. I do like the fact that they shot it in the desert, instead of the usual coastal SoCal locations by the beach, etc., and that it's not just another song that complains about the fact that it's warm with no snow in SoCal at Christmas. "California Christmas It's just the best time of the year I may be down and broke But I've still got hope for a new next year California Christmas Nothing ever stays the same It's quiet and bright It's a lonely time to be alone again tonight California Christmas Time to pack and go home It's been fun but I got lost and drunk I'm going where I belong Come on home We've been waiting for you Come on home We've been waiting for you California Christmas I'm not ready to leave There's always fate, tomorrow's luck I think I'll stay one more year" |
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Jackie Green |
Freeport Boulevard | This is a honky-tonk blues song about drinking by a singer-songwriter from Sacramento. It's from Greene's 2002 album "Gone Wanderin'" which won an award for best blues/roots album in 2003. Freeport Boulevard is a long road in south Sacramento. Someone from that city suggested I put this song on my list, and when I looked up the name, it made me remember that, speaking of drinking, waaaay back in the day we used to drive (an old Toyota, not a Cadillac) up Freeport to go to a Tiki bar called the Zombie Hut, which was built in 1945. When it was new, it was way out in the boondocks with nothing else around it. They had a picture on the wall that showed just how isolated it was when it was built. That was long before it was gradually swallowed up by the inevitable suburban sprawl and closed down, living only in memories and on phony vintage t-shirts sold to Tiki culture hipsters. "All my good friends live down Freeport Boulevard Yes all my good friends live down Freeport Boulevard They get into trouble, no matter where they are Sometimes we drink whiskey, sometimes we drink wine Sometimes we drink whiskey, sometimes we drink wine As long as we're drinking, we'll be feeling just fine They won't send you no flowers, they won't send you no greeting cards Oh no flowers or no greeting cards But they'll send your ass down walking, down the boulevard Get on back to your porch swing, get on back to your car Get on back to that porch swing, get on back to your car If it ain't a Cadillac, it don't belong down the boulevard" |
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Norman Greenbaum |
California Earthquake | Norman Greenbaum is a rock singer/songwriter from Massachusetts, best known for his 1969 hit song "Spirit in the Sky." He moved to L.A. in 1965. I'm sure he was inspired to write this song by the 1971 San Fernando earthquake which hit at 6 in the morning, like the quake in the song. It knocked my ass out of bed too. This single was released later that year. "Well you're out in California digging the sun Writing home to everyone Six in the morning and here it comes It come and hit ya Don't let that California earthquake scare you away Don't let that California earthquake scare you away The ceiling came down and knock you out of bed You try to stand up but have rubber for legs Earthquakes just ain't good for your head Especially when they hit ya Don't let that California earthquake scare you away California earthquake, don't let it scare you away My advice to you is to keep your feet off the ground As long as you're flying you won't tumble down California's still the best place around Don't let that California earthquake scare you away California earthquake‚ don't let it scare you away California earthquake‚ don't let it scare you away" |
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Norman Greenbaum |
Petaluma | This song is from the album "Petaluma" released in 1972. Petaluma, as you can guess from the lyrics, is known for its dairy industry and its annual "Butter and Egg Days" parade. "Got chickens in the houses We got chickens in the trees Chicken in the pots of all the Petalumees Oh, I'm out in Petaluma Spendin' my days Oh, I'm out in Petaluma Spending' my days Tell me how many eggs will a chicken lay Oh Marvin got me started Gave me my first hen And now I got four and twenty And twenty four more again Oh, I'm out in Petaluma Spendin' my days Oh, I'm out in Petaluma Spendin' my days Tell me how many eggs will a chicken lay It's chicken in the morning It's chicken in the night If it weren't for chicken Petaluma Never woulda reached its height I'm out in Petaluma Spendin' my days Oh, I'm out in Petaluma Spendin' my days Tell me how many eggs will a chicken lay" |
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Green Day |
The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink | Green Day is a best-selling Grammy-winning rock group formed in northern California's East Bay. They're named after a slang term for smoking marijuana all day. The Green Day Authority web site has a good page with pictures of locations mentioned in Green Day songs, including this one and the songs below. This quickie is from the compilation album "Short Music for Short People: 101 Bands Singing 30 Second Songs" released in 1999. A DJ at my college radio station in Berkeley liked to play continuous sets of the shortest songs he could find, which was like an athletic performance. He would have loved this song and the entire album. "Said that I'd meet you At the Berkeley Marina 3 AM when no one will be found All I got in mind Is a Boone's Farm jug of wine Smash a bottle in the parking lot But considering our luck We'll get busted by the cops Instead of sex we'll go to jail Another lesson learned and failed" |
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Green Day |
Christie Road | Green Day is a best-selling Grammy-winning rock group formed in northern California's East Bay. They're named after a slang term for smoking marijuana all day. This song is from the album "Kerplunk" released in 1991. Christie Road is a narrow little-used dead-end country road next to some train tracks several miles east of Pinole Valley High School, where the original band members met. According to the Green Day Wicki: "Christie Road" is a place for the narrator to escape from his bothersome life. A place where he can chill around without worries and get high. The song's lyrics refer to a real location, Christie Road, in Martinez, California, where Mike and Billie would get high at and relax." The Green Day Authority web site has a good page that describes and shows pictures of locations from Green Day songs, including this one and the songs below. "Staring out of my window Watching the cars go rolling by My friends are gone, I've got nothing to do So I sit here patiently Watching the clock tick so slowly Gotta get away or my brains will explode Give me something to do to kill some time Take me to that place that I call home Take away the strains of being lonely Take me to the tracks at Christie Road See the hills from afar Standing on my beat up car The sun went down and the night fills the sky Now I feel like me once again As the train comes a-rollin' in Smoked my boredom gone, slapped my brains up so high Give me something to do to kill some time Take me to that place that I call home Take away the strains of being lonely Take me to the tracks at Christie Road Mother, stay out of my way Of that place we go We'll always seem to find our way To Christie Road Mother, stay out of my way Of that place we go We'll always seem to find our way To Christie Road If there's one thing that I need That makes me feel complete So I go to Christie Road It's home, it's home It's home, it's home, it's home" |
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Green Day |
II. City of the Damned | This is a long song consisting of several parts: I. Jesus of Suburbia / II. City of the Damned / III. I Don't Care / IV. Dearly Beloved / V. Tales of Another Broken Home. Part II: City of the Damned mentions a 7-Eleven store in the town of Pinole where the band members used to meet on their way to and from Pinole Valley High School when they were teenagers. Like most small towns, Pinole is proud of their famous offspring (even though they actually lived in the nearby community of Rodeo). The store has "Green Day Was Here" painted on the wall along with a plaque with the lyrics to the song. A local TV station celebrated Green Day returning to the 7-Eleven to get the key to the city of Pinole and to promote their Punk Bunny Coffee sold at 7-Eleven stores. A coffee collaboration with a convenience store franchise - that's hard core punk....  [Part II: City of the Damned] "At the center of the Earth in the parking lot Of the 7-Eleven where I was taught The motto was just a lie It says "home is where your heart is," but what a shame 'Cause everyone's heart doesn't beat the same It's beating out of time City of the dead (Hey, hey) At the end of another lost highway (Hey, hey) Signs misleading to nowhere City of the damned (Hey, hey) Lost children with dirty faces today (Hey, hey) No one really seems to care I read the graffiti in the bathroom stall Like the holy scriptures of the shopping mall And so it seemed to confess It didn't say much, but it only confirmed That the center of the Earth is the end of the world And I could really care less City of the dead (Hey, hey) At the end of another lost highway (Hey, hey) Signs misleading to nowhere City of the damned (Hey, hey) Lost children with dirty faces today (Hey, hey) No one really seems to care (Hey)" |
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Green Day |
Misery | This drug song covers a lot of miles, from Florida to San Francisco, Amsterdam, New York City and Las Vegas. It's from the album "Warning" released in 2000. The Haight refers to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco, aka the city by the bay. "Virginia was a lot-lizard from F-L-A She had a compound fracture in the trunk It started when she ran away Thumbs out on the interstate She hitched a ride to misery Mr. Whirly had a catastrophic incident He fell into the city by the bay He liquidated his estate Now he sleeps upon the Haight Panhandling misery And he's gonna get high, high, high When he's low, low, low The fire burns from better days And she screams, 'Why, oh, why?' I said, 'I don't know' The catastrophic hymns from yesterday Of misery Well, Vinnie was a hustler out of Amsterdam He ran the drug cartel in Tinseltown They found him in a Cadillac Bludgeoned with a baseball bat In the name of misery Then Gina hit the roads to New York City Mysteriously the night Vinnie croaked She stopped in Vegas to elope With Virginia and the dope And kissed the bride eternally And they're gonna get high, high, high When they're low, low, low The fire burns from better days And she screamed, 'Why, oh, why?' I said, 'I don't know' The catastrophic hymns from yesterday Of misery Well, hellhounds on your trail now once again, boy It's gropin' on your leg until it sleeps The emptiness will fill your soul with sorrow Because it's not what you make, it's what you leave Ah! And we're gonna get high, high, high When we're low, low, low The fire burns for better days And she screams, 'Why, oh, why?' I said, 'I don't know' The catastrophic hymns from yesterday Of misery" |
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Green Day |
Stuart and the Ave. | This is from the album "Insomniac" released in 1995. The Stuart of the title is the name of a street, not a person. According to the Green Day Wicki: "The title of the song refers to the corner of Stuart Street and Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California" ... "The song is about how someone feels about someone else after they've broken up or had a falling out." Stuart and Telegraph really is a "corner of insignificance." It's a nondescript corner that I must have walked past hundreds of times when I lived in the neighborhood and never thought much about, so it's a good location for the singer's breakup song. "Standing on the corner of Stuart and the Avenue Ripping up my transfer And a photograph of you You're a blur of my dead past and rotting existence As I stand laughing on the corner of insignificance Well, destiny is dead In the hands of bad luck Before it might have made some sense But now it's all fu**ed up Seasons change as well as minds And I'm a two-faced clown You're mommy's little nightmare Driving daddy's car around I'm beat-down and half-braindead The long-lost King of Fools I may be dumb But I'm not stupid enough to stay with you Well, destiny is dead In the hands of bad luck Before it might have made some sense But now it's all fu**ed up But now it's all fu**ed up Well, destiny is dead In the hands of bad luck Before it might have made some sense But now it's all fu**ed up We're all fu**ked up You're all fu**ked up" |
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Green Day |
Westbound Sign | This is from the album "Insomniac" released in 1995. According to the Green Day Wicki: "Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this song about his wife who moved from Minneapolis to California to be with him." "Boxed up All of her favorite things Sold the rest at a rainy yard sale Big plans and leaving friends and A westbound sign Weighed out Her choices on a scale Prevailing nothing made sense Just transportation and a Blank decision She's taking off Taking off Taking off Taking off No time and no copping out She's burning daylight and petrol Blacked out the rearview mirror Heading westward on Strung out On confusion road And 10 minute nervous breakdowns Xanex, a beer for thought And she determined She's taking off Taking off Taking off Taking off Is it salvation? Or an escape from discontent? Will she find her name In the California cement? Punched out of the grind That punched her one too many times Is tragedy 2,000 miles away? She's taking off" |
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Adam Gregory |
She's So California | Here's a country singer who likes to objectify "California" girls, and country girls who look like they could be from California. At least he's not a hater. Of course, he's Canadian, and they're always nice and polite, unless they're the customs people at the border who are some of the worst people I've ever dealt with. This song's from 2006, two years before Gary Allan's country song with the same title, and the same appreciation for bleached blondes. "Bleached blonde hair and no tan lines at least that's what I dream at night. Star dust eyes that shine Pacific blue. From her toes to her halo she's been blessed with a body you would have to buy out west. She walks and talks a different attitude. Her smile is so much brighter than this stupid place. You can almost hear Hollywood calling her name. She's so California. She should have a star on Hollywood blvd. drive around in a Lamborghini sports car. Summer sun clear yeah she's sexy. She's so Sunset Strip teases me. Here right there on the front porch swing I swear I hear the Beach Boys sing. Peach street sign just like Rodeo Drive. Tight tank top and low rise jeans. Now I know what earthquake means. She really makes this small town come alive. When she walks into church in her summer dress Oh even the preacher has to confess. She's so California." |
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Grimes |
California | Grimes is Claire Boucher, a Canadian musician/artist active since 2007, named after the style of music known as Grime in the UK. Her own style is an eclectic mix. This song is from her 2015 release titled "Art Angels." It just might have the longest "California" sung in any song, as she stretches it into 10 or 11 syllables. "This, this music makes me cry It sounds just like my soul, oh Oh I'm not ready to win Oh lord cause I don't wanna know what they say Cause I get carried away Commodifying all the pain The things they see in me, I cannot see myself When you get bored of me, I'll be back on the shelf And when the ocean rises up above the ground Baby I'll drown in... California You only like me when you think I'm looking sad California I didn't think you'd end up treating me so bad Oh, I, I, I Come Monday, it's a dream Oh, I, I, I Broken my own heart again Chasing something beautiful Oh, but I don't understand what they say Cause I get carried away Commodifying all the pain The things they see in me, I cannot see myself When you get bored of me, I'll be back on the shelf And when the ocean rises up above the ground Baby I'll drown in... California You only like me when you think I'm looking sad California I didn't think you'd end up treating me so bad...." |
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Gryffin & Blanke (with Eyelar) |
Colors | Gryffin is Dan Griffith, a musician and a dance DJ and producer from San Francisco, active since 2014. Blanke is an Australian producer and DJ, active since 2015. Eyelar is a singer from The Netherlands. The 405 is one of the California freeways most mentioned in songs. This electronic dance track was released in 2022. "You and I On the 405 Driving in the night We’re closer to the blue horizon Did I die? 'Cause you’re Heaven-like I'm in all the light Your heart can radiate And when I close my eyes I see your purple skies Between your lips and mine We slow down time You make me see Who I am When I discover, your colors And we could be Free again We see each other colors, colors I see your colors I see your colors I see your colors Cellophane sunsets Summer rain Blood red Color me You make me feel your inspiration Never let someone See the best for so long Now I'm home in your arms You make me see Who I am When I discover, your colors And we could be Free again We see each other colors, colors I see your colors I see your colors And we could be free again Free again We see each other colors, colors I see your colors I see your colors You make me see Who I am When I discover, your colors And we could be Free again We see each other colors, colors I see your colors" |
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Guardian On They Keys |
California Dreams! | This is a cheezy AI pop song, full of California song clichés. The songwriter says in the YouTube comments "As a passionate songwriter, I craft unique tunes with Suno to bring my lyrics to life." Suno is a music creation web site that claims you can "Make a song about anything." Apparently that means adding music and a computerized vocalist. I'm not sure if it also writes lyrics, but it probably does. This is a good example of how easy it is to make a song now, with or without talent. If this is the future of music, this might be a good time to bury your ears in music from the past. "Golden rays, sunshine state, where the dreams ignite From the Hollywood hills to the San Francisco nights Surfing on the waves where the ocean meets the sky, In California, where the stars are born to fly From the Dodgers’ diamond plays To the Lakers' golden days Feel that Cali rhythm, let it take you away Oh, California, land of endless dreams Where the silver screen and the palm trees gleam From Sacramento’s bustling streets To the Malibu beach retreats In California, the world's our stage Turning every page in a golden age A-list actors, singers, making history Marilyn to Steve Jobs, rewriting destiny On Route 66, we’re chasing sunsets and the breeze In California, where the magic never flees Giants in the Bay Kings on ice in L.A. Feel the heartbeat of the west, come what may Oh, California, land of endless dreams Where the silver screen and the palm trees gleam From Sacramento’s bustling streets To the Malibu beach retreats In California, the world's our stage Turning every page in a golden age Giants in the Bay Kings on ice in L.A. Feel the heartbeat of the west, come what may Oh, California, land of endless dreams Where the silver screen and the palm trees gleam From Sacramento’s bustling streets To the Malibu beach retreats In California, the world's our stage Turning every page in a golden age Oh, California, where the colors never fade In this paradise we’ve made, let the sunshine serenade" This verse is shown in the lyrics listed by the songwriter, but it's not in the song as it was recorded: "From the Gold Rush tales of old To the tech that's breaking mold In California, every story's told Where the Redwoods reach the sky And the eagles learn to fly In California, our spirits never die " |
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Paolo Guarini (featuring Weldon) |
Caiifornia Gold | Paulo Guarini is an Italian musician. This is an electronic dance track that was released in 2017. "I've been thinking 'bout the way you made me feel Last night on the dance floor when you reached for my hand you gave me chills Picture perfect wanna put it in a frame I was gettin' lost in your eyes no turnin' back no time to waste The ground was spinnin' or maybe it was only us Everything looks different when you're struck by love There were probably a thousand people in the room But I couldn't really notice 'cause my eyes were locked on you Oh oh oh you stole the show Oh oh oh and I think you know What you were doin' to me It was like a movie So fast but it felt slow I swear there was a spotlight Shinin' on you all night You were California gold You were California gold I'm still thinking 'bout the way you made me feel Last night on the dance floor it's still hard to believe that it was real Picture perfect can't even explain Still lost in your eyes no turnin' back 'cause it's too late The ground was spinnin' or maybe it was only us Everything looks different when you're struck by love There were probably a thousand people in the room But I couldn't really notice 'cause my eyes were locked on you Oh oh oh you stole the show Oh oh oh and I think you know What you were doin' to me It was like a movie So fast but it felt slow I swear there was a spotlight Shinin' on you all night You were California gold You were California gold You were California gold" |
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Nicholas Gunn (featuring Chris Howard) |
California | Nicholas Gunn is a Royal Academy of Music-trained songwriter and producer from England, based in Los Angeles, active since 1992, known for his electronic dance music. Chris Howard is a composer and singer from Liverpool, UK. This dance track with a chll vibe was released in 2021. The YouTube comments say it's "...perfect for watching the sun set from a Malibu Beach." There's also an extended mix. "Driving west into the setting sun for once The past eight years I've left you for another chance When looking back those times were good but deep inside Was a feeling that I'm missing California 'Cause I'm in love In love with you I'm so in love My California Winding through the pass into the desert lands It gave me time to think and time to feel the past Now looking out across the palms and deep blue sea Is my future and I'm home in California 'Cause I'm in love In love with you My California In love with you 'Cause I'm in love My California" |
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Guns N' Roses |
One in a Million | Guns 'N Roses is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame multi-million-record-selling hard rock band formed in L.A. in 1985. This song is from their second album "GN'R Lies" released in 1988. Axl Rose wrote it about his experience of getting hustled in the Greyhound bus station when he first arrived in L.A. The song caused a lot of controversy because of the homophobic, racist, anti-immigrant, and anti-police sentiments of the narrator. "One, two, one, two, three, four Yes I needed some time to get away I needed some peace of mind Some peace of mind that'll stay So I thumbed it, now it's six in L.A. Maybe a Greyhound could be my way Police and n****rs, that's right Get outta my way Don't need to buy none of your Gold chains today Now don't need no bracelets Clamped in front of my back Just need my ticket 'till then Won't you cut me some slack You're one in a million Yeah that's what you are You're one in a million babe You're a shooting star Maybe some day we'll see you Before you make us cry You know we tried to reach you But you were much to high Much too high Much too high Much too high Immigrants and fa**ots They make no sense to me They come to our country And think they'll do as they please Like start some mini-Iran Or spread some f**king disease And they talk so many God damn ways It's all Greek to me Well some say I'm lazy And others say that's just me Some say I'm crazy I guess I'll always be But it's been such a long time Since I knew right from wrong It's all the means to and end I'm I keep it moving along Hey, hey, hey, yeah You're one in a million You're a shooting star You're one in a million babe You know that you are Maybe some day we'll see you Before you make us cry You know we tried to reach you But you were much to high Much too high Much too high Much too high Radicals and racists Don't point your finger at me I'm a small town white boy Just tryin' to make ends meet Don't need your religion Don't watch that much TV Just makin' my livin' baby Well that's enough for me You're one in a million Yeah that's what you are You're one in a million babe You're a shooting star...." |
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Margo Guryan |
California Shake | Margo Guryan was a singer-songwriter from New York City whose work was first recorded in 1958 and whose songs were recorded by several well-known pop singers. She's known mainly for her 1968 album "Take A Picture". This song comes from a 2001 release "25 Demos." Her YouTube page shows the copyright date as 1975. An official video for the song was released in 2014 which you might still be able to see here. It's an unusual California earthquake song because it includes the rumbling sounds of an earthquake and because it turns an earthquake into a dance craze. What I remember hearing most during a big earthquake is all the alarms going off. I never saw anybody dancing. "Melon-rising California sun Drifting in a day not yet begun Six o'clock and peaceful and serene Floating in a Technicolor scene Something nearly peaceful in the sound Rising from the San Andreas ground Overground, it starts to feel strange Underground, it starts to rearrange You'd better get up And run for a doorway No time for thinking Your life is at stake Everyone's doing the California Shake California Shake Non believing, everybody waits Shifting on the continental plates Thunder far below the ocean floor Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war Wondering if you're going to survive God, it feels like eight point four or five Fifteen seconds holding your breath Living through a microscopic death You'd better hold on The worst isn't over No time for thinking Your life is at stake Everyone's doing the California Shake California Shake" |
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Arlo Guthrie |
Comin' into Los Angeles | Arlo Guthrie is a folk singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. This folk rock classic is from the album "Running Down the Road" released in 1969. Arlo's esteemed father Woody Guthrie sang folk songs about dust bowl refugees migrating to California to find work while Arlo Guthrie sang about smuggling drugs into Los Angeles. To be fair, Arlo also sang songs about social injustice, but they weren't as popular as this one. "Coming in from London, from over the pole Flyin' in a big airliner Chicken flyin' everywhere 'round the plane Could we ever feel much finer? Comin' into Los Angeles Bringin' in a couple of keys Don't touch my bags if you please, mister customs man Yeah, there's a guy with a ticket to Mexico No, he couldn't look much stranger Walkin' in the hall with his things and all Smilin', said he was the Lone Ranger Comin' into Los Angeles Bringin' in a couple of keys Don't touch my bags if you please, mister customs man Hip woman walkin' on the movin' floor Trippin' on the escalator There's a man in the line and she's blowin' his mind Thinkin' that he's already made her Comin' into Los Angeles Bringin' in a couple of keys Don't touch my bags if you please, mister customs man Comin' in from London, from over the pole Flyin' in a big airliner Chicken flyin' everywhere 'round the plane Could we ever feel much finer? Comin' into Los Angeles Bringin' in a couple of keys Don't touch my bags if you please, mister customs man Yeah, alright " |
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Arlo Guthrie |
Deportees | After a 1948 plane crash in Los Gatos creek near Coalinga, California killed 32 people, mostly Mexican farm laborers, the initial press coverage did not mention the names of the passengers, calling them only "deportees." Woody Guthrie wrote a poem about it to protest the disrespect to the Hispanic victims. A decade later Martin Hoffman wrote music to the words and called it "Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) and it was popularized by Pete Seeger. The song was also recorded by many other musicians, including this version by Arlo Guthrie on his album "Arlo Guthrie" released in 1974. "The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting The oranges are piled in their cresote dumps They're flying you back to the Mexico border To pay all your money to wade back again My father's own father, he wanted that river They took all the money he made in his life My brothers and sisters come working the fruit trees And they rode the truck till they took down and died Good-bye to my Juan, good-bye Rosalita Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maria You won't have a name when you ride the big airplane And all they will call you will be deportees. Some of us are illegal, and others not wanted Our work contract's out and we have to move on Six hundred miles to that Mexican border They chase us like outlaws, like rustlers and theives. We died in your hills, and we died on your deserts We died in your valleys and died on your plains We died in your trees and we died in your bushes Both sides of the river, we died just the same. Good-bye to my Juan, good-bye Rosalita Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maria You won't have a name when you ride the big airplane And all they will call you will be deportees. A sky plane caught fire over Los Gatos canyon Like a fireball of lightning, it shook all our hills Who are all these friends, all scattered like dry leaves? The radio says they are just deportees. Is this the best way we can grow our big orchards? Is this the best way we can grow our good fruit? To fall like dry leaves and to rot on your topsoil And be called by no name except deportees? Good-bye to my Juan, good-bye Rosalita Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maria You won't have a name when you ride the big airplane And all they will call you will be deportees." |
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Woody Guthrie |
Do Re Mi | Woody Guthrie was a great American singer-songwriter and folk musician from Oklahoma. "This machine kills fascists" was written on Guthrie's guitar, which he used to sing many songs about injustice and hard times. He wrote a number of songs about the great 1930's dust bowl and its refugees, including this one, where he warns that the Promised Land has a steep cover charge. (Even steeper today.) He cautions migrants to stay where they are because there isn't enough work and too many refugees. I'm not sure when it was written, but it was included on his 1940 album "Dust Bowl Ballads" so it's at least that old. It has been covered by Ry Cooder, Nanci Griffith, Ani DiFranco, Dave Alvin, Bob Dylan, and many others. "Lots of folks back East, they say, is leavin' home every day Beatin' the hot old dusty way to the California line 'Cross the desert sands they roll, gettin' out of that old dust bowl They think they're goin' to a sugar bowl but here's what they find Now the police at the port of entry say "You're number fourteen thousand for today" Oh, if you ain't got the do re mi folks you ain't got the do re mi Why you better go back to beautiful Texas Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see But believe it or not you won't find it so hot If you ain't got the do re mi You want to buy you a home or a farm that can't deal nobody harm Or take your vacation by the mountains or sea Don't swap your old cow for a car, you better stay right where you are You better take this little tip from me 'Cause I look through the want ads every day But the headlines on the papers always say If you ain't got the do re mi boys you ain't got the do re mi Why, you better go back to beautiful Texas Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see But believe it or not you won't find it so hot If you ain't got the do re mi" |
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Woody Guthrie |
The New Year's Flood | Woody Guthrie announces this song as "The New Year's Flood" but there are versions with different lyrics on the internet titled "Los Angeles New Years Flood." Maybe Guthrie wrote more than one version, but I can't find one with him singing the alternate lyrics. The song is about a real incident that happened in Los Angeles County just after midnight on New Years Day 1934 when a massive rainfall of more than 7 inches in a day trigged a massive flood with rock and mudslides twenty feet high racing down from the western San Gabriel Mountains, destroying more than 300 houses and killing at least 40 people and probably many more itinerant workers who were never reported as missing. The flood prompted flood-control projects in the area to avoid a repeat of the catastrophe. "Kind friend, do you remember? That fatal New Year's night The lights of old Los Angeles Were a flick'ring, oh, so bright A cloud burst hit the mountains And swept away our homes; And a hundred souls were taken In that fatal New Years flood 'Twas in the early springtime of 1934 The waters filled the canyon Through the city poured Our little tot was sleeping And the town was bright and gay We could not see the sorrow Of that dawning New Year's Day The little towns of Montrose, Glendale and Burbank too From Flintridge to Tujunga Along that mountain blue They all were struck light lightning Down that mountain rolled The wild Los Angeles River In that fatal New Years flood The news that rocked the nation As of that story told A million hearts was grieving For the dear ones that they loved This world will long remember The dear ones that we loved That crossed that golden river In that fatal new years flood" |
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Woody Guthrie |
Old L.A. | The lyrics to this song were written by Woody Guthrie, but apparently he never wrote music to them, similar to the songs on the great Mermaid Avenue album made by Billy Brag and Wilco. The music was written by Anders Parker and the song was recorded and released on the album "New Multitudes," a Woody Guthrie tribute album released in 2012. "I’ve been beatin’ my way around In and out of a thousand towns; But, old L.A. looks good to me. L.A. sweetheart sweeter than honey; Works all day and gives me the money That’s why L.A. looks good to me. Old L.A., it’s a pretty fair place to be Old L.A., it’s a pretty fair place to be Looks good to me, looks good to me When I kiss you and you kiss me, Makes me glad we both agree That’s why L.A. looks good to me It’s hey, hey, hey and ho, ho, hooo; Our kids just like this town will grow; That’s why L.A. looks good to me" |
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Woody Guthrie |
Pastures of Plenty | Here's another folk song from the great Woody Guthrie about migrants working in orchards around the west, written in 1941. It has been covered by many singers, including Odetta in 1960. "It's a mighty hard row that my poor hands have hoed My poor feet have traveled a hot dusty road Out of your Dust Bowl and Westward we rolled And your deserts were hot and your mountains were cold I worked in your orchards of peaches and prunes I slept on the ground in the light of the moon On the edge of the city you'll see us and then We come with the dust and we go with the wind California, Arizona, I harvest your crops Well its North up to Oregon to gather your hops Dig the beets from your ground, cut the grapes from your vine To set on your table your light sparkling wine Green pastures of plenty from dry desert ground From the Grand Coulee Dam where the waters run down Every state in the Union us migrants have been We'll work in this fight and we'll fight till we win It's always we rambled, that river and I All along your green valley, I will work till I die My land I'll defend with my life if it be Cause my pastures of plenty must always be free" |
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Woody Guthrie |
This Land is Your Land | This is his Guthrie's best-known song, written in 1940 and recorded in 1944. It was revived and recorded by many folk singers in the 1960s, including Bob Dylan, The Kingston Trio, Trini Lopez, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Seekers and Pete Seeger. "This land is your land This land is my land From California to the New York island; From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and Me. As I was walking that ribbon of highway, I saw above me that endless skyway: I saw below me that golden valley: This land was made for you and me. I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts; And all around me a voice was sounding: This land was made for you and me. When the sun came shining, and I was strolling, And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling, As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting: This land was made for you and me...." |
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H |
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Deitrick Haddon |
One Night in California | Deitrick Haddon is a gospel singer-songwriter from Detroit, Michigan, active since 1995. He and his wife are the founders and senior pastors of Hill City Church in Los Angeles. This gospe - R&B song is from his 12th solo album also titled "One Night in California" released in 2024. People may say that Jesus is not in Hollywood, but don't tell that to the website Jesus in Hollywood. The line "Then on Rodeo I ran into you" is my interpretation, but maybe I'm wrong. I mean, does God shop for luxury bling in Beverly Hills? "Never forget the day talking to my sweetie She said 'Dietrick I am pregnant, we're having a baby.' You should have seen the smile on my face Then all of a sudden my joy went away See, the divorce wasn't final And I knew it was going viral And I went against the Bible I needed a revival I started running, I didn't know what to do Then on Rodeo I ran into you I gave my heart to God one night in California I said yes, I said yes, I surrender I gave my heart to God one night in California A broken man, you put me back together I went to Cali to hide away But where can I hide from your grace They say that you're not in Hollywood But you met me there and you understood See I tried to drink my problems away Two shots down, about five rounds There I go down on the ground But when I looked up I saw your face And that's when I gave my heart away I gave my heart to God one night in California I said yes, I said yes, I surrender, I surrender I gave my heart to God one night in California A broken man, you put me back together Somebody need to hear me tell my story We all overcome from testimonies If God can save a preacher like me He'll do the same for you just believe Lift your hands and pray with me He'll meet you at your point of need You'll see his love, it's waiting for you Like I'm with God and California He'll meet you at your point of need His love is waiting for you I gave my heart in California If you're in the club, you're in the streets You don't have to be in a church He loves to meet you at your point of need A broken home, you know I'm alone I'm trying to tell somebody Just say Jesus I need you Just say Jesus I need you He'll meet you at your point of need His love is waiting for you I gave my heart in California" |
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Hades |
California Song | Hades is a heavy metal band from New Jersey formed in 1978. This song is from their album "DamnNation" released in 2001. "The sunshine has a special glow In California One you have to see to truly know In California There's transplants from across the fruited plain In California Soul searchers, They alone know their way In California They're gonna race around and chase 'em down The dreams they've always had Without a boast they'd raise a toast To all the "friends" who thought them mad It's gonna reach out and pull you in Take you places you've not been So if you head out, just take along This California Song You gotta concentrate and strangulate Outside forces' goal A change of pace, a change of face Start playing your own role In California It's gonna reach out and pull you in Take you places you've not been So if you head out, just take along This California Song To each his own is how it's gotta be Through your own eyes Is the only way to see It's gonna reach out and pull you in Take you places you've not been So if you head out, just take along This California Song It's not that you can't build a future Where you already live But when you move away, I gotta say It gives you perspective In California It's gonna reach out and pull you in Take you places you've not been So if you head out, just take along Your California Song" |
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Tom Hagan |
Santa Ana Winds | Tom Hagan is a folk-country music musician who sings in English and Spanish. That's about all I've found out about him. This is from the album "Santa Ana Winds" released in 2018.The Santa Ana winds are strong, hot, dry winds that come down from the high deserts towards the valleys and coastal plains, exaggerated by the mountain passes. They often blow during autumn when they're infamous for fanning the flames of wildfires. They're also called "devil winds" and they can make it feel like you're in Hell. "Lost in the city of the angels In this year of our lord I stand upon this curve and watch the traffic flow Through what used to be my home And I feel those Santa Ana winds begin to blow On across my shoulder On the open road I'm just not welcome in that valley That sheltered me since my birth I've got to ride the wind like a natural seed To find some pure and fertile earth Progress, progress ain't you won your war Your'e feedin' me so I don't wanna fight no more You've taken from me the open fields And the skies once so blue Left me with trash and broken glass on the sidewalk under my shoes And I feel those Santa Ana winds begin to blow On across my shoulder On the open road I'm just not welcome in that valley That sheltered me since my birth I've got to ride the wind like a natural seed To find some pure and fertile earth I'm just not welcome in that valley That sheltered me since my birth I've got to ride the wind like a natural seed To find some pure and fertile earth" |
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Merle Haggard |
A Friend in California | Merle Haggard was a celebrated country singer-songwriter from Oildale, California, which is just north of Bakersfield, whose career extended from 1963 to his death in 2016. He sings about missing a friend in Texas in this song from his 1986 album "A Friend in California." "L.A. traffic is bad this time of year But there's a friend of yours in California Sure wishes you were here And as you lay your head on your pillow tonight just remember There's a friend of yours in California sure misses you You've got a friend in California that misses you You've got a friend in California that sure misses you Fort Worth can get cold this time of year But this southern California sun is warm You should be here And as you lay your head on your pillow tonight just remember There's a friend of yours in California sure misses you You've got a friend in California that misses you You've got a friend in California that sure misses you You've got a friend in California that misses you You've got a friend in California that sure misses you" |
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Merle Haggard |
Beer Can Hill | This song, from Haggard's 1996 album titled "1996," is about Beer Can Hill outside of Bakersfield, where Mr. Haggard learned how to walk, run, fight, dance, make romance, pick a little cotton and a lot of guitar, and also to do a little jail time. (When I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville in the 80s, the pardon from prison given Haggard by Governor Ronald Reagan was on display, near the pictures of Elvis and Nixon and down the hall from a collection of Dolly Parton's enormous wigs.) The town of Oildale has named a street after Merle. I hope that's not all they've done to honor him. Maybe the line from the song "You could do better, but you won't do bad in Bakersfield" should be used as the city's motto. "Well, I learned how to walk and I learned how to run in Bakersfield Should've done time over things I'd done in Bakersfield I tasted my first taste of romance in Bakersfield I learned how to fight and I learned how to dance in Bakersfield Dancin' on Beer Can Hill Overlookin' Bakersfield Remembering my first thrill Dancin' on Beer Can Hill I made part of my livin' in a honky tonk bar in Bakersfield Picked a little cotton and a lotta guitar in Bakersfield Well you could do better but you won't do bad in Bakersfield Slow dancin' out here is sort of a fad in Bakersfield Dancin' on Beer Can Hill Overlookin' Bakersfield Remembering my first thrill Dancin' on Beer Can Hill I drank a lot of beer since I was a kid in Bakersfield Did a little time over things I did in Bakersfield Ten years later made me of the year in Bakersfield And I'm duckin' and dodgin' and dancin' out here in Bakersfield...." |
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Merle Haggard |
California Blues (Blue Yodel #4) | A country blues with lots of slide guitar. Written and recored by Jimmy Rodgers in 1928 and many others, including Lefty Frizell and Doc Watson. "Well I'm goin' to California Where they sleep out every night I'm goin' to California Where they sleep out every night I'm leaving you, mama 'Cause you know you don't treat me right Let me tell you somethin' Mama, that you don't know Let me tell you somethin' Good gal, that you don't know Well, I'm a do right papa And got a home everywhere I go Yeah I got the California blues and I'm Sure gonna leave you here Lord, Lord I got the California blues and I'm Sure gonna leave you here I may ride the blind I aint got no railroad fare..." |
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Merle Haggard |
California Cottonfields | This is Haggard's cover of the Dallas Frazier song from his album "Someday We'll Look Back" released in 1971. He changes the lyrics some, so I'll show them here, though he is not credited as songwriter on this one. He also spells the title wrong. The original is spelled "cotton fields" "My driftin' memory goes back to the spring of '43 When I was just a child in mama's arms My daddy plowed the ground and prayed some day he could leave This run-down mortgaged Oklahoma farm Then one night I heard my daddy sayin' to my mama That he'd finally saved enough to go California was his dream, a paradise, for he had seen Pictures in magazines that told him so California cottonfields Where labor camps were filled with worried men with broken dreams California cottonfields As close to wealth as daddy ever came Almost everything we had was sold or left behind From my daddy's plow to the fruit that mama canned Some folks came to say farewell and see what all we had to sell Some just came to shake my daddy's hand Hey the model A was loaded down and California bound And a change of luck was just four days away But the only change that I remember seeing for my daddy Was when his dark hair turned to silver grey California cottonfields Where labor camps were filled with worried men with broken dreams California cottonfields As close to wealth as daddy ever came" |
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Merle Haggard |
California On My Mind | I can't figure out when this song was released. The YouTube video says 2006, but that can't be right. It sounds more like 1960s or '70s Merle to me. "Well I got California on my mind I'm leaving this old town behind I'm tired of sittin' and I'm tired of pinin' I'm going back where the sun is shinin' I got California on my mind Well I got stuck in this dingy city But I'm not gonna stay I'm tired of these red brick buildings And I'm gonna leave today It's been one cold and dreadful winter And I'm going back to the grapevine center Pack up my things and be on my way Well I got California on my mind I'm leaving this old town behind I'm tired of sittin' and I'm tired of pinin' I'm going back where the sun is shinin' I got California on my mind Well I got a gal in Redwood City That I'd sure like to see And I'll bet my bottom dollar She's still sweet on me Well I'm a homesick bat couldn't be no sicker I'm proud to say that I'm a prune picker and This town and me just don't agree Yeah I got California on my mind I'm leaving this old town behind I'm tired of sittin' and I'm tired of pinin' I'm going back where the sun is shinin' I got California on my mind" |
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Merle Haggard |
Here in Frisco | This is from Haggard's 1975 album "Keep Movin' On." I don't find it odd that he calls San Francisco "Frisco." But it is odd that he sings "trolley cars" when everybody knows they're called "cable cars." "It's four a.m. in New York City three a.m. in Dallas The night is still early here in Frisco Market street's still going the same old shows are showing And I'm still all alone here in Frisco. They say it's raining in Chicago and it's cold and clear in Denver Been windy all night long here in Frisco Trolley cars are clinging, the big Bay Town's swinging And I'm still all alone here in Frisco. The way I feel tonight I won't be staying long But when I leave I leave my heart just like in a famous song Trolley cars are clinging, the big Bay Town's swinging And I'm still all alone here in Frisco. And I'm still all alone here in Frisco. And I'm still all alone here in Frisco..." |
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Merle Haggard |
If We Make it Through December | This song, from "Merle Haggard's Chrsitmas Present" released in 1973, went to #1 on the country charts. Phoebe Bridgers released a great cover of this song in 2020. "If we make it through December Everything's gonna be all right, I know It's the coldest time of Winter And I shiver when I see the falling snow If we make it through December Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime Maybe even California If we make it through December, we'll be fine Got laid off down at the factory And their timing's not the greatest in the world Heaven knows I been working hard Wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl I don't mean to hate December It's meant to be the happy time of year And my little girl don't understand Why daddy can't afford no Christmas here If we make it through December Everything's gonna be all right, I know It's the coldest time of Winter And I shiver when I see the falling snow If we make it through December Got plans to be in a warmer town come summertime Maybe even California If we make it through December, we'll be fine" |
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Merle Haggard |
Kern River | Another California song by this country music legend about a love one who drowned in the Kern River. When you're driving up to Lake Isabella from Bakersfield, where the road enters the narrow rocky entrance to Kern Canyon where the "Killer" Kern River flows into the valley, there's a sign that says "Danger. Stay Out. Stay Alive" with a tally of how many people have drowned in the river. The number was 250 when I last remember seeing it, and it's probably much higher now. "I'll never swim Kern River again. It was there that I met her. It was there that I lost my best friend. And now I live in the mountains. I drifted up here with the wind. And I may drown in still water, But I'll never swim Kern River again. I grew up in an oil town, But my gusher never came in. And the river was a boundary, Where my darlin' and I used to swim. One night in the moonlight, The swiftness swept her life away. And now I live on Lake Shasta, And Lake Shasta is where I will stay. There's the South San Joaquin, Where the seeds of the dust bowl are found. And there's a place called Mount Whitney, From where the mighty Kern River comes down. Now, it's not deep nor wide, But it's a mean piece of water, my friend. And I may cross on the highway, But I'll never swim Kern River again." |
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Merle Haggard |
Kern River Blues | This is the last song Haggard ever recorded. It's about leaving his home town of Oildale. He wrote it while in the hospital fighting the pneumonia that finally killed him and recorded it in early 2016. R.I.P. Hag. "Well I’m leaving town tomorrow getting’ my breakfast in the sky Well I’m leavin’ in the early morning eat my breakfast in the sky Be a donut on a paper drink my coffee on the fly Cause I’m flyin’ out on jet plane gonna leave this town behind I’m flyin’ out on jet plane gonna leave this town behind They done moved the city limits out by the county line Put my head up to the window watched the city fade away Put my head close to the window watch Oildale fade away Now the blues back in the 30’s just like the blues today There used to be a river here runnin’ deep and wide Well they used to have Kern River runnin’ deep and wide Then somebody stole the water another politician lied When you close down all the honky tonks the city died at night When you close down all the honky tonks the city died at night When it hurt somebody’s feelings well the wrong ain’t never right Well I’m leavin’ town forever kiss an old boxcar goodbye Well I’m leavin’ town forever kiss an old boxcar goodbye I dumped my blues out in the river before Kern River’s dry" |
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Merle Haggard |
Okie From Muskogee | This was a huge hit for Haggard in 1969 that made him a symbol of the enemy to the counterculture in the '70s. The song sets up a contrast between the hippies in San Fancisco and the squares in Muskogee, dissing the long-haired draft-card-burning drug-using hippies by comparing them with the more upstanding flag-waving boot-wearing, boozing Okies. Haggard said he wrote the song to support the troops in Vietnam. He later said that the song expressed who he was in 1969 when most of America had the same foolish assumptions that he did about the war, and that he later sang it with a different attitude. The song actually became popular with the same drug-using hippies that the song disses. I remember hearing an edited parody version played on KSAN, the hip "underground" commercial radio station in San Francisco that had Haggard singing "We smoke marijuana in Muskogee, We take trips on LSD...." Another pardoy of the song is "Hippie From Olema" by The Youngbloods. "We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee; We don't take no trips on LSD We don't burn no draft cards down on Main Street; We like livin' right, and bein' free. I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, A place where even squares can have a ball We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse, And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all We don't make a party out of lovin'; We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo; We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy, Like the hippies out in San Francisco do. And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, A place where even squares can have a ball. We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse, And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all. Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear; Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen. Football's still the roughest thing on campus, And the kids here still respect the college dean. We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse, In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA." |
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Merle Haggard |
One Row at a Time | This song is from the album "Someday We'll Look Back" released in 1971. "The southeast Georgia red clay dust is ground into my blue jeans A heavy hundred-pound cotton sack dragging along behind Wanting to leave this place so bad, I forget how I got here Working my way back home one row at a time It's a long old cotton road between here and Waco Then three days a-thumbing through that California line And two more days of picking to that house just south of Fresno Working my way back home one row at a time Mississippi Delta mud is caked in layers on my brogans Sunshine on snow white cotton nearly makes me blind I can almost see 'em now, the home folk running out to meet me Working my way back home one row at a time It's a long old cotton road between here and Waco Then three days a-thumbing through that California line, Lord, Lord Two more days of picking to that house just south of Fresno Working my way back home one row at a time Working my way back home one row at a time" |
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Merle Haggard |
Return to San Francisco | This is a slow country song with a nice mix of fiddles and mariachi horns from Haggard's 55th studio album "Haggard Like Never Before" released in 2004. That's right, 55. Double nickles. And he made 11 more after it. "Should we ever lose each other somewhere along the way Return to San Francisco, I'll be somewhere by the bay Climb the bridges, comb the beaches, ride the trolley cars again Roam the hillsides of the city, count the seagulls in the wind But return to San Francisco, always keep this vow to me Return to San Francisco, we'll make one more memory But return to San Francisco, always keep this vow to me Return to San Francisco, we'll make one more memory" |
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Merle Haggard |
Tulare Dust | Haggard wrote this song which is from his 1971 album "Someday We'll Look Back." "Tulare dust in a farm boy's nose Wondering where the freight train goes Standin' in the field by the railroad track Cursin' this strap on my cotton sack I can see mom and dad with shoulders low Both of 'em pickin' on a double row They do it for a livin' because they must That's life like it is in the Tulare dust The California sun was something new That when we arrived in '42 And I can still remember how my daddy cussed The tumbleweeds here in the Tulare dust The wally fever was a comin' fate To the farmworkers here in the Golden State And I miss Oklahoma but I'll stay If I must and help make a livin' in the Tulare dust The Tulare dust in a farm boy's nose Wondering where the freight train goes Standin' in the field by the railroad track Cursin' this strap on my cotton sack" |
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Merle Haggard & Leona Williams |
It's Cold In California | Leona Williams is a country music singer from Missouri, active since 1958. This is from an album of duets "Heart to Heart" released in 1983 a few weeks after she and Haggard were divorced. That must have been an especially cold year in California. "There's a boy here in old California Who I know like I know myself And he's livin' in hell but he's takin' it well And it's cold in California tonight It's cloudy in California this evening This old jet plane soon will be leavin' When these bight shiny wings 'neath the shiny moonlight It'll be cold in California tonight She'll be drinkin' her first cup of coffee And she'll be talkin' to the people in flight And I knew from the start that she'd break my heart Oh, it's cold in California tonight Though the weather is fine the chill set is mine And it's cold in California tonight Lord, it's cold in California tonight" |
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Lauren Hailey |
Southern California Heat Wave | Lauren Hailey is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. This modern soul/rap song was released in 2023. If you know what "pre-suspection" means, let me know. It's not a word in the dictionary, but it sounds like what she's singing. I like that she narrows down the heat wave to "Southern California." "Uncertain of this path I've been led down The heavens are loud yet I'm lost somehow Patiently waiting for the next excuse On why I can't do what I'm used to doing I'm grasping onto what's left of me Alas the hopeful path narrowed into a lonely street An empty cul-de-sac with no homes to retreat I'm incomplete, tired at defeat There's no more hope to reap Keeping faith feels beneath me And I'm hardly at peace When it's all that I need Release my heart from its cages Feeling useless, dumb, complacent I was smoking dope in his basement Getting high on complications Ruined my life Home life's vacant Think I need a vacation A little pre-suspection Recollection On how was I elected Cause I can't take it For this life Cause I'm barely hanging on In this life I'm trying to make it on And they say to keep strong Keep faith They tell me to keep weighing my gains I'm just tryna keep my cool In this Southern California heat wave I'm just trying to keep it chill, chill, chill Been through this before I know how to deal, deal, deal, mmm Tell me to keep strong and keep faith They tell me to keep weighing my gains I'm just tryna keep my cool In this Southern California heat wave So chug it down Chug it down for me I'm drowning out in all this Hennessy Cause that's all that there's left of me I don't know what I'm drinking But I can't stand thinking This pain I can't seem to ignore A quick sip turns into a bottle A quick sniff turns into a pipe And I don't know if I deserve my life Someone take away this right Cause I can't take it For this life Cause I'm barely hanging on In this life I'm tryna make it on And they say to keep strong And keep faith They tell me to keep weighing my gains I'm just tryna keep my cool In this Southern California heat wave I'm just trying to keep it chill, chill, chill Been through this before I know how to deal, deal, deal, mmm" |
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HAIM |
Los Angeles | HAIM is an alternative pop band made up of three sisters surnamed Haim who grew up in the San Fernando Valley. This song is from the band's third album "Women in Music Pt. III" released in 2020. "Los Angeles, give me a miracle, I just want out from this I've done my share of helping with your defense But now I can't dismiss It's killin' me Hometown of mine Just got back from the boulevard, can't stop cryin' The guy at the corner shop gave me a line and a smile I know he was tryin', but a line is a lie Oh, these days, these days, I can't win These days I can't see no visions I'm breakin', losin' faith These days, these days (These days, these days) These days, these days (These days, these days) New York is cold I tried the winter there once (Nope) Clearly the greatest city in the world But it was not my home, I felt more alone These days, these days, I can't win These days I can't see no visions I'm breakin', losin' faith These days, these days (These days, these days) I'm thinkin' about leavin' And sometimes I speed down Crescent Heights I can't hardly feel it runnin' every light But I wasn't fazed 'cause it wasn't mine Was I just dreamin'?...." |
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HAIM |
Summer Girl | This song was released as a single in August 2019, and is a bonus track on their album "Women in Music Pt. III" released in 2020. It has a lot in common with Lou Reed's 1972 classic "Walk on the Wild Side" - doot do doot lyrics, a jazzy mid tempo rhythm, speak singing, a glissando bass, and a saxophone, but the melody is different so it's not a cover and it doesn't sample any part of the song, so let's just call it an homage to Lou Reed and hope his lawyers don't get greedy. There's only one mention of L.A., but it's definitely a California song with its indirect references to things found California - earthquake drills, a freeway overpass, crashing waves, etc. "L.A. on my mind, I can't breathe You're there when I close my eyes, so hard to reach Your smiles turn into crying, it's the same release And you always know, and you always know I'm your summer girl I'm your summer girl I'm your summer girl I'm your summer girl Doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, do Doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, do Doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, do Doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, doot, do, do Lightning in your eyes, you can't speak Falling from the sky, down to me I see it in your face, I'm relief I'm your summer girl ... ... ... ... Peer around the corner at you From over my shoulder I need you I need you to understand These are the earthquake drills that we ran Under the freeway overpasses The tears behind your dark sunglasses The fears inside your heart as deep as gashes You walk beside me, not behind me Feel my unconditional love And I can see the angels coming down (Doot, do, doot, do) Just like a wave that's crashing on the ground (Doot, do, doot, do) I can see the angels coming now (Doot, do, doot, do) Like a wave that's crashing on the ground (Doot, do, doot, do) And I can see the angels coming down Like a wave that's crashing on the ground.... " |
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Tom T. Hall |
L. A. Blues | Tom T. Hall was a country singer-songwriter/author from Kentucky active from 1963-2011. This is from his album "In Search of a Song" released in 1971. "I got off the airplane along about 7:30 in L.A. What a drag to realize that everything's so different and so same All my California friends are searching for their minds And it's been right there in their heads all the time L.A. blues, L.A. blues you want me to be like you ha ha there ain't no way California Charlie met me at my room when I got in We toasted country pickin' and the help of all our good and mutual friends Before the morning came we put a handle on the world And decided that we'd give it to the squirrels L.A. blues, L.A. blues you want me to be like you ha ha there ain't no way Soaking up that sunshine and eatin' eggs and bacon over light Sleeping through the daytime and contemplatin' sin throughout the night Please hand me my hat and darling give me back my things Ole T's got a bunch of songs to sing L.A. blues, L.A. blues you want me to be like you ha ha there ain't no way I like California and I wouldn't want to put it down no way But I heard what you're thinking and it ain't exactly what I want to say Someday California I'll come roarin' back to you If you don't fall in the ocean before I do L.A. blues, L.A. blues you want me to be like you ha ha there ain't no way |
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Halloween, Alaska |
The Hollywood Sign | Halloween, Alaska is a band with a silly name that formed in Twin Cities Minnesota in 2002. This song is from their album "Champagne Downtown" released in 2009. Warning! Burning down the Hollywood Sign would be considered an act of terrorism and arson and defacing a historic monument and maybe even murder if it results in a wildfire that kills someone. So, don't even think about it. "" Virgo, you know we're not supposed to get along. I won't let a planet push us around. Take it from your good half, Everything you should have Lives close to the ground. I say we burn down the Hollywood Sign And tear apart the judges with our bare hands. This is not a come-on, This is not a protest, They'll take us just as we are. Say to me "You don't have to have opinions on everything." You might say to me, "It's embarrassing, in a good way." You could say to me, "What's oxygen, and is it running out? You can say to me, "This could happen to you." California knows full well It's gonna fall into the sea. That's why it never acts too serious, Never gets too serious. I swear I'm not sad I'm just serious, There is a difference...."" |
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Halsey (featuring Big Sean & Stefflon Don) |
Alone (Remix) | Halsey is the stage name of a singer/songwriter originally from New Jersey. This song was a dance club hit off her 2017 album "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom." There's a brief mention of the singer's house in California that she sadly fills with strangers because she doesn't have time to live there. I find all the songs like this about the troubles of celebrities and one-percenters to be so discouraging that I have made a vow to remain an unknown 99 percenter. So far, I've been successful. "Said he tried to phone me, but I never have time He said that I never listen, but I don't even try I got a new place in Cali, but I'm gone every night So I fill it with strangers so they keep on the lights She said she told you she knows me, but the face isn't right She asked if I recognized her and I told her I might See, everywhere I go I got a million different people tryna kick it But I'm still alone in my mind, yeah I know you're dying to meet me But I can just tell you this Baby, as soon as you meet me You'll wish that you never did (You'll wish that you never did)...." |
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Halsey |
Bad at Love | This song is from Halsey's album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (2017). The singer has boys, and girls, from all over the country, but I'm not exactly sure what she means by "California eyes." Maybe it's that look of terror you see in so many Californians with skyrocketing rent payments who live surrounded by homeless people. "Got a boy back home in Michigan And it tastes like Jack when I'm kissing him So I told him that I never really liked his friends Now he's gone and he's calling me a b**ch again There's a guy that lives in the Garden State And he told me that we'd make it 'til we graduate So I told him that the music would be worth the wait But he wants me in the kitchen with a dinner plate I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe That we're meant to be But jealousy, jealousy, jealousy, jealousy Get the best of me Look, I don't mean to frustrate, But I always make the same mistakes, yeah Always make the same mistakes 'cause... I'm bad at love, ooh-ooh But you can't blame me for tryin' You know I'd be lyin' sayin' You were the one, ooh-ooh That could finally fix me Lookin' at my history I'm bad at love Got a girl with California eyes And I thought that she could really be the one this time But I never got the chance to make her mine Because she fell in love with little thin white lines London girl with an attitude We never told no one but we look so cute Both got way better things to do But I always think about it when I'm riding through I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe That I'm in too deep And jealousy, jealousy, jealousy, jealousy Get the best in me Look, I don't mean to frustrate, But I always make the same mistakes, yeah Always make the same mistakes 'cause...." |
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Halsey |
Drive | This is from Halsey's album "Badlands" released in 2015. "My hands wrapped around a stick shift Swerving on the 405, I can never keep my eyes off this My neck, the feeling of your soft lips Illuminated in the light, bouncing off the exit signs I missed All we do is drive All we do is think about the feelings that we hide All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign Sick and full of pride All we do is drive And California never felt like home to me And California never felt like home And California never felt like home to me Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing Ah, ah, ah-ah, ah ah ah ah Ah, ah, ah-ah, ah ah ah Ah, ah, ah-ah, ah ah ah ah Ah, ah, ah-ah, ah ah ah Umm.. Hey, I was just wondering if you wanna like… never mind. Thank you. Bye... Your laugh echoes down the highway Carves into my hollow chest, spreads over the emptiness It's bliss It's so simple but we can't stay Over analyze again, would it really kill you if we kissed? All we do is drive All we do is think about the feelings that we hide All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign Sick and full of pride All we do is drive And California never felt like home to me And California never felt like home And California never felt like home to me Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing...." |
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Albert Hammond |
It Never Rains in Southern California | Altert Hammond is an English singer-songwriter who has written many hits for other artists (but nothing for his son, the lead guitarist for The Strokes.) This is his biggest hit, from his album "It Never Rains in Southern California" released in 1972. Hammond must have visited Southern California in the winter of a non-drought year if he got poured on. Actually, while the song seems like a nice twist on the myth of California as a land of constant sunshine where the grass is always greener, it's actually a sad song about an actor who moves to Hollywood but fails to make it. The song did make it - all the way to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Got on a board a west bound 747 Didn't think before deciding what to do. All that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies Rang true, sure rang true. Seems it never rains in Southern California Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before It never rains in California But girl, don't they warn ya It pours, man it pours. Out of work, I'm out of my head Out of self respect, I'm out of bread I'm under loved, I'm under fed I wanna go home. It never rains in California But girl don't they warn ya, it pours, man it pours." |
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Albert Hammond |
99 Miles From L.A. | Albert Hammond and Hal David wrote this soft rock song and Hammond had a hit with it in 1975. Another song about rain in California.... Keep writing them, Hammond, maybe it will come true. A lot of other people have recorded the song, including Julio Iglesias Johnny Mathis Dionne Warwick Nancy Sinatra Art Garfunkel. Thanks to Mary McGhee for introducing me to this and many other great California songs. "Keeping my eyes on the road, I see you Keeping my hands on the wheel, I hold you 99 miles from L.A. I kiss you, I miss you, please be there Passing a white sandy beach, we're sailing Turning the radio on, we're dancing 99 miles from L.A. I want you, I need you, please be there The windshield is covered with rain, I'm crying Pressing my foot on the gas, I'm flying Counting the telephone poles, I phone you Reading the signs on the road, I write you 99 miles from L.A. We're laughing, we're loving, please be there The windshield is covered with rain, I'm crying Pressing my foot on the gas, I'm flying Counting the telephone poles, I phone you Reading the signs on the road, I write you 99 miles from L.A. We're laughing, we're loving, please be there 99 miles from L.A...." |
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Albert Hammond Jr. |
101 | A nice upbeat rocker off his debut solo album "Yours to Keep" from 2006. Hammond is a member of The Strokes and the Son of Albert Hammond who sang It Never Rains in Southern California (Discussed above.) Highway 101 runs along the entire west coast of the USA, but I'm going to assume this song is about the section of the highway in California, since Hammond grew up in L.A. "Though it took me by surprise One by one I realized There was something I could do I lost my way. That's what she said Back to the 101 If we don't know Somewhere to go Back to the 101 I never said to feel relaxed I never said to love me back What was I next to you? In my mind it all goes back Lost control of what I had All my thoughts left one by one " I lost my way. That's what she said Back to the 101 Back to the one I never won Back to the 101 " |
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Hanoi Rocks |
Center of My Universe | Hanoi Rocks is a glam metal band from Finland formed in 1979. This song is from their album "Another Hostile Takeover" released in 2005. "Once upon a rhyme I believed in fate The signs of the times Did it mean anything to you Or was I just anyone to you? Then came the daze The Santa Ana wind Whipped the sand in my face It didn't mean anything to you Everything that we went through for love You used to be the center of my universe You were my gravity that kept me down to earth My head sky high and my feet firmly on the ground Then came the end Now it seems to me my friend I'm alone in the center of my universe...." |
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Morten Harket |
A Kind of Christmas Card | Morten Harket is a singer and songwriter from Norway, active since 1982. He's the lead singer of the band A-ha as well as a solo artist. This song is from his solo album "Wild Seed" released in 1995. "All you folks back home I'll never tell you this You're not supposed to know Where your daughter is There are ways of life You never understood It's right here Downtown Hollywood It's afternoon on Sunset Boulevard I've got a stolen moment trying hard To write a kind, kind of Christmas card But I am burning out again Tonight there is fever in my veins Mama, dear All the love you gave I guess there's really nothing Nothing much to save See this place it's as dirty as I feel myself There are still some riches At the Roosevelt That evening prayer Those memories In my little bedroom, mama, on my knees That's where I'm at Down in Los Angeles And I am burning out again And I must rise above the shame Tonight there is fever in my veins Just think of the girl I used to be You were my age once, mama Twenty-three I can still hear some of the songs you used to play From that summer of love in '68 Seems it's turned into a winter of hate And I am burning out again Inside I must rise above the pain And tonight there'll be fever in my veins And tonight there is fever in my veins...." |
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Morten Harket |
Los Angeles | This is another song from Harket's solo album "Wild Seed" released in 1995. "You waited for me When I was strong You never called You waited long Now I come back To sleep with you You love me still I love you, too You kept the house I could not keep You kissed good night And went to sleep Now I come back To sleep with you You love me still I love you, too Come with me To that room by the sea With a view of the moon and Los Angeles You're beautiful back then God, you're beautiful now Come with me So come with me To that room by the sea With a view of the moon and Los Angeles You're beautiful back then God, you're beautiful now Come with me Yeah, I was strong I had no choice The kids grew up And left the house But I come back To sleep with you You love me still I love you, too Come with me To that room by the sea With a view of the moon and Los Angeles You're beautiful back then God, you're beautiful now" |
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Harmony |
Miss America | Harmony is a singer and I presume a songwriter with a YouTube Channel and website but not much written about her online that I can find. Maybe Harmony is from L.A. since this satyrical pop song released in 2024 mentions the city and the video was shot there. "L.A. on a Saturday Night There is not really good night life I think the girls are getting drunk The girls are serving c**t I'm a bored American Giving birth to my iPad kid I'm a bored American Wondering where Jesus went I don't want to know what anybody else is doing Morally I'm bankrupt although business still is booming There's nothing else to do than make a dream come true White picket fence with the yard I drive a really sweet car Somebody loves me so much That we never touch Hey it's Miss America I'm doing cartwheels Hey it's Miss America I love the movies White picket fence with the yard Beauty can get you so far I'm a bored American Going into debt again I'm a bored American Wondering where Jesus went I don't want to know what anybody else is doing Morally I'm bankrupt although business still is booming There's nothing else to do than make a dream come true White picket fence with the yard I drive a really sweet car Somebody loves me so much That we never touch Hey it's Miss America I'm doing cartwheels Hey it's Miss America I love the movies White picket fence with the yard Beauty can get you so far Hey it's Miss America I'm doing cartwheels Hey it's Miss America I'm doing laundry Life doesn't have to be hard Beauty can get you so far Beauty can get you so far Life doesn't have to be hard Beauty can get you so far Life doesn't have to be hard" |
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Emmylou Harris |
California Cotton Fields | Emmylou Harris is a country/folk singer songwriter from North Carolina and Virginia, active since 1969. This is from her album "Pieces Of The Sky" released in 1975. For the lyrics, see the original version by the songwriter Dallas Frazier. |
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Emmylou Harris |
Two More Bottles of Wine | This song is from the album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town" released in 1978 and the song topped the country charts that summer. It's a cover of a song written and recorded by Delbert McClinton in 1975. One online lyrics site shows the lyric "sleeping at a warehouse in West L.A." but it makes more sense to me that she would be working in one and not sleeping in one, unless she was squatting, because I don't think warehouse lofts were trendy back then. She also changed the lyrics "Thought I'd be a star by today" to "Well, I'd be in the sun all day" maybe because she was already a star. "We came out west together with a common desire The fever we had might have set the West Coast on fire Two months later got trouble in mind Oh my baby moved out and left me behind But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine The way he left sure turned my head around Seemed like overnight he just up and put me down Well I ain't going to let it bother me today I've been working and I'm too tired anyway But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine Well I'm sixteen hundred miles from the people I know I've been doing all I can but opportunity sure comes slow Well, I'd be in the sun all day But I'm sweeping out a warehouse in West L.A. But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine I'm sixteen hundred miles from the people I know I've been doing all I can but opportunity sure comes slow Well I'd be in the sun all day But I'm sweeping out a warehouse in West L.A. But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine Yes, it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine Yes, it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine" |
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K. C. Harris |
San Luis Obispo | K. C. Harris is a singer-songwriter born in North Carolina who lived around the country and seems to have at least passed through SLO Town, home of the Madonna Inn, a landmark motel with garishly decorated theme rooms with too much pink and lots of giant rocks. When he sings that he smelled it, I immediately thought of how we always used to stop at the rest room there to use the rock waterfall urinal.... This country-rock tune was released in 2018. "Passing through San Luis Obispo You can smell the Madonna Inn ... in San Francisco And I can't ... the first two .. Why did it happen this way Why did she come before Why did she tell me That you're so close to the door Telephone lines are leaning ... over the bay I'm a long long long long way from home home And I'm going out farther awayWhy did it happen this way Why did she come before Why did she tell me That you're so close to the door Said some things to you And I don't take them back Life can drag on and on on But the good parts sure go by fast Why did it happen this way Why did she come before Why did she tell me That you're so close to the door" |
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Richard Harris |
MacArthur Park | Richard Harris was an actor and singer from Ireland, active from 1956 to 2002, and best known for his many movies and for this song, a classic pop song set in a Los Angeles park that has to be one of the strangest and maybe one of the worst pop hits ever recorded: it's more than seven minutes long, the lyrics are very strange, and then there's Harris' breathy vocals and the fact that the chorus is sung "MacArthur's Park" which does not match the title. The song was written by Jimmy Webb, who also wrote "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Up, Up and Away," Wichita Lineman,"and other hits. This song was first recorded by Richard Harris in 1968, and later recorded by many other musicians in various styles, including big band versions, a disco version by Donna Summer in 1978, and a country version by Waylon Jennings and The Kimberlys in 1969. "Spring was never waiting for us, girl It ran one step ahead As we followed in the dance Between the parted pages and were pressed, In love's hot, fevered iron Like a striped pair of pants MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it And I'll never have that recipe again Oh, no! … … … … … I will take my life into my hands and I will use it I will win the worship in their eyes and I will lose it I will have the things that I desire And my passion flow like rivers through the sky. And after all the loves of my life After all the loves of my life I'll be thinking of you And wondering why. MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it And I'll never have that recipe again Oh, no Oh, no! No, oh no!" |
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Beth Hart |
L.A. Song (Out of This Town) | Beth Hart is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. This 1999 song brought her some fame. It's about a woman who didn't have much luck with men, so she leaves L.A., finds another loser somewhere else, then says she's gotta get back to L.A. I have a feeling there have been many such round trips with her. The way she sings it at the very end, "L.A." has about 92 syllables in it. That's talent. "She hangs around the boulevard She's a local girl with local scars. She got home late, she got home late She drank so hard the bottle ached. And she tried and she tried, she tried and she tried, But nothing's clear in a bar full of flies. So she takes and she takes, she takes and she takes, She understands when she gives it away, She says, man I gotta get out of this town Man I gotta get out of this pain. Man I gotta get out of this town, Out of this town, and out of L.A. … … … … … … So she took a train, she took a train, To a little old town without a name. She met a man, he took her in, But fed her all the same bulls***t again. 'Cause he lied and he lied, he lied and he lied, He lied like a salesman sellin flies. So she screamed and she screamed, she screamed and she screamed, It's a different place but the same old thing. It's all I love, Its all I hate, It's all to much for me to take I can't be sure where it begins, Or if the good life lies within. She says, man I gotta get out of this town Now I gotta get back on that train. Man I gotta get out of this town, I'm out of my pain, so I'm goin back to L.A. Back to L.A. Back to L.A. I'm goin back to L.A. I'm goin back to L.A." |
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Beth Hart |
My California | This is the lead-off track from her 2010 album "My California." I couldn't get this one out of my mind when I first heard it, so beware - Earworm Alert! "Calling California is there anybody home Hello California won't you please pick up the phone I wanna say I love you but I'm a million miles away And I am thinking of you I miss you and L.A. For you and you alone I'll lay my monsters down And we'll watch the sun come up over California For you and you alone I'll find my way back home And I'll love you like the sun loves California You're my California I have made you suffer left you waiting in the rain While I was chasing demons in the deserts of my pain You know me better than the poison in my veins So my love remember when God forgets my name For you and you alone I'll lay my monsters down And I'll watch the sun come up over California For you and you alone I'll find my way back home And I'll love you like the sun loves California" |
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John Hartford |
California Earthquake | John Hartford was a country/folk singer/songwriter best known for his Grammy-winning song "Gentle on My MInd" which became a huge hit when it was covered by Glen Campbell. This song is from his 1968 album "Gentle on My Mind and Other Originals By John Hartford." He wrote the song, but Cass Elliot released her version first in 1968. "I heard they exploded the underground blast What they say's gonna happen's gonna happen at last That's the way it appears They tell me the fault line runs right through here So that may be, that may be What's gonna happen's gonna happen to me That's the the way it appears They tell me the fault line runs right through here Atlantis will rise, Sunset Boulevard will fall Where the beach use to be won't be nothin' at all That's the way it appears They tell me the fault line runs right through here So that may be, that may be What's gonna happen's gonna happen to me That's the way it appears They tell me the fault line runs right through here They tell me the fault line runs right through here" |
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Makena Hartlin |
L.A. | Makena Hartlin is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville. This song was released in April 2023. "It's getting cold in the midwest I never used to care Thought we were building our dreams Thats why I stayed there You want to be somebody Make a name for yourself You were someone to me But now that's shot to hell I thought my home was you I guess I was wrong Now we both gotta find out Where we belong Ooo, you should move to L.A. They'd put you in a movie right away You're so good at pretending That you're in love with me Baby I think you should move to L.A. Yeah, 'cause loving me was just a part you played Ooo, you were always posing With no cameras flashing Too busy reading your lines To understand your actions I thought my home was you I guess I was wrong Now we both gotta find out where we belong Ooo, you should move to L.A. They'd put you in a movie right away You're so good at pretending That you're in love with me Baby I think you should move to L.A. 'Cause loving me was just a part you played Ooo, you should move to L.A. They'd put you in a movie right away You're so good at pretending That you're in love with me Ooo, you should move to L.A. They'd put you in a movie right away You're so good at pretending That you're in love with me So damn convincing that everyone should see it Ooo, you should move to L.A. Cause loving me was just a part you played anyway Loving me was just a part you played" |
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PJ Harvey and John Parish |
Leaving California | Polly Jean Harvey is a well-known singer-songwriter-instrumentalist from England. In 1988 she joined a band with John Parish, who has produced and collaborated with her since. They collaborated on "A Woman A Man Walked By" in 2009 that included this song. PJ can really shred the speakers when she wants, but this one is slow with minimal accompaniment and she sings the chorus in a very high-pitched screech guaranteed to bother most people but I think this song is a brilliant as most of her work. "California Leaving California California Leaving California No one but me is walking under palms that give no shade I'm leaving you today ... ... ... California Killed me California California Killed me California I think it's time to leave I think it's time to leave I told no one I'd stay I think it's time to leave Ooh" |
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Colin Hay |
Oh California | An acoustic solo song from the smoky-voiced Australian singer from the 80's band Men at Work. Released in 2009. "Thought I’d never reach the water Had to cross the desert and the great divide Drinking only golden promises With white lines in my eyes Oh, California It’s the one big love that you cannot end Oh, California Yeah I can’t leave you now Oh, California" |
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Hawk Nelson |
California | Hawk Nelson is a rock band from Ontario, Canada, active sice 2000. This is from their debut studio album "Letters to the President" released in 2004. It's a pop punk tune that shows that Canadians can fall for the California-as-a-sunshine-and-surfing-paradise myth. But I can't blame them for wanting to get out of the snow. It's too hard to drive on. "...I'm so tired of everything here, The sun is calling me to the west, Everyone's having fun out there, My bags are packed as I'm looking out the window, Everything is so outdated here, I wanna move west where the sun is shining, I want my friends to all be there, Let's pack up and move to California, She's got lots of friends out there, We'll never get bored cause we can go boardin', Let's let the sunshine take us there ... Let's pack up and move to California, Hop on board before we get older, Raise your hand and shout for California" |
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Sophie B. Hawkins |
California Here I Come | Sophie B. Hawkins is a singer-songwriter from New York City, active since 1990. At first I thought this was going to be another version of the Al Jolson standard with the same title, but fortunately it's not. This is from her first album "Tongues & Tails" released in 1992. "Whoah, you Poor you Playing so long but you're still not grooving I see you running but I see you ain't moving And me Pitiful me I sleep with both eyes open but I'm just not seeing The forest, let alone the trees California, here I come Open up your golden arms I had enough of the New York City slums My brother, he went before me My God, watch over me California, here I come Could we stop (oh) Obsessing? There's food on the table, let's count our blessings How come we wanna be messing Messing around With the wild, wild west Must be a better life than this How come Some people got it all Some people got none I been banging my head against The writing on the wall But now I just wanna have fun California, here I come Open up your golden arms I had enough of the New York City slums My brother, he went before me My God, watch over me California, I'll be there Let me fall into your hair I won't be guilty for my New York City care My sister, come along with me Our God is offering our share California, I'll be there Our father, who is in Heaven Hallowed be your name Your kingdom come, your will be done On Earth as it is in Heaven Give me this my daily bread And forgive me my trespasses As I forgive those others Lead me not into temptation And deliver me from evil Yeah California, I'll be there I won't be guilty for my New York City care My brother, he went before me My God, watch over me California, California, please My sister, come along with me Our God is offering Our share" |
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Sophie B. Hawkins |
Your Tongue Like the Sun in My Mouth | This is from Hawkins' third album "Timbre" released in 1999. It's another song with a mention of the southern California phenomenon, the Santa Ana winds. "....I met a man who kicked my front door down He blew in with the Santa Ana winds And a half cocked hound He fit my body like a one horse town And I was drunk like a vagabond on his street And I lay face down And I rode his joy like a child on a merry-go-round I was young in his eyes I was sweet on his thighs I was profound I was shot like a free bird in flight To the ground I woke this morning from a deadly dream He was my lover he was my killer He was my chocolate-covered filler He was me I'm built to run My will is to deceive But you penetate severly I am walking insecurely On my knees I met a woman from another time I couldn't think But a drink from her eyes Was like water to wine She wet my dreams with her distinctive mind I search the desert for a treasure And a measure of life denied I'm driven by cars and guitars and her voice Ripping up and down my spine And now I'm giving my life for her sight To be mine And in her presence My fate unwinds For when her essence Draws me too near I can taste her with tears On my tongue Like the sun In my mouth. I met a man who kicked my front door down He blew in with the Santa Ana winds And a half cocked hound He fits my body like a one horse town And I was drunk like a vagabond on his street And I lay face down And I rode his joy like a child on a merry-go-round I was young in his eyes I was sweet on his thighs I was profound I was shot like a free bird in flight To the ground....." |
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Ted Hawkins |
California Song | Ted Hawkins was a soul/blues singer-songwriter from Mississippi who died in 1995 after a very troubled life. This upbeat song is from his album "Happy Hour" released in 1986. It's a bit pop rock and a bit folk blues, ending with a bluesy electric guitar solo. "Gonna leave here walkin' tomorrow night Got to see this place they say it's out of sight Everybody I talk to say California is a swingin' place Come on come and go with me We can see the settin' of the sun Gonna leave here walkin' tomorrow night Got to see this place they say it's out of sight Got no money and my shoes no good Such a long walk to Hollywood Come on come and go with me Got to catch the freight train before the snow comes Everybody say that I should go The ones who been there before Hot sunshine everywhere No snow is ever found out there I'm gonna leave here walkin' tomorrow night Got to see this place they say it's out of sight Everybody I converse with tells me California is a seventh heaven Come on come and go with me Come on come and go with me Come on come and go with me Don't let me leave you behind Don't let me leave you behind Don't let me leave you behind Father please come and go with me Don't let me leave you behind Daddy please come and go with me Don't let me leave you behind Don't let me leave you behind Don't let me leave you behind...." |
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Hawthorne Heights (featuring Brendan Murphy) |
Constant Dread | Hawthorne Heights is a hard rock band from Dayton Ohio, active since 2001 when they were called A Day in the Life. Brendan Murphy is the vocalist for Counterparts, a melodic hardcore band formed in Canada in 2007. This is from the album "The Rain Just Follows Me" released in 2021. "I can feel my body breaking down, California sun I can see the colors spiral out, nowhere left to run Don't leave so soon, when the darkness closes in We burned out bright, I'm sorry it's the end All our curses go away, washed out by a wave (such constant dread) All our curses go away, there's nothing left to save I'm better off dead I'm better off dead I can't do it alone just bury my bones off the coast on a western shore Caught in the foam I sink like a stone I'm lost on the ocean floor It's killing me to know, it's killing me again Have I let you down now (Have I let you down now) Have I let you down All our curses go away, washed out by a wave (such constant dread) All our curses go away, there's nothing left to save I'm better off dead I'm better off dead It's all in your head, such constant dread All I wanna know is, am I better off dead? Search for a light, look toward the sky And don't be afraid to die All our curses go away, washed out by a wave (such constant dread) All our curses go away, there's nothing left to save I'm better off dead I'm better off dead" |
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Hawthorne Heights |
Palm Canyon Drive | This is another song from the album "The Rain Just Follows Me" released in 2021. Palm Canyon Drive is in Palm Springs. It's nice to hear a song about some place other than L.A., especially some place out in the desert, even if it is just a ritzy resort area. "If I die too young or if I grow old I wanna haunt your days and nights Don't want to be forgettable (Don't want to be forgettable) Wrap me in gold and Del Ray blue, in room 13 I'll come to you I'll be the dust if you'll be the wind On Palm Canyon Drive Where our love will never end, you are the color in my life I'll be the ash if you'll be the clouds Carry this torch 'till it flickers out In the desert wind, not the ocean blue I'll come to you on Palm Canyon Drive If I sleep too long, if I don't wake up I want to haunt your memories ten years is not enough (Not enough) Spare me 3 last words that ring so true, in room 13 I'll come to you I'll be the dust if you'll be the wind On Palm Canyon Drive Where our love will never end, you are the color in my life I'll be the ash if you'll be the clouds Carry this torch til it flickers out In the desert wind, not the ocean blue I'll come to you on Palm Canyon Drive I'll be the ash if you'll be the clouds Carry this torch til it flickers out In the desert wind not the ocean blue In room 13 I'll come to you I'll come to you I'll be the dust if you'll be the wind On Palm Canyon Drive Where our love will never end, you are the color in my life I'll be the ash if you'll be the clouds Carry this torch til it flickers out In the desert wind, not the ocean blue I'll come to you on Palm Canyon Drive" |
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Lee Hazlewood |
L.A. Lady | Lee Hazlewood was a country and pop singer-songwriter and producer from Oklahoma, active from 1958-2006. He's probably best known for his work with Nancy Sinatra in the '60s and '70s. This song is from his album Movin' On, released in 1977. I like songs that have fun with spelling. "It's been said that all good things are made in heaven But somehow I have the feeling the first time we said 'I love you' to each other The Gods must have turned their backs And laughed out loud When you're up, you're a king When you're down, you're nothing And why? because I told me so When your back's against the wall You got no place to fall And why? because I told me so Go ahead and sing your lips at songs I already know what's wrong with you, I do You miss your L.A. L-A-D-Y Love is short, love is long She done took her ass and gone And why? because she told me so When you've done all you can do Let someone do for you And why? because I told me so Go ahead and sing your lips at songs I already know what's wrong with you, I do You miss your L.A. L-A-D-Y Go ahead and sing your lips at songs I already know what's wrong with you, I do You miss your L.A. L-A-D-Y" |
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The Head and the Heart |
Down in the Valley | This is such a great song I had to include it here. It mentions California only as a place the singer hasn't been to (I think) but the way he sings the words California and Oklahoma make these two places sound like paradise. It's an indie folk-pop song from a Seattle band, released in December 2010, with lots of great harmonies, piano, acoustic instruments, and great percussion. "I wish I was a slave to an age-old trade Like ridin' around on rail cars and workin' long days Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways Call it one drink too many Call it pride of a man But it don't make no difference if you sit or you stand 'Cause they both end in trouble and start with a grin Yeah they both end in trouble and start with a grin We do it over and over and over again We do it over and over and over again ............ I am on my way I am on my way I am on my way back to where I started California, Oklahoma And all of the places I ain't ever been to but Down in the valley with Whiskey rivers These are the places you will find me hidin' These are the places I will always go These are the places I will always go" |
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Heathcote Hill |
California Song | Heathcote Hill is a folk rock band from New York State, active since 2016. This song is from their album "Everlasting" released in 2018. The line "...I know it's all a lie but I don't care" says it all. "Winter's finally leaving But Spring is no relief All around's a different state of grace And every time you ask me I don't know what to say I can't go but I can't stay And this is just a house And that is just a road And there is just a place we used to go Where someone lied to someone And someone else got mad And it's too bad Yeah, it's too bad And somewhere I'm living by the ocean Somewhere I'm walking on a beach Somewhere I can hear the waves And I've got room to breathe I'm gonna move to California I'll be leaving any day I got some people there Brighter future, cleaner air And I know it's all a lie but I don't care I'm gonna move And somewhere I'm living by the ocean Somewhere I'm walking on a beach Somewhere I can hear the waves And I've got room to breathe I'm gonna move to California I'll be leaving any day I got some people there Brighter future, cleaner air And I know it's all a lie but I don't care I'm gonna move To California I'm gonna move to California I'll be leaving any day I got some people there Brighter future, cleaner air And I know it's all a lie but I don't care I'm gonna move ... ... ... ... And don't say I didn't warn ya I'm gonna move to California Don't say I didn't warn ya I'm gonna move to California" |
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The Hellp |
California Dream Girl | The Hellp is Noah Dillon and Chandler Lucy, a duo from Los Angeles with rock, electronic dance, and country influences. This upbeat electronic rocker was released in 2023. "Here's a symptom, another victim Anybody knows that I'm back to you Take a picture, we took too many As he makes way back (5, 4, 3) California dream girl You know what I mean, you know what I mean California dream girl You know what I mean, it's over for me It's on a full stop Anybody knows it It's on rule one I'm honest to fact It's on so ... Anybody knows why It's on a pull back in and I told you don't worry 'bout it Here's a symptom, another victim Anybody knows that I'm back to you Take a picture, we took too many As he makes way back down to you California dream girl You know what I mean, you know what I mean California dream girl You know what I mean, it's over for me You take apart, the ways we are You take apart, the ways we are Hey The ways we are Woo California dream girl You know what I mean, you know what I mean California dream girl You know what I mean, it's over for me California dream girl California dream girl California dream girl California dream girl You know what I mean You know what I need You know what I mean You know what I mean You know what I need You know what I mean California dream girl California dream girl California dream girl You know what I mean It's over for me You know what I mean You know what I mean You know what I mean California dream girl" |
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Hem |
Not California | A 2006 song from the Indie folk rock group from Brooklyn, with Sally Ellyson on vocals. This song was also recorded by Elizabeth Cook in 2010, by this might be the original (I can't find out who wrote it.) "Who's the girl inside of the blue-screen light The sun is just pouring out And everything is out of sight Turn around the room is just black and white She's whispering Na na na na na na na na Na na na na na na And it's not true And it's not fair And it's not you And it's not California here...." |
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Jimi Hendrix |
California Night | Jimi Hendrix was a singer-songwriter and legendary guitar player from Seattle, active from 1963 to 1970 when he unfortunately joined the "27 club." This song is a straight blues number from 1965 before Jimi got big. "Nobody loves me Nobody cares for me at all Nobody loves me Nobody cares for me at all That's why I'm on my way to Calfornia and I won't be back 'till late Fall On my way west(?) I got a friend I used to know On my way west(?) Yes I got a friend I used to know She lives out in Louisiana Way down in the Gulf of Mexico…" She wiggles when she walks and she's built up from the ground She wiggles when she walks, baby and she's built up from the ground..." |
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Don Henley |
Sunset Grill | Don Henley is a musician originally from Texas who moved with his band to Los Angeles in 1970. There he became a member of The Eagles in 1971, the band he's mostly associated with. This song is from his album "Building The Perfect Beast" released in 1984. The Sunset Grill was a hamburger grill on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood that was founded in 1957. It's still there, but it's a bit fancier now. Their website quotes the L.A. Times: "Sunset Grill remains to be the best place to sing about." "Let's go down to the Sunset Grill We can watch the working girls go by Watch the basket people walk around and mumble Stare out at the auburn sky There's an old man there from the old world To him, it's all the same Calls all his customers by name Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill You see a lot more meanness in the city It's the kind that eats you up inside Hard to come away with anything that feels like dignity Hard to get home with any pride These days a man makes you somethin' And you never see his face But there is no hiding place Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Respectable little murders pay They get more respectable every day Don't worry, girl I'm gonna stick by you And someday soon We're gonna get in that car And get outta here Let's go down to the Sunset Grill Watch the working girls go by Watch the basket people walk around and mumble Gaze out at the auburn sky Maybe we'll leave come springtime Meanwhile, have another beer What would we do without all these jerks anyway? Besides, all our friends are here Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill Down at the Sunset Grill" |
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Here's Your Problem |
Morro Bay | Here's Your Problem is a band assembled by longtime friends Tom Paulus and Max Belz who I think are now based in southern California. This song is a single released in 2017. "Driving north by the waves and the pines When I hear their haunting call I see the rock at Morro Bay As she cast her velvet pall Is this the life you promised? All you did was leave me alone All I have is this corrupted mansion No taste, no norms, no names in my phone Is this the life that you promised? All you did was leave me alone You said goodbye at our last party I'm counting money all alone I sit at night all alone in my cabana Counting money coin and stack I would be rich but the currency's changed I want the other [?] Time to generate some content I need something to say I spoke to the main consultant He'll get back to me by end of day Is this the life that you promised? All you did was leave me alone You said goodbye at our last party I'm counting money all alone...." |
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Hey Ocean! |
A Song About California | Hey Ocean! is a pop rock band formed in 2004 in Vancouver, Canada that makes me wonder if the ocean ever answers when they call. This song is from their album "It's Easier To Be Somebody Else" released in 2008. The plot is a good one - when the narrator is leaving for California her boyfriend tells her to write a song about California (I really like this guy!) but she can't think of anything to say about the state, so she writes a song about how much she misses her boyfriend, and that makes it a California song after all. I also like the line about how writing a California song is something everybody has to do before they die. It certainly seems true. But imagine how long this already enormous list would be. Maybe we should encourage everybody to write songs about other states instead. ' "Write a song about California" he said "Write a song about California" he said to me before I left But I think I'll write a song about him instead Now I'm sittin' up on Hollywood hill Can't think of a single thing to sing about this place, maybe I never will But I'm thinkin' 'bout you still Walkin' down Sunset Boulevard Never thought writing a song about some place could be this hard With you I don't know where to start Here's to the one who kept me up all night Who sings exactly right and never lets me know Here's to the boy, the one with the bright eyes Who makes me realize I got a long long way to go to California Bah bah bah, bah dah bah Now I am standing on this pier With all the sights and sounds of Santa Monica still ringing in my ears Oh I'm wishing you were here "Write a song about California" he said I think it's something everybody's got to do before they're dead But I wrote this song about you instead Here's to the one who kept me up all night Who sings exactly right and never lets me know Here's to the boy, the one with the bright eyes Who makes me realize I got a long long way to go to California Sun sets a-back down Venice Beach Oooh, famous names are at my feet Downscale folks with upscale parties Let's do lunch, let's do pilates Wasted minds but perfect bodies Here's to the one who kept me up all night Who sings exactly right and never lets me know Here's to the one, the one with the bright eyes Who makes me realize I got a long long way to go to California ' |
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John Hiatt |
Adios to California | John Hiatt is a singer-songwriter from Indiana, active since 1972. In this country/rock song from his album "Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns" released in 2011, Hiatt seems to recall his time trying to make it in L.A. in the '80s, stuggling with alcoholism, and his wife's suicide which left him with nothing to do but turn around and return to Nashville. "Smokey room and a thin blue light Her arms were pale as white Trying to outlast the night Howling at the moon Living in the canyon then Hangdown Hanna and Whiskey Jim Dirty jeans and mudslide hymns That all began with soon So adios to California Nothing to do but turn around I always thought there's someone coming for you Only way you'd leave this town Pasadena in the rain Eating donuts and reading Twain How much longer can my brain Set itself on fire? You said 'That's it for me' Have a little faith, it might set you free But your faith is no good, you see For me and my desire So adios to California Nothing to do but turn around I always thought there's someone coming for you Only way you'd leave this town Two cigarettes from the package gone You must have thought about it just that long I never knew you were so strong I guess I never will So adios to California Nothing to do but turn around I always thought there's someone coming for you Only way you'd leave this town Only way you'd leave this town" |
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Highly Suspect |
New California | HIghly Suspect is a band from Massachusetts, active since 2009. This great dark rock song is from "The Midnight Demon Club" released in 2022. "What is this place? What has it become? The kids are f**king stupid, the adults are dumb My fingertips shakey but I'm holding a gun Right beside my temple 'cause I wanna have fun And the fear is all we know (Wanna talk about it?) No When the fear is all we know Where do we go? Welcome to new California There paradise has lost her way You died inside new California It's so brand new, nothing's changed There's stars around here but they can't be seen They die beside the fentanyl and amphetamines I wanna write a novel but my fingers are numb We're all a bunch of losers but at least we have fun And the fear is all we know We've got nowhere left to go When the fear is all we know How do we grow? Bobby was a wreck and he was tracking on some breakfast He went out to get some eggs and forgot his f**king gold necklace Now he's rocking by the beaches and he's laying under piers But he doesn't understand that everybody disappears Cause the beach is made of blood and you can see it in the sand And everybody thinks Los Angeles is golden and it's grand The truth is in the water, you can taste it if you drink it Now his ship is setting sail, but he's gonna f**king sink it Welcome to new California There paradise has lost her way You died inside new California It's so brand new, nothing's changed What is this place? What has it become? What is this place? What has it become? What is this place? What has it become? What is this place? What has it be..." |
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Highly Suspect |
Serotonia | HIghly Suspect is a band from Massachusetts, active since 2009. This song is from the band's second studio album "The Boy Who Died Wolf" released in 2016. "I wish that everyone I knew was dead So that I'd never have to pick up the phone I just wanna be naked And masturbate all day at home California dreamin' Oh my heart just started screamin' I think I want to be alive I wish I lived on top of the Sunset Yeah cause Hollywood you know my type I'll get stoned all night with Lana Half in and half out of the light It's California dreamin' Yeah Oh my heart just started screamin' I think I wanna be alive I can feel it too So what am I waiting for? I'm afraid of you It's just I'm not that good of a person But I might be enough for you I'm gonna move to California I'm gonna melt into the sand Slow dance with Elizabeth Taylor And Audrey Bum a cigarette from Cary Grant Now New York you know I love you Because you made me who I am Which is not that good of a person I need to feel something again I can feel it too So what am I waiting for I'm afraid of you It's just I'm not that good of a person But I might be enough for you And I got enough love for two I can feel it too I'm afraid of you It's just I'm not that good of a person But I might be enough for you" |
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The Hip Abduction (with Trevor Hall) |
Pacific Coast Highway | The Hip Abduction is a six-piece band from St. Petersburg, Florida that says they formed over a mutual appreciation for West African and early Jamaican reggae/dub music, but this song is more Indie Rock. Trevor Hall is a singer-songwriter from Connecticut and South Carolina who relocated to Los Angeles. The song was released in 2021. "I left the lights of L.A. To where the angels long escaped Maybe under redwoods they play Or along the Humboldt shore I wanna find that place I left my soul On the Pacific Coast Highway I left my soul On the Pacific Coast Highway Gonna let the stars be my guide Had to leave my worries all behind Lovin' how the ocean meets the sky Wishing you could see this frame of mind All of them been asking where'd you go If you've never been then you'll never know I'm forever following the Golden Coast Hoping that I see you down the road I left my soul On the Pacific Coast Highway (I left my soul) I left my soul On the Pacific Coast Highway (I left my soul) Warm embrace of the mist Brings comfort like a kiss Wander through the untouched A smile to my new friends Walking on stones of jade I'll never leave a trace Hope these memories never fade I left my soul On the Pacific Coast Highway (I left my soul) I left my soul On the Pacific Coast Highway (I left my soul)...." |
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Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians |
Driving Aloud (Radio Storm) | Robyn Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter known for his solo career and for the bands he collaborated with - The Soft Boys in the late 1970s, The Egyptians in the mid 1980s, and The Venus 3, formed in 2002. This typically quirky Hitchcock indie rock song from the album "Respect," released in 1993, includes a brief mention of Sacramento, but it's no more random than the mention of Harrison Ford. "Take a breath, take a breath, take a breath Honey take it on me 'Cause your lungs are in terrible shape and it's easy to see I've been X-raying you since you walked into here You've got nothing to hope You've got nothing to fear Heartburn and chemistry and lung disease Make mincemeat of your passion on days like these And everything you say is like sugar The sweeter it gets you know I lick it away Radio forcasts intermittent storms Tidal waves that change their forms Aaaaaah! With a knot in your heart you're afraid of the galaxy way And I hand you a tape of my songs which you always mislay And your diagram was nervous when I saw you on TV You're so vulnerable, honey, now you're fatter than me I've got a Harrison Ford poster rolled up in my desk I'd sign it for you, dude, if you'd only request Everything you say is like iron It smashes me up but it's brittle inside Radio forcasts intermittent storms Tidal waves that change their forms Aaaaaah! You need love, baby, love, baby, love, don't you throw it away It's the musk on your tongue and your hoof that are making me stay In a bar in Sacramento on a cloudy afternoon Cutting paper napkins into little crescent moons Decision-making apparatus can't survive your death Good morning, Mr. Seagrove, have you met my dead friend Seth? No sir, I haven't had that pleasure yet But everything you say is like acid It eats me away but there's something inside Radio forcasts intermittent storms Tidal waves that change their forms Aaaaaah! What am I going to do with myself if I lose you? What am I going to do with myself if you stay? (Jesus could raise the dead, Jesus could fly) (Jesus could raise the dead, Jesus could fly) No sweat (Jesus could raise the dead, Jesus could fly) No sweat at all (Jesus could raise the dead, Jesus could fly) But everything you say is an ocean (Jesus could raise the dead, Jesus could fly) It's keeping me up but it's pulling me down (Jesus could raise the dead, Jesus could fly) Radio forcasts intermittent storms Tidal waves that change their forms Aaaaaah!...." |
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Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 |
A Man's Gotta Know His Limitations, Briggs | Robyn Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter known for his solo career and for the bands he collaborated with - The Soft Boys in the late 1970s, The Egyptians in the mid 1980s, and The Venus 3, formed in 2002. This song is from the 2006 album "Ole Tarantula." "A man's gotta know his limitations, Briggs Or he will just explode You lived in your imagination, Briggs You blew up in the road I'm talking to you and to you over there and to you over there You were riding in your car in San Francisco You were riding through the weather and the rain You were riding in your car in San Francisco But you're never gonna ride that way again. A girl's gotta know her situation, Clint Or she will just move on So if you have some information, squint Through the keyhole or down the barrel of your gun I'm talking to you and I'm listening too so you've got no excuse I was riding in your car in San Francisco I was riding through the weather and the rain I was riding in your car in San Francisco But I'll never ride with you again A boy's gotta go just where you put him, Mel Or he will turn to steel And if he dies you must forget him, Mel Unless you want him crawling through your dream And I'm talking to you I can talk I can hear Well what more do you want? We were riding in your car in San Francisco We were riding through the weather and the rain Riding in your car in San Francisco But we're never gonna ride that way again We both got a Briggs in us Somewhere down the road I don't know bout you folks but This Briggs will explode A man's gotta know his limitations, Briggs." |
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Hiway |
Orange Cap City | Hiway is a rapper from Eureka who has been releasing music since 2008. This is a song released in 2022 about drug problems in his home town that he calls Orange Cap City because of all the orange syringe caps littering the streets "Orange Cap City ... Eureka Watch your back ... You won't notice it if you pass it quickly 3rd, 4th 5th, Myrtle, Broadway, and Wabash Are lookin' mad ... So much fog it's not a clear view People move here to get away from the dirt, but we got it here too Don't have a problem, give it some time, they'll bring a problem to you There's way too much drama to possibly not adhere to The climate is gloomy, we grindy, we moody We get slightly unruly But it might be ... Not enough vitamin D in the body, so we're likely abusing We got two types of shootings happening S**t you might see, and movies Yeah we up north, but I think we forget we still California Same attitude but in our case it's worse 'cause we battle boredom There's not a lot to do here so we do dumb s**t for recreation We're try to stay clean but it's such a messy place It's Orange Cap City Why's it feel as though I never left I'm embedded here there's no reason to second guess Outside city limits you get better ... hold up Let's make a quick stop at ... You in Orange Cap City Why's it feel as though I never left I'm embedded here there's no reason to second guess Outside city limits you get better ... hold up Let's make a quick stop at ... You in Orange Cap City If you came up here you probably ... You catch ... through the grapevine but odds are you know them dudes Cross the line you'll get a one way trip to the Samoa Dunes I know plenty of people that ended up on the local news Hood kids doin' demon s**t 'cause they too heavily influenced Soon as they get introduced to s**t they get into it The cycle started before us and it's been continuous You know, either you or a family member has been through it Meth and pills been in this but now heroine is takin' the lead Zombies everywhere some of us get it where others be ... to say in the streets It's kind of like if you were abusing a dog and they make it the breed Generation after generation No church on Sunday for they prey on the week Little girls gettin' turnt out Big brothers lookin' burnt out They'll set you up at the party and tell you there's nothin' to worry 'bout It's quicksand, it's hard to climb the f**k up Should we call the Stop 'n Shop Stop 'n Rob for how much it gets stuck up It's Orange Cap City ... ... ... Houses burning California, s**t gets exciting When ... was poppin' hella motherf***ers was divin' right in Some of them never left the area I wonder which one I'm in Local businesses failing corporations are thriving So ain't no such thing as jobs who ... We settle for meager living Most of our dreams they've taken flight Were pushin' packs, slingin' pills, or sellin' white My big bro became a dope head now I don't trust him it's like day and night Mental illness leads to senseless killing of the most flagrant type They shoot up parties ... to impress the people Powder keg the mix is especially lethal Drugs create a zombie that's ... Resident Evil If you visit watch where you walkin' Might step on a needle It's Orange Cap City...." |
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The Hold Steady |
Modesto is Not That Sweet | The Hold Steady is a rock band from Brooklyn fronted by Craig Finn from Minnesota. This is from the band's first studio album "Almost Killed Me" released in 2004. "I can't believe I was worried about hurting you. I should have kicked it with your cousin when I had the opportunity. I was at some party and she said she had to talk to me and then she didn't say anything. I can't believe I worried about hurting you while you were banging around the bars trying to scratch up something new. You left me fifty bucks and nothing much to do but think about getting back at you. I heard that you've been back around the neighborhood. You might be still strung out but you still look pretty good. I heard that kid from California turned out to be an asshole. I think I could have told you. You left with burning bridges but you never saw the beach. You had stars in your eyes but Modesto's not that sweet. When you only know one guy and he disappears for days at time. I can't believe I was worried about hurting you. I should have kicked it with your cousin when I had the opportunity. I was at some party and she said she had to talk to me. She didn't say much of anything." |
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Dick and Carol Holdstock |
Frisco Ship | Dick and Carol Holdstock are singers of traditional British and Sea songs. Dick Holdstock is also an author of a book - "Again With One Voice - British Songs of Political Reform, 1768 to 1868." This sea shanty is from the album "San Francisco Shanties and Sea Songs of California"s Gold Rush with Tom Murphey" released in 1998. When gold was discovered on the American River in California in February 1848 the population of the territory increased by 100,000 in two years, many of them traveling there by ship, and this inspired a lot of sea shanties - traditional work songs sung by sailors, similar to military marching songs and other work songs with a steady beat to work to. You can hear this in this song in particular. "Oh the ship she lie by Frisco Bay To me way aye oh hi o Our ship she lie by Frisco Bay A long time ago A smart Yankee clipper lay out in the bay To me way aye oh hi o Awaiting a windfall to get on the way A long time ago Oh we sailed from Frisco in a full rigged ship To me way aye oh hi o We sailed from Frisco in a full rigged ship A long time ago Her mast was silver her yards was gold To me way aye oh hi o Her mast was silver her yards was gold A long time ago Bound for New York with a cargo of gold To me way aye oh hi o Bound south 'round the horn through the ice and the cold A long time ago And if ever I gets to me feet on the shore To me way aye oh hi o I'll become the owner of a little run store A long time ago And if ever I gets me feet on the bed To me way aye oh hi o I'll become some young lady's fancy man A long time ago Oh it's a long time and a very long time To me way aye oh hi o A very long time since I wrote this rhyme A long time ago" |
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Dick and Carol Holdstock |
Ho For California | This is another song from the album "San Francisco Shanties and Sea Songs of California"s Gold Rush with Tom Murphey" released in 1998. It's a version of a 19th century folk song about the California Gold Rush that is often sung as a sea shanty. Gold was first discovered on the American River, a tributary of the Sacramento River, but steamboats used the Sacramento River to sail to the area. According to Ballad of America, Jesse Hutchinson Jr. composed the song "Ho! For California!" in 1849, using some of the melody to "Boatman's Dance" a minstrel song by Dan Emmett, and it became an unofficial anthem of the gold rush. Many versions of the song with different lyrics and titles have also been recorded, some of which can be found on this list. "The Banks of the Sacramento," "The Banks of Sacramento," "Banks of the Sacramento," "Sacramento," and "Ho! For California!" are some of the other titles. You can see the original lyrics under Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band. "Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento We've formed our band, we're all well manned To journey afar to the promised land The golden ore is rich in store On the banks of the Sacramento shore Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento The gold is thar it's every whar We dig it out rich with an iron bar And where it's thick, with spade or pick We dig out chunks as big as a brick Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento We expect our share of the coarsest fare And oftimes sleep in cold damp air We'll all sleep sound on the cold damp ground Except when the wolves come howlin' around Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento As off we roam o'er the dark sea foam We'll ne'er forget kind friends at home And memory's kind shall bring to mind The love for the girls we left behind Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento The land we'll save for the bold and brave And there shall never be a slave Let foes recoil, for the sons of toil We'll make California God's Free Soil Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento Then, ho! Boys ho! For Cal-i-for-ni-o There's plenty of gold so I've been told On the banks of the Sacramento" |
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Dick and Carol Holdstock |
Oh California | This is another song from the album "San Francisco Shanties and Sea Songs of California"s Gold Rush with Tom Murphey" which was released in 1998. It uses the tune of "Oh Susana" with a gold pan instead of a banjo on the singer's knee. "I came from Salem City with my washbowl on my knee, I'm going to California the gold dust for to see. It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry, The sun so hot I froze to death, oh brother, don't you cry. Oh, California, that's the land for me, I'm off to San Francisco with my washbowl on my knee. I jumped aboard the largest ship and traveled on the sea, And every time I thought of home, I wished it wasn't me! The vessel reared like any horse that had of oats a wealth, I found it wouldn't throw me, so I thought I'd throw myself! Oh, California, that's the land for me, I'm off to San Francisco with my washbowl on my knee. I thought of all the pleasant times we've had together here, And I thought I ought to cry a bit, but couldn't shed a tear. The pilot's bread was in my mouth, the gold dust in my eye, And though I'm going far away, dear brother, don't you cry. Oh, California, that's the land for me, I'm off to San Francisco with my washbowl on my knee. And when I get to Frisco boys, then I'll look around, And when I see the gold lumps there, I'll pick them off the ground. I'll scrape the mountains clean, my boys, I'll drain the rivers dry, A pocketful of rocks bring home, so brothers, don't you cry. Oh, California, that's the land for me, I'm off to San Francisco with my washbowl on my knee." |
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Dick and Carol Holdstock |
Santy Ana | This is another song from the album "San Francisco Shanties and Sea Songs of California"s Gold Rush with Tom Murphey" which was released in 1998. This is a longer version of the traditional sea shanty that is also sung by The Kingston Trio. It adds verses about Zachary Taylor and General Santa Ana and other history class stuff. "We're sailin' 'cross the river from Liverpool Heave away, Santy Anna Around Cape Horn to 'Frisco Bay Way out in Califor-ni-o So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anna Heave her up and away we'll go Along the plains of Mexico She's a fast clipper ship and a bully good crew Heave away, Santy Anna A down east Yankee for her Captain, too Way out in Califor-ni-o So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anna Heave her up and away we'll go Along the plains of Mexico There's plenty of gold, so I've been told Heave away, Santy Anna There's plenty of gold, so I've been told Way out in Califor-ni-o So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anna Heave her up and away we'll go Along the plains of Mexico Back in the days of forty-nine Heave away, Santy Anna Those were the days of the good old times Way out in Califor-ni-o So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anna Heave her up and away we'll go Along the plains of Mexico When Zacharia Taylor gained the day Heave away Santy Anna He maid poor Santy run away Way out in Califor-ni-o So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anna Heave her up and away we'll go Along the plains of Mexico...." |
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Hole |
Celebrity Skin | Hole is an alternative rock band formed in L.A. in 1989 by Courtney Love, an artist/actress/singer/songwriter. This song, from their third album "Celebrity Skin," released in 1998, is the band's most successful commercial single. The song deals with the ups and downs of celebrity. Courtney Love wrote the song, named after a porno magazine, with help from Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins after she took some time off from the band to sell her pound of flesh in Hollywood, making "The People vs. Larry Flynt," which is probably her best known role. "Oh make me over I'm all I wanna be A walking study In Demonology Hey, so glad you could make it Yeah, now you've really made it Hey, so glad you could make it now Oh look at my face My name is might have been My name is never was My name's forgotten Hey, so glad you could make it Yeah, now you've really made it Hey, there's only us left now When I wake up in my makeup It's too early for that dress Wilted and faded somewhere in Hollywood I'm glad I came here with your pound of flesh No second billing 'cause you're a star now Oh, Cinderella, they aren't sluts like you Beautiful garbage, beautiful dresses Can you stand up or will you just fall down? You better watch out Oh what you wish for It better be worth it So much to die for Hey, so glad you could make it Yeah, now you've really made it Hey, there's only us left now When I wake up in my makeup Have you ever felt so used up as this? It's all so sugarless, hooker/waitress Model/actress, oh, just go nameless! Honeysuckle, she's full of poison She obliterated everything she kissed Now she's fading somewhere in Hollywood I'm glad I came here with your pound of flesh You want a part of me? Well, I'm not selling cheap No, I'm not selling cheap" |
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Hole |
Malibu | This song from the album "Celebrity Skin," released in 1998, has the ocean, angels, driving down the coast highway, all those typical California references, but with added images of self destruction, suffering and suicide - all of which Courtney Love certainly understands better than most of us. "Crash and burn All the stars explode tonight How'd you get so desperate How'd you stay alive Help me please Burn the sorrow from your eyes Oh, come on be alive again Don't lay down and die Hey, hey You know what to do Oh, baby, drive away to Malibu Get well soon Please don't go any higher How are you so burnt when You're barely on fire Cry to the angels I'm gonna rescue you I'm gonna set you free tonight, baby Pour over me Hey, hey We're all watching you Oh, baby, fly away to Malibu" |
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Hole |
Pacific Coast Highway | This is from Hole's album "Nobody's Daughter" released in 2010. "I knew a boy who came from the sea He was the only boy who ever Knew the truth about me I'm overwhelmed and undersexed Baby, what did you expect? I'm overwrought and so disgraced I'm too ashamed to show my face And they're coming to take me away now What I want I will never have I'm on the Pacific Coast Highway With your gun in my hand" I knew a boy who left me so ravaged Do you even know the extent Of the damage My dirty little secret died In between the sheets And the promises that killed me From your eyes I'm bloody and totally bound I don't know what to do with my hands now I surrender, I give in I'll kick down your door if you don't let me in And I've lost myself completely I look to you, my true desire I'm on the Pacific Coast Highway My god how did you fall so far? Your whole world is in my hands Your whole wide world is in my hands" |
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Jolie Holland |
Goodbye California | Jolie Holland, also a member of the Be Good Tanyas, is a singer from Texas who performs a mixture of folk, jazz and blues. In this song, the singer seems to be saying goodbye to California because she's contemplating suicide - to the accompaniment of a fairly upbeat band which includes a musical saw... "Goodbye, goodbye, California Goodbye and I’ll be moving on I sang you my songs I know i’m wrong Fare thee well And I’ll be moving on When I’m dead and gone My immortal home Will hold me in its bosom Safe and cold No more desires Will light their fires Or disturb my immaculate calm And the birds of the air And the beasts of the soil And the fishes of the desperate seas Will know who I am And our substance will expand As part of everything As part of everything, my God As part of everything And the clouds will roll And the wind will blow And the beautiful birds will sing Goodbye, goodbye, California Goodbye to your waving trees To you succulent wind And all my friends Fare thee well Goodbye So be it Amen Amen." |
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The Hollytones |
California Christmas Is Here | The Hollytones are a trio that's had some songs on Dr. Demento albums, so they must work in the novelty genre. This song channels some Beach Boys harmonies and comes from the album "Gridlock Christmas" which had a limited release in 1995, and was re-released in 2007. WTF is sun-ripened sushi, you ask? I have no idea, but it sounds like a recipe for food poisoning. "Blinking lights on metal trees A warm and sunny ocean breeze Swimsuit Santas with pretty knees California Christmas is here Chilly weather, sixty or so Drive four hours to man-made snow Or we could just go surfin', you know California Christmas is here Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California California Christmas is here Ooh, California Christmas Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Yeah, California Christmas is here Ooh, California Christmas Guacamole bean dip and Mexican beer Sun-ripened sushi and water that's clear Kiwi pizza is trendy this year California Christmas is here Sunshine parties, full of glee Natural eggnog and roasted brie Julio singing Ave Marie California Christmas is here Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California California Christmas is here Ooh, California Christmas Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, Californiaia California Christmas is here Ooh, California Christmas Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California Christmas is here Ooh, California Christmas Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Ooh, California, ooh, California Yeah, California Christmas is here" |
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Hollywood Undead |
Bottle and a Gun | Hollywood Undead is a rock rap group from L.A. This song is from the band’s debut album “Swan Songs” released in 2008. It has all the rap tropes - Sex, drugs, guns, tricked-out luxury automobiles, pop culture name-drops, plus interesting new uses for the Hollywood sign and for time travel. (I hope they save B.I.G. too.) “ It was once a dark lonely summer's eve On the lonely streets of Sunset When the lord called upon seven crazy m.c's J Dog, Charlie Scene, Johnny 3 Tears, Da Kurlzz, and The Producer Hey, uh, man you forgot the homie funny man, c'mon And I can show you how to hump without making love The way you look at me, I can tell that you're a freak And I'll be laying in the sun, bottle and a gun The way you look at me, I can tell that you're a freak My clothes are always retro Sexual like I'm hetero And I play a b***h like Nintendo (Zelda) Take her for ride in my Benzo Funny as f***, I should do stand up Bust caps at the crowd like I don't give a f*** (f*** you) Got a gold ass grill Hit me on the sidekick if you wanna chill Hop in the ride, let's roll I'm a baritone with a voice so low It'll make your speakers explode And I'll drop your panties to the floor (ah) Let me bend you over, let me lay you sideways Hop in the back girls, freaky Fridays If you got beef, then you better step up b**ch Hollywood Undead ain't nothin' to f*** with …. …. …. …. …. … Girl, come and smoke my pole like a Marlboro Introduce me to your mom as Charles It's Charlie Scene, Shake your ass to the bass Wait till you see my face, hey b***h Wear them tight jeans that show your a** crack My first name gives Vietnam flashbacks I get drunk and do the same old, same old Take three girls home and call them Charlie’s Angels What'chu gonna do after we get signed? I'm gonna lose my mind Get 30 inch spinners and pimp my ride Go back in time, be there that night and save 2Pac's life Then pay my fine for getting caught f***ing on the Hollywood sign I got the game on lock I'll have a bottle and a glock With biceps like The Rock Buy Tom's soul back from Rupert Murdock (hey)….” |
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Hollywood Undead |
California | This song is all about booze and women and macho territorial swagger, subjects not exactly foreign to rap or rock music. It's from their debut album “Swan Songs” released in 2008. "California show me love Get buzzed, let's get f****d up California So high, we'll ride all night Comin' straight outta Cali, what? The 818 valley, what? 323, f**k horse night alley And from Highland to Clayton, all these b****es are hatin' 'Cause the s**t that we're saying is the s**t that they're playin' … … … ... I'm a pirate on the streets of California Movin' and cruisin', we're boozin' all night to the mornin' So from dust 'till dawn, you know Undead is always on Hit it once like a bomb, hit it twice and then I'm gone California show me love Get buzzed, let's get f****d up California throw it up Get buzzed, let's get f****d up" |
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Hollywood Undead |
California Dreaming | This high-energy alt rocker is from "V" released in 2017. "Like a sinkhole, like a sinkhole Stars aren't born, they're f**king made up in a dice roll What does it show? What does it show? C-c-cut off all the tethers to your lost soul Think about a time on a dotted line Venice Beach, cutting throats on the shoreline It ain't a f**king crime if I'm taking back what's mine Los Angeles, we're on the front line Click-click-boom, let 'em fall Lining 'em up with the semi-matic auto Hear the call? Hear the call? Hop in the whip, d-dip it straight, then I'm out though When I do it like this With a wiffle ball bat Surf's up, b**ches, and it's like that Hollywood coming to attack I'm no shooting star, just a burning heart We never sleep, in California, we're dreaming Running through the dark, broken boulevards We never sleep, in California, we're dreaming In California, we're dreaming Armageddon now, Armageddon now Coked out skeletons come back down Break 'em down, gotta break 'em down Broke-down fault lines sink so loud The greatest story ever told, the greatest lie I've ever known Dead men walking audition for the big show It's biblical, so, so cynical In the land of make-believe, the situation's critical Sink into the ocean like some martyrs at our pinnacle Yeah, it's just a vision, but the waves are f**king literal As above, so below You wanna go to heaven, but you sold your soul Dying young, I'm growing cold Cut yourself apart so you don't grow old We're living in denial, but we're doing it in style Out here in California, it's a trial by fire I'm no shooting star, just a burning heart We never sleep, in California, we're dreaming Running through the dark, broken boulevards We never sleep, in California, we're dreaming In California, we're dreaming I can feel the tension hidden in the question Underneath the dreams I hold I can see rejection in my own reflection I can feel my dreams grow cold Dreams grow cold, oh I'm no shooting star, just a burning heart We never sleep, in California, we're dreaming Running through the dark, broken boulevards We never sleep, in California, we're dreaming In California, we're dreaming In California (In California, we're dreaming) In California, we're dreaming (In California, we're dreaming) In California" |
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Hoodoo Gurus |
When You Get to California | Hoodoo Gurus are a rock band from Australia formed in 1981. This song is from their album "Mach Schau" released in 2004. "I used to think I was on my own I used to think I was fully grown Yeah well everyone thinks They've got it down cold And I guess I'm like everyone But that was before I was unknown You'll know when you get to California Darling Clementine, it's a state of mind You'll now when you get to California Freedom's in the air. It's waiting there The life that I had back in New York Was happy enough, or so I always thought Yeah, I made a new friend Who opened my eyes To what's inside of everyone and Now I can see I was all talk You'll know when you get to California Darling Clementine, it's a state of mind You'll know when you get to California Freedom's in the air. It's waiting there You'll know when you get to California And while the planets turn I'm gonna live and I'll learn" |
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John Lee Hooker |
Frisco Blues | John Lee Hooker was a blues singer-songwriter from Mississippi who later settled in California. This version of this song was released as a single in 1963 a year after Tony Bennet's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" became a hit. He has recorded other verisons of the song including this one which is slower and without the female background singers. "I left my heart in San Francisco I left my heart, people, in San Francisco High on the hill, at the Golden Gate, 'cross the bay, In San Francisco, on the hill, the mornin' fog, And the cool, cool night That's where I, I wanna be, San Francisco That's where I left my heart I been to New York City, I've been to Chicago, I found no place, like San Francisco, With the cable car, high, high, on the hill In the mornin' fog, The evening breeze, The cool, cool night, Is where I wanna be Oh yeah Oh yeah Work, work people, tell me about it, Work out, work out I got the blues for San Francisco Yes, yes, yes, yes My heart is there, high, on the hill, Right down by, the Golden Gate, 'cross the bay, That's where I wanna be I left my heart right there, in San Francisco With the mornin' fog and the cool, cool night, the cable cars, on the hill That's where I wanna be people, My heart is there, my heart is there, in San Francisco" |
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Lightnin' Hopkins |
California Mudslide | This is a country blues song from the great Texas bluesman off his 1969 abum "California Mudslide (and Earthquake)" After the fires of the summer of 1968 that denuded many of the hills in Southern California came the heavy rains of 1968 and 1969 which led to some catastrophic mudslides, which could be what Hopkins is singing about. "Take me outta this bottom, take me outta this bottom, baby, Little girl, fore this water rise. Take me outta this bottom, take me outta this bottom, Little girl, fore this water rise. You know I musta been born by the devil, Po' Lightnin don't wanna be baptised. See, it's rainin in ole California's the reason I said it, The houses slidin down off the hill. Many, many many friends have lost their home. Just because the water was falling so hard, And the mudslide had taken their home. And I said. Lettin ya know how it's happenin now. Take me outta this bottom, take me outta this bottom, baby, Po' Lightnin can't feel satisfied. Take me outta this bottom, take me outta this bottom, Po' Lightnin just can't feel satisfied. Just you know many friends of mine lost they home, By that old mudslide. Don't take me to be wrong people, Forgive me for my mistake. You know, please, please, please, Forgive me for my mistake. Well, after all that flood come in California, do you know, The good Lord old ground begin to shake? That's that earthquake that was comin. Have mercy." |
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Lightnin' Hopkins |
California Showers | More country blues from the great Texas bluesman off his 1969 abum "California Mudslide (and Earthquake)" It's hard to believe here during the great drought of 2015 but once upon a time it used to rain in California. "Just take a look at the weather It keep rainin' all the time Just take a look at the weather It keep rainin' all the time You know it be rainin' this minute and the next minute You look up and you'll see sunshine Tell me why there's rain Why it storm in California all the time Tell me why do it rain Why it storm in California all the time I don't want the rain But you still have plenty sunshine You know it keeps on rainin' You know this poor man can't make no time You know if it keeps on rainin' You know this poor man can't make no time You know if I can't go to my job How I'm gonna feed this family of mine? You know the poor children are runnin' "I'm hungry" When I don't have a lousy dime Poor children runnin', cryin' "Daddy I'm hungry" And I don't have a lousy dime That's the reason I was singin' when it started rainin' in California Why do it keep rainin' all the time? You know it was dark and cloudy Raindrops settled on my window pane You know it was dark it was cloudy The raindrops settled on my window pane You know my children didn't have nothin' to eat Now peoples ain't that a cryin' shame My poor wife walkin' Tellin' the children this is a cryin' shame My poor wife walkin' Tellin' the children this is a cryin' shame Yeah we all goin' down starvation I do believe But your daddy ain't to blame That's all right, that's all right You don't have to worry no more That's all right, that's all right Children you don't have to worry no more You know the sun is shinin" |
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Lightnin' Hopkins |
My California | "I'm goin back out in California, California Going just to do my little run around You know I'm goin back out in California, California Going to do my little run around So when I wake up the next morning You know the news ain't over town Yeah you know I'm goin back out in California I'm going to make out there my home Can't you see I'm getting ready I won't be here long California Yes I'm going to make it my home You know I'm almost ready now, And I ain't gonna be here long Yeah you know I'm going to Los Angeles Walk down 6th Avenue Reason I'm going to do it is those people Don't care hardly about what you do I'm going back to Make out there my home You know I'm just about ready now Boy and I ain't going to be here long" |
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Lightnin' Hopkins |
Los Angeles Blues | More country blues from the great Texas bluesman off his 1969 abum "California Mudslide (and Earthquake)" "Hello Los Angeles I be out making my own Well since things All my friends feel like it's wrong But hello Los Angeles I still may make you my home You know one morning Just about the day begin to break People all told me if you go to Los Angeles Lightnin' you making a sad mistake But I hollered hello Los Angeles I believe I'll be on my way Yes if you stop having those mudslides out there I may make that my home and I may stay I woke up this morning Los Angeles on my mind I couldn't do nothin but break down And begin to crying When I heard about Los Angeles was underwater Ain't nobody got no time They didn't have no time to lose Ever get lucky In this world again I want you to know poor Los Angeles Is still my friend But everybody been wondering Where has poor Lightnin' been" |
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Mason Horne |
Cold In California | Mason Horne is a singer-songwriter from Jefferson, South Carolina. This country rock track was released in 2021. "You didn’t think about what you left behind ya The memories in these county lines and This ole boy in a John Deere hat And just how bad that he wants you back I’ll be sipping a beer Baby 'till your back here 'Till it’s cold in California 'Till it’s 23 degrees in L.A. Until Malibu starts snowing Hell freezes over Baby I’ll be waiting for ya 'Till it’s cold in California I bet you're riding Ventura with your top let down Tank top and your blonde hairs blowing around I bet you got one hell of a sun tan And a Hollywood view in your Ray Bans But to tell the truth Baby I’ma be missing you 'Till it’s cold in California 'Till it’s 23 degrees in L.A. Until Malibu starts snowing Hell freezes over Baby I’ll be waiting for ya 'Till it’s cold in California 'Till ya need that Patagonia on ya Girl the one I loaned ya Come back baby why don’t ya You know I still want ya 'Till it’s cold in California 'Till it’s 23 degrees in L.A. Until Malibu starts snowing Hell freezes over Baby I’ll be waiting for ya 'Till it’s cold in California Cold in California Cold in California Cold in California" |
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Shaw Horton |
Everybody Knows (California) | This is from "Summer Inside My Mind" released in 2022. "Everybody knows Everybody's heard the rumors Everybody knows Everybody's heard the rumors California, where you're going California, it's where you're heading I saw you catching that flight Out of mind out of sight Oh that there is a light In this town And it never goes out It takes all I can give To settle the ghost within Feeling like somebody else But way up here nobody's near Going so far away Going right out of state Everybody knows Everybody's heard the rumors Everybody knows Everybody's heard the rumors California, where you're going California, it's where you're heading" |
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Shaw Horton |
Midnight in California (Hanging On) | This is an upbeat indie rock song from the album "Dreaming in Color" released in 2022. "Saturday night, setting sun Mulholland Drive, on the run Your long locks of golden brown Nobody ever sleeps in this town Our love burns down to ash Firefly fields and the clash For the crowd I couldn't care less Nobody else can clean up this mess It's midnight in California And I don't know where I'm gonna go The sun went down a long time ago And you left me hangin' on You left me hangin' on" |
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Rita Hosking |
California | Rita Hosking is an Americana/folk singer-songwriter from California, active since 2003. This is from her album "For Real" released in 2018. "From the curve of her Cascades, down her long Sierra spine A fair scent as her limbs sway, fir, cedar, oak and pine She will call you to her gently, show you concrete cuts that make you weep Guide you across her fertile valleys, and smoke beside you while you sleep California is my country, Califor-nee-i-a If you love her, you might join me, Califor-nee-i-a You might find her in clover, when her water tastes like wine Some days her cup runs over, but she’s thirsty most the time And if you’re lucky, she’ll tell stories, kneel down and listen hard And as usual, she’ll sing sweetly, then turn around and crush your heart California is my country, Califor-nee-i-a If you love her, you might join me, Califor-nee-i-a Aaaay ayayayaay You can never claim another, if she burned as your first flame ‘Cuz she’ll stick with you, like a mother, and you’ll be calling out her name California is my country, Califor-nee-i-a If you love her, you might join me, Califor-nee-i-a Aaaay ayayayaay Aaaay ayayayaay" |
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Hot Chelle Rae |
Tonight Tonight | Hot Chelle Rae is an American dance-rock band from Nashville. This is their most successful single, from their album "Whatever" released in 2011. I have no idea what a "California dime" is, but the image of dancing on the edge of the Hollywood Sign reminds me of the failed actress Peg Entwistle who killed herself by jumping off the "H" in 1932. Dory Previn sings a song about her. "It's been a really really messed up week Seven days of torture, seven days of bitter And my girlfriend went and cheated on me She's a California dime but it's time for me to quit her La la la, whatever, la la la, it doesn't matter, la la la, oh, well, la la la We're going at it tonight tonight There's a party on the rooftop top of the world Tonight tonight and we're dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign I don't know if I'll make it but watch how good I'll fake it It's all right, all right, tonight, tonight I woke up with a strange tattoo Not sure how I got it, not a dollar in my pocket And it kinda looks just like you Mixed with Zach Galifianakis (Huh!) La la la, whatever, la la la, it doesn't matter, la la la, oh, well, la la la We're going at it tonight tonight There's a party on the rooftop top of the world Tonight tonight and we're dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign I don't know if I'll make it but watch how good I'll fake it It's all right, all right, tonight, tonight You got me singing like, whoa, Come on, oh, It doesn't matter, whoa, Everybody now, oh Just don't stop let's keep the beat pumpin' Keep the beat up, let's drop the beat down It's my party dance if I want to We can get crazy let it all out...." |
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Hot Milk |
California's Burning | Wow - here's a song about California burning that's not about wildfires. Hot Milk's website describes them as "...an emo power-pop duel fronted band from Manchester, England." At first I thought that means they turn their backs and walk ten paces with those old-fashioned pistols every night on stage (I'd pay to see that) - but then I decided it's a typo and they have two lead singers. This raucus political song was released as a single in 2020, no doubt inspired by the BLM protests. It doesn't matter to me that a band of foreigners is singing about police brutality and violence in my country -somebody has to do it - but maybe they should have called it "Minnesota's Burning" since that's where the George Floyd murder happened that started the protests. "Semi-automatic in a candy store Strangers break down your door NRA on the senate floor Is this the life you're looking for? Start a civil war Just cause they're bored Yeah, ignore the law Is this the world you're looking for? Claw out the feeling of this beating heart California's burning in the dark In turbulent times with subordinate minds We are untameable Cause they are animals Anti-Christ take from the poor Lotta gold, but they still want more Lock up kids just to ignore A rainbow flag they wanna cure Staring down a loaded gun These fires ain't for fun Wage war that can't be won Is this the world you're fighting for? Claw out the feeling of this beating heart California's burning in the dark In turbulent times with subordinate minds We are untameable Cause they are animals Cause they are animals Children of today, mavericks of tomorrow We will build a bridge cause their minds are too narrow Children of today, mavericks of tomorrow We will build a bridge cause their minds are too narrow Children of today, mavericks of tomorrow We will build a bridge cause their minds are too narrow Make them a home in united gallows We will build a bridge cause their minds are too narrow Claw out the feeling of this beating heart California's burning in the dark In turbulent times with subordinate minds We are Claw out the feeling of this beating heart California's burning in the dark In turbulent times with subordinate minds We are untameable Cause they are animals Claw out the feeling of this beating heart California's burning in the dark In turbulent times with subordinate minds We are untameable Cause they are animals" |
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Hot Shade & Mike Perry (featuring Karlyn) |
California | Hot Shade is a producer based in New York City known for his collaborations with Scandinavian musicians. Mike Perry is a Swedisn EDM artist. Karlyn is a Dutch singer. This electronic dance track was released in 2018. "I've been going down the wrong kind of road all the time Left my home, went looking for a place I can call mine You're gonna see me shine underneath the city lights So bright they're blinding The world is at my feet, like living in a dream Come find me Meet me in California Meet me in California So amazing, I've been walking on cloud nine I finally made it, just me, myself, and I You're gonna see me shine underneath the city lights So bright they're blinding The world is at my feet, like living in a dream Come find me Meet me in California (In California) Meet me in California (In California)" |
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Howlin' Wolf |
California Blues | Howlin' Wolf (Chester Burnett), born in Mississippi, was a great Chicago blues singer, active from the 1930s to 1976. This song was written by Burnett and recorded in 1951 by Sam Phillips in Memphis. "California that's the place I want to live California that's the place I want to live I'm going to California, I'm gonna live on Beverly Hills California I'm going down there to live California I'm going down there to live I've got a pad for myself, 'cause I'm gonna get old someday California, that's a fine place to live California, that's a fine place to live Well I said California, home sweet home" |
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Howlin' Wolf |
California Boogie | This is another song written by Howlin' Wolf and recorded during his sessions with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis, probably in 1951. "Going to California, yeah I'm coming, I expect to make this my home Going to California, baby but I can't carry you Going to California, baby but I can't carry you I'm going to California, they tell me it's a fine place Going to California, gonna make that my home Going to California, gonna make that my home I've got a pad for myself, stay there my whole day [?] California California California I'm on my way I've got a pad, for myself and a younger date [?] Lookie here baby, meet me when I come Lookie here baby, meet me when I come I'm comin' to California gonna live the rest of my days Blow! California, you're the best place in America that I know You're fine, I live there boss, ain't that sweet? I love California, I love it for myself I love California, I love it for myself I'm going to California gonna live there the rest of my days" |
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Ray Wylie Hubbard (featuring Steve Earle) |
Hellbent for Leather | Ray Wylie Hubbard is a singer-songwriter from Oklahoma, active since 1965. Steve Earle is a singer-songwriter from Texas, active since 1968. This outlaw country song is from the album "Co-Starring Too" released in 2022. The line about Gram Parson refers to his Flying Burrito Brothers song about L.A. "Sin City." "The fly-by-night carnival is closin' down It's time to get off this merry-go-round The kids and rubes have left the fairgrounds The rock and roll gypsies gettin' out of town Northeastern Oklahoma is callin' my name Gettin' off the grid and the old shell game Gonna transcend like Henry David Thoreau Listen to 'Sweetheart Of The Rodeo' So long, City of Angels Goodbye Sunset and Vine I'm leavin' for Oklahoma Adios, Hollywood sign The Warner's record deal fell apart in L.A. The Technicolor life turned battleship grey It's like I's Daniel in the lion's den Except no spirit appeared to save my skin So I'm leavin' here with a girl who shimmies With her black eyeliner and her handful of gimme Take a twin reverb with two blown speakers Wear my John Varvatos Converse sneakers So long, City of Angels Goodbye Sunset and Vine I'm leavin' for Oklahoma Adios, Hollywood sign (two, three, four) Gram Parsons was right about the 31st floor The Earth is shakin', can't take it no more So I'm headed due East, hellbent for leather Might even get the band back together So long, City of Angels Goodbye Sunset and Vine I'm leavin' for Oklahoma Adios, Hollywood sign So long, City of Angels Goodbye Sunset and Vine I'm leavin' for Oklahoma Adios, Hollywood sign" |
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Ronnie Hudson and the Street People |
West Coast Poplock | Ronnie Hudson is an American recording artist from D.C. This funky song, released in 1982, has been his most popular, partly because it was sampled on Tupac Shakur's big hit "California Love" in 1995. "Now wait a minute California knows how to party California knows how to party In the city, of L.A. In the city, of good old Watts In the city, city of Compton They're Poplockin' WOOOO Poplockin' in Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, Lincoln and Mercedes Benz Poplockin' in Howard Johnson's, Sheraton Poplockin' at the Holiday Inn Poplockin' in Hollywood, it's understood While listening to the Mac Poplockin' on Broadway, everyday To the Preacher's rap So rough, so tough, out here baby So rough, so tough, out here California knows how to party California knows how to party In the city, of L.A. In the city, of good ol' Watts In the city, city of Compton They're poplockin' Dance, dance disco style It's all on the West Coast Living good and playing hard Cruising the Boulevard Leaning, fiending And you won't be dreaming That's what it's all about So rough, so tough, out here baby So rough, so tough, out here baby So rough, so tough, out here baby So rough, so tough, out here baby Lock it up baby WOOOO, YAH Lock them shoulders Lock them arms Now lock that neck Just raise those fingers in the air I swear it's getting mighty funky out there There's a party over here There's a party over there Can I get a "Right On" cuz? Playboys That's cool, clean and mean Can I get a "Right On" cuz? Right on! So rough, so tough, out here baby So rough, so tough, out here California knows how to party California knows how to party In the city, of L.A. In the city, of good ol' Watts In the city, city of Compton They're poplockin'...." |
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Paul Hunter (featuring Ashley Ivester) |
California | I cant' find out anything about Paul Hunter or Ashley Ivester, who basically just sings harmony in this alt-countryish song that was put on YouTube in September 2024. It's hard to understand all the lyrics so there are some gaps. I like that the singer wants to go to California, but he doesn't just mention southern California. He's going to Monterey and maybe the Bay Area, a part of the state that is overlooked by most California songs. "Baby just walk away Don't miss the chance to finally have your freedom Autumn couldn't stay To everything there is a time and season My arms couldn't hold you So you're going back to Oklahoma As for me I think I'll head to the west coast, yeah I think I'll go to California And watch our love sail away on the ocean Let the cold waves break over Your memory and every word that we've left unspoken ... baby ... how we saved me I'm just looking for closure Think I'll go to California 37 hours to Monterey Or maybe north up to Half Moon Bay I'm ripping off the rear view mirror (I'll be alright) Headed west, headed west Hanging out in California And watch our love sail away on the ocean Let the cold waves break over Your memory and every word that we've left unspoken ... baby ... how we saved me I'm just looking for closure Think I'll go to California California California So girl I'll see you when I see you Until then I hope your ... dreams come true I'll be on the west coast chasing ... I'm chasing ... I think I'll go to California And watch our love sail away on the ocean Let the cold waves break over Your memory and every word that we've left unspoken ... baby ... how we saved me I'm just looking for closure Think I'll go to California...." |
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Adam Huxley |
California | I can't find out anything about Adam Huxley except that he's from the UK. This song is from his album "72 Degrees and Sunny" released in 2023. 72 degrees and sunny is probably a heat wave in the UK, but it would be a chilly summer day on a beach in SoCal. "She don't mind that I'm color blind I can't see red or green She's only sad 'cause I'm pretty bad At finding love through the trees But I say Cal-i-for-ni-a Is my kind of place It's my getaway Yes I cannot wait to stay In my Golden State It's my safest place Hope when summer comes I ain't short of funds See ya in Cali time [?] I don't miss being here Maybe we just need to sit down and rewind But I say Cal-i-for-ni-a Is my kind of place It's my getaway Yes I cannot wait to stay In my Golden State It's my safest place Maybe we just need to sit down and rewind When summer comes I wanna have some fun I wanna stare at the redwoods and drive through the Hollywood Hills But I say Cal-i-for-ni-a Is my kind of place It's my getaway Yes I cannot wait to stay In my Golden State It's my safest place Yeah, it's Cal-i-for-ni-a It's my home place It's my getaway Yes I don't wanna wait for my Golden State It's my safe space My Cal-i-for-ni-a" |
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Ice Cube |
How to Survive in South Central | Ice Cube is the stage name of O'Shea Jackson Sr, a rapper, songwriter, actor, and producer, originally from South Central L.A. This song is from the soundtrack of his first movie, the enormous hit about growing up in South Central Los Angeles, "Boyz N The Hood." The movie and song were released in 1991 during the period when life in the African American neighborhoods of L.A. was prominently featured in movies, in the news, in the Rodney King incident and the continual TV coverage of the the L.A. Riots of Spring 1992, and especially in L.A. Gangsta Rap, which became extremely lucrative by describing the chaos and horrors of life and crime in inner-city L.A. ' "And now, the wonderous world of.." "Hey, come to Los Angeles! You and your family can have peace and tranquility. Enjoy the refinement.." "Hey Bone, hey n***a where you at though?" "Hello, my name is Elaine -- And I'll be your tour guide through South Central Los Angeles" How to survive in South Central (what you do?) A place where bustin a cap is fundamental No, you can't find the s**t in a handbook Take a close look, at a rap crook Rule number one: get yourself a gun A nine in your ass'll be fine Keep it in your glove comparment Cause jackers (yo) they love to start s**t Now if you're white you can trust the police But if you're black they ain't nothin but beasts Watch out for the kill Don't make a false move and keep your hands on the steering wheel And don't get smart Answer all questions, and that's your first lesson On stayin alive In South Central, yeah, that's how you survive "Hi this is Elaine again. Are you enjoying your stay in South Central Los Angeles, Or is somebody taking your things? Have you witneesed a driveby? Okay, make sure you have your camcorder ready To witness the extracurricular activities on blacks by the police, So you and your family can enjoy this tape, over and over again." "This is Los Angeles." "This is Los Angeles." Rule number two: don't trust nobody Especially a b**ch, with a hooker's body Cause it ain't nuttin but a trap And females'll get jacked and kidnapped You'll wind up dead Just to be safe don't wear no blue or red Cause most n***az get got In either L.A., Compton or Watts P**sed-off black human beings So I think you better skip the sight-seeing And if you're nuttin but a mark Make sure that you're in before dark But if you need some affection mate Make sure the b**ch ain't a section eight Cause if so that's a monkey-wrench hoe And you won't survive in South Central "Now you realize it's not all that it's cracked up to be. You realize that it's f**cked up! It ain't nothin like the s**t you saw on TV. Palm trees and blonde b**ches? I'd advise to you to pack your s**t and get the f**k on; Punk motherf**ker!" And you need your ass straight smoked Yo I wanna say whassup to DJ Chilly Chill Sir Jinx, aiyyo Cube these motherf**kers don't know what time it is So show these motherf**kers what's happenin Tell these motherf**kers, don't f**k around in South Central God damnit! Rule number three: don't get caught up Cause n***az are doing anything that's thought up And they got a vice On everything from dope, to stolen merchandise We discern Cause South Central L.A., is one big yearn Waitin for a brother like you to catch a disease And start slangin keys To an undercover or the wrong brother And they'll smother, a out of town motherf**ker So don't take your life for granted Cause it's the craziest place on the planet In L.A. heroes don't fly through the sky of stars They live behind bars So everybody's doin a little dirt And it's the youngsters puttin in the most work So be alert and stay calm As you enter, the concrete Vietnam You say, the strong survive S**t, the strong even die, in South Central Yeah you b**ches, you think I forgot about your ass, You tramp-ass hoes? You better watch out. And for you so called baller-ass n***az, You know what time it is. South Central ain't no joke. Got to keep your gat at all times motherf**kers. Better keep one in the chamber and nine in the clip god damnit. You'll sho' get got, just like that. This ain't no joke motherf**ckers. Now I wanna send a shout-out to E-Dog, the engineer, Puttin his two cents in.. "This is Los Angeles." ' |
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Ice Cube |
It Was a Good Day | This song is probably Ice Cube's most successful single, off of his 1992 album "The Predator." It describes a good day in South Central L.A. while reminding us how easily it could have been a bad day. "Just wakin up in the mornin gotta thank God I don't know but today seems kinda odd No barkin from the dog, no smog And momma cooked a breakfast with no hog (damn) I got my grub on, but didn't pig out Finally got a call from a girl I wanna dig out (Whassup?) Hooked it up for later as I hit the do' Thinkin will I live, another twenty-fo' I gotta go cause I got me a drop top And if I hit the switch, I can make the ass drop Had to stop, at a red light Lookin in my mirror and not a jacker in sight And everything is alright I got a beep from Kim, and she can f*** all night Called up the homies and I'm askin y'all Which park, are y'all playin basketball? Get me on the court and I'm trouble Last week d***** around and got a triple double Freakin n***az everyway like M.J. I can't believe, today was a good day (s***!) Drove to the pad and hit the showers Didn't even get no static from the cowards Cause just yesterday them fools tried to blast me Saw the police and they rolled right past me No flexin, didn't even look in a n***a's direction As I ran the intersection Went to $hort Dog's house, they was watchin Yo! MTV Raps What's the haps on the craps? Shake 'em up, shake 'em up, shake 'em up, shake 'em Roll 'em in a circle of n***az and watch me break 'em With the seven, seven-eleven, seven-eleven Seven even back do' Lil' Joe I picked up the cash flow Then we played bones, and I'm yellin' domino Plus nobody I know got killed in South Central L.A. Today was a good day (s***!) ... ... ... Today I didn't even have to use my A.K. I got to say it was a good day...." |
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Ice Cube (featuring Jayo Felony & WC) |
Life in California | This is from Ice Cube's album "I Am The West" released in 2010. "Living just another day way L.A. to the bay Living life in California Dough, we get that dough Ooh, we got to get more Living just another day (just another day) A.K. gun play (A.K. gun play) L.A. to the bay (L.A. to the bay) Living life in California And Jay-Z can rap about the N.Y.C. Why can't I talk about the s**t I see? Without Alicia Keys without going R&B This is ain't no Motown this is R.A.P. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood yea Where n***a can't stay if his name ain't good All the way from the bay to L.A. Inglewood This is how it is when you're living in California California swagger f**k record sales Industry outlaw like Josie Wales California off the corner I'm a warn ya I'm the only west coast king Idiot I mean I'll get you in the ring I'm as s**t as Don King And taking all the money before the bell ring Before I grab the mic the fat b**ch sing It's already over supernova I'm Kobe you a n***a I'm hooping over Know me big homie The one and only Ice Cube don't get airplay Cause I'm from L.A. and rep where I stay It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood Where n***as get sprayed A.K. and it's good B**ches don't get placed set n***as up good It's real in the field when you're f**king with California See it's just another day in my neighborhood First thing off in the morning and I'm looking for that good Sticking to my fingertips sitting on the hills And I'm overlooking the city man this s**t is for real See the yak in my cup? And the 'lac on switches bra It'll be a long that's what we got these b**ches for Bounce like it's a earthquake let it shake Let's see how much noise we can make the city make See it's just another day in my neighborhood And the police ain't f**king with me, knock on wood Or my shoes cause he blew my socks so good Dope shot never knew I'd shoot my Glock so good I'm walk like coke and that's all they wanna hit And they just can't do but they all wanna spit Wit' my padre head on See I tried to warn them f**k around You know what goes down in California Dough, we get that dough Ooh, we got to get more Living just another day (just another day) A.K. gun play (A.K. gun play) L.A. to the bay (L.A. to the bay) Living life in California...." |
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Ice Cube |
My Summer Vacation | This is from Ice Cube's 1991 album "Death Certificate." There's too much competition in L.A., so the rapper and his dope-slinging crew take their business to St. Louis where they triple their profit. He teaches the police there that L.A.'s not all surf and sun by importing California gang warfare, too, and he ruins it for everybody. "[Airport announcement] This is the final boarding call for flight 1259 departing from Los Angeles, final destination to St. Louis Thank you. Damn G, the spot's gettin hot So how the F**k am I supposed to make a knot? Police looking at n***az through a microscope In L.A. everybody and they momma sell dope They trying to stop it So what the F**k can I do to make a profit? Catch a flight to St. Louis That's cool, cause nobody knew us We stepped off the plane Four gang bangers, professional crack slangers Rented a car at wholesale Drove to the ghetto, and checked in a motel Unpacked and I grab the three-eighty Cause where we stayin, n***az look shady But they can't fade South Central Cause bustin a cap is fundamental Checkin out every block close Seein which one will clock the most Yeah this is the one no doubt Bust a U Bone, and let's clear these n***az out Ay ay man, whassup n***a? Yo, well this Lench Mob n***a! [gun shots] Now clearin em out meant casualties Still had the L.A. mentality Bust a cap, and out of there in a hurry Wouldn't you know, a driveby in Missouri Them fools got popped Took their corner next day, set up shop And it's better than slangin in the Valley Triple the profit makin more than I did in Cali Breakin off rocks like Barney Rubble Cause them mark-ass n***az don't want trouble And we ain't on edge when we do work Police don't recognize the khakis and the sweatshirts Getting b**ches and they can't stand a Nineteen-ninety-one Tony Montana Now the s**t's like a war of gang violence, where it was never seen before Punks whirl when the gat bust Four jheri curl n***az kickin up dust And some of them are even lookin up to us Wearing our colors and talkin that gang fuss Giving up much love Dyin for a street, that they ain't even heard of But other motherf**kers want to stand strong So you know the phrase, once again it's on [TV Announcer] Top of the news tonight, gangs from South Central Los Angeles which are known for their driveby shootings have migrated into East St. Louis leaving three dead and two others injured No arrests have been made Police say this is a nationwide trend with similar incidents occuring in Texas, Michigan, and Oklahoma (female voice repeating in background: "If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere")...." |
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Ice Cube |
You Know How We Do It | West Coast hip-hop from Ice Cube's Lethal Injection album released in 1993. "Yeah... yeah! Fool -- you know how we do it West Side Comin from the West Side Nothin but the West Side Ain't nuttin goin on but the bomb-ass rap song Hittin all night long Just like me on the black and white ivory Gettin six on artillery, you don't want to see a G Break yo' ass like dishes Buster-ass tricks, sleep with the fishes Runnin from Lennox, up at Venice They wanna have me in stripes, like Dennis the Menace But that ain't poppin, ain't no stoppin Fo'-hoppin, ass droppin, Coupe DeVille My truth can, ill - fool I got skills So, back on up 'fore I check that chin Down as f**k and I'm full off Henn' You gets no love and I thought you knew it Fool, you know how we do it Comin from the West Side West Side, comin from the West Side Chillin with the homies, smellin the bud Double parked and I'm talkin to Dub about who got a plan, who got a plot whom got got, and who got shot Cause everybody knows that he got the info Crazy Toones hangin out the window Fool I got them bomb-ass tapes Da Lench Mob, Planet of the Apes I'm down with Eiht, and Watts Up Kam is solo, they got nuts When Ice Cube write a sentence I want "The Bomb," just like George Clinton S-K-D is down to catch a body Put on "Knee Deep" we'll turn out your party You gets no love and I thought you knew it Fool, you know how we do it You know how we do it Jack B. Nimble, and Jack B. Quick if you wanna jack me on a lick, cause I'm that fool from South Central You think you stuck yourself, with a number 2 pencil That's how I poke hot lead in yo' ass With "Mo' Bounce to the Ounce" in the dash Mash up, Ve-nice, headed for the West Everything is great, slow down for the dip On a 100 and 8th and keep mashin Don't drink and drive to keep the fo' from crashin Stashin a glock and I thought you knew it You know how we do it Comin from the West Side, West Side Nuttin but a West Side It's hittin on the West Side Fool, you know how we do it" |
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Ice Cube, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg (featuring WC & Busta Rhymes) |
Streets of California | This hip-hop track from a super-group of So Cal rappers along with Busta Rhymes, a rapper-producer-actor from New York City, was released at the end of 2022. There are no lyrics online and when I tried to transcribe them were too many unknowns, so you'll just have to listen to it and figure them out for yourself. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ice-T |
6 in the Morning | Ice-T, born Tracy Marrow, is a rapper/songwriter/actor/producer from New Jersey who moved to Los Angeles as a teenager. This song was released as a single in 1986 with an extended album version on the album "Rhyme Pays" which was released in 1987. "Six in the morning, police at my door Fresh Adidas squeak across the bathroom floor Out my back window I make my escape Didn't even get a chance to grab my old-school tape Mad with no music, but happy 'cause free And the streets to a player is the place to be Got a knot in my pocket weighing at least a grand Gold on my neck, my pistols close at hand I'm a self-made monster of the city streets Remotely controlled by hard hip-hop beats But just living in the city is a serious task Didn't know what the cops wanted, didn't have time to ask Word Seen my homeboys cooling way, way out Told 'em 'bout my morning cold bugged 'em out Shot a little dice till my knees got sore Kicked around some stories 'bout the night before Posse to the corner where the fly girls chill Threw action at some freaks until one b**ch got ill She started acting silly, simply would not quit Called us all punk pussies, said we all weren't s**t As we walked over to her, ho continued to speak So we beat the b**ch down in the goddamn street But just living in the city is a serious task B**ch didn't know what hit her, didn't have time to ask Word Continued clocking freaks with immense posterior Rolling in a Blazer with a Louis interior Solid gold, the ride was raw Bust a left turn, was on Crenshaw Sean-e-sean was the driver, known to give freaks hell Had a beeper goin' off like a high-school bell Looked in the mirror, what did we see? F***ing blue lights: L.A.P.D. Pigs searched our car, their day was made Found an Uzi, forty-four and a hand grenade Threw me in the county high-power block No freaks to see, no beats to rock Didn't want trouble, but the s**t must fly Squabbled with this sucker, shanked him in the eye But just living in the County is a serious task Ni**a didn't know what happened, didn't have time to ask Word Back on the streets after five and a deuce Seven years later, but still had the juice My homeboy Hen Gee put me up the track Told me E's rolling Villain, BJ's got the sack Bruce is a giant, Nat C's clocking dough Be-Bop's a pimp, my old freak's a ho The batter-rams rolling, rocks are the thing Life has no meaning and money is king Then he looked at me slowly and Hen had to grin He said, "Man, you out early, we thought you got ten" Opened his safe, kicked me down with cold cash Knew I would get busy, he didn't waste time to ask Word I bought a Benz with the money, the rest went on clothes Went to the strip, started pimping the hoes My hair had grew long on my seven year stay And when I got it done, on my shoulders it lay Hard from the joint, but fly to my heart I didn't want trouble, but the s**t had to start Out with my crew, some punks got loud Shotgun blasts echoed through the crowd Six punks hit, two punks died All casualities was applied to their side Human lives has to pass just for talking much trash We didn't know who they were, no one had time to ask Word Swat-team leader yelled, "Hit the floor" Reached in my pocket, pulled my forty-four Dove across the room, peeped out the window Twenty cops jumped behind a Pinto Out the backdoor like some damn track stars Broke down an alley, jumped into a car Suckers didn't even see us, they musta been blind Black wire touched red, the car was mine We hadn't done nothing but some suckers got shot Hit the first turn, goddamn road block Broke through the block and we did it fast Cops woulda shot us on sight, they wouldn'ta took time to ask Word The rollers gave chase at a serious speed One more conviction was all I need This s**t was for real, it was no "La-Di-Da-Di" 'Cause the boys had to pin the s**t on somebody And me and my crew, we were known to get ill We carried heat for protection but not to kill We bust a corner doing sixty, one police car spun And all I was thinking was, murder one Bust a move into an alley and did it right And me and my crew, we're gone into the night Broke to my old lady's, who drew me a bath She didn't even know what happened, didn't care, didn't ask Word We made love like crazy on top of the sheets This girlie was my worlie, a natural freak She ran her tongue over each and every part of me Then she rocked my Amadeus while I watched TV A technician with a mission, that's what she was If there had been a crowd she would've got an applause This girl did everything on Earth to me that could be done Then she backed off and teased me so I couldn't cum Then she cold got stupid, pushed me on the floor Had me begging to stop while I was screaming for more After she waxed my body, she let me crash She knew her loving was def, she didn't waste time to ask Word Up the next morning, feeling good as hell Sleeping with a girlie sure beats a cell Hit the boulevard in my AMG Ho's catching whiplash, trying to glimpse the T Ring on my mobile, yes, cellular Got to have a phone when I'm in my car Was my homeboy Red, some say he's insane Broke his b**ch jaw for smoking 'caine Told me to meet him at the airport Said he's jumping bail, said he just left court Caught the first thing smoking in a serious dash Didn't know where we was going, didn't care, didn't ask Word Fell asleep on the plane and so did he, woke up chilling in N.Y.C Called up my posse when I got there Hit the Latin Quarter and Union Square Rooftop devil's nest, the rest we passed Back-door'd the Palladium just for class About 4 a.m. we crashed the deuce We never catch static 'cause my boys got juice Deuced it to the Bronx to rest our heads Where a shoot-out jumped off, nine people lay dead It sounded like it happened with a Mac-10 blast But it was 6 in the morning, we didn't wake up to ask Word" |
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Ice-T |
Colors | This song is from the movie "Colors" a movie about the police and gangs in Los Angeles, released in 1988. Someone decided that the ending with Ice-T pleading for peace wasn't gangsta enough so some versions of the song don't have it. "Yo Ease let's do this Colors, colors, colors... I am a nightmare walking, psychopath talking King of my jungle just a gangster stalking Living life like a firecracker quick is my fuse Vendettas of death back; the colors I choose Red or Blue, Cuz or Blood, it just don't matter Sucker dive for your life when my shotgun scatters The gangs of L.A. will never die – just multiply Colors, colors, colors... You see they hit us then we hit them Then we hit them and they hit us, man It's like a war, ya know what I'm sayin' People don't even understand They don't even know what they dealing with You wanna get rid of the gangs it's gonna take a lotta work But people don't understand the size of this This is no joke man, this is real You don't know me, fool You disown me, cool I don't need your assistance, social persistence Any problem I got I just put my fist in My life is violent but violent is life Peace is a dream, reality is a knife My colors, my honour, my colors, my all With my colors upon me one soldier stands tall Tell me what have you left me, what have I got Last night in cold blood my young brother got shot My homeboy got jacked My mother's on crack My sister can't work 'cause her arms show tracks Madness insanity live in profanity Then some punk claimin' they're understandin' me Give me a break, what world do you live in Death is my set, guess my religion Colors, colors, colors... Yo my brother was a gang banger And all my homeboys bang I don't know why I do it man, I just do it I never had much of nothing man Look at you man, you've got everything going for yourself And I ain't got nothing man, I've got nothing I'm living in the ghetto man Just look at me man, look at me My pants are sagging braided hair Suckers stare but I don't care My game ain't knowledge my game's fear I've no remorse so squares beware But my true mission is just revenge You ain't in my set, you ain't my friend Wear the wrong color your life could end Homicide's my favorite binge Listen to me man No matter what you do don't ever join a gang You don't wanna be in it man You're just gonna end up in a mix of dead friends and time in jail I Know, if I had a chance like you I would never be in a gang man But I didn't have a chance You know I wish I did I'll just walk like a giant police defiant You'll say to stop but I'll say that I can't My gang's my family it's all that I have I'm a star, on the walls is my autograph You don't like it, so you know where you can go 'Cause the streets are my stage and terror's my show Psycho-analyze tried diagnosing me why? It wasn't your brother that brutally died But it was mine, so let me define My territory don't cross the line Don't try to act crazy 'Cause that s**t don't faze me If you ran like a punk It wouldn't amaze me 'Cause my color's death Though we all want peace But our war won't end 'Til all wars cease Colors, colors, colors... See the wars of the street gangs will always get to me man But I don't wanna be down with this situation man But I'm in here, if I had something better to do I think I'd do it but Right now I'm just down here boy I'm trying to get money 'cause I'm smart I'm gonna get paid while I'm out here I'm gonna get that paper, ya know what I'm saying If I had a chance like you Maybe I would be in school But I'm not, I'm out here living day to day surviving And I'm willing to die for my colors Yo, please stop, 'cause I want ya all to live. This is Ice-T, Peace." |
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The Ides of March |
Vehicle | The Ides of March is a rock band from Illinois formed in 1966. Released on their album "Vehicle" and as a single in 1970, this song is their biggest hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard chart. It might be the most upbeat rock song punctuated by horns that deals with a creepy stranger danger situation. It's never a good idea to hop in a friendly stranger's vehicle especially when he tries to lure you in with pictures or candy or a ride to Hollywood. If you don't believe me, listen to Husker Du's "Diane" for a chilling reminder of what could happen. "Hey, well, I'm the friendly stranger in the black sedan Won't ya hop inside my car I got pictures, I got candy, I'm a lovable man And I can take you to the nearest star I'm your vehicle, baby I'll take you anywhere you wanna go I'm your vehicle, woman By now I'm sure you know That I love ya (love ya) I need ya (need ya) I wants ya got to have you child Great God in heaven, you know I love you Oh you know I do Well, if you want to be a movie star I can take you to Hollywood But if you wanna stay just like you are You know, I think you really should I'm your vehicle, baby I'll take you anywhere you wanna go I'm your vehicle, woman By now I'm sure you know That I love ya (love ya) I need ya (need ya) I want ya got to have you child Great God in heaven, you know I love you Oh you know I do Well I'm the friendly stranger in the black sedan Oh won't ya hop inside my car I got pictures, candy, I'm a lovable man And I can take you to the nearest star I'm your vehicle, babe I'll take you anywhere you wanna go...." |
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Idols to Peers |
California Sun | Idols to Peers is a rock band based out of Southern California. This song was released in 2024. "I just wanna live it up 'till the night ends Sitting around here laughing yeah with my friends We don't have to think about anyone else here yeah We don't have to answer any of the bells no no What are you saying there What you doing here What we going now What are you thinking with Hold me by the hand Say that you got a plan You say that you got a plan Well let me see it then I just wanna live it up 'till the night ends In the California sun yeah with my friends In the California sun it don't matter Sing it louder Sing it louder I just wanna live it up 'till the night ends In the California sun yeah with my friends In the California sun it don't matter In the California sun California sun The air is warm but the water's cold Don't be alarmed that's the way it goes Go pack a sweater for the weather baby I'm going wear my hoodie We'll put them worries away We'll hit the road already, go! I'm gon' bring it back And we gon' drop it down Yeah we gon' live it up Yeah we gon' ... I'm gon' play it back 'Cause I just can't get enough We'll do it again and again 'Cause I just can't get enough I just wanna live it up 'till the night ends In the California sun yeah with my friends In the California sun it don't matter Sing it louder Sing it louder I just wanna live it up 'till the night ends In the California sun yeah with my friends In the California sun it don't matter In the California sun California sun...." |
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Enrique Iglesias |
California Callin' | Enrique Iglesias is an American pop singer and actor who sings in Spanish and English. His father was the famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. This song is from his 2003 album "7". "Driving through the night, Tears are running down my face, I start to realise, all the things that i once said, I promised you the world It's nothing more than you deserve It's killing me inside, to know I put you through this hell, Take away my heart, It doesn't wanna work no more I never meant to make you cry, California calling 20 miles to go, And I don't, I don't know, Should I turn around or should I leave you alone? No I don't, I don' t know I don't know, No I don't know... I'm on the road and it feels so cold outside, It's driving me insane, to know how much you hurt tonight, Take away my heart, it doesn't wanna work no more, I never meant to make you cry California calling 20 miles to go, And I don't, I don't know, Should I turn around or should I leave you alone? No I don't, I don' t know I don't know, No I don't know... Gotta keep on moving on, Gotta keep on moving on, Gotta keep on moving on, California calling, California calling...." |
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ill Nicky |
California | Ill Nicky is a rapper and songwriter born in Boston and raised in the Bay Area who formed a music collective in San Diego. This song was released in 2021. "This some California Love, I been riding thru the city In the Cadillac, and gettin' faded off the Remy Had a ugly little past, nowadays, sitting pretty I know I made mistakes, I just hope you can forgive me Oh yeah Now I know, I know I can’t right my wrongs Aye, but I”d like to The Pirelli’s are burning the way I’m speeding back home I just wanna ride with you Take you back to the west side, we riding Underneath the helicopter lights and the sirens I know, I know I can’t come back home I just wanna ride with you I’m not the same, as I was So insane I done been around the game, y’all know me All my pain Numbed it up, novocaine And threw some ice up on my chain, cause they was cold to me I just kept taking all these hits, it was slapstick I been surrounded by more Angels than the Catholics I make a bag and put it underneath my mattress That’s for every dollar and a dream I ever had This some California Love, I been riding thru the city In the Cadillac, and gettin' faded off the Remy Had a ugly little past, nowadays, sitting pretty I know I made mistakes, I just hope you can forgive me Oh yeah Now I know, I know I can’t right my wrongs Aye, but I”d like to The Pirelli’s are burning the way I’m speeding back home I just wanna ride with you Take you back to the west side, we riding Underneath the helicopter lights and the sirens I know, I know I can’t come back home I just wanna ride with you I'm on my California Love s**t neighborhood Nip, for my clique, way I run it We ain’t never quit, we still on our marathon s**t Yeah and I’m dripping to the ground, that ain’t nothin' new I need some Ferragamo sweaters feeling comfortable Feel like the young Italian version of a Huxtable Its more like Love And Basketball the way I f**k with you This some California Love, I been riding thru the city In the Cadillac, and gettin' faded off the Remy Had a ugly little past, nowadays, sitting pretty I know I made mistakes, I just hope you can forgive me Oh yeah Now I know, I know I can’t right my wrongs Aye, but I”d like to The Pirelli’s are burning the way I’m speeding back home I just wanna ride with you Take you back to the west side, we riding Underneath the helicopter lights and the sirens I know, I know I can’t come back home I just wanna ride with you" |
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ill Nicky |
Fairfax and Melrose | This pop rap song was released in 2020. "Outside my home Fairfax and Melrose On beds of roses Wake up and smell those I hear those demons Snakes still breathing I go my own way I got my reasons Ten toes touched down that’s real talk I been really heating up and yea I’m still hot I don’t ever get the feels but she real hot I might pull up in the whip and let her peel off Gotta skirt for the money I don’t know about you Word to Kid Cudi I’m the man on the moon I’m still getting bloody But I’m fighting right thru Give a f**k if y’all love me Gotta bust my moves I’m still with the 6-1 Nina But I’m tryna put cash on a Visa On God I need the ice like a freezer Hold up, I was in the city and they showed me love But it started feelin' like old re-run No cap showed em how to break these numbers If I ever helped you don’t owe me none Outside my home Fairfax and Melrose On beds of roses Wake up and smell those I hear them demons Those snakes still breathing I go my own way I got my reasons Ten toes touched down that’s real talk I been really heating up and yea I’m still hot I don’t ever get the feels but she real hot I might pull up in the whip and let her peel off Gotta skirt for the money I don’t know about you Word to Kid Cudi I’m the man on the moon I’m still getting bloody But I’m fighting right thru Give a f**k if y’all love me Gotta bust my moves I don’t need to let up Mother f** k my liver The world gotta know I’m a big dick swinger Walk thru the door With a black chinchilla Panamara Porsche Pullin up like Thrilla Jacket with the zippers but I feel like Prince Down in Hollywood them little models throw kisses Haters all around still mad and throwin' fits Wonder why they actin like kids They looking for the answer But they never danced with The devil himself And made him beg for the pastor Big mob business From the coast to Atlanta I’m tryna chop cheese That ain’t just for the camera Put a few cups down and give it to the squad Wrap big blunts got them lookin' like logs Presidential suite, make a b**ch wanna Tik Tok And call up everyone and make em watch Outside my home Fairfax and Melrose On beds of roses Wake up and smell those I hear those demons Snakes still breathing I go my own way I got my reasons Ten toes touched down that’s real talk I been really heating up and yea I’m still hot I don’t ever get the feels but she real hot I might pull up in the whip and let her peel off Gotta skirt for the money I don’t know about you Word to Kid Cudi I’m the man on the moon I’m still getting bloody But I’m fighting right thru Give a f**k if y’all love me Gotta bust my moves" |
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ill Nicky & Kubla Kahn |
Hollywood | This was released in 2019. "You been gone a long time hoping that it's getting easy If you ever made the jump I alway hoped that you would need me Ain't no decision is too big Don't be trippin' over shoe strings Go and get yourself some new things You deserve a chance to do things I'd go if you didn't tell me You might just follow your heart, I know All of these dreams that you sell me I can tell you ain't sold Hold up, wait a minute I ain't gonna lie No one ... You still gotta try Show me that you with it When it's on the line Between you and I Don't be afraid I can see you eyes through your shades Through the way When the Hollywood Sign grows soft And it's looking like a street light All the stars glow 'till it's right below your feet She said I know Come with me and we can take a show ... when the Hollywood Sign grows soft And it's looking like a street light All the stars glow 'till it's right below your feet..." |
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Ilsey |
No California | Ilsey Juber is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. Her extensive songwriting credits on Wickipedia read like a who's who of pop music, but I'm glad she saved this bittersweet love song with a great hook for herself. It's from her album "The Valley" released in 2023. "We used to drive to the ocean Lie by the waves Bathe in the moment Now I’m alone I pray for rain to come Take me away Away from the hills full of sorrow Streets full of pain Even in winter Bright sunny days I pray for rain to come Oh but it never does I gotta get outta here Start a whole new life Gotta go somewhere where the sun don’t shine so bright Everything around here Everything bout this place just brings me down ooo Cause there ain’t no California without you Without you There ain’t no California There ain’t no California without you Without you There ain’t no California Ooooo It’s cold in your shadow all that remains Are ghosts in the desert Should I run away or pray for strength to come I’ll run away I gotta get outta here Start a whole new life Gotta go somewhere where the sun don’t shine so bright Everything around here Everything bout this place just brings me down ooo Cause there ain’t no California without you Without you There ain’t no California There ain’t no California without you Without you There ain’t no California Ooooo I’ll keep running baby I’ll keep running till you stop running through my mind And I’ll keep loving you I’ll keep loving you I don’t even know why I know that I Gotta get outta here Start a whole new life Gotta go somewhere where the sun don’t shine so bright Everything around here Everything bout this place just brings me down ooo Cause there ain’t no California without you Without you There ain’t no California There ain’t no California without you Without you There ain’t no California Ooooo I’ll keep running baby I’ll keep running till you stop running through my mind" |
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I'm With Her |
Overland | I'm With Her is a Grammy-winning Americana/bluegrass trio of three singers and songwriters that formed in 2014. This is from their 2018 album "See You Around." It feels like a song that could have been written in the 19th century when people were heading west for the gold rush, long before they went there to wear flowers in their hair, or to get tech jobs and pay the highest rents in the universe. "Goodbye brother, hello railroad So long, Chicago All these years, thought I was where I ought to be But times are changing This country's growing And I'm bound for San Francisco Oh I've lived through more than I could tell I've sold all that I could sell Finally leaving it behind, goodbye, farewell If it isn't one thing, then it's one thing more If it isn't a fever that shows you the door It's the air, or the water or the goddamn war Goodbye brother, hello railroad So long, Chicago All these years thought I was where I ought to be But times are changing This country's growing And I'm bound for San Francisco Mama died, brother was born Daddy tried but he came up short We were hungry, scared, and needed more How much can a person take? I been working hard since I was eight Got more than my share of years upon my face (Upon my face) ... Goodbye brother, hello railroad So long, Chicago All these years, thought I was where I ought to be But times are changing This country's growing And I'm bound for San Francisco Where a new life waits for me" |
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Inayah |
California Taxi | Inayah is Inaya Lamis, a singer, songwriter, and social media star from Houston, Texas. This nice soulful song is from her album "Insecure" released in 2022. I hope she's just taking a taxi from the airport, otherwise that's gonna be a very expensive ride. "She's makin' her way out to California With a bag and her babies and maybe her man Maybe later for a wedding if you feelin' the plan 'Cause it's gon' work out in California And she's ready for whatever and she ain't gonna stop It's gon' have to be enough 'cause it's all that she got Ohh there ain't no plan B No clue where it's headin' She's goin' to Cali To wish on a star Will you go with me Even in the backseat? California taxi One way ride Are you down? Are you down, are you down, are you down? (She's down to ride, ride, ride, ride, Ooo oo ooo) Ohh are you down? Are you down, are you down, are you down? (She's down to ride, ride, ride, ride, Ooo oo ooo) Ohh there ain't no plan B No clue where it's headin' She's goin' to Cali To wish on a star Will you go with me Even in the backseat? California taxi One way ride If he don't like it out in California Well so much for the promise that he made in the car Better stick with my decision 'cause it got me this far Un huh I hope it works out in California I threw a quarter in the water and I wish for your heart Don't go missin' in the vision that I've had from the start Ohh there ain't no plan B No clue where it's headin' She's goin' to Cali To wish on a star Will you go with me Even in the backseat? California taxi One way ride Are you down? Are you down, are you down, are you down? (She's down to ride, ride, ride, ride, Ooo oo ooo) Ohh are you down? Are you down, are you down, are you down? (She's down to ride, ride, ride, ride, Ooo oo ooo)" |
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Ingram Hill |
Cold In California | Ingram Hill is a rock band from Memphis, Tennessee, active since 2000. This song is from their album "Cold in California" released in 2007. "Didn't anybody know Didn't tell anybody else that I was gonna go Didn't anybody see Didn't tell anybody else that I was leaving Didn't anybody stay Didn't tell anybody else what I was gonna say Didn't anybody cry Didn't tell anybody else that I was gonna die Do you know that it gets cold in California Well I guess I'll miss my home in Tennessee Be sure to bring your coat to California When you come find me Didn't anybody know Didn't tell anybody else that I was gonna go Didn't anybody see Didn't tell anybody else that I was leaving Didn't anybody stay Didn't tell anybody else what I was gonna say Didn't anybody cry Didn't tell anybody else that I was gonna die Do you know that it gets cold in California Well I guess I'll miss my home in Tennessee Be sure to bring your coat to California When you come find me Do you know that it gets cold in California (Sure do) Well, I guess I'll miss my home in Tennessee (I'm goin' to Memphis, I'm goin', I'm goin' to Memphis) Be sure to bring your coat to California When you come find me (When you come find me)" |
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In Real Life |
California Christmas | In Real Life was a boy band from Los Angeles, active from 2017 to 2020. This song was released in 2019. "Can I be honest? Girl, you look beautiful tonight And by the time the fire’s died, I hope I’m still alright Can I be honest? I don’t wanna spend a new year if I’m all alone You gotta know California Christmas, but it feel like July Under the Hollywood sun, and not a flake in the sky I’m observing all the different people passing me by And I can see a different type of trees takin' 'em high Cause out in Cali you ain’t seeing no evergreens And out here all the presents are expensive as wedding rings If you want a presence then you better be Everdeen Cause family isn’t there and new friends are your enemies California Christmas and there’s not a cloud in sight Time away from you has got me feeling cold inside All those L.A. girls, I know they couldn’t change my mind This won’t be a holiday if I am staying far away And I try to write my list but I couldn’t get very far How am I supposed to tell Santa I just wanna be a star? And you can keep the presents and expensive foreign cars After all, they’re just things, they don’t make us who we are I wanna be at the top 'cause I see myself at the bottom I wanna erase my problems, I’m leaving them back in autumn Cause honestly I’m a mess looking for an easy fix When I should celebrate my life and try to see it as a gift California Christmas and there’s not a cloud in sight Time away from you has got me feeling cold inside (cold inside) All those L.A. girls, I know they couldn’t change my mind This won’t be a holiday if I am staying far away from you Imma be there, Imma be there, (Imma be there) Imma be there by morning Imma be there, Imma be there Be there for Christmas morning Imma be there, Imma be there Imma be there by morning Imma be there, Imma be there Be there for Christmas morning Can I be honest? Girl, you look beautiful tonight And by the time the fire’s died I hope I’m still alright Can I be honest? I don’t wanna spend a new year If I’m alone, you gotta know I’m coming home Imma be there, Imma be there Imma be there by morning Imma be there, Imma be there Be there for Christmas morning (Christmas morning) Imma be there, Imma be there Imma be there by morning Imma be there, Imma be there Be there for Christmas morning California Christmas and there’s not a cloud in sight Time away from you has got me feeling cold inside (cold inside) All those L.A. girls, I know they couldn’t change my mind This won’t be a holiday if I am staying far away from you" |
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Iron & Wine |
The Desert Babbler | Iron & Wine, aka Samuel Beam, is an American singer-songwriter in the acoustic folky style, originally from the Southeast, but based in Austin, TX. This song is from his 2013 album Ghost on Ghost. I have no idea at all what it's about, but I'll make sure I'm never in Barstow on New Year's Eve. "It's New Year's Eve And California's gonna kill you soon The Barstow boys Bug eyes in the shadow of the moon Black houses in the hills and roadside haunts Dying for a place to fall apart Who knew what you could learn to live without Mother Mary's lying in your mouth, now Back home the kitchen's warm with Christmas wine And every girl has got an axe to grind You live to look for hell, man But you're far from the hard light tonight So quietly we lost another year The desert put a babbler in your ear He will find a way to not miss you again Barstow boys all spit into the wind Back home the hammer always has to fall Cross is barely hanging on the wall Some day I know you'll never leave me But we're far from the hard light tonight" |
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Ashton Irwin |
California Holds Her Breath | Ashton Irwin is a musician from Australia, active since 2011, and best known as the drummer for the pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. This is from his solo album "Blood on the Drums" released in July, 2024. "Straight out the gate She was a dancer Right out the state Of Indiana She couldn’t stay They don’t command her She wanted answers She wanted answers I want to know Where you go To show your secret face Where the wildflowers grow And they don’t feel out of place Where you’re safe Where you go And I can see the future in these heels In the glitter in your teeth I can see your heart reflected Off that disco ball Writing down your next confession On the bathroom wall While you’re hiding underneath your makeup I still see you cry California holds her breath tonight At a bar On a coast And you’re flying with your kite But you’re still So alone And you ask the mirror why Tell me why Is it so When you’re dancing toe to toe With things you feel It’s blurry and unclear but I can see your heart reflected Off that disco ball Writing down your next confession On the bathroom wall While you’re hiding underneath your makeup I still see you cry California holds her breath tonight California holds her breath tonight California holds her breath tonight California holds her breath tonight California holds her breath tonight California holds her breath tonight California holds her breath tonight" |
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Chris Isaak |
San Francisco Days | Chris Isaak is a singer-songwriter and actor, originally from Stockton, active from the early 1980s, with layers of Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, surf music, and rockabilly in his music. This is a moody light rock tune from 1993, sung by a man who is happy to return to his home in don't call it Frisco. (Call it Sanfcisco, like everyone else does.) "I still love you, I still want you I still need you, don't hang up and say goodbye Walking on the beach last night, hoping things would be all right My baby lying on her bed, it's you I saw instead Thinking of the one I love, you're know what I'm thinking of San Francisco days, San Francisco nights I met a girl in Mexico I should of told her then I know That I still think of you, we never will be through San Francisco days, San Francisco nights San Francisco days, San Francisco nights I still love you, I still want you I still need you, don't hang up and say goodbye Walking down to Market street feeling my heart skip a beat To see someone who looks like you, I guess that I'm not through Dreaming of the one I love, you know what I'm dreaming of San Francisco days, San Francisco nights I'm heading for that Golden Gate hoping I won't be too late To find the one that I still love It's you I'm dreaming of San Francisco nights San Francisco days, San Francisco nights San Francisco days, San Francisco nights San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco nights San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco" |
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Chris Isaak |
We Lost Our Way | This is from the album "Mr. Lucky" released in 2009. "We started Walkin' And then we learned to run I still don't know what We're runnin' From You said you loved me But you couldn't stay Oh we lost our way In California Down in L.A. They never warn ya It just all goes wrong, It all turned bad You said that love Was a funny thing And you'd move faster Without a ring Oh we lost our way In California Down in L.A. Nobody warns ya It just all goes wrong, It all turns bad We searched for something We could not find And somehow somewhere Love got left behind Yeah we lost our way In California Down in L.A. They barely warn ya It all goes wrong Oh it all turns bad I don't look back Cause it hurts too much To see everything that We just gave up Oh we lost our way In California Down in L.A. Nobody warns ya Oh we lost our way In California And it all went wrong It all turned bad It all went wrong It all turned bad" |
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Gregory Alan Isakov |
San Francisco | Gregory Alan Isakov is a great singer-songwriter from South Africa and Philadelphia. If you don't knnow his music, check out his song Living Proof some time. This one's not bad also, even though it doesn't also have a whole symphony orchestra playing with him. This one is mostly acoustic, from his album "That Sea, the Gambler" released in 2007. "The mist fills, Quiet room. San Francisco What the hell was all That talkin’ round, Where is it now, sunny California? I wake with you, I feel your coat, sleep late afternoons And I hitched along, but I turned wrong, How you moved me along, with your shephard songs, Every time you opened up to sing… The still sun, never moves, across the sky… Funny thing, time. She made you mine… And she’ll rob you blind. Lay down in your new town Walk the ground. Glass and houses fill the fields. Now the moon sees everything In this sanitarium Can I get through, like the moon gets through, Across the sea Treacherous. And now you’ve gone, after all we’ve known, And after all that I’ve been told… California’s cold Lay down in your new town Walk the ground How you made me weep on Sansome Street And how you made the weather come." |
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Gregory Alan Isakov |
San Luis | This song is from his album "Evening Machines" released in 2018. Isakov said he started writing the song in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, and it looks like that's where the video was made, but he finished it in San Luis Obispo. San Luis could refer to either place, but for me it's mostly Colorado, with a faint echo of SLO. "Weightlessness, no gravity Were we somewhere in-between? I’m a ghost of you, you’re a ghost of me A bird’s-eye view of San Luis Oh, highway boys all sleeping in With their dirty mouths and broken strings Oh, their eyes are shining like the sea For you, the queen of San Luis I’m a ghost of you, you’re a ghost of me A bird’s-eye view of San Luis Cutting through the avenues I'd always find my way to you Beside the hook, the hammer lies Fumbling round in the smoke Spending time chasing ghosts Hold me down, hold me down, child Hold me down, hold me down, child California called you queen With your golden hair and magazine Were you somewhere in-between? Fast asleep, a flying dream I'm a ghost of you, you’re a ghost of me A bird’s-eye view of San Luis I'm a ghost of you, you’re a ghost of me A bird’s-eye view of San Luis...." |
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I See Hawks In L.A. |
California Country | A 2006 alternative country song from the L.A. group founded in 1999. Anybody who has lived in the state for a while will sympathize with the singer. "I am a child of the Golden State, grew up in the orchards and fields Seen farm towns become commuter alleys Seen shopping malls eat up the trees Sometimes I wish for a simpler time When you could drink right out of the stream The loneliness around me freeways just surround me I’m thirty miles from a field of green But I’m still standing in California Country My dad moved us to Victorville in June of ’82 All summer long I traversed the Mojave, went swimming in the river water pool On a beautiful farm sloping down to the river, September I was back in school The bulldozers stripped the topsoil Little flags marked the mile I never crossed that river again But I’m still standing in California Country But I’m still standing in California Country Here I land with no plan And only now I understand that I could never leave this land I’m a California man Well the radio announced the annual meteor shower starting late tonight so we drove up the 2 to the Angeles Crest to get out of the city light the traffic jam started down in Glendale lit the mountains bright as day we turned the car the other way headed back to L.A. disappeared into the streets But I’m still standing in California Country But I’m still standing in California Country" |
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iyla |
California | Iyla is a singer from Los Angeles, California with a powerful voice that can really belt out a soul tune. This one is from her debut EP War + Raindrops, released in 2018. "His love hit like a wave over my soul Blue water pulled me under, wouldn't let me go Trapped below my conscious, can’t escape but I'd I'd drown in ripples of this pain if I could I’m not trying to separate, pulling us away The currents got a hold We found love In southern California Stole my heart Sometime in the summer The day he ran And left me for another The skies turned grey In sunny California Our nights spent awake under city stars Laid up below what felt like, like a work of art These golden lights inspired up a million dreams I just had one that looked like you and me Oh we had a bitter fate, she's pulling you away The currents got a hold And We found love In southern California Stole my heart Sometime in the summer The day he ran And left me for another The skies turned grey In sunny California" |
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J |
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Jack & Jack |
California | Jack & Jack are a pop rap duo from Omaha, Nebraska who had success making comedy videos on YouTube and Vine then moved to Los Angeles. That's pretty much what this song, from their 2015 EP "Calibraska" 2015, is all about, as they tell us in their YouTube comments: "Thanks Guys! California is the lead song off the #Calibraska EP. It's about how we felt when we first got out to California in pursuit of our dreams. We want you guys to go try and achieve whatever your dream may be! Thanks for all the love. You guys are the best, never forget that." "Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way I can't stop, never let a hater Kill your dreams, 19, I got paper Katniss Everdeen Odds always in my favor I pull up on the scene, black tee and a blazer Won't chase a woman, I re-place her I'll make you have deja vu when I walk by Like, "Hey it's that guy! Yeah aren't you from Vine?" Hell nah I'm from Nebraska, get your facts aligned But I ain't gonna lie, Jack and Jack Did blow up on the app but we're more than that The best duo in L.A. since Kobe-Shaq They need a whole demolition just to hold us back Run circles around the competition, cul-de-sac Legs keep burnin' but it's so worth it When you're young and earnin' money like a surgeon Yeah it's cool and all but spreadin' love's my purpose So who is gon' tell me I can't do Anything I put my mind to Now I ain't tryna hear it B**ch get up out my ear I'm just a Midwest kid dreamin' California One way ticket cause I had to show you Flow so sick, make you catch pneumonia I'm never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way I'm fresh up in the game and I'm here to stay Don't really got my s**t together, just appear this way And I'm like everybody else, I got fears to face Nowadays even the real are just as real as fakes And nobody's really what they seem Learned that the hard way, cuts run deep And these millions of people put their trust in me Man I got a lot of pressure but I must succeed So Imma keep grindin' and workin', I'm finally certain My life is not meant to be wasted The line of success all these people be tracin' That s**t, it ain't me, Imma pave my own way And I'm a little unorthodox, I can't lie No I ain't gonna conform I rock my own style Tell that to the fans and everybody by side Yo we're headed to the top and you should keep a close eye So who's gon' tell me I can't do Anything I put my mind to Now I ain't tryna hear it B**ch get up out my ear I'm just a Midwest kid dreamin' California One way ticket cause I had to show you Flow so sick, make you catch pneumonia I'm never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way Before I touched down, thought I had it all Now it's midnight sessions, playin' basketball My friends and my family, Imma have to call And tell 'em I'm never goin' home, yeah I'm never goin' home No way Midwest kid dreamin' California One way ticket cause I had to show you Flow so sick, make you catch pneumonia I'm never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way, no way Never goin' home, n-n-never goin' home No way" |
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Jack's Mannequin (featuring Pras) |
Miss California | This is a 2008 song from a rock band from Orange County. In this song, it seems like the singer is stalking Miss California and plotting to take her and hider her away somewhere. Pretty creepy.... "...I'm gonna take you to my boxcar on the beach And I'm gonna hang the sun above your bed And soak your hair in bleach You'll be missed Miss California You'll be kissed by only me When they can't find you you'll turn into a mystery But you're no mystery to me, Miss California I called Jesus but he heard I hurt His little girl, yeah, With my reckless stare, I've been so unfair Misplacing my affections She had a reason not to take me back into her care Oh, I'm just a stray dog now, I can't beg or bow Just give me some direction. And I'm gonna take you to the mansion where I hide and I'm gonna paint a diamond on your hand And you will be my bride You'll be missed Miss California You'll be kissed by only me When they can't find you you'll turn into a mystery But you're no mystery to me, Miss California Miss California I'll be around, I'll be around. You'll be missed Miss California. You'll be kissed by only me. When they can't find you you'll turn into a mystery But not to me." |
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Michael Jackson |
Hollywood Tonight | Michael Jackson was a singer and dancer born in Indiana, active in the business from 1964, when he sang at the age of 6 with his family band The Jackson 5, until his death in Los Angeles in 2009. Called the "King of Pop" he is one of the best-selling, most-awarded, and highest-earning music artists of all time. Regardless of all the fame and fortune and the endless streams of tabloid gossip and accusations that surround his legacy, his music still sounds good today. This song is from the compilation album "Michael" released in 2010. The song features a spoken bridge by Taryll Jackson, the son of Michael's brother Tito Jackson. "Lipstick in hand Tahitian tan In her painted-on jeans She dreams of fame She changed her name To one that fits the movie screen She's headed for the big time that means She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight It's true that you may never ever have that chance again That chance again, baby West-bound Greyhound To tinseltown To pursue her movie-star dreams She's giving hot tricks to men Just to get in She was taught that that's not clean She's headed for the big time that means She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight It's true that you may never ever have that chance again That chance again, baby She gave up her life to follow her dreams Left behind everything for the movie scene Nothing more she could want She was determined to follow her plan She wanted Hollywood, she wanted it bad Now that she got her dream, she became a star It all looked so good, but only good from afar Imprisoned in every paparazzi's camera Every guy wished they could Now it's back to reality for Ms. Hollywood Lipstick in hand Tahitian tanned In her painted-on jeans She dreams of fame She changed her name To one that fits the movie screen She's headed for the big time that means She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight She's going Hollywood She's going Hollywood tonight It's true that you may never ever have that chance again That chance again, baby You know it, baby West-bound Greyhound To tinseltown To pursue her movie-star dreams That chance again, baby She's Hollywood She's Hollywood West-bound Greyhound To tinsel town To pursue her movie-star dreams That chance again, baby Hollywood, She's Hollywood You know it, baby West-bound Greyhound To tinseltown To pursue her movie-star dreams Again, baby She's Hollywood, She's Hollywood West-bound Greyhound To tinseltown To pursue her movie-star dreams Again, baby She's Hollywood She's Hollywood She's Hollywood She's Hollywood Hollywood, She's Hollywood Hollywood, She's Hollywood She's Hollywood She's Hollywood" |
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Mick Jackson |
Blame it on the Boogie | This song was co-written, recorded, and released in 1978 by Michael (Mick) Jackson, an English singer-songwriter active since 1978. The song was secretly recorded by the Jacksons without Mick Jackson's knowledge which resulted in both songs being released within weeks of each other and competing on the charts, with the Jacksons' version charting a little bit higher. So don't blame it on the boogie (the cheezy Frisco-Disco rhyme), blame it on the English Michael Jackson. "My baby's always dancin' and it wouldn't be a bad thing But I don't get no lovin' and that's no lie We spent the night in Frisco at every kinda disco From that night I kissed our love goodbye Don't blame it on the sunshine Don't blame it on the moonlight Don't blame it on the good times Blame it on the boogie Don't blame it on the sunshine Don't blame it on the moonlight Don't blame it on the good times Blame it on the boogie That nasty boogie bugs me, but somehow how it has drugged me Spellbound rhythm gets me on my feet I've changed my life completely, I've seen the lightning leave me And my baby just can't take her eyes off me Don't blame it on the sunshine Don't blame it on the moonlight Don't blame it on the good times Blame it on the boogie Don't you blame it on the sunshine Don't blame it on the moonlight Don't blame it on the good times Blame it on the boogie, woo I just can't, I just can't I just can't control my feet I just can't, I just can't (Yeah) I just can't (Woo) control my feet ... ... ... This magic music grooves me, that dirty rhythm fools me The devil's gotten to me through this dance I'm full of funky fever, a fire burns inside me Boogie's got me in a super trance Don't you blame it sunshine Don't blame it on the moonlight Don't blame it on the good times Blame it on the boogie...." |
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The Jacksons |
Blame it on the Boogie | The Jacksons (also known as the Jackson 5) was a pop band founded in 1964 made up of five members of the Jackson family, including Michael Jackson. This is a single from the album "Destiny" released in 1978. The song was co-written, recorded, and released in 1978 by Michael (Mick) Jackson, an English singer-songwriter active since 1978. The song was secretly recorded by the Jacksons without Mick Jackson's knowledge which resulted in both songs being released within weeks of each other and competing on the charts, with the Jacksons' version charting a little bit higher. So don't blame it on the boogie (the cheezy Frisco-Disco rhyme), blame it on the English Michael Jackson. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jah Cure |
Made in California | Jah Cure, born Siccature Alcock, is a reggae musician from Jamaica, active since 1997. This reggae tune about a Calfiornia girl (and maybe also California weed) is from his album "The Cure" released in 2015. "Short shorts, high heels, lipstick, lighter Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Ashtray, dark shades, next stop my place Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Cruising down the avenue Can't wait to get next to you You know what we gonna do I want it, you got it Let's get it, okay now, eh You know I can't get enough I know how to light it up That natural California love You got it, I want it Let's get it, okay now, eh You got me flying way up in the sky Must be made in California Girl, you're so hot, when you start I can't stop Must be made in California, oh, oh Girl, mi smell strong and you got it going on I'm so glad to know you Oh, I can't lie, you can see it in my eyes You were made in California, woa oh, yeah I can smell you in the air Now we're making clouds in here We ain't going anywhere I feel it, I need it Let's get it, okay now I know you can't get enough, oh, oh I know I can light it up I know you like that island love You see it, you need it Let's get it, okay now You got me flying way up in the sky Must be made in California Girl, you're so hot, when you start I can't stop Must be made in California, oh, oh Girl, mi smell strong and you got it going on I'm so glad to know you Oh, I can't lie, you can see it in my eyes You were made in California, woa oh, yeah Woa oh, yeah" |
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JAHKOY |
California Heaven | Jahkoy Palmer (aka Raheem) is an R&B singer and rapper from Toronto, Canada, active since 2014. This is from his album "Foreign Water" released in 2016. Wickipedia lists this song as featuring Schoolboy Q, but he's not on the version linked to here. There might be another version from 2016 with him on it. He does appear on the 2024 Medasin dance remix of the song shown below. "Turn the lights on Seems like all these girls are perfect All these girls are perfect In L.A., in L.A. They've got so much there to purchase All those labels on their purses In L.A., in L.A. You ain't gotta die Just go buy you a plane ticket (Plane ticket, pla-plane ticket) This place will change your life Ask the guys who just came to visit Once they came, they just can't go nowhere Heaven must be somewhere in California No place I've seen compares to California There's nothing but angels out there A place filled with angels I swear They say come and join us The weather's much warmer Heaven's California Heaven's California Man they party on the week days (count it) Party on the week days (count it, count it, count it, count it) In L.A., in L.A. I swear they know all the DJs Walk in the club and don't pay Man they must be so paid Okay, in L.A. They poppin in L.A. You ain't gotta die Just go buy you a plane ticket (Plane ticket, pla-plane ticket) This place will change your life Ask the guys who just came to visit Once they came, they just can't go nowhere Heaven must be somewhere in California No place I've seen compares to California There's nothing but angels out there A place filled with angels I swear They say come and join us The weather's much warmer Heaven's California (California) They say come and join us The weather's much warmer Heaven's California (California) Heaven's California (California)" |
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JAHKOY & ScHoolboy Q |
California Heaven (Medasin Remix) | Jahkoy Palmer (aka Raheem) is an R&B singer and rapper from Toronto, Canada, active since 2014. ScHoolboy Q is Quincy Hanley, a rapper from Los Angeles, active since 2007. Grant Nelson, aka Medasin, is a dance music producer from Texas. This dance remix of the song shown above from 2016 was released in March, 2024. "Turn the lights on [JAHKOY] Seems like all these girls are perfect All these girls are perfect In L.A., in L.A. They've got so much there to purchase All those labels on their purses In L.A., in L.A. No place I've seen compares to California There's nothing but angels out there A place filled with angels I swear They say come and join us The weather's much warmer Heaven's California Heaven's California Heaven's California [ScHoolboy Q] Yao Blank face, amazing grace God damn girl, Got Got Got Damn girl Use your angel wings, no hands girl I'm the man from the land girl Go ham in the lab girl You know skrt skrt Lift your skirt skirt Give me work work Thats missionary like church church Legs open like pearly gates in a Thug mansion Get a thug passion Without Alize Bow down to pray I burn an ounce a day Puff puff pass No rosaries like Catholics Might cop the rolls, just to crash it You could rock the Rollie while I hit it Hey you could rock the Rollie while I hit it Yeah school boy in a new toy With a new toy, a whole down fig You was looking for heaven and you found it You was looking for heaven and you found it Yao [JAHKOY] No place I've seen compares to California There's nothing but angels out there A place filled with angels I swear They say come and join us The weathers much warmer Heaven's California They say come and join us The weather's much warmer Heaven's California Heaven's California" |
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Lexi James |
California Drive | Lexi James is a country pop singer-songwriter from New England. This is a single that was released in 2020. "Spent five long years in Santa Rosa With a brown-eyed boy Casanova Tears cried now it's over And I'm movin' on Packed my suitcase Drove away from the heartbreak Wasn't looking for anything new Until I crashed right into you I used to take every wrong turn Every time I missed all the signs He was everything I didn't need Nothing more than just a dead end street And compared to him You're easy like A California drive drive drive A California drive drive drive You're a long back road I love drivin' Route 101 and it's windin' Pedal down I'm fallin' No stoppin' I used to take every wrong turn Every time I missed all the signs He was everything I didn't need Nothing more than just a dead end street And compared to him You're easy like A California drive drive drive A California drive Ocean breeze and You and me and Windows rolled down I can feel it now yeah Watercolor sky You're my California high I used to take every wrong turn Every time I missed all the signs He was everything I didn't need Nothing more than just a dead end street I took every wrong turn Every time I missed all the signs He was everything I didn't need Nothing more than just a dead end street And compared to him You're easy like A California drive drive drive A California drive drive drive A California drive drive drive A California drive" |
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Patrick James |
California Song | Patrick James is a singer from Ireland, active since 2015. This song is from his album "Outlier" released in 2015. I like a song title that explains exactly what it is. But I have to wonder who is that man with an axe trying to keep them out of California !? Maybe it's a new U.S. Customs or Border Patrol strategy I haven't encountered yet. "I've been begging all day For you to come over I've been shouting all night Cause I've got something to say It's time to get away It's time to move on And live this life The way it should be Meet me in California Meet me on the bridge to finding our way There's a man with an axe Telling us to stay away Meet me in California We'll find our way It's time to make mistakes It's time to move on And shape this love The way it should be Meet me in California Meet me on the bridge to finding our way There's a man with an axe Telling us to stay away Meet me in California We'll find our way There's no harm Walking in the sun you'll see Take it slow with every inch of blood to make you believe You will see what's living beneath me Meet me in California Meet me in California Meet me on the bridge to finding our way There's a man with an axe Telling us to stay away Meet me in California We'll find our way I'll meet you in California We'll find our way" |
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Rick James |
Hollywood | Rick James was a singer-songwriter-producer from Buffalo New York, active on and off from 1965 - 2004. He eventually moved to California where he worked with rock and funk groups. This is from his debut album with the Stone City Band "Come Get It!" released in 1978. "Mama, sit down for me please Daddy, comfort her in this time of need Your one and only son has got to get away Before this ghetto life becomes the death of me Goodbye Mama, Goodbye Papa I'm going to do good in Hollywood Goodbye Mama, Goodbye Papa I'm going to do good in Hollywood Hollywood You have always taught me right from wrong You always told me I could sing myself a song Mom, I got to go, it's a case of do or die, do or die It's like you always told me, keep your head to the sky Goodbye Mama, Goodbye Papa I'm going to do good in Hollywood Goodbye Mama, Goodbye Papa I'm going to do good in Hollywood Goodbye Mama, Goodbye Papa I'm going to do good in Hollywood Goodbye Mama, Goodbye Papa I'm going to do good in Hollywood Hollywood You know, I've been dreaming I've been looking to the stars for light Mom, I've been thinking about it You know, I've been thinking about it all my life, all my life And I've been hoping, I've been hoping One day I might go to Hollywood, to Hollywood Where the singers, and the movie stars, and the people, living mountains And the sun shines all the time Ain't nothing much, and I got to keep on Keep on, keep on, you're gonna make it good in Hollywood Keep on, keep on, you're gonna make it good in Hollywood Keep on, keep on, you're gonna make it good in Hollywood....." |
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Jamestown Revival |
California (Cast Iron Soul) | Jamestown Revival is a folk duo from Magnolia, Texas active since 2010. This song is from their debut album "Utah" released in 2014. This was recommended as a California song, but really, it's more of a tribute to their home town. "Lately, I've been low Things been moving slow I could not tell you why Maybe too much paradise Something came calling And I knew this time I had to go Three months down the road I wound up in the Land of Gold I was headstrong with an open eye And a wondrous alibi Heading towards the canyon, I abandoned everything I owned California I don't even know you Taking me away from home Old Magnolia I'll never get over you Feeling's running straight to my bones Someday I'll be coming home Yeah, someday I'll be coming home With a cast iron soul It was a winding mountain road Where the sun shines and the air is cold Another tired town Where them old folks hang around They look me in the eye And try to pass me down what they know California I don't even know you Taking me away from home Old Magnolia I'll never get over you Feeling's running straight to my bones Someday I'll be coming home Someday I'll be coming home With a cast iron soul I, I can see the water I, I can taste the sea I keep on moving farther From where I need to be And I can see the water And I can taste the sea I keep on moving farther From where I need to be I said California I don't even know you Taking me away from home Old Magnolia I'll never get over you Feeling's running straight to my bones Someday I'll be coming home Someday I'll be coming home With a cast iron soul" |
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JamieBoy (featuring Kalin and Myles) |
California | JamieBoy is a musical artist who lives in Oxnard, CA. Kaylin and Myles were a pop duo from the San Francisco Bay Area. This pop song with a rap verse was released in 2013. "I got a DM from a slightly older chick Sayin' 'Do you ever come to Chicago?' Said she didn't know me But she's seen my videos And she was verified a model We started talking all night I knew that this was legit 'Cause when I gave her my cell She started sendin' me pics Told me she dreamed about the beaches out in Malibu What would it be like just to look up at the stars with you Well we can do anything you like And we can go anywhere you want to girl I know you need a vacation I got a place for you to crash In California, it's not so far away I gotta warn ya If you come well you just might stay 'Cause we chill all day And the party goes all night In the summer time you know it never rains Last summer I was chillin' with my cousins I was staying with my aunt in Baltimore When I saw you I couldn't keep my eyes off ya I could not control myself, I had to holla I knew right away you we're my type Said I was leaving, you said you didn't mind Don't care about the distance 'cause we'll be fine I just can't wait to call you mine Well we can do anything you like And we can go anywhere you want to girl I know you need a vacation I got a place for you to crash In California, it's not so far away I gotta warn ya If you come well you just might stay 'Cause we chill all day And the party goes all night In the summer time you know it never rains In California In California In California You know it never rains Yeah I'm on that West Coast and my top down Palm trees been riding around My girl she from the East Coast But I think I'm 'bout to fly her down Ugh 'cause I've been missin' that beautiful smile It's been a while girl you know that it's Kalin and Myles I can take you anywhere you wanna go We can hit the beach girl just lemme know You beautiful so come and get some if you with it That's West Coast California where we livin' In California, it's not so far away I gotta warn ya If you come well you just might stay 'Cause we chill all day And the party goes all night In the summer time you know it never rains In California In California In California You know it never rains" |
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Jan and Dean |
Dead Man's Curve | Jan and Dean were a vocal duo formed in Los Angeles in the late 1950s. They were pioneers of the Southern California surf sound along with The Beach Boys. This hit song from 1964 is a combination of a car song and a "teenage tragedy" song, both popular styles at that time. According to the lyrics, Dead Man's Curve is on Sunset Boulevard somewhere west of Doheny Drive in West Hollywood, which is at the western end of the Sunset Strip. The turn just west of Doheny is not very sharp, but that's the generally-accepted location of the curve in the song. With tragic irony, in 1966 Jan Berry was almost fatally injured when he crashed his Corvette Stingray (the same make of car the singer is driving in the song) near Sunset Blvd. Claims have been made that the accident was at the same Deadman's Curve mentioned in the song. A Snopes fact-checking article determined that this claim is false, and that the actual Deadman's Curve is much farther west on Sunset Blvd., just above the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles. (There were so many accidents on that curve that eventually the city modified the road to make it safer.) Snopes claims that Jan & Dean put the curve in their song closer to the Sunset Strip so they could mention landmarks such as Schwab's and Sunset and Vine that would be more familiar to listeners. But some people claim that the curve is located farther west on Sunset, including one location that makes a lot of sense to me. It's about two miles west of Doheny, where westbound Sunset makes a sharp right turn just past Whittier Drive. That's a bit far, but it's not entirely out of range of the lyrics or the drag racers. Coincidentally, Whittier Drive near Sunset is also where Jan crashed his Stingray. Wherever the curve is supposed to be, it's no place to play, so you'd best keep away! "I was cruisin' in my Stingray late one night When an XKE pulled up on the right He rolled down the window of his shiny new Jag And challenged me then and there to a drag I said 'You're on buddy, my mill's running fine Let's come off the line now at Sunset and Vine But I'll go you one better, if you've got the nerve Let's race all the way to Dead Man's Curve' (Dead Man's Curve) is no place to play (Dead Man's Curve) you'd best keep away (Dead Man's Curve) I can hear 'em say Won't come back from Dead Man's Curve The street was deserted late Friday night We were buggin' each other while we sat out the light We both popped the clutch when the light turned green You should've heard the whine from my screamin' machine I flew past La Brea, Schwab's and Crescent Heights And all the Jag could see were my six tail lights He passed me at Doheny then I started to swerve But I pulled her out and there we were at Dead Man's Curve (Dead Man's Curve) is no place to play Dead Man's Curve 'Well, the last thing I remember, Doc I started to swerve And then I saw the Jag slide into the curve I know I'll never forget that horrible sight I guess I found out for myself that everyone was right' Won't come back from Dead Man's Curve (Dead Man's Curve) is no place to play (Dead Man's Curve) you'd best keep away (Dead Man's Curve) I can hear 'em say Won't come back from Dead Man's Curve (Dead Man's Curve) is no place to play (Dead Man's Curve) you'd best keep away (Dead Man's Curve) I can hear 'em say Won't come back from Dead Man's Curve...." |
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Jan and Dean |
Down at Malibu Beach | This is from the album "Ride the Wild Surf" released in 1966. "Get out of the sack at the break of dawn Gas up the truck, we'll soon be gone Grab your board and wax it down They'll all be comin' from miles around Tell your mom in school they teach The surf is best at Malibu Beach Down the surfer 101 You're all in store for lots of fun All the honeys'll be there too Three for me and two for you You're gonna hear the tires screech When the Woodies move out from Malibu Beach Jump out of your Woody, you twist and shout Into the surf you paddle out Kneel on your board, get ready to ride The sets are forming right outside A little gas you might take Until you finally figure the break All right, Billy, play a little When you think you've had enough You grab a chick that's really tough You build a fire right on the sand And dance and dig the rockin' band From anywhere it's easy to reach The sun and fun at Malibu Beach From anywhere it's easy to reach The sun and fun at Malibu Beach" |
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Jan and Dean |
The Little Old Lady From Pasadena | This hit song was released in 1964. Colorado Boulevard is the main thoroughfare through Pasadena. It's part of Historic Route 66, and home to the famous Rose Bowl Parade. "The little old lady from Pasadena Go granny, go granny, go granny go Has a pretty little flower bed of white gardenias Go granny, go granny, go granny go But parked in her rickety old garage Is a brand new shiny red Super Stock Dodge And everybody's saying that there's nobody meaner Than the little old lady from Pasadena She drives real fast and she drives real hard She's the terror of Colorado Boulevard It's the little old lady from Pasadena If you see her on the street don't try to choose her Go granny, go granny, go granny go You might drive a goer but you'll never lose her Go granny, go granny, go granny go Well, she's gonna get a ticket now sooner or later 'Cause she can't keep her foot off the accelerator" |
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Jan and Dean |
Summer Means Fun | This is from the album "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" released in 1964 "Surfin' every day down at Malibu 'Neath the warm California sun No more books, no more homework to do now 'Cause summer means fun Summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun) summer means fun (And the girls are 2 to 1) the girls are 2 to 1 (Lots of fun for everyone) yes, summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun now) Drive-in movies every night Stayin' out till half past one Sleep in late & live it light now 'Cause summer means fun Summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun) summer means fun (And the girls are 2 to 1) the girls are 2 to 1 (Lots of fun for everyone) yes, summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun now) Summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun) summer means fun (And the girls are 2 to 1) the girls are 2 to 1 (Lots of fun for everyone) yes, summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun now) Come on everybody, grab your baggies & bikinis 'Cause it's only just begun We're gonna have a ball until the Fall now 'Cause summer means fun Summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun) summer means fun (And the girls are 2 to 1) the girls are 2 to 1 (Lots of fun for everyone) yes, summer means fun (Fun fun, summer means fun now)...." |
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Jan and Dean |
Surf City | This was the first surf song to become a number one hit. It was written by Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys) along with Jan Berry. So where is Surf City? Both Huntington Beach and Santa Cruz claimed the name and for many years their lawyers duked it out until the dust settled in 2008 and Huntington Beach retained the trademark. Regardless of trademarks, the song can be about any place where the surf's up, but the two girls for every boy part - that's just pure male fantasy. "Two girls for every boy I bought a '34 wagon and we call it a woodie (Surf City, here we come) You know it's not very cherry, it's an oldie but a goodie (Surf City, here we come) Well, it ain't got a back seat or a rear window But it still gets me where I wanna go Yeah, we're going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one You know we're going to Surf City, gonna have some fun You know we're going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one You know we're going to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now Two girls for every boy They say they never roll the streets up 'cause there's always somethin' goin' (Surf City, here we come) You know they're either out surfin' or they've got a party growin' (Surf City, here we come) Yeah, there's two swingin' honeys for every guy And all you gotta do is just wink your eye And I'm going to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now Going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one You know we're going to Surf City, gonna have some fun You know we're going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one, now Two girls for every boy And if my woodie breaks down on me somewhere on the surf route (Surf City, here we come) I'll strap my board to my back and hitch a ride in my wetsuit (Surf City, here we come) And when I get to Surf City, I'll be shootin' the curl And checkin' out the parties for a surfer girl And I'm going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one You know, we're going to Surf City, gonna have some fun You know, we're going to Surf City 'cause it's two to one You know, we're going to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now Two girls for every Two girls for every boy" |
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Joe Janci |
Take Me To California | This soft country song is from Joe Janci's album "Lonesome Traveler" released in 2010. It begs some taco-related questions: What is a "taco le grand?" Some kind of French taco? And why would you want to eat a taco that melts in your hand? Isn't that what the tortillas are there to prevent? "I said hey, take me to California Where the palm trees way in the middle of the day 'Till that golden sun goes down There's cool Margaritas and red hot chiquitas Who are ready and willing to play Out in California, that's where I wanna stay Now Dallas is a world of its own And New York City's always somebody's home And Wyoming's where all the wild buffalo roam And Vegas is like bein' on Mars And Salt Lake City doesn't have many bars I guess there's just one place in this world where I wanna go And don't you know I said hey, take me to California Where the palm trees way in the middle of the day 'Till that golden sun goes down There's cool Margaritas and red hot chiquitas Who are ready and willing to play Out in California, that's where I wanna stay So when you get there the first thing you do Is go for a swim out in Malibu And tap your toes in that Pacific Ocean blue And when you're hungry, just grab a taco le grand It tastes so good as it melts in your hand And wash it down with that gold Corona brand Man, you'll understand I said hey, take me to California Where the palm trees way in the middle of the day 'Till that golden sun goes down There's cool Margaritas and red hot chiquitas Who are ready and willing to play Out in California, that's where I wanna stay I said hey, take me to California Where the palm trees way in the middle of the day 'Till that golden sun goes down There's cool Margaritas and red hot chiquitas Who are ready and willing to play Out in California, that's where I wanna stay Out in California, that's where I wanna stay" |
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Ella Janes |
California | Ella Janes is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Winchester, England. This is from her debut album "The Hypnotist" released in 2020. Her father relocated to California so maybe that's what the song is about, though I'm not sure all of these lyrics are accurate. "Find a way to a place you can start again Where no one knew your name No one knew the pain you'd left behind you I followed you to see what you had started there And none of it seemed real But you tell me how you feel about being all that way away Hide away You just hide away It's going past it all like nothing's changed 'Cause it's the loveliest day away in California Keep dreaming on Keep dreaming I'm glad you will decide to be you're lonely there You're very far from home Very far from everyone you ever got to know I think I finally see what this is all about Still something isn't right All of it's for all that pain it keeps you up at night So you hide away You just hide away Go about it all like nothing's changed 'Cause it's the loveliest day away in California Keep dreaming on Keep dreaming Stay away in California Keep dreaming on Keep dreaming And live your life in California Oh keep dreaming Oh keep dreaming Stay away in California Nothing's ever really gone away" |
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Al Jardine |
A Postcard from California | Al Jardine is a singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Beach Boys, active since 1961. This song is from his solo album also titled "A Postcard from California" released in 2010. "Now you know that I’m goin’ out west I think that it’s for the best Hopes and dreams are what this nation’s built on They wrote me a letter back Said 'get yourself out here fast We’ll send for your things and put you in a nice hotel' I knew I was doin’ good They typed it on an Underwood My letter came all the way by U.S. mail They said they could use a man Who could read a set of blueprint plans By the time you read this I’ll be flyin’ over Indian Wells And I’ll be sending you a postcard from California And I’ll be missing you each and every day They say it’s cold out here in San Francisco But the sun shines down upon the Golden Gate I tried you on the telephone I didn’t find you at home The lines were down, I guess this note’ll have to do Now leavin’ like this ain’t right But I had to take the mornin’ flight I love you girl and I’m already missin’ you And I’ll be sending you a postcard from California And I’ll be missing you each and every day They say it’s cold out here in San Francisco But the sun shines down upon the Golden Gate I tried you on the telephone I didn’t find you at home I’m not real good with words or makin’ sweet goodbyes And maybe I’ll change my plans And start up a rock ‘n’ roll band I’ll write you a song and maybe it’ll make you cry And I’ll be sending you a postcard from California And I’ll be missing you each and every day They say it’s cold out here in San Francisco But the sun shines down upon the Golden Gate And I’ll be sending you a postcard from California And I’ll be missing you each and every way They say it’s cold out here in San Francisco But the sun shines down upon the Golden Gate I tried you on the telephone I didn’t find you at home" |
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The Jayhawks |
Nevada, California | The Jayhawks are an American alt/country band from Minneapolis that had some hits with "Blue," "Bad Time," and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" This one is from their 1992 album "Hollywood Town Hall." The singer should probably invest in a good road map or a GPS navigator because there is no such place as Nevada, California. Maybe he wants to find Nevada City, CA, maybe Nevada County, CA. Maybe he's asking California to help him find Nevada. (Just drive east.) We'll never know for sure. "Left his day job behind Every fool dies trying to give his back Kicked around on the bum Like a child I scolded for broken toys Can you help me to find Nevada, California? The last thing I did was I tried to hold her The stationmaster is gone And I'm your lovesick cousin that never wins First you twist, then you turn You're on life's icy mountain, dear passenger Can you help me to find Nevada, California? Can you help me to find Nevada, California? The last thing I did was I tried to hold her Nevada, California Nevada, California The stationmaster is gone Behind the lies you wonder, there lies a jewel Could it be something's wrong? The love that won't talk to you but seldom wins Can you help me to find Nevada, California? Can you help me to find Nevada, California? Nevada, California The last thing I did is I tried to hold her" |
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Jay Rock |
Win | Jay Rock is Johnny McKinzie Jr., a rapper from L.A. active since 2006. This Grammy-nominated song is from his album "Redemption" released in 2018. "Ayy this that Eastside Johnny, big redemption life Know what I'm talkin' 'bout? Hol' up Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah Get out the way, get out the way, get out the way, yeah (Yeah) Get out the way, get the f**k up out my way, yeah (Yeah) You either with me or against me, ho (Ho) You either with me or (Wait) Win, win, win, win, win (Yeah) F**k everything else, win, win, win, win (Win) These ni**s ain't s**t (Mommy), win, win, win, win Stop chasin' that b**ch (Stop), win, win, win, win (Yeah) Big Jay Rock go (Go), on 10, 10, 10, 10s (On 10, 10, 10, 10s) Exit at 4 (4), bring friend, friend, friend, friends (Bring friend, friend, friend, friends) Matte black two-door (Door), jump in, in, in, in You might wanna keep score (Score) I win, win, win, win (I win, win, win, win) Forearm tattoos (Huh), that's squad, squad, squad, squad (That's squad, squad, squad, squad) All of them gon' shoot (Huh) Don't try, try, try, try (Don't try, try, try, try) I walk in room (Huh), their eyes wide, wide, wide (Eyes wide, wide, wide) Third album comin' soon (Yeah) I'm glad y'all gon' die (I'm glad y'all gon' die) I ain't chasin' after no b**ch I got bigger plans than stayin' rich (Stayin' rich) I've been tapped in since I was six (Like six) I tap dance all on a brick (Tap dance) And your diamonds like tap water (Tap water) That s**t way too foggy (Clean it up) These VVSs way awesome (What's up?) Parked CLS for baby mama (No love) Drop to your death without warnin' Get out the way, get out the way, get out the way, yeah (Yeah) Get out the way, get the f**k up out my way, yeah (Yeah) You either with me or against me, ho (Ho) You either with me or (Wait), win win, win, win, win (Yeah) F**k everything else, win, win, win, win (Win) These ni**ss ain't s**t (Mommy), win, win, win, win Stop chasin' that b**ch (Stop), win, win, win, win (Yeah) F**k ni**ss don't stay outside when I play outside I put the beats on 'em, I'm like Dre outside I got the Bay outside, and L.A. outside And if you act bad, I'll bring the K outside Go and get your money, b**ch None of my ni**ss on some funny s**t I can tell real by who you runnin' with I'm all in the field, duck huntin' s**t Hit my plug just to re-up and he was like, "Boop, here" Migo knew just what it was Flipped the whole dub and gave it back, "Boop, yeah" 911, no mileage, baby, 9 ball, but no violence, baby My trigger finger got callus, baby My bare knuckles got talent, baby I'm all in the wind with it, on Deuce line, I've been with it She too fine, I been hit it, crashed two times, I limo-tinted My new ride, I'm ridin' with the toaster (Toaster) 12 better not pull me over (Over) Championship goin' dumb, nothin' to somethin', I won, b**ch (Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah) Get out the way, get out the way, get out the way yeah (Yeah) Get out the way, get the f**k up out my way, yeah (Yeah) You either with me or against me, ho (Ho) You either with me or (Wait), win win, win, win, win (Yeah) F**k everything else, win, win, win, win (Win) These ni**s ain't s**t (Mommy), win, win, win, win Stop chasin' that b**ch (Stop), win, win, win, win (Yeah)" |
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Jay-Z |
Moonlight | Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) is a rapper-songwriter etc. from New York City and one of the most influential hip-hop artists, active since 1986. This is from his album "4:44" released in 2017. I think La La Land probably refers both to a fantasy world and the Hollywood entertainment industry. "Yeah, got Lil Cos up here with me Yeah, yeah We stuck in La La Land Even when we win, we gon' lose We got the same f**kin' flows I don't know who is who We got the same f**kin' watch She don't got time to choose We stuck in La La Land We got the same f**kin'' moves Y'all f**k the same f**kin'' chicks I'm in the skrt with ya—yeah, right I'm the skrt with ya—cool story I'm on the ch—'nough of this Look, I know killers, you no killer, huh? Bathing Ape maybe not a gorilla, huh? Glorified seat filler, huh? Stop walkin' around like y'all made Thriller, huh? Fake Dracos all in the videos We sure we shoot 'em in my city though I don't post no threats on the Internet I just pose a threat, blame Lenny S for that I don't be on the 'Gram goin' ham Givin' information to the pork, that's all spam Please don't talk about guns That you ain't never gon' use Y'all always tell on y'all self I'm just so f**kin'' confused Y'all stuck in La La Land Even when we win, we gon' lose Y'all got the same f**kin' flows I don't know who is who We got the same f**kin' watch She don't got time to choose We stuck in La La Land We got the same f**kin' moves Y'all n***as still signin' deals? Still? After all they done stole, for real? After what they done to our Lauryn Hill? And y'all n***as is 'posed to be trill? That's real talk when you behind on your taxes And you pawned all your chains And they run off with your masters And took it to Beverly Hills While we in Calabasas And my head is scratchin' 'Cause that s**t is backwards That s**t ain't right Lucian is cool but Lucian don't write Doug ain't this tight, so F**k what we sellin' F**ck is we makin'? 'Cause their grass is greener 'Cause they always rakin' in mo' Nah, nah, nah, nah Nah, nah" |
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J-Diggs |
Mrs. California | J-Diggs is Jamal Diggs, a rapper from Vallejo, active since 1995. This is from "California Livin' Part 2" released in 2005. It's acapella rap - all voice, no music. "I gots this saucy lil' tender Baby bad to the bone Disrespect lil' mama best to know it be on I go hard for baby girl I can't help but to dig her A lil' jealous cause I know she got more than one n**ga The way I figure its cool if you're treatin' her right You best be suckin' her, fu**kin' her, and eatin' her right You want the truth I done bust shots for baby before For ni**as neglectin' and disrespectin' my ho 'Hell no! You lost your mind? Is y'all crazy?' This is my b**ch, I love her, and she havin' my babies We been together since the top When I was jockin' the corners Was only 10 when I met my lil' friend California Stumbled up one her when I was like ridin' my bike Come to find out, Cali gets live at night She hang wit Bay boys And bangers called Crips and Bloods She taught me how to hustle sellin' dimes and dubs We made love on the daily I was payin' her dues Cali taught me the game But Cali changed the rules Confused, I never knew better Used to sweat her for cheddar She seduced me, and used me, from the day that I met her She had me body guardin' And I'm jump-startin', and I'm drive bying' and dischargin' High speed chasin', false statements to the sergeant I was so young and so dumb The time, had no funds But fu**in' wit young Cali I got more dope and more guns Put me on her turf and made me hustle for her trap money Whispered in my ear 'If you do good I'll give you rap money' Sat me down one night so she can whip me wit some game Gave me pen and pad, equipped me wit some slang Told me that I'd write about the life that she had laid out Keep her name alive And make sure she never played out Represent that place where we met on that Cali corner Let the world know I got a thang for Mrs. California" |
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Jelly Roll |
California | Jelly Roll is Jason DeFord, a rapper from Tennessee. This song is from his album "Sobriety Sucks" released in 2016. It’s like the devil's sittin' on my shoulder And he keeps tellin' me to come over And I can’t think straight 'cause I ain’t sober I only do cocaine in California In California, in California, in California And I’m a long way from home right now in California Lord please just keep surrounding me Tryin' to escape these demons But I feel like they keep houndin' me Friends talkin' down to me Mama says she’s proud of me Stayin' at the Chamberlain Snortin' lines on the balcony And for some reason I keep thinkin' about jumpin' man I can’t believe I’m thinkin' this way I came from nothing it’s amazin' All of the sudden everybody’s lovin' him Wasn’t long ago that he was stayin' at the Budget Inn Came to Hollywood, he ain’t know what a budget is Next thing you know they tryin' to f**k him out his publishin' These white lines have him feelin' like the life line They sayin' that he’s next He’s waitin' it’s the right time It’s like the devil's sittin' on my shoulder And he keeps tellin' me to come over And I can’t think straight 'cause I ain’t sober I only do cocaine in California In California, in California, in California And I’m a long way from home right now in California Everyday I awake hit my knees And start to pray try to find the words to say But so much sin is in the way What does it take just to make it in this scandalous game I ain’t got no umbrella I just stand in the rain Man it takes a strong mind just to handle the fame Willin' to destroy anything that stand in the way Next thing you know I’m learnin' thangs that I never knew Next thing you know I’m doing things I said I’d never do For good times man it’s all about a good vibe I’m so high I swear to good I feel I could fly Walkin' out the Rainbow Room high as I ever been Told Jackie Chan I can’t believe they finally let us in It’s like the devil's sittin' on my shoulder And he keeps tellin' me to come over And I can’t think straight cause I ain’t sober I only do cocaine in California In California, in California, in California And I’m a long way from home right now in California Smokin' weed, just let me be I’m tryin' to buy my soul back Will they set me free? I got fake friends now I know we’ll never talk Again - if my mother f**kin' record flops So I just keep on tryin' to build this from the ground up Wasn’t long ago that I was really weighin' pounds up Really from the streets So keep that pussy s**t from round us And roll some good weed Somebody pour that Crown up It’s like the devil's sittin' on my shoulder And he keeps tellin' me to come over And I can’t think straight cause I ain’t sober I only do cocaine in California In California, in California, in California And I’m a long way from home right now in California" |
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Jem |
California Sun | Jem is Jemma Alexander, a singer-songwriter from Wales active since 1998. She really meant it when she sang about needing some California sun - she moved to Los Angeles not long after releasing this light electronic pop song in 2005. "Well I feel like I'm lost in time Watching the world go by Everything looks the same Tired of playing games Oh, it's been getting me down Oh, and now what I need, what I need California Sun California Sun California Sun Is calling Is calling me Now I don't know what I'll find Just wanna get in a car and drive It's time to escape the shame Mean-laughing too long this way No, it's getting me down Oh, now what I need, what I need California Sun California Sun California Sun Is calling Is calling me Leave my worries behind Oh, start a new life Now, when no one knows me Oh, is just what I need California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun California Sun" |
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JENNIE |
Mantra | JENNIE (Jennie Kim) is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress, active since 2012. She's also a member of the girl group Blackpink which debuted in 2016. This dance pop song is a single released in October, 2024. The video, which shows a pack of pretty girls shaking their butts on a deserted street in L.A. surrounded by burning cars, got more than 40 million YouTube views in a week. "Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty This that pretty-girl mantra, this that flaunt ya, just touched down in L.A. Pretty girls don't do drama 'less we wanna. It'll be depending on the day Pretty girls packed in a Defender, know I'ma defend her, never let her catch no stray This that pretty-girl mantra, she's that stunna, make you wanna swing both ways Mix me with the drama (Drama) Check you like commas (Ah-ah, ah-ah) My clothes are pajamas ('Jamas) Straight from the cold plunge (Ah-ah, ah-ah) Daytime baddie use her mind Quick switch of the fit for the night (Night) Swervin' thorugh the lane, we'll be twenty minute late 'Cause we had to do an In-N-Out drive-by It's not that deep (Deep), I'm not that drunk (Drunk) Sometimes, girls just gotta have fun Throw it back, all that ass Me and my sis, way too attached It's not that deep (Deep), we're not that dumb (Dumb) Look at them Bonnies on the run Inside glowin' like the sun (Sun, s—) You're gonna feel this every day (Day) This that pretty-girl mantra, this that flaunt ya, just touched down in L.A. Pretty girls don't do drama 'less we wanna. It'll be depending on the day Pretty girls packed in a Defender, know I'ma defend her, never let her catch no stray This that pretty-girl mantra, she's that stunna, make you wanna swing both ways Love what it feel like (Feel like) To be off of the grid like all night Oh, with my bih, like (B**ch, like) We ain't even tryna talk no one Swerve off all the creeps, no weird vibes We ain't never let it ruin a good time Ain't nobody gon' dim our good light This them words we're livin' by This that pretty-girl mantra, this that flaunt ya, just touched down in L.A. (Ah) Pretty girls don't do drama 'less we wanna. It'll be depending on the day (Ah, ah, ah) Pretty girls packed in a Defender, know I'ma defend her, never let her catch no stray (Ah, ah) This that pretty-girl mantra, she's that stunna, make you wanna swing both ways (Ah, ah, ah) This that pretty-girl mantra, this that flaunt ya, just touched down in L.A. (Ah, ah) Pretty girls don't do trauma, no new drama, we already got a full day (Ah, ah) Pretty girls that you gon' remember, know that you could never, nothing ever trigger me (Ah, ah) This that pretty-girl mantra, she's that stunna, everyone knows she is me (Ah) Hahahahahahaha Pretty" |
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Mason Jennings |
Big Sur | Mason Jennings is a folk singer-songwriter who started his career in Minneapolis in 1997. This upbeat acoustic tune is from his first album "Mason Jennings" released in 1997. "Just let the disc play This is a song to give you hope I wouldn't have it any other way This is a song to give you hope When you say Honey I'm afraid to sleep at night, sleep at night Honey Im afraid to sleep at night, sleep at night Well, I wish I had my arms around you This is a song to give hope Just let this thing surround you This is a song to give you hope When you say Honey I'm afraid to sleep at night, sleep at night Honey I'm afraid to leave tonight, leave tonight I said go, go on Go, go on I said I, I love you truly So go, go on And get jump on the finer things This is a song to give hope You never know what the past will bring you This is a song to give you hope When you say Honey I'm afraid to sleep at night, sleep at night Honey I'm afraid to leave tonight, leave tonight I said go, go on Go, go on I said I, I love you truly So go, go on Forty miles south of Monterey and the Santa Lucia hills The sunshine shone me to sleep, and I dreamt I was alive I sang myself a song, it went, know what you know, Stay when you stay, and go when you go And I call it intuition, flowers bloom and hummingbirds fly Yes, I call it intuition, it gets me by Sailing on a silver ship out to the open Lonely and realizing that our friendship's been broken And the funny thing to me is how quickly it slips away And leaves you thinking of the things that were never spoken And you know loving me is not enough And I know future is as future does Sailing on a silver ship out to the open Lonely and realizing that our friendship's been broken And the funny thing to me is how quickly it slips away And leaves you longing for the things that were never spoken And you know loving me is not enough And I know future is as future does" |
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Mason Jennings |
California | This is another song from "Mason Jennings" released in 1997. The singer is singing to someone he loves who is leaving for California and leaving him behind. "Don't you know baby I'm a leading man I dig down deep when I say I love you And I can hold my own with the best of them I guarantee you, you will never see nothing like this again California, I hope that it wakes you From all of the darkness That I couldn't break through 'cause I'm gonna miss you, I'm gonna miss you I'm gonna miss you, I'm gonna miss you Don't you know that I did the things I could I rubbed your back when you were sleeping But all along baby it was understood That you were leaving, absolutely Since the very first day we met California, I hope that it wakes you From all of the darkness That I couldn't break through 'cause I'm gonna miss you, I'm gonna miss you I'm gonna miss you, I'm gonna miss you Like I miss the ocean When I go to sleep Man, it's gonna break my heart" |
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Waylon Jennings |
Friends in California | Waylon Jennings was a country music singer-songwriter and actor from Texas, one of the pioneers of the outlaw country movement along with Willie Nelson, active from 1949-2001. He wrote this song with Bill LaBounty, but I'm not sure when. The song appears on the album "Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings" which was partially recorded before Jennings died in 2002, then finished and released in 2012. However, Johnny Cash released a version of the song in 1993, so it was written some time before then. "I've got friends in California Who really care about me And right now a friend is what I need the most Somewhere out in California Is where I ought to be So I'll pack up my troubles And take 'em to the coast This old town is gettin' colder With winter comin' on But it was just as cold back in July There ain't nothin' here to hold me With storm clouds movin' in Lord knows I need a friend and sunny skies I've got friends in California Who really care about me And right now a friend is what I need the most Somewhere out in California Is where I ought to be So I'll pack up my troubles And take 'em to the coast Got some cousins up near Frisco They've been on my mind My best friend's got a place in Malibu I've got an old flame in the desert Living on the fault line I'd be better off with her then here with you I've got friends in California Who really care about me Right now a friend is what I need the most Somewhere out in California Is where I ought to be So I'll pack up my troubles And take 'em to the coast I've got friends in California Who really care about me Right now a friend is what I need the most Somewhere out in California Is where I ought to be So I'll pack up my troubles And take 'em to the coast I've got friends in California Who really care about me Right now a friend is what I need the most Somewhere out in California Is where I ought to be So I'll pack up my troubles And I'll take 'em to the coast" |
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Waylon Jennings |
How Much Is It Worth to Live in L.A. | This is from the album "Full Circle" released in 1988. "How much is it worth to live in L.A.? That land of silk and money where the pretty people play When they itemize insanity, how much will you pay? How much is it worth to live in L.A.? Now I'm not here to criticize or to put nobody down But they're weirding out in Hollyweird every time you turn around And when it comes to crazy, I know whereof I speak And I know where I'd be leaving if I were walking in their feet How much is it worth to live in L.A.? That land of silk and money where the pretty people play When they itemize insanity, how much will you pay? How much is it worth to live in L.A.? There's a freeway full of traffic going every which way People dodging bullets, crawling down the interstate They keep waiting for the big one, one tremor at a time There ain't nobody living there, it's all a state of mind How much is it worth to live in L.A.? That land of silk and money where the pretty people play When they itemize insanity, how much will you pay? How much is it worth to live in L.A.? How much is it worth to live in L.A.? That land of silk and money where the pretty people play When they itemize insanity, how much will you pay? How much is it worth to live in L.A.?" |
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Waylon Jennings |
Too Dumb for New York City | This is from the album "Too Dumb for New York City, Too Ugly for L.A." released in 1992. "When I first saw New York city I was green down to the core You could see my red neck glowing For a mile or maybe more Between the hustlers and the hookers I must have made their day They peeled me like an apple, Lord And sent me on my way When you're pushed and shoved and almost mugged It ain't no place to be So I came to one conclusion New York ain't for me From sea to shining sea And coast to coast Somewhere in the middle Is the land I love the most I ain't California pretty I can't survive the Great White Way I'm too dumb for New York city And too ugly for L.A. I made my way to Tinseltown To Hollywood and Vine Out among those pretty faces I'd surely find a place for mine The way I walk, the way I talk They'll hang on every word But don't call me, I'll call you Was all I ever heard In L.A. what they're thinking Ain't what they talk about At least in New York city There's never any doubt From sea to shining sea And coast to coast Somewhere in the middle Is the land I love the most I ain't California pretty I can't survive the Great White Way I'm too dumb for New York city And too ugly for L.A. I'm too dumb for New York city And too ugly for L.A." |
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Carly Rae Jepsen |
L. A. Hallucinations | Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian pop singer who shot to stardom with her huge hit single "Call Me Maybe" in 2011. This is from her 2015 album "E*MO*TION" “I remember being naked We were young freaks just fresh to L.A. Never cared about the fake kids We would write and sing and wear whatever But money makes your whole world spin Til everything is dizzy and suddenly Planes I'm hopping Cards I'm dropping No shop can fill me up There's a little black hole in my golden cup so You pour and I'll say stop Planes I'm hopping Cards I'm dropping No shop can fill me up There's a little black hole in my golden cup So you pour and I'll say stop Take me into your arms again Shake me from L.A. hallucinations Haven't seen the boy in ages Used to stay up all night he and I Filling up each of these pages But the teeth come out when the camera flashes We said we'd always be the same But we lost each other in the game cause suddenly Planes I'm hopping Cards I'm dropping No shop can fill me up There's a little black hole in my golden cup so You pour and I'll say stop Planes I'm hopping Cards I'm dropping No shop can fill me up There's a little black hole in my golden cup So you pour and I'll say stop Take me into your arms again And shake me from L.A. hallucinations Buzzfeed buzzards and TMZ crows What can I say that you don't already know? Buzzfeed buzzards and TMZ crows If I just lie here then will you let me go?….” |
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Carly Rae Jepsen |
Western Wind | This song was released in May 2022. Western winds in California blow east from the ocean, unlike the Santa Ana winds which blow south and west from the desert. That's everything I know about winds in California. For more information about the natural movement of air relative to the Earth's surface or other atmospheric phenomena in California, please consult a meteorologist. "California It crossed my mind Once we were pressed into the Love we were pressed into the breeze up on the mountain I was by your side Do you remember A conversation with our heads against the pillow? Dust my shoes before I enter through your doorstep I was on your side Coming in like a western wind Do you feel home from all directions First bloom, you know it's Spring Reminding me love that it's all connected (The wind is coming) Coming in like a western wind A jubilation A celebration Take me back into your corner To the center of the room, we made a dance floor I was charmed to let go Coming in like a western wind Do you feel home from all directions First bloom, you know it's Spring Reminding me love that it's all connected (The wind is coming) Coming in like a western wind But could you give me peace of mind If I return to you in time, my golden arrow Mmm Ooh, ooh, Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, Ooh, ooh Coming in like a western wind Do you feel home from all directions First bloom, you know it's Spring Reminding me love that it's all connected (The wind is coming) Coming in like a western wind...." |
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Billy Joel |
Los Angelenos | Billy Joel is a singer-songwriter from New York City and one of the best-selling music artists of all time according to Wickipedia. This is from his album "Streetlife Serenade" released in 1974. He wrote the song while living in Los Angeles and recorded the album in North Hollywood. The line "Such hot sweet schoolgirls" makes me a bit nervous, but I'm sure they were all over 18, right Billy? "Los Angelenos All come from somewhere To live in sunshine Their funky exile Midwestern ladies High-heeled and faded Drivin' sleek new sports cars With their New York cowboys Hiding up in the mountains Laying low in the canyons Goin' nowhere on the streets With the Spanish names Makin' love with the natives In their Hollywood places Making up for all the time gone by Los Angelenos All come from somewhere Cuz it's all so easy To become acquainted Electric babies Blue-jeaned and jaded Such hot sweet schoolgirls So educated Tanning out in the beaches With their Mexican reefers No one ever has to feel Like a refugee Going into garages For exotic massages Making up for all the time gone by Hiding up in the mountains Laying low in the canyons Goin' nowhere on the streets With the Spanish names Makin' love with the natives In their Hollywood places Making up for all the time gone by Los Angelenos All come from somewhere It's so familiar Their foreign faces" |
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Billy Joel |
Say Goodbye to Hollywood | This is from Joel's album "Turnstiles" released in 1976. "Bobby's drivin' through the city tonight Through the lights in a hot new rent-a-car He joins the lovers in his heavy machine It's a scene down on Sunset Boulevard Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye, my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye, my baby Johnny's taking care of things for awhile And his style is so right for troubadours They got him sitting with his back to the door Now he won't be my fast gun anymore Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye my baby Movin' on is a chance you take Any time you try to stay - together Whoa Say a word out of line And you find that the friends you had Are gone forever Forever So many faces in and out of my life Some will last Some will just be now and then Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye, my baby Say goodbye to Hollywood Say goodbye, my baby" |
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Billy Joel |
We Didn't Start the Fire | This is from Joel's number-one-selling 11th studio album "Storm Front" released in 1989. The song was also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has a couple of references to California - "Richard Nixon", the 37th President of the U.S. and California native, mentioned twice, "Disneyland," and "California Baseball," which probably refers to the Giants and Dodgers moving to California from New York City. The song was covered 33 years later with a new list of people and events by Fall Out Boy. "Harry Truman, Doris Day Red China, Johnnie Ray South Pacific Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon Studebaker, Television North Korea, South Korea Marilyn Monroe Rosenbergs, H-Bomb Sugar Ray, Panmunjom Brando, The King And I, And The Catcher In The Rye Eisenhower, Vaccine England's got a new queen Marciano, Liberace Santayana goodbye We didn't start the fire It was always burning Since the world's been turning We didn't start the fire No, we didn't light it But we tried to fight it Joseph Stalin, Malenkov Nasser and Prokofiev Rockefeller, Campanella Communist Bloc Roy Cohn, Juan Peron Toscanini, Dacron Dien Bien Phu Falls, "Rock Around the Clock" Einstein, James Dean Brooklyn's got a winning team Davy Crockett, Peter Pan Elvis Presley, Disneyland Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Khrushchev Princess Grace, Peyton Place Trouble in the Suez We didn't start the fire It was always burning Since the world's been turning We didn't start the fire No, we didn't light it But we tried to fight it Little Rock, Pasternak Mickey Mantle, Kerouac Sputnik, Zhou En-lai Bridge On The River Kwai Lebanon, Charles de Gaulle California baseball Starkweather Homicide Children of Thalidomide Buddy Holly, Ben-Hur Space Monkey, Mafia Hula Hoops, Castro Edsel is a no-go U-2, Syngman Rhee Payola and Kennedy Chubby Checker, Psycho Belgians in the Congo We didn't start the fire It was always burning Since the world's been turning We didn't start the fire No, we didn't light it But we tried to fight it Hemingway, Eichmann Stranger in a Strange Land Dylan, Berlin Bay of Pigs invasion Lawrence of Arabia British Beatlemania Ole Miss, John Glenn Liston beats Patterson Pope Paul, Malcolm X British Politician sex J.F.K. blown away What else do I have to say? We didn't start the fire It was always burning Since the world's been turning We didn't start the fire No, we didn't light it But we tried to fight it Birth control, Ho Chi Minh Richard Nixon back again Moonshot, Woodstock Watergate, punk rock Begin, Reagan, Palestine Terror on the airline Ayatollahs in Iran Russians in Afghanistan Wheel of Fortune, Sally Ride Heavy metal suicide Foreign debts, homeless Vets AIDS, crack, Bernie Goetz Hypodermics on the shores China's under martial law Rock and Roller cola wars I can't take it anymore We didn't start the fire It was always burning Since the world's been turning We didn't start the fire But when we are gone It will still burn on, and on And on, and on...." |
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Elton John |
Mansfield | Elton John is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. This song is from his 26th studio album "Songs From the West Coast" released in 2001. "It's a case I guess of paradise lost Ten years back on the hands of the clock In that little house on Mansfield On your old block Sometimes the magic of the past is all we've got Just you and me at a crossroads then Ain't it funny how we were old friends Accidentally thrown together Did we intend To be the romantic novel you never want to end And it's the contact of the eye that meets across a crowded room And how I kind of wound up the lyrics to your tune You said, 'Funny but it feels like I've known you all my life And how it might feel to kiss you on the mouth tonight' In between the Star of David and the California moon The Santa Ana winds blew warm into your room We were crazy, wild and running Blind to the change to come In that little house on Mansfield We'd wake at the break of dawn In an Indian summer gone...." |
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Elton John |
Tiny Dancer | In this song, lyricist Bernie Taupin celebrates the California Girls he met when he moved to L.A. in 1970. It's from John's " Madman Across the Water" album released in 1971. "Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand Jesus freaks out on the street Handing tickets out for God Turning back she just laughs The boulevard is not that bad Piano man he makes his stand In the auditorium Looking on she sings the songs The words she knows the tune she hums But oh how it feels so real Lying here with no one near Only you and you can hear me When I say softly slowly Hold me closer tiny dancer Count the headlights on the highway Lay me down in sheets of linen You had a busy day today Hold me closer tiny dancer Count the headlights on the highway Lay me down in sheets of linen You had a busy day today...." |
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David John and the Comstock Cowboys |
San Luis Obispo | David John and the Comstock Cowboys are a band based somewhere near Reno, Nevada. They play western music, the sort of singing cowboy songs that were removed from the "country and western" genre when country wanted to modernize. This song is from their album "Legends of the West" released in 2006. It's about the Donner Party, a group of pioneers traveling on the Oregon Trail who were stranded for the winter in the Sierra Nevada and had to resort to cannibalism to survive. More than half of the party survived the winter, but from what I can tell, none of them settled in San Luis Obispo, so that is probably poetic license. "We left Missouri with spring time and blessing On a wagon train as far as you could see At the very first the going was quite easy The weather being kind as it could be So we took the south fork at Hastings Cutoff We left the wagon train for better times We struggled through the salt flats of Utah The water gone and it leaves the moon behind But the night's are cool in San Luis Obispo In the valley there's a gentle summer rain California's where we start our life over If we make it though this arid desert plain We had reached Sierra's gate in late October As we watched the winter clouds begin to stack There wasn't time to stop and rest the cattle With November breathing down our back So we pushed them hard and barely reached the summit That would be about as far as we would get The drifts had mounted higher than the wagon And the oxen couldn't pull another step But the sun shines in San Luis Obispo In the valley where the gentle breezes blow California's where we start our life over If we make it though this high Sierra snow The deadly winds did blow in all its fury You couldn't see your hand before your face We knew we had to dig in for the winter Or die here in this god forsaken place All night long we'd hear the children crying As their mothers tried their best to keep them warm When the morning came the cattle they were scattered So we prayed to god and we braced for another storm And the sun shines in San Luis Obispo In the valley where the gentle breezes blow There the mission bells are ringing, folks are praying For the pilgrims in the high Sierra snow" |
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Johnny Sixstring |
She's in California | This Country song was put on YouTube in July, 2023. "So she said she was unhappy I told myself that it would pass But time didn't make things no better Sure enough she .... Well I tried to try to change her mind But it was all to no avail By the morning she packed up her things And left that old town on a rail As she's goin' to California I'm headin' down to Tennessee Hope those bright lights down in Memphis Take this loneliness from me Well I should have seen it comin' I just didn't want to believe She'd be goin' to California Leavin' me cryin' in Tennessee I stopped for coffee at a truck stop Storm clouds start to fill the sky Got old Hank moanin' on that AM dial 'I'm so lonesome I could cry' In about an hour I'll be across that Dixie line Then I'm prayin' that this broken heart Will be left far far behind As she's goin' to California I'm headin' down to Tennessee Hope those bright lights down in Memphis Take this loneliness from me Well I should have seen it comin' I just didn't want to believe She'd be goin' to California Leavin' me cryin' in Tennessee I guess this Beale Street barroom My new sweet home sweet home 'Cause she's in California And I'm in Tennessee all alone" |
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Jamey Johnson |
California Riots | A country tune from 2010. I think all country singers now are required to do a California song, just like rock groups. "Well I pulled off the gravel, with my California dreams. Leaving everything I ever loved behind. Well I left Alabama, but it never once left me. And it's still the only refuge in my mind. Where you gonna be when half of California riots, where you gonna run to when the lights go out. Well I won't be hangin' out in California, I won't try it. Buddy I'll be up and headed south. All the women here look perfect, and it hardly ever rains, and for some folks here I'm sure it's paradise. Well I'll dabble with the fortune, rub elbows with the fame. But I'll be damned if this is where I'm gonna die." |
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Robert Johnson |
Sweet Home Chicago | Robert Johnson was a Delta blues singer-songwriter from Mississippi who died at 27 in 1938. He's the guy who supposedly sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads you've probably heard about. There's even a monument at the highway intersection in Clarksdale Mississippi commemorating it. After his music was released on albums in 1961, it had a huge influence on rock music of the 60s, especially his guitar style. The lyrics "Back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago" are a bit confusing, but at the end says he's going from California to Iowa so he's probably going back to California then to Chicago, which makes sense. Eric Clapton sings "Back from the land of California" which could be the correct lyrics, it's hard to tell, although Johnson definitely says "to California" once in the song. (Why he's counting, and if that means anything other than just setting up a rhyme - I have no idea.) "Oh Baby, don't you want to go Oh Baby, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Oh Baby, don't you want to go Oh Baby, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Now one and one is two Two and two is four I'm heavy loaded baby I'm booked, I gotta go Cryin', baby Honey, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Now two and two is four Four and two is six You gon' keep on monkeyin' 'round here friend-boy You gon' get your Business all in a trick But I'm cryin', baby Honey, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Now six and two is eight Eight and two is ten Friend-boy, she trick you one time She sure gon' do it again But I'm cryin', hey Baby, don't you want to go To the land of California To my sweet home Chicago I'm goin' to California From there to Des Moines, Iowa Somebody will tell me that you Need my help someday, cryin' Hey, hey Baby, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago" |
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Freedy Johnston |
California Thing | Freedy Johnston is a singer-songwriter originally from Kansas based in New York City. This is a great upbeat power pop song from his 1992 album "Can You Fly." "High off the roof we rise Flying to a hand up in the sky All the bells in the city ring I'm doing my California thing It was a la, a la, a la It was a lie, a lie, a lie I'm doing my California thing It's happening My house down on the rocks The waves stood up and began to walk All the bells in the valley sing I'm doing my California thing" |
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Al Jolson |
Avalon | Avalon is a town on Santa Catalina Island. This song was such a hit back in 1920 that you could hear it blasting the woofers of every Escalade, Mercedes, and Range Rover on the road. It's been recorded by lots of other artists, including Cab Calloway, Red Nichols, Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Coleman Hawkins. Unfortunately for Jolson, the opening melody was found to resemble part of Puccini's opera Tosca, so a year later a judge awarded Puccini and his publishers all subsequent royalties and 25 thousand dollars, which would be worth more than ten times that in 2016. "I found my love in Avalon Beside the bay. I left my love in Avalon And I sailed away. I dream of her in Avalon From dusk till dawn. So I think I'll travel on To Avalon. Every morn' my memories stray Across the sea where flying fishes play. And as the night is falling I find that I'm recalling That blissful all-enthralling day. Beside the bay. And I sailed away. I dream of her in Avalon From dusk till dawn. So I think I'll travel on To Avalon." |
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Al Jolson |
California, Here I Come | Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian, and stage and film actor, known for starring in the first "talking picture" "The Jazz Singer" in 1927, which has very little talking and might be better described as the first "singing picture." This song was written by Al Jolson, Bud DeSylva, Joseph Meyer for the 1921 musical "Bombo" that starred Jolson. He recorded the song in 1924. It's campy and dated, and it's hard not to associate Jolson with the unfortunate blackface makeup he used sometimes, but it's still one of the best coming back home songs ever written.The coversions are probably easier to listen to. A lot of people wanted to make it the state song of California but "I Love You, California" was given that honor in 1988. There's a Wickipedia page about this song if you want more info. This song has been covered by other singers, including a few listed below. Most of them skip the intro verses and sing only the "here I come" part, with the flowers blooming in the sun instead of the spring. Sometimes they add an extra verse. I'm not sure if it was in the original version that Jolson didn't sing or something made up later. I've put that verse below his lyrics. Fats Waller recorded a piano instrumental in 1935. Tom Waits included part of the song in a 1977 medley. Ray Charles covered the song on his album "Genius Hits the Road" released in 1960. Freddy Cannon recorded a rock and roll version on his album "The Explosive Freddy Cannon" relased in 1960. Al Jolson's Lyrics: "When the wintry winds starts blowing And the snow is starting in the fall Then my eyes went westward knowing That's the place that I love best of all California I've been blue Since I've been away from you I can't wait 'till I get going Even now I'm starting you to call (not clear) California, here I come Right back where I started from Where bowers of flowers Bloom in the spring Each morning at dawning Birdies sing at everything A sun-kissed miss said, 'Don't be late!' That's why I can hardly wait Open up that Golden Gate California, Here I Come California, here I come (yeaaaaaah!) Right back where I started from Where bowers of flowers Bloom in the spring Each morning at dawning Birdies sing at everything A sun-kissed miss said, 'Don't be late!' That's why I can hardly wait (come on! come on!) Open up (open up! open up!) that Golden Gate California, Here I Come" Additional Verse "California I've been blue Since I've been away from you So lonely, and only dreaming of home I wander and ponder sunny places, friendly faces When you hit the trail a while Seems you rarely see a smile So I'm heading home in style California, here I come" |
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Jonas Brothers |
Feelin' Alive | The Jonas Brothers were a pop rock band of brothers from New Jersey. This song is from their 2010 Disney TV show “Jonas L.A.” “Hey! This is the night! This is the night! Hey! I'm feeling alive I'm feeling alive My heart goes boom as the stars go blue Like a sea of cell phone lights The moon gets light as the sun goes down Somewhere behind the Hollywood sign Have you ever felt like your living in the shadows? Have you ever felt kept down? I know sometimes that it feels like a battle But it can turn around Hey! This is the night! This is the night! Hey! I'm feeling alive I'm feeling alive The kick drum starts as the boulevard Fills up with all the boys and girls From Jersey Town to the L.A. Crowd They hear us all over the world Have you ever felt like standing on a rooftop Have you ever wanted to scream? Everybody dance, burn it up till we blastoff Just like a rockin machine (Yeah!)….” |
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Jonas Brothers |
L.A. Baby (Where Dreams Are Made Of) | This is another song from 2010's "Jonas L.A." Grammatical problems in song lyrics don't usually bother me, but the line "in this city where dreams are made of" doesn't make sense. The line is written in the official song title on the album cover, so it's not a mistake, but it sounds like they are singing "that dreams are made of" in the song, which doesn't make sense either. They're saying that dreams are made of this city, but I think they mean either that the city is made of dreams or that dreams are made in the city. Both lines are a corruption of the line from Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" "We are such stuff/As dreams are made on..." Who knew a Jonas Brothers song would lead to a quotation from Shakespeare? "L.A., L.A., baby (She's a) L.A., L.A., baby (You're my) L.A,. L.A., baby (She's a) L.A., L.A., baby Driving down the highway with her Californ-i-a breeze in my hair Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Out on your vacation, baby That's my destination, see you there Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Here we GO! So now let's GO! You gotta, GO! GO! Bring it on! The two of us tonight We can make it last forever We're in the neon lights It's just you and me together Hollywood is the time The stars are shining For you and me tonight in this city That dreams are made of That dreams are made of Dinner and a movie One on one, the night is ours I'm on my way Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! We can do whatever You can pick a place And tell me what to say! Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah! Here we GO! So now let's GO! You gotta, GO! GO! Bring it on! The two of us tonight We can make it last forever We're in the neon lights It's just you and me together Hollywood is the time The stars are shining For you and me tonight in this city That dreams are made of L.A., L.A., baby (She's a) L.A., L.A., baby (You're my) L.A,. L.A., baby (She's a) L.A., L.A., baby It's the two of us tonight We can make it last forever We're in the neon lights It's just you and me together Hollywood is the time The stars are shining For you and me tonight in this city That dreams are made of That dreams are made of, yeah Oh, oh, oh That dreams are made of, yeah Oh, oh, oh That dreams are made of, come on That dreams are made of" |
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Grace Jones |
Barefoot in Beverly Hills | Grace Jones is a singer, songwriter, actress and model, born in Jamaica, active since 1973. This song is from her album "Inside Story" released in 1986. I'd guess that if you walk around barefoot in Beverly Hills these days wearing trashy underwear someone will call the police. Either that or they'll mistake you for a celebrity. "Still walkin' barefoot, still walkin barefoot, still Still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills I'm still walkin' barefoot still, in Beverly Hills I can walk on the stone, I can walk on the grass I'm walkin' all over this earth I can walk on fire, I can walk on air I'm walkin' all over this earth And I can walk on wood, I can walk on wire I'm walkin' all over this earth And, I can walk on grass, I can walk on grass, And walk on, you name it Still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills I'm still walkin' barefoot still, in Beverly Hills I had to walk in a ... To keep my feet from burning up For years I walked that beat Developing under my feet An immunity to heat An immunity to heat Now I can walk on, you name it And I walk on, you name it I can walk on, you name it And I walk on, you name it I'm still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills Still walkin' barefoot still, in Beverly Hills I'm still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills We're still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills 13 years I walked that beat With callus developed under my feet What you call a callus An immunity to heat An immunity to heat I'm still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills I'm still walkin' barefoot still, in Beverly Hills Still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills Still walkin' barefoot, in Beverly Hills I'm walkin' around without my shoes With a air dry pedicure In trashy underwear Livin' it up in L.A. 13 miles I walked that beat Callus developed under my feet What you call a callus An immunity to heat An immunity to heat An immunity to heat" |
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Grace Jones |
Hollywood Liar | This is another song from the album "Inside Story" released in 1986. Some of the lines are in French and since I can only make out about half of the words, I'll let you figure them out for yourself. De rien. " Liar, liar, liar, Hollywood liar Who are you, to crash my party, with your mediocre blues Your powder has no power over me Don't talk to my friends the way you talk to the girls from the valley You're just another liar to me Hollywood liar Hollywood liar Hollywood liar Hollywood liar I can see right through your act, the way you lie to yourself About deals you know don't even exist Dropping all those names the way you think the game should be played You're just another liar to me Hollywood liar Hollywood liar Hollywood liar Hollywood liar [French] Unfortunately you're my neighbour But certainly not for long Huh, I'm the director of this I'm the producer of that What you gonna do next? How you gonna top that? Distributor of this Editor of that What you gonna do next? How you gonna top that? How you gonna top that? How you gonna top that? [French] Hollywood liar Hollywood liar Hollywood liar Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood Hollywood liar liar [French] Hollywood liar Hollywood liar I don't buy it baby! You just get out of my party!" |
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Joe Jones |
California Sun | Joe Jones was an R&B singer-songwriter from New Orleans. His biggest hit was "You Talk Too Much" in 1960. This song was released as a single in 1961 and is the first recording of it. The song was written by Henry Glover, an African American singer-songwriter fron Arkansas (who also wrote the great Ray Charles song "Drown in My Own Tears"). It was originally also credited to producer Morris Levy, because that's how record companies worked in those days - they stole everything they could get from the artists. The song was later a huge hit for the Rivieras in 1964 and then was recorded by lots of other musicians, including Annette Funicello, the Dictators, the Ramones, Bobby Fuller, Dave Alvin, The Offspring, and Brian Wilson. Interestingly, the lyrics to the Joe Jones version vary considerably from the Rivieras' version which you can read below. The Rivieras singer puts himself on the dance floor shimmying along with the California girls. "I'm going to go back out on the coast Where the California girls are really the most They walk that walk They talk that talk They twist like this They shimmy don't you hear me Yes they're out there havin' fun In the warm California sun The girls are frisky in old 'Frisco A pretty little missy wherever you go They walk that walk They talk that talk They twist like this They shimmy don't you hear me Yes they're out there havin' fun In the warm California sun" The girls are pretty in old L.A. And the good sunshine keeps them all that way They walk that walk They talk that talk They twist like this They shimmy don't you hear me Yes they're out there havin' fun In the warm California sun" |
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The Freddy Jones Band |
California | The Freddy Jones Band is a rock band from Chicago, active since 1990. This is from the album "Lucid" released in 1997. "California sunset in my mind Fade into the deep blue sea Come my friends and share and drink my wine Let us linger on the vine Smell the perfume in your hair As I see you sleeping there Watch as angels take their flight Vanish in the darkest night Sister, let me be Mother Mary comfort me Sister, let me be Someone's watchin' over me Cold dark distant memory Take me where I want to be Water washin' over sand Scatter from my open hand Sister, let me be Mother Mary comfort me Sister, let me be Someone's watchin' over me Sister, brother Dancin' fools must play their hands Smokin' in the summer grass Stolen moments, not for sale Who will live this fairy tale? Sister, let me be Mother Mary comfort me Sister, let me be Someone's watchin' over me...." |
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Matt Jordan |
Cold in California | Matt Jordan is a singer-songwriter from St. Louis. This country rock song was released in 2020. "Hope you're happy as the pictures make it seem Hope the west coast sunset's everything you dreamed Hope whenever you drive past a rag top Jeep you think of me Hope whatever you went looking for you find Hope it's worth leaving everything you left behind But if the postcards and the forecast ever lie I hope I cross your mind If it gets cold in California If the sun forgets to shine You know I'll be waiting for you If you ever change your mind If it gets cold in California I won't be hard to find Heard you got yourself a high-rise with a view Heard you went and found yourself somebody new If you're wondering I found somebody too But she ain't you So if it gets cold in California If the sun forgets to shine You know I'll be waiting for you If you ever change your mind If it gets cold in California I won't be hard to find I hope my broke heart ain't your reason for coming back to town But I won't hold the hurt against you if you ever turn around If it gets cold in California If the sun forgets to shine You know I'll be waiting for you If you ever change your mind If it gets cold in California I won't be hard to find I won't be hard to find If you ever change your mind I won't be hard to find" |
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Montel Jordan |
This is How We Do It | Montell Jordan is an American singer songrwriter producer from South Central Los Angeles. This was a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1995. It's an upbeat hip-hop song about a party in South Central that's so great, the gang bangers forgot about the drive-by. That sounds like a good thing. "This is how we do it La ra ra ra ra ra... This is how we do it. It's Friday night, and I feel all right The party is here on the West side So I reach for my 40 and I turn it up Designated driver take the keys to my truck Hit the shore 'cause I'm faded Honeys in the street say, "Monty, yo we made it!" It feels so good in my hood tonight The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani All the gang bangers forgot about the drive-by You gotta get your groove on, before you go get paid So tip up your cup and throw your hands up And let me hear the party say I'm kinda buzzed and it's all because (This is how we do it) South Central does it like nobody does (This is how we do it) To all my neighbors you got much flavor (This is how we do it) Let's flip the track, bring the old school back (This is how we do it) This is how we do it, all hands are in the air And wave them from here to there If you're an O.G. mack or a wanna-be player You see the hood's been good to me Ever since I was a lower-case G But now I'm a big G. The girls see I got the money Hundred-dollar bills y'all...." |
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Josh A |
California | Josh A., aka Lil Revive, is Josh Chance, a rapper and producer from Florida, active since 2014 when he was 17. (Since Josh A is not a real name, I'm filing him under "Josh" instead of "A".) This song is from his album "Lonely Vibes" released in 2021. "In California my demons follow me It's so hard to get some sleep when I'm running for my life Every night in - Yeah, put me in the dirt again, made a couple lists Yeah, I'm livin' out my dreams, yeah, I'm finally gettin' rich How it cost though? Circle gettin' smaller, now I'm feelin' so alone 'cause of this I don't wanna waste my life isn't over Take my time, getting sober I'm sick of myself, but I won't die young Gotta stay strong, think I stress too much I don't know what's wrong with me or why I do these things But I'm trying hard to change and pay my dues In California my demons follow me It's so hard to get some sleep when I'm running for my life Every night in California my demons follow me It's so hard to get some sleep when I'm running for my life Every night in California In California Yeah, lost sobriety in L.A. Then went on a binge and I was stuck in that for three days But we all slip sometimes, I know we'll find a way out I hate the pain, but I don't wanna die In California, it's so hard to take the blame I want out, but I can't be saved All my friends have gone M.I.A., so I guess I'll stay here I don't know what's wrong with me or why I do these things But I'm trying hard to change and pay my dues In California my demons follow me It's so hard to get some sleep when I'm running for my life Every night in California my demons follow me It's so hard to get some sleep when I'm running for my life Every night in California In California" |
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Journey |
Lights | Journey is one of the best-selling rock bands of all time. (I wonder how long statistics like this will mean anything, since these days nobody buys music, they just rent it.) This is a rock love ballad about San Francisco from the band's album "Infinity" released in 1978. It never mentions the city, but I present the following evidence: Journey was formed in San Francisco; some locals call SF "The City" (or they used to in the '70s, anyway, a holdover from back in the days when Berkeley and Oakland were cow pastures, I assume); and "the bay" mentioned in the song is obviously the San Francisco Bay, so don't try to tell me the song is about another city by a bay. (Forget it, Arcata and San Diego and Monterey.) According to Wickipedia, Steve Perry started writing the song in L.A. and it was going to be about L.A. but after he went to San Francisco to join Journey he turned it into a song about SF that was not successful at first, but grew in popularity until it became impossible to avoid at SF sporting events, tourist areas, and in local commercials. "When the lights go down in The City And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I wanna be there in my City Ooh, ooh So you think you're lonely Well, my friend, I'm lonely too I want to get back to my City by the bay Ooh, ooh It's sad, oh, there's been mornings out on the road without you Without your charms Ooh, my, my, my, my When the lights go down in The City And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I wanna be there in my City Ooh, ooh...." |
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Mario Joy |
California | Mario Joy is a Romanian artist. The YouTube video for this Balkan-influenced trap track released in 2016 has almost 20 million views, so he must be popular. I'd sure like to know how he can have a beach house up in the valley, though. Is he getting ready for rising sea levels? "I wish I was born na na in California I wish I was born na na in California Your body girl damn is hot like California Like California Like California sun Don’t wanna wait No no I don’t wanna wait So lay down down on me I’ll let you play with my body play with my body I wanna feel you feel you right now Kiss you all over and over you know You’re my fantasy fantasy baby let me love you Let me love you I wish I was born na na in California I wish I was born na na in California Your body girl damn is hot like California Like California Like California sun I’m goin' back to Cali goin goin back to Cali I need a vacay, I got my linen and my Ballys Fresh head to toe, beach house up in the valley Bout to tear the club up VIP, you in the alley Waiting just to get in, me I’m just living All these pretty woman, by tonight I’ll be swimming in 'em Yes I need her, vision is a blur She hotter than wearing a fur in the summer, word Look, this just occurred I she lookin at me like she want me so I am hers I’m all about that action like a verb I’m here for 24 hours baby please make it work I wish I was born na na in California I wish I was born na na in California Your body girl damn is hot like California Like California Like California sun" |
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JRAFFE |
California | JRAFFE is a collective of producers and songwriters based in Los Angeles and London. This dance-pop track was their debut single, released in 2018. "Welcome to California Where every night is on, yeah We got that Sunset, Hollywood, rooftops Anything you freakin' want, yeah (Ayy-oh, ayy-oh) Take it down to the Rodeo (Ooh-ooh) Meet a girl with the summer glow (Uh-huh) Take a sip of that West Coast passion (Ayy-oh, ayy-oh) Two shots and she’s ready to go (Ooh-ooh) Taking me to every little place she know (Let's go) She got me thinkin' that I'm famous She just like Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia She got a body like she fresh out the sauna The way she move, the way she sway When we kiss, yeah, she tastes like Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia Welcome to California Yeah, we been waiting for ya (Where you been? Where you been?) We got them good times, supersize (Yeah), low rides (Yeah) Take you anywhere you wanna (Ayy-oh, ayy-oh) Met a girl at the Boulevard (Hey baby) Took a ride in her daddy’s car (Ah-ha) We pulled up for some West Coast passion (Ayy-oh, ayy-oh) We got high on a dollar bill (Ooh-ooh) Took me to a party up in the hills (Uh) Oh God I think I might be famous She just like Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia She got a body like she fresh out the sauna The way she move, the way she sway When we kiss, yeah, she tastes like Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia Ayy-oh, ayy-oh Oh-oh (Ayy) Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia Yeah, I swear she just like Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh California I met this high-class Barbie (Hey baby) Red Maserati Two bodyguards and they're both called Tommy Got me drunk on old fashioneds Said 'I really love your accent' (Oh god) She nibbled on my ear and then she said, uh Welcome to Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia Just stick around we'll write your name on a star, yeah From the hills to the bay Ain't no city slap your face like (Ha ha Holly baby, yeah) She just like Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia She got a body like she fresh out the sauna (She fresh out the sauna) The way she move, the way she sway When we kiss, yeah, she tastes like Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia (California) Ayy-oh, ayy-oh Oh-oh (Wooh), oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Cal-la-la-la-la-la-la-fornia Yeah, I swear she just like Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh California" |
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Cledus T. Judd |
Motel Californie | James Barry Poole, recording under the name of Cledus T. Judd, makes parodies of popular country songs with titles such as "Did I Shave My Back for This", "My Cellmate Thinks I'm Sexy", and "Double D Cups". He's been called the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music which sounds about right. (I found this song when searching to see if "Weird Al" ever made a parody of it and after hearing it, I now understand why he never did. It's been done.) Poole has been ruining songs since 1995 when he released his first album "Cledus T. Judd (No Relation)" which includes this song. It starts with the sad sounds of only one man clapping and cheering so maybe it's a parody of a live version, also. In case you don't remember, when this song was released Tom Bodett was the spokesperson for Motel 6. "' Yeah! Alright! Way to go! Ooooooh! Ooooooooh! Way to go, Yeah! Alright... On a dark country highway In my candy-apple Corvair A strong smell of colitas Need to change underwear Up ahead in the distance I saw a sickening sight My tank near empty And the lights is dim I reckon' I'll stop for the night The sign out front said vacancy So, I punched a bell Dog mess everywhere I stepped Holy cow, Oh my God, what a smell! Then she fired up a lantern And she showed me her face False teeth in an old fruit jar I thought I heard them say... Welcome to the Motel Californie! Such an ugly place (such an ugly place) Filled with toxic waste! Ain't but one room at the Motel Californie Man, this place is weird (man, this place is weird) Gosh I'm really scared! The faucets weren't Price Pfister Oh! scorched my contact lens The hot said "cold" and the cold said "hot" A wall heater burned the hair off my shins My room resembled a scrapyard From a busted up TV set Rain was blowin' through my winders Now my bed's soakin' wet! Then I called up room service For a cheeseburger and fries That thing tasted like It'd been cooked Back in 1969! You could hear my gas exploding from far away Woke up the clerk in the middle of the night I swear I heard her say... Have you enjoyed your stay at the Motel Californie? Oh, I ain't feelin' well (I ain't feelin' well) Cause the room sure smells She said, we give it our best at the Motel Californie Surely, you got some rest (hope you got some rest) Hell, I've froze to death! Stalactites from the ceiling Thermostat covered in ice And I pray, God I long for a Holiday Inn Or a Motel 6 would be nice! Went to the old maid's chambers For a clean change of sheets Somebody stabbed her with an old buck knife She was cold dead, yeah deceased Ha ha oh no! Last thing I remember I busted down my room door Feeling nauseous as my stomach churned From the scene I just seen before Took some Ex-Lax from the night stand Here on the toilet I sat As soon as I get my big butt up from here I'm gonna call up Tom Bodett!"' |
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Juice WRLD & Justin Bieber |
Wandered to L.A. | Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer. Juice WRLD was a rapper from Chicago. He died of an accidental drug overdose two years before this song about using drugs and getting involved with a drug dealer was released. "I wandered to L.A. Wandered to L.A. (True story) I wandered to L.A. Hopin' to explore Little did I know I'd find a little more Love at my hotel room door From the bed to the hotel room floor I wandered to L.A. Hopin' to explore Little did I know I'd find a little more Love at my hotel room door From the bed to the hotel room floor Maybe it's the love Maybe it's the drugs Maybe it's because my girlfriend is the plug Cocaine strums like guitar chords She loves drugs, she goes hardcore She's hiding from the truth It's under the rug Maybe it's because the lies they feel are wrong You see the ghost on the front porch You see the blood at her front door We were doing Xans in her Honda Accord Looking at the things that we couldn't afford Fantasies became reality But only for one of us I wandered to L.A. Hopin' to explore Little did I know I'd find a little more Love at my hotel room door From the bed to the hotel room floor Pillow talking 'bout our future and our dreams Speaking about how life ain't really as it seems Reminiscing about the days you broke my heart Thankful that we worked it out, we come so far Say you gotta give me space and let me breathe Say you gotta give me lovin' that I need Still we gotta focus on the little things If I want to end up how we used to be And I don't want to hear you say-ay That you don't want to be with me Especially when I need some company That's why I need you to come for me I wandered to L.A. Hopin' to explore Little did I know I'd find a little more Love at my hotel room door From the bed to the hotel room floor Wandered to L.A. Hopin' to explore Little did I know I'd find a little more Love at my hotel room door From the bed to the hotel room floor (I'm the elephant in the room My nightmares are starting to come true)" |
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Homer Joy |
Southern California Sand | Homer Joy was a singer-songwriter from Arkansas who was associated with Buck Owens and the country music scene in Bakersfield. This is the B-side to his single "Holdin On" released in 1973. It was produced by Bob Morris at Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California. Thanks to Xavier and the people at Wat Zat Song? for identifying this song. "From the Arkansas bottom land To the land of blowin' sand In California I come to watch my young ones grow And to see all the seeds I'd sow Turn into flowers The children here want higher class And this sand here won't grow grass And now I sit here cryin' my head down in my hands Watchin' my flowers die Askin' the good lord why Watchin' my dreams dyin' In the Southern California sand California sun Lord it shines down on everyone But me Maybe Arkansas wasn't so bad When I think about the times I had Here in California At least I had a family That used to have a little faith in me But now it doesn't One by one they've gone away My wife left yesterday She said she's young and she's got better plans But now when a man is poor And a dream is all he can afford Watches that dream dyin' In the Southern California sand California sun Lord it shines down on everyone But me" |
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Gary Jules |
DTLA | Gary Jules is a singer-songwriter born in Fresno, who is probably best known for his cover of "Mad World" used in the movie Donnie Darko. This song is from his second album "Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets" released in 2001. DTLA, obviously, is an acronym for Downtown Los Angeles. "Towers floating on sea of ghosts; Downtown Los Angeles. Saw the Parthenon on cotton clouds coming over the hill. Ride - Downtown Los Angeles Ride - Downtown Los Angeles Trapped a dragon west of Chinatown for fire-eaters up in Hollywood My little sister took a picture of God and floated away Ride - Downtown Los Angeles Ride - Downtown Los Angeles When your hands are broken When your words are slipping Put your arms around him And go ... down Hide your money in the other hand (Observations of a regular) Towers floating on a seat of ghosts... It's always the same, I told you Ride - Downtown Los Angeles Ride - Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles...." |
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Jungle |
Heavy, California | Jungle is "an English modern soul musical collective" according to Wickipedia. This song is a single from 2018. "Running baby, dying' to meet ya They all tell me, I don't need ya now Running baby, hold on I'll be here for you Just hold me, I'm a lonely heart You've been miles away Just hold me, I won't ever get hurt You've been miles away So heavy, California I will love you, can't afford you They say heaven's waiting for you So I'm headed for California Oh Lord California Miss the sunlight, I was saying Your love is amazing, so hold on to it for me Come on baby, hold on I'll be here for you So heavy, California I will love you, can't afford you They say heaven's waiting for you So I'm headed for California Oh Lord California Just hold me, I'm a lonely heart You've been miles away Held up at the border Just hold me, I won't ever get hurt You've been miles away So heavy, California I will love you, can't afford you They say heaven's waiting for you So I'm headed for California Oh Lord California Oh Lord California California" |
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Jungle |
House in L.A. | This is another single from 2018 from the English collective. Thanks to videos like the one for this song tourists always think that every house in L.A. is up in the hills with a view of city lights and the ocean. "House in L.A. You be the sunshine and it's alright now House in L.A. You be the sunshine and it's alright now House in L.A. You be the sunshine and it's alright now Ask me to stay But you won't say it like that House in L.A. You be the sunshine and it's alright now House in L.A. Truly you care if I'm getting on that plane So ask me to stay Oh God, in the hope that you can heal my pain I feel alive in the sunlight All my fears are only real life Yeah, I feel alive in the sunlight now Two whole years on the rewrite Tell my friends I'm gonna be right there House in L.A. House in L.A. You be the sunshine and it's alright now Ask me to stay But you won't say it like that Cut through the haze Lost in a camera and the whole night changed Lost in L.A. But you won't care about that Eyes full of rain You be the sunshine and it's alright now I should've stayed Woke up in the hope that you can heal my pain I feel alive in the sunlight All my fears are only real life Yeah, I feel alive in the sunlight now Two whole years on the rewrite Tell my friends I'm gonna be right there House in L.A. House in L.A. You be the sunshine and it's alright now Ask me to stay But you won't say it like that Ride (house in L.A.) down Sunset Boulevard Try to find out who you are (house in L.A.) Ride down Sunset Boulevard Try to find out who you are (house in L.A.)" |
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Jurassic 5 |
LAUSD | Jurassic 5 is a hip hop group formed in 1993 in Los Angeles. This song is from their album "Quality Control" released in 2000. "Yo, we are no superstars Who wanna be large and forget who we are Don't judge us by bank accounts and big cars No matter how bright we shine we're far from being stars Cause stars fall, and disintigrate before they hit the Asphalt, they incinerate cause we came Not to destroy the law but to fulfill For those who appreciate those with skills And fresh windmills, and graft that kills What is a DJ without the scratch to build? Without the elements, it's all irrelevant N***** love to Freestyle but hate the Fellowship Yeah, taste the city's agenda, most of you outta town n***** Get caught up and turn bitter, the city of bulls******s Where hopes are blown, not even money for the phone Now tell me what's the solution, how to get back home? Yo, don't get caught up in glamor and glitz and camera tricks The Land of the Dead, before you come examine your set Where drama collects and women use special effects Where amateur stunts can make a n**** damage your fronts Uh, the California Sunkist with a twist of limelight Some set trip on the Sunset Strip Believe the Hollywood Boulevard nice, the glamorous life Many searching for the fame but can't afford the price Hollywood She would turn you out if you wasn't prepared Hollywood She would tell you the things that you wanted to hear Hollywood She would blur your vision when it once was clear This chick is full of tricks so approach with fear, cause Yo, we are no superstars Who wanna be large and forget who we are Don't judge us by bank accounts and big cars No matter how bright we shine we're far from being stars You say you love L.A., you say the weather is great Plenty sun in your face, you like the cars with bass You like the way we paperchase and the women that shake In the land of earthquakes and high crime rates A lot of people are fake, this is Hollywood We shape the minds of kids in every hood We make your past situation look good The nights filled with Shugs and I wish you would You can dance with Alvin Haley and Les Miserables In this Century City, you can walk on the stars Sex, money, and murder, yeah it's all fortified Cause fame and passerby with the name immortalized On the avenue of stars, many names are called On the boulevard, known for leaving permanent scars Many dreams get robbed, real movie macabre Young heartthrobs get young heart sobs, cause 'Good evenening ladies and gentlemen welcome to Hollywood, California' The City of Angel's wings represents people's hopes and dreams And the evil that men do that live life close to kings And boast supreme, fancy cars, coats, and cream Material things provoke more folks to scheme But if you paid your cost, Cali green made your call The smog covers the city like a table cloth Is it fame at fault? Entertainers labeled soft The place where people come to lose their train of thought Despite the claims of what L.A. is and what it ain't The picture the city paints that overexaggerates Within the circus, if you're filling this service purpose Some feel it ain't worth it, the city that's got you nervous And make you injure, and get up out of here n**** Cause L.A. never considered for those that need baby sitters This is the hot bed for singles and newlyweds Some looking for better gigs or fiending to make it big It's the only place where stars are born And we are the only ones that can't be worn Out, by any place regardless of the cost Cause brothers with big dreams, sometimes they get lost cause...." |
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Ju$to |
California Girl | Ju$to is not on Google's radar so I don't know anything about him except that this song was put on YouTube in November 2024 by Beige Video, a company that also makes videos for Bat Mitzvahs and corporations. As far as I can tell Ju$to is just a rapper who wanted to make a video of himself with a bikini model and a Porsche, so he paid Beige Video to make it for him. Nothing wrong with that, but Ju$to missed out big time, because rapper Steve Medea's Music Video from Beige Video has a Lexus, two models, a golden throne, and a TIGER! Ju$to's video would be way better if he had paid extra for a tiger, or maybe even a rhinoceros. Hey Beige Video! How much would you charge me for a video with three bikini models, a Lambo, a golen throne, and a RHINO? "She likes to sit up on the beach just to feel the breeze The wind blowing while she's staring at the sea She likes to think clear headed just believe Hoping it'll all just be a dream She's the baddest mamasita I can fly with I was really thinking you're the one that I can ride with Tell me is that time spent? Should we just rewind this? Hey, should we just? Look, know you still got some things to do I probably wasn't in the mo Then I had you stressed out al them comments got so ro That's all I ever knew You see nobody change me So I never grew, my anger start to take me To a different place and I'm surprised you didn't hate me See it in your face and how you vibing with me lately I thought it was gravy I thought that we could make it through I knew you wouldn't play me That's why I kept this so cool but down I guess some feelings change with nothing done I went from thinking you my number one Thinking that I was the only one, yeah Who really knew where we were coming from She likes to sit up on the beach just to feel the breeze The wind blowing while she's staring at the sea She likes to think clear headed just believe Hoping it'll all just be a dream She likes to sit up on the beach just to live a dream She's a California girl Her body going in the heat She got what you need She's a California girl She's always been about that peace And giving you ease She's a California girl And so I got to keep it G I still see She's my California girl And even though we had some fallouts we still always kept in touch That missing conversation had us feeling it too much We had some things with trust but we can't trust what's missing We had some things with love But we can't love what's empty And I get all of that stuff Me and you we had a team When we broke up it felt like we gave up on the ring The I show up back to go pick up all of my things You ain't know but that really mess with my self-esteem And oh yeah, I see what you see And step two is becoming a better me And step three is dealing with this pain I keep My last step was let you go be free She likes to sit up on the beach just to feel the breeze The wind blowing while she's staring at the sea She likes to think clear headed just believe Hoping it'll all just be a dream She likes to sit up on the beach just to live a dream She's a Califorinia girl Her body going in the heat She got what you need She's a California girl She's always been about that peace And giving you ease She's a California girl And so I got to keep it G I still see She's my California girl" |
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Patrick Juvet |
Viva California | Patrick Juvet was a model and singer-songwriter from Switzerland, active from 1971-2021, who had some hit songs in Europe. This disco tune is from his album "Lady Night" released in 1979. "I'm going where the grass is green I'm selling almost everything To go west, and to fulfill all my dreams It's a lady who I know out there Pretty eyes, golden hair And I gave my ticket to her 'Cause I have to show her that I care... Viva California Viva California Viva California Viva California I would like to have the future's day Of the parks, of all the open air And I plan just to enjoy all those things 'Cause I've waited for so very long I won't let things go wrong So I'm going to pack my small bags Head it out while I sing my sweet song... Viva California Viva California Viva California Viva California I'm going where the grass is green I'm selling almost everything To go west, and to fulfill All my dreams It's a lady who I know out there Pretty eyes, golden hair And I gave my ticket to her 'Cause I have to show her that I care... Viva California Viva California Viva California Viva California" |
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K |
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Angie K |
Leave California | Angie K is Angie Keilhauer, a singer-songwriter born in El Salvador who became known after participating on The Voice TV show in 2016. This country music song was released in 2019. "Leave California Run away with me to Tennessee I know that you love the water We could find us a place on Percy Priest I am just waiting on ya Leave California Well, I know it's hard to give it all to a girl like me Playing guitar just to make ends meet I ain't got much, but I got this dream I got a tank full of gasoline And a shotgun seat So leave California Run away with me to Tennessee I know that you love the water We could find us a place on Percy Priest I am just waiting on ya Leave California You could be the star of every line of every song I write Someday we'll hear them on the radio dial Under the lights upon this stage Just do the only thing I crave So baby I'll wait For you to leave California I am addicted to your power Nothing makes sense without ya I can get so emotional When I think about your body Laying here beside me Just like I always want you to be The only thing you have to do is leave Leave California Run away with me to Tennessee I know that you love the water We could find us a place on Percy Priest I am just waiting on ya Leave California" |
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Kaaze (featuring Karra) |
California Gold (Triplet) | Kaaze is a DJ-songwriter-producer from Sweden. Karra is a singer-songwriter from New Jersey who has collaborated with a lot of well-known producers. This electronic dance track is from the album "Dreamchild" released in 2019. "I wanna go where oceans glow So we can light one up in the sunshine Oh California, take me home Cause all your memories are taking me away So hold me close along the coast So we could talk all night 'till the sunrise Oh California, take me home California gold California gold California gold California gold I wanna go where oceans glow So we can light one up in the sunshine Oh California, take me home Cause all your memories are taking me away So hold me close along the coast So we could talk all night 'till the sunrise Oh California, take me home... California gold California gold California gold California gold California gold I wanna go where oceans glow So we can light one up in the sunshine Oh California, take me home... California gold" |
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Joshua Kadison |
Picture Postcards From L.A. | Joshua Kadison is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, active since 1992. This song is from his album "Painted Desert Serenade" released in 1993. "" I'm the piano player down at Eddie's bar and Rachel she's the waitress who wants to be a star. She swears she's gonna make it, make it big someday and she'll send me picture postcards from L.A. When it's time for closing, I play while Rachel cleans. She listens to my music, I listen to her dreams. She swears she's gonna make it, she's going all the way and I say, "Send me picture postcards from L.A." Send me postcards from L.A. signed with love forevermore. Picture postcards from L.A. to hang on my refrigerator door. Rachel, if you find me one, I'd love a picture of the California sun When Rachel shares my pillow she always asks me things like do I really think she's pretty, do I like the way she sings? I don't know how to answer, so I always smile and say, I say, "Send me picture postcards from L.A." Send me postcards from L.A. signed with love forevermore. Picture postcards from L.A. to hang on my refrigerator door. Rachel, if you find me one, I'd love a picture of the California sun Sometimes Rachel stands up in the middle of the bar and does a scene from the late show. We all clap our hands as she puts her apron on and says, "Next week, I'm gonna go." She'll even buy a ticket and pack her things to leave. Though we all know the story we pretend that we believe. But something always comes up, something always makes her stay. And still no picture postcards from L.A. Send me postcards from L.A. signed with love forevermore. Picture postcards from L.A. to hang on my refrigerator door. Rachel, if you find me one, I'd love a picture of the California sun I'm the piano player down at Eddie's bar, and Rachel she's the waitress who wants to be a star. "" |
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Kubla Kahn |
Snow In California | This song was released in 2023. "We in the city where there ain't no seasons And the sun's always out but it feel like a drought And the rain never comes when we need it, no Where the money's so close you can taste it Ten bands in the hills for a face lift Cloud chasing and fake reputations It's f**ked up for the whole generation I'm just sayin' these Late nights can turn to rock 'n roll 8 balls no corner pocket, though Roll up ... watch it go When the rainbows don't lead to pots of gold We kill pain don't need no doctor's, no Shot to the brain we locked and loaded I tried to warn ya Who's gonna be there for ya when the ride is over I been there before ya It's never cold out when it snows in California We in the land of the lost, come and find us And we don't care when it costs to design us We in the s**t for the thrills baby line up I'm calling for ya It's never cold out when it snows in California I tried to warn ya In the city where your friends aren't free Take a bad bi**ch out but she ... cloud She ain't payin' no attention to me We trying to get rich fast so we can't wait Where every bi**h with a ass got a fan base Pop a pill, hit the gas, try to stand straight Get the f**k up, hit the plug up Late nights can turn to rock 'n roll 8 balls no corner pocket, though Roll up ... watch it go When the rainbows don't lead to pots of gold We kill pain without the doctor's, know Shot to the brain we locked and loaded I tried to warn ya Who's gonna be there for ya when the ride is over I been there before ya It's never cold out when it snows in California We in the land of the lost, come and find us And we don't care when it costs to design us We in the s**t for the thrills baby line up I'm calling for ya It's never cold out when it snows in California I tried to warn ya I'm calling for ya It's never cold out when it snows in California I tried to warn ya I tried to warn ya" |
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Kali x Major (featuring PlanBe) |
California | Kali is a Polish rapper and actor, active since 1998, and a co-founder of the Ganja Mafia collective. PlanBe is a Polish rapper active since 2012. I don't know about Major - that's probably the person who made the music. This song is from the album "Hucpa" released in 2020. Kali must be extremely popular because as of September 2022 this song has more than 21 million views on YouTube. The lyrics are mostly in Polish, which you can see on genius.com. These are the parts that mention California, with Google translations below in italics. They seem to associate the state with dessert. "Kali, Kali, California Wedding Cake, Rosin, ptonie donut" Kali, Kali, California Wedding Cake, Rosin, donut burns "Sunny, sunny California, hologram na torbach Lubimy stodycze, ale w gramach, nie kaloriach" Sunny, sunny California, hologram on bags We like sweets, but in grams, not in calories "Wielkie sny jak California przy Gelato" Big dreams like California with Gelato |
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Rev. Dennis Kamakahi |
Garberville | Born in 1953, Dennis David Kahekilimamaoikalanikeha Kamakahi was a three time Grammy-Award-winning Hawaiian slack key guitarist, composer, and Christian minister. This is a beautiful song but it's kind of strange hearing a Hawaiian song about a small town on highway 101 where there are redwoods and not palm trees. My interpretation is that he stayed up most of the night to write this song while staying at the Benbow Inn in Garberville, which means it's a song about writing a California song. It's from Kamakahi's album "Rev. Dennis Kamakahi The Greatest Hits Vol. 1" released in 2009. You'll have to excuse me for not knowing any of the Hawaiian lyrics except the word "aloha." Mahalo. "On highway 101 in northern Cal Far from crowded cities Peace and freedom dwell The redwoods sing with voices in the wind A lighted room awaits me at the rustic Benbow Inn [Chorus in Hawaiian] He aloha .. Garberville ... ... ... Aloha ... Garberville I'm tired but I write another song The night is black and silent The stars twinkle long Across the way the fire glows, ir's It's quite a site Friends around the fire keep watch all through the night [Chorus in Hawaiian] He aloha .. Garberville ... ... ... Aloha ... Garberville] From my room I see the rising sun Another sleepless night another song is done I take the stage and look at faces I'm not alone Funny how it feels like that I've never left my home [Chorus in Hawaiian] He aloha .. Garberville ... ... ... Aloha ... Garberville Aloha ... Garberville" |
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Hillary Kanter |
California Christmas | Hillary Kanter is a country singer-songwriter from Ohio. This song is from her album "Love Letters At Midnight" released in 1985. "It's a California Christmas No snow on the ground No fireplaces burning No Mary... Just the sun outside my window And the ocean breezes blow And I'm lying here with you Christmas with you in the snow It's a California Christmas Nobody seems to care Like the time you said you love me And your words froze in the air And I just read your letter Only makes me sad to know That you're wishing I was spending Christmas with you in the snow In my fondest dreams It's you and me together back in Tennessee Gazing at the snowy weather by the fireside With a warm and loving feeling in our hearts And though you're worlds away I always will remember those holidays And my happiest December when you were mine And I held the sweetest gift there in my arms In my fondest dreams It's you and me together back in Tennessee Gazing at the snowy weather by the fireside With a warm and loving feeling in our hearts And though you're worlds away I always will remember those holidays And my happiest December when you were mine And I held the sweetest gift there in my arms Another California Christmas Everybody's stayin' cool Showin' off their suntan And layin' 'round the pool And I'd be runnin' for the airport But somethin' here won't let me go But at least my heart is spending Christmas with you in the snow It's a California Christmas" |
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Kasimoff |
California Gold | I don't know if Kasimoff is the producer or the female vocalist or both.This deep house track was put on YouTube in April, 2024. There's also an 8-minute version. The song consists of a chorus and a verse repeated several times, but it's hard to understand the words, especially in the next to last line.The YouTube transcripts and closed captions don't understand it either. They show the words "bed" and "won't play" in that line but "In bed we'll play" sounds more fun to me. (Or maybe it's "the band won't play.") Whatever it is, this is the general idea: "That Arizona sky Burning in your eyes You look at me and babe I wanna catch on fire It's buried in my soul California gold You found a light in me that I couldn't find So when I'm all choked up and I can't find the words And every time we say goodbye baby it hurts When the sun goes down [? In bed we'll play] I'll always remember us this way" |
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Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground |
Oh Lord, I Hate You California | A 2010 indie rock tune from a Seattle band whose genre on their Myspace page is listed as Alternative/Experimental/Lounge. As far as I can tell, and I could be wrong, the singer is talking to his father who lives in Portland and is moving to Santa Cruz where it doesn't rain as much. "I'm always tryin' to call ya papa so Portland sounds aren't all ya know But I'm a 21st century hang-up who can hardly use his phone Oh no we don't mean nothin' by it Your boys will all be fine S**t I should hit I-5 south one hundred and eighty miles instead of droppin' you a line Well I used to shake a finger at my friends who up and went and moved Dude I am sympathizing with you more for seein' some new hues But oh lord I hate you California I guess give me Santa Cruz And I know it's rainin' outside and it's damn near end of June Damn if this old dope could go rope the sun Well I'd yank it over you And the dogs all howl behind me In front the cats they claw and hiss And I guess I'm blessed to know my place is right here sittin' in the mist And that is why I got no reason to get on up and move Dude I can understand your rationale for seein' some new hues But oh lord I hate you California but please give me Santa Cruz" |
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James Kaye |
California Christmas | James Kaye is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. This song was released in 2019. "I got everything Got all I'll ever need You're my everything You're my angel You don't need no paper I'm no present baby You're my present baby Let's just stay here We ain't go nowhere to go Baby it ain't that cold I know Meet me under the mistletoe This Christmas We ain't got nowhere to be Baby just stay right here with me We can lay under the Christmas tree This Christmas What I need girl Santa can't bring me And we don't even have a chimney Girl my only with is California Christmas with you With you California Christmas with you I said girl my only wish is California Christmas with you You and me vibin', yeah Catalina Island, yeah Got you singin' like Mariah Always sittin' by the fire All you gotta do is call my name Baby you know I'll be on my way Puttin' all the presents on my sleigh You know I'ma make it rain dear What I need girl Santa can't bring me And we don't even have a chimney Girl my only with is California Christmas with you With you California Christmas with you I said girl my only wish is California Christmas with you I don't need no drummers drummin' I don't need no golden rings I don't need no swallows singin' Just as long as you're with me I don't need no pipers piping I don't need no turtle doves I don't need no calling birds Just as long as I got your love What I need girl Santa can't bring me And we don't even have a chimney Girl my only with is California Christmas with you With you California Christmas with you I said girl my only wish is California Christmas with you" |
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Keak da Sneak |
Super Hyphy | Keak da Sneak is Charles kente Williams, a rapper from Oakland, active since 1992. He's known for coining the term "hyphy." This song is from his album "That's My Word" released in 2005. "Yo What's up, Keak? Zap on my lap and my hand on my strap (That's my word) I'm smokin' purple, sippin' 'gnac (Yeah) That's my word (Word) Hyphy What it do? Fa sheezy That's my word Zap on my lap and my hand on my strap I'm smokin' purple, sippin' 'gnac Inhaler, I'm Primatene Mist, causin' asthma attacks Hittin' ni**as, takin' early fades, gap backs Direct the scene, shoot 'em with cannon So how you wanna act? But ... I'm relatin' the sizzlin' In the cutaluffa, doin' my thizzle (Doin' my thizz) Oh, and drankin', throwin' up the Hully Solo, but on the low, my buddy (My buddy) Doin' hella s**t at one time My definition of hyphy, man, is thizzin', sniffing lines I'm in the buildin' and I'm feelin' like, 'Yee!' R.I.P to the Mac D-R-E So don't stop (Don't stop), keep it going (Keep it going) With some Privilege and a Backwood blowin' (B-blowing) Hold it down for The Bay, reppin' Oakland If it wasn't for that Granddaddy smokin' (Da-di-da) Yadidamean? (Fo' sho) Know what I mean? (Fo' sheezy) Yadidamean? (Fo' sho) Know what I mean? (Fo' sheezy) Yadidamean? (Fo' sho) Know what I mean? (Fo' sheezy) Yadidamean? (Fo' sho) Know what I mean? (Fo' sheezy) I don't put that on, that's my word (Hyphy) I don't put that on, that's my word (What it do?) I don't think they know, that's my word (Sheezy) I don't put that on, that's my word..." |
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Al Kealoha Perry and his Singing Surfriders |
Hawaiian Cowboy | This is a fast hula from 1947 with a great deep vocal that's almost like a fast rap at times, and swingin' steel guitars. It seems to be a love song about a horse, and maybe the horsewoman at the end. Al Kealoha Perry was a singer and music director active from 1929 who had a Hawaiian radio show and made extensive recordings in the 1930s and 40s and possibly in later decades - I can't find out much about him. There's another slower and smoother version of the song without the English lyrics about San Francisco that I like better. You can hear it here. Most of the song is sung in Hawaiian. This is a Translation I found online. |
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Mat Kearney |
New York to California | Mat Kearney is a singer-songwriter who was raised in Eugene Oregon, went to college in Chico, California, and is now based in Nashville. This piano-based pop ballad is from his third studio album "City of Black & White" released in 2009. "Under the TV lights, you fell asleep again Don't know, I'm writing this song about you There's a picture of a Hollywood Sign, reflecting off your skin I don't want to live another day without you You woke up and said baby I, had one of those dreams again The rain came down and I lost you, In the wind You said something about don't leave, before you fell back asleep Before I could sing my song back to you But you could find yourself lost out in this world And I found a way to get back to your side No mountain's too high, no stone is too small I'll build a bridge through the fire, for you I would crawl From New York to California I can hear you softly breathing, oh what you do to me But baby I could climb down into your dreams I built a ladder down through the clouds Where the storm is raging now I don't want to sing another song without you If you find yourself lost out in this world Then I'll find a way to get back to your side No mountain's too high, no stone is too small I'll build a bridge through the fire, for you I would crawl From New York to California Singing, la la la la la la Ohhhh, It's not too far, la la la la la la Ohhhh, to where you are, la la la la la la Ohhh, It's not too far, La la la la la la Because you, could find yourself lost out in this world And I, Could find a way to get back to your side If you find your self lost out in this world Then I'll find a way to get back to your side If you find your self lost out in this world Then I'll find a way to get back to your side No mountain's too high, no stone is too small I'll build a bridge through the fire, for you I would crawl From New York to California To California To California" |
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Ruston Kelly |
Faceplant | Ruston Kelly is a singer-songwriter from South Carolina, a state which is not known for earthquakes. This song is from his album "Dying Star" released in 2018. It has an alt country/folk rock feel with a harmonica solo straight out of Dylan or Neil Young. I'm sure the narrator is from California because of his great line "I was born and raised in an earthquake state, so I'm better on a shaky ground." California is not the only state with earthquakes, but he mentions that he's in the City Of Angels which has to be Los Angeles. Sure there's a Wickipedia list of other cities in the world with the same nickname, but I doubt he's refering to Bangkok or Puebla. "Took too many pills again I took too many pills again Blacked out for a week Didn't eat, didn't sleep Came to, did it all again She's probably gonna be p**sed She's probably gonna be p**sed Throw my s**t in the yard or key my car If I show up to her house like this Oh it was a dark December Not even angels came around And I was too stoned to remember I've come too far to turn back now I've come too far to turn back now I feel like I'm gonna fall down I feel like I'm gonna fall down I was born and raised in an earthquake state So I'm better on a shaky ground What the hell am I gonna do now The hell am I gonna do now Gotta half lit smoke Good god I'm broke But gotta make it back to Germantown Oh it was a dark December Not even angels came around And I was too stoned to remember I've come too far to turn back now I've come too far to turn back now Baby won't you take me back Baby won't you take me back It ain't like I'm tricking on the corner for crack Baby won't you take me back Oh it was a dark December In the City Of Angels I was coming down And I was too stoned to remember I've come too far to turn back now Come too far to turn back now" |
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Ruston Kelly |
Son of a Highway Daughter | This is another nice song from Kelly's 2018 album "Dying Star" with a brief nod to the Golden State. "I'm a son of a highway daughter Born in gasoline I traced the steps of my foolish father And danced with the devil in Gallilee It was a cold winter, ice above the water And nails stuck between my toes So I pried out and I buried my doubt And all the women along the road And I went to Dublin county Where I found God in a bottle of wine And I headed up north thinking I did fine And he worked, for peace of mind Nobody sells that around here too much anymore I woke up stoned with a bag of bones Laying in my bed She was breathing fire, I was a worn out tire Trying to brush her ash outside of my head It was an easy game, nothing in the chest Needed something just a little more cold So I traded her in for a bag of sin And I headed on down the road And I got lost in California Where I'd been waiting on the days to rain But I was looking to find any reason to hide But no reason ever came And all of the lonesome sounds of the streetlight Pushing strangers along their way That town kept calling me That town kept calling me That town kept calling me...." |
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Devin Kennedy |
California Rain | Devin Kennedy is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. This smooth soul tune is from his album "California Rain" released in June, 2023, a couple months before tropical storm Hillary flooded SoCal with record rain. "I can't stop thinking 'bout you, darlin' Our last goodbye got me too deep This perfect storm we've barely started Tastes so bittersweet. When you say you're falling, I know you mean it Hanging on to every word that you say Only for a moment, it feels like I'm dreaming But I'm wide awake And you never stay My California rain You leave me hotter than the summer But you come back to cool me off I don't mind the clouds when you're around The rain pours down When you say you're falling, I know you mean it Hanging on to every word that you say Only for a moment, it feels like I'm dreaming But I'm wide awake And you never stay My California rain When you say you're falling, I know you mean it Hanging on to every word that you say Only for a moment, it feels like I'm dreaming But I'm wide awake And you never stay My California rain" |
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KennyHoopla (featuring Travis Barker) |
Hollywood Sucks | KennyHoopla is Kenneth La'ron, a singer-songwriter-rapper from Cleveland. Travis Barker is a musician-producer from Fontana, CA and the drummer from Blink-182. His drumming is epic in this loud snarky rocker from "Survivors Guilt: The Mixtape" released in 2021. I don't know why they think Jesus hates L.A., but he wouldn't be the only one. "Take a picture Make it last longer As if dollar bills are falling from the sky The joke is old and no one's laughing And everyone looks like an a**hole Well, it takes one to know one I don't really care at all Care at all And I think you've got the wrong number And I think your forehead is beautiful Hollywood sucks Can you please move your Prius? You are not f**king Jesus He hates L.A. It's not my fault Throw my phone at the wall Your friends are really morons Can we still date? Shorter days turn into longer years 'I love you' turns into 'I don't care' And I think you've got the wrong number And I think your forehead is beautiful Hollywood sucks Can you please move your Prius? You are not f**king Jesus He hates L.A. It's not my fault Throw my phone at the wall Your friends are really morons Can we still date? Coachella! Hollywood sucks I'm moving to Wisconsin...." |
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Ke$ha |
Shots On The Hood Of My Car | Kesha is a very successful pop singer-songwriter from Los Angeles who sold over a hundred milliion albums back when people used to buy music. This song was not officially released as a single or on an album. It was originally meant to be a bonus track on Cannibal, her first EP released in 2010. "We're cruisin' tonight, We got the roof back, Mulholland Drive, We're at the top, yeah Pulling off, Gettin' lost in the city lights, Take it to the Hollywood Sign, Sometimes I think about it, The world was about to end, I call the people who have been there through the thick and thin, I'll buy a bottle of the finest scotch there ever was, And we can watch it blow, Into oblivion, And we go down, down, down like shooting stars In the night time, time, time while the world's still ours We won't cry, cry, cry while the ending starts We're goin' down, down, down, doin' shots on the hood of my car (Oh Oh Oh) We're goin' down, down, down, doin' shots on the hood of my car (Oh Oh Oh) We're goin' down, down, down, doin' shots on the hood of my car Most nights (ah), I see the sun rise, I'll take it off (ah), And watch the time fly, Catchin' rides, Ridin' high in the twilight, Livin' through these Hollywood nights, Sometimes I think about it, The world was about to end, I hope I go out with a bang, And my sickest friends, I'd give a toast and break the bottles on the asphalt, And watch the world explode, Like it was last call...." |
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The Key of Awesome! |
Katy Perry California Gurls Parody | The Key of Awesome! is a music parody group active since 2007. This mean parody of the Katy Perry hit is from 2012. [Spoken] Greetings beotches. Take off your pants I know a place where the girls are always meaner If you ain't rich, they're goin' nowhere near your wiener Sippin' Starbucks venti skinny mocha chai tea With foam Drivin' Escalades while they're texting and re-tweeting On I-phones You can try to approach us But we're all the same we don't care what your name is We'll look at you for a second But that's just to make sure that you're not famous California girls we're unreliable Never worked a day in our lives Hybrid Dogs in bags we leave em' in the car OWOWOWOWOW California girls we're so predictable Hottest bodies money can buy Spray tanned silicone boobs are indestructable Boing Boing Boing Boing Boing Sign your name on the dotted line Don't need brains if that ass is fine Once you cross the L.A. Border You develop an eating disorder Sell your soul, dance on the pole Bang Charlie Sheen just for a role Nose jobs, tummy tucks These are the girls I like to... hang out with Inflate your lips. Loose the hips See through shirts show off your nips Paparazzi is everywhere Oops forgot your underwear Katy my Lady, I'm all up on ya 'Cause you're representin' California But you know I'd still be all up in ya Even if that ass was from Virginia And you know that you can bet your butt That I'd do girls from Connecticut I could really fill my booty quota By bangin' out ho's from Minnesota California Girls we are so are desperate Sold our souls for fortune and fame Soon we'll look like Cher or Melanie Griffith OW OW OW OW AGHH 'California Gurls' is so repetitive All Pop sounds exactly the same It's the same beat from that other song that Ke$ha did OWOWOWOW" |
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Kid Rock |
Cowboy | Kid Rock is Robert James Ritchie, a singer-songwriter and rapper from Michigan, active since 1988. This song from his album "Devil Without a Cause" released in 1998 has been called the first country rap song. "Well, I'm packin' up my game and I'ma head out west Where real women come equipped wit' scripts and fake breasts Find a nest in the hills, chill like Flynn Buy an old drop-top, find a spot to pimp Then I'ma Kid Rock-it up and down ya' block With a bottle of scotch and watch lotsa crotch Buy a yacht with a flag sayin' 'chillin' the most' Then rock that b**ch up and down the coast Give a toast to the sun Drink with the stars Get thrown in the mix And tossed outta bars Sip the Tijuana I want to roam Find Motown, tell them fools to come back home Start an escort service for all the right reasons And set up shop at the top of the Four Seasons Kid Rock, and I'm the Real Mccoy And I'm headed out west, sucker 'cause I want to be a Cowboy, baby (With the top let down and the sunshine shinin') Cowboy, baby (West Coast Chillin' with the Boone's wine) I want to be a cowboy, baby (Ridin' at night 'cause I sleep all day) cowboy, baby (I can smell a pig from a mile away) I bet you'll hear my whistle blowin' when my train rolls in It goes (whistling), like dust in the wind Stoned pimp, stoned freak, stoned out of my mind I once was lost but now I'm just blind Palm trees and weeds, scabbed knees and rice Get a map to the stars, find Heidi Fleiss And if the price is right then I'm gonna make my bid boy And let Cali-for-ni-ay know why they call me Cowboy, baby! With the top let back and the sunshine shinin' Cowboy, baby! West Coast chillin' with the Boone's wine I wanna be a Cowboy, baby! Ridin' at night 'cause I sleep all day! Cowboy, baby! I can smell a pig from a mile away Yeah! Kid Rock you can call me Tex Rollin' Sunset woman with a bottle of Beck's Seen a slimmy in a 'Vette, rolled down my glass And said 'Yeah this d**k fits right in your ass' No kiddin', gun slingin', spurs hittin' the floor Call me hoss, I'm the boss with the sauce and the whores No remorse for the sheriff, in his eye I ain't right I'ma paint his town red, then paint his wife white Cause chaos, rock like Amadeus Find West Coast p**sy for my Detroit playas Mack like mayors, ball like Lakers They told us to leave, but bet they can't make us Why they wanna pick on me Lock me up and snort away my key I ain't no G, I'm just a regular failure I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mick My only words of wisdom are just suck my d**k I'm flickin' my Bic up and down that coast and Keep on truckin' till it fall in the ocean Cowboy, baby! With the top let back and the sunshine shinin' Cowboy, baby! Spend all my time in Hollywood and Vine Cowboy, baby! Ridin' at night 'cause I sleep all day! Cowboy, baby! I can smell a pig from a mile away Cowboy, baby! With the top let back and the sunshine shinin' Cowboy, baby! With the top let back and the sunshine shinin' Cowboy! Hollywood and Vine-in" |
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The Killers |
Christmas in L.A. | The Killiers is a very successful rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001. This song is from the band's 2016 iTunes Christmas album "Don't Waste Your Wishes," a compilation of the Christmas singles they released every year since 2006, the profits from which go to charity. I think it's about another young actor trying to make it in Tinseltown - a slang nickname for Hollywood that might just come from Christmas tree tinsel. (Dan Tana's is a restaurant in West Hollywood.) "Woke up to sun streaming in my room Warm beachfront palm December afternoon You close your eyes Another year blows by Somewhere in the wind Just another life My parents sent a Christmas card and tennis shoes "We understand you’re staying And we’re proud of you" There’s a well-rehearsed disinterest in the atmosphere I don’t know if that’s what this time gave me Or if it led me here And I played so many parts I don’t know which one’s really me Don’t know if I can take Another Christmas in L.A. Another pitcher of Sangria In an empty beach café Another Christmas in L.A. Hold me tighter Carmelita I don’t know how long I can stay Left a girl behind in my old man’s truck Sometimes I wonder where she ended up Maybe she got married, had a couple of kids Who do you think you’re fooling man? Of course she did I’m walking in Dan Tana's bar Try and talk with Harry Dean I don’t know if I can take Another Christmas in L.A. Another casting call on Thursday For a job that doesn’t pay Another Christmas in L.A. Another burnout in a tank top It seems your basket is the case A fat protagonist in flip flops With an extensive resume From Echo Park to Catalina Dreaming of a white Christmas The one I used to know Tree tops glisten, children listen To sleigh bells in the snow Another Christmas in L.A...." |
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Will Kimbrough |
Star | Will Kimbrough is a country/folk music singer-songwriter and producer from Alabama based in Nashville. This slow acoustic song is from his album "I Like It Down Here" released in 2019. It's another of the many songs that mention the Santa Ana winds, but this one talks about them blowing along with the fog rolling in, a which is crazy enough to make an L.A. TV meteorologist's head explode. "I think I saw your star as the fog rolled in On a California highway in the Santa Ana wind In the smell of desert water In a look of sweet regret I think I saw your star as the fog rolled in I think I saw your star as the horses ran In the smell of the rose and the fried chicken pan In the taste of your kiss And the smile of your man I think I saw your star where it all began Star light, star bright, star I see Moonglow don't go dark on me h I think I saw your star as I lay my head to rest In all the things you knew And what you ain't found yet In the beat of your heart against my empty chest I think I saw your star you gave me all your best Star light, star bright, star I see Moonglow don't go dark on me I think I saw your star in the campfire hiss In the search for the truth and the mark we missed" |
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Albert King |
Bay Area Blues | Albert King was a blues singer from Mississippi, active from 1949 to 1992. This song is from his album "Lovejoy" released in 1982. "Sittin' in my hotel room Lookin' out at the Frisco bay I'm thinkin' about my baby She's a thousand miles away It's windy and it's rainin' And the night is gettin' cold Three long months on this here road Sure is growin' old I can't understand Why they demand they want to hear me play I can't understand Why they demand they want to hear me play I'm smilin' for the people Although I'm feelin' low I've did three sets already I got four more sets to go My drummer's gettin' sleepy My bass player's slowin' down Organ player's got his feet on the floor To keep the room from spinnin' around...." |
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Albert King |
Floodin' in California | This was originally from the album "San Francisco '83" released in 1983 then re-issued as "Crosscut Saw: Albert King in San Francisco" in 1992. Maybe back in 1983 there was too much rain in California, but now during the great drought of the 21st century, any rain would be welcome, just as long as it doesn't all fall at once, as it tends to do now. "I'm gonna tell you the truth about this Listen, It's floodin' in California All the hot lines are down Yeah, It's floodin' in California babe And all the hot lines are down Oh if the rain keep on fallin' They gon' have to move to higher ground The rain keeps on fallin' On my window pane Yeah, the rain keeps on fallin' now On my window pane Oh if it keeps on rainin' Things won't be the same It's stormin' in L.A. baby Rainin' in San Francisco too Yeah it's stormin' in L.A. woman It's rainin' up here in San Francisco too Oh if the rain keeps on fallin' I don't know what the people gonna do Yeah, the rain is fallin' Keeps on fallin' down Oh the rain keeps on fallin' down The rain is fallin' down If it keeps on rainin' They gon' have to move to higher ground If it keeps rainin' I'm gonna fade away" |
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Albert King |
Travelin' to California | This song was written by Albert King and recorded on his first studio album "The Big Blues" released in 1962 which was re-issued with the name "Travelin' to California." Maybe the song should have been titled "Travelin' to New Mexico" since we hear more about the wobbly girl there than we do about California. "You know nobody loves me Nobody cares for me at all No nobody loves me Nobody cares for me at all I'm goin' to California And I won't be back 'till Fall On my way west I'm gonna stop off in old New Mexico Yes on my way west I'm gonna stop off in old New Mexico Oh there's someone down there A friend I used to know She wobbles when she walks And she's built up from the ground Oh she wobbles when she walks And baby's built up from the ground Yeah when she's by my side I don't want nobody else around." |
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B. B. King |
Back in L.A. | B. B. King was a blues singer-songwriter from Mississippi, active since 1942. He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his electric guitar playing has been tremendously influential on many guitarists. This song is from the album "There is Always One More Time" released in 1991. "From Hollywood and Vine To the Sunset Strip There's so much going on You can lose your grip From early in the morning Until late at night They'll do you so wrong They'll do you so right Back in L.A. Waiting for the sun to shine Back in L.A. Living down a life of crime Back in L.A. Working on another line Back in L.A. To pick up the dime You must do the time From way up in the canyons Where the hot winds howl To the mean city streets Where the night hawks prowl I can feel the rhythm play The whole night long Guess I'll stay in L.A. And listen to this song Back in L.A. Waiting for the sun to shine Back in L.A. Living down a life of crime Back in L.A. Working on another line Back in L.A. To pick up the dime You must do the time You must do the time" |
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Carole King |
Back to California | Carole King is a New York-born composer and singer-songwriter. She wrote or co-wrote more than a hundred top 100 pop hits and has recorded at least 25 solo albums. This song is from her 1971 album "Music." "I've been feelin' down in Atlanta Immobile in Alabama I'd rather be in traction Than to be here where I am Oh, you Georgia red clay And green Virginia pines I've got to make it home somehow Before I lose my mind So won't you carry me back to California I been on the road too long Take me to the west coast, daddy And let me be where I belong Hey now, Philly, you street city Been down by the railroad track I know you can be a sweet city But I won't soon be back Haystack towns and smokestack cities Are nothin' I want to see My own house on high ground Is the only place I want to be So won't you carry me back to California I been on the road too long Take me to the west coast, daddy And let me be where I belong" |
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Elle King |
Ex's & Oh's | Elle King is a singer-songwriter and actress originally from L.A. (She's also the daughter of Rob Schneider, the comedian from Saturday Night Live and star of movie masterpieces such as Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, The Waterboy, and The Longest Yard - but don't hold that against her.) This was a hit single on the alternative and rock charts that received two Grammy nominations and comes from her 2015 debut album Love Stuff. It's a rock song about the singer's ex-boyfriends, including a California Boy who she dumped for a guy in the UK in what must have been a moment of extremely bad judgement on her part. "Well, I had me a boy, turned him into a man I showed him all the things that he didn't understand Whoa, and then I let him go Now, there's one in California who's been cursing my name 'Cause I found me a better lover in the UK Hey, hey, until I made my getaway One, two, three, they gonna run back to me 'Cause I'm the best baby that they never gotta keep One, two, three, they gonna run back to me They always wanna come, but they never wanna leave Ex's and the oh, oh, oh's they haunt me Like gho-o-osts they want me to make 'em all They won't let go Ex's and oh's...." |
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Kings of Leon |
California Waiting | Kings of Leon is a band formed in Nashville in 1999. This great upbeat rootsy rock song is from their first album "Youth & Young Manhood" released in 2003. It's one of many songs that reference the Tommy James and the Shondells classic "Crimson and Clover." "Little Mona Lisa laying by my side 'Crimson and Clover' pullin' overtime Seem too close to be losin' touch By givin' in, what am I givin' up Am I losin' way too much Hey California waiting Every little thing's gotta be just right Say While you're tryin' to save me Can't I get back my lonely life" I'm goin' so fast that I can't slow down It's hard to get up when you're spinnin' round and round I'd tell you the news but nothin's changed I'd sing you a song but they blew it away All wrapped up in this stupid ass game Hey California waiting Every little thing's gotta be just right Say While you're tryin' to save me Can't I get back my lonely life Can't I get back my lonely life" |
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Kings of Leon |
Conversation Piece | This is from the band's seventh studio album "Walls" released in 2016. "Take me back to California To those crystal neon signs Where the traveling sensations Are all blinded by the light There are eyes in every corner Bloated brains and rotten smiles There are coats of many colors Flying high up in the sky Won't you come 'round my way for some conversation, please? Won't you come 'round my way, it's a conversation piece Look at all these shattered faces They all look so out of place They've got nothing left to live for They'll be dead before they wake I'd love to know just what you're thinking Tell me what I ought to do I will never leave you lonely You're the one I'm running to Get me out of California Take me off into the blue We could make it out together To the place that's calling you Won't you come 'round my way for some conversation, please? Won't you come 'round my way, it's a conversation piece...." |
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The Kingston Trio |
Santy Anno | The Kingston Trio is a Grammy-winning best-selling folk pop group formed in Palo Alto, active since 1957. They were one of the most popular of the folk revival groups. This is from the group's debut album "The Kingston Trio" released in 1958. It's a traditional sea shanty from some time after gold was discovered in Californio in 1848. There's also a different version of the song sung by Dick and Carol Holdstock. "We're sailin' 'cross the river from Liverpool Heave away, Santy Anno Around Cape Horn to 'Frisco Bay Way out in Californio So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anno Heave her up and away we'll go Way out in Californio There's plenty of gold, so I've been told Heave away, Santy Anno Plenty of gold, so I've been told Way out in Californio So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anno Heave her up and away we'll go Way out in Californio Well, back in the days of forty-nine Heave away, Santy Anno Back in the days of the good old times Way out in Californio So, heave her up and away we'll go Heave away, Santy Anno Heave her up and away we'll go Way out in Californio...." |
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The Kingston Trio |
South Coast | This song is from the group's second album '...from the "Hungry i" ' released in 1959. It was recorded live at the San Francisco nightclub the "Hungry i." Written by Richard Dehr, Sam Eskin, Frank Miller and Lillian bos Ross, the song was first recorded by The Easy Riders in 1957. It was adapted from "The Coast Ballad" a poem written in 1926 by Lillian Bos Ross, known for her series of novels about a family living in Big Sur. The spoken introduction mentions that the original song was written 150 years ago, so it's possible Ross based her poem on an old folk song. I haven't found out when it was orignally written, but it was certainly some time back in the good old days when a man could win a woman in a card game. The song has been recorded by many other musicians, including Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Doc and Richard Watson. Each singer has a different pronunciation of the name, which I show here as "Juan Hano de Castro" even though I doubt that's the correct spelling. [Intro] "Here in California We're kind of used to the bright lights and the freeway traffic But I think we probably forget that a good portion of this state Is the same as it was when the first settlers arrived many years ago We think a good example of this is the Big Sur area of the Monterey peninsula Where in the back hills of barrancas as the Spanish called them There are still little signs of civilization and Mountain lions are still in evidence Leads us to believe this next song could just as well could have been written yesterday as it really was 150 years ago called 'South Coast' South Coast the wild coast is lonely You might win in a game at Jolon But the lion still rules the barranca And a man there is always alone My name is Juan Hano de Castro My father was a Spanish Grandee But I won my wife in a card game To hell with those lords o'er the sea I picked up the ace...l had won her My heart which was down at my feet Jumped up to my throat in a hurry Like a warm summer's day she was sweet South Coast the wild coast is lonely You might win in a game at Jolon But the lion still rules the barranca And a man there is always alone Her arms had to tighten around me As we rode up the hills from the south Not a word did I hear from her that day Nor a kiss from her pretty red mouth We came to my cabin at twilight The stars twinkled out on the coast She soon loved the valley, the orchards But I knew that she loved me the most South Coast the wild coast is lonely You might win in a game at Jolon But the lion still rules the Barranca And a man there is always alone Then I got hurt in a landslide With crushed hip and twice broken bone She saddled our pony like lightnin' And rode off in the night for Jolon The lion screamed in the barranca The pony fell back on the slide My young wife lay dead in the moonlight My heart died that night with my bride South Coast the wild coast is lonely You might win in a game at Jolon But the lion still rules the barranca And a man there is always alone" |
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The Kinks |
Celluloid Heroes | The Kinks were a great English band, formed in London in 1963. This sappy song is from their eleventh album "Everybody's in Show-Biz" released in 1972, back when movies were still made on and projected through celluloid film onto big silver screens. (Ask your grandparents.) Sadly, many of the celluloid heroes mentioned in the song, who will never die according to the singer, are as dead to young people today as 35mm film projectors. "Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star And everybody's in movies, doesn't matter who you are There are stars in every city, in every house and on every street And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, their names are written in concrete Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard She looks so weak and fragile, that's why she tried to be so hard But they turned her into a princess and they sat her on a throne But she turned her back on stardom because she wanted to be alone You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive And he looks up ladies' dresses as they sadly pass him by Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi 'cause he's liable to turn and bite But stand close by Bette Davis because hers was such a lonely life If you covered him with garbage, George Sanders would still have style And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney, he would still turn 'round and smile But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn 'cause she's not very tough She should have been made of iron or steel, but she was only made of flesh and blood You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of Oh, people who worked and suffered and struggled for fame Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are And those who are successful, be always on your guard Success walks hand in hand with failure along Hollywood Boulevard I wish my life was a nonstop Hollywood movie show A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain And celluloid heroes never really die You can see all the stars as you walk along Hollywood Boulevard Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain Oh, celluloid heroes never really die I wish my life was a nonstop Hollywood movie show A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain And celluloid heroes never really die" |
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Kipp EZ |
California Christmas | This indie rock holiday single was released in 2003. "It's another California Christmas Full of happiness and good cheer But I won't be going home on this California Christmas No I won't be going home this year But the sun is shinin' bright It's about 75 Lyin' here poolside with a Colt 45 All my friends say there's snow on the ground And my family tells me everyone is doin' fine But you can't kiss someone on the telephone line No you can't really touch anyone at all But the sun is shinin' bright - it's about 75 Lyin' here poolside with a Colt 45 Thank God I'm alive Thank God I'm alive Thank God and happy birthday Jesus Christ I wish I had somewhere to go on this California Christmas Or someone would just stop by Yeah, but I'll just lay here and watch the sky on this California Christmas Yeah this California Christmas time But the sun is shinin' bright It's about 75 Lyin' here poolside with a Colt 45 Drinkin' an ice cold Colt 45" |
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Haley Kiyoko |
Curious | Hayley Kiyoko is a singer, dancer, and actress from L.A., formerly with the girl group The Stunners. This is a pop song from her 2018 album "Expectations." The singer is a woman who's jealous of her girlfriend because she's seeing a man and taking him to the pier in Santa Monica. "Yeah I need a drink, whiskey ain't my thing But s**t is all good I can handle things-like I wish that you would You've been out of reach, could you explain? I think that you should What you been up to-who's been loving you good? I'm just on the floor, I'm like a model Been looking through the texts and all the photos But don't you worry, I can handle it No don't you worry, I can handle it If you let him Touch ya touch ya touch ya touch ya touch ya touch ya (yeah) The way I Used to used to used to used to used to used to (yeah) Did you take him to the pier in Santa Monica? Forget to bring your jacket wrap up in him cause you wanted to? I'm just curious, is it serious? I'm just curious, is it serious? Calling me up, so late at night Are we just friends? You say you wanted me-but you're sleeping with him You think of me, I'm what you see When you look at the sky I don't believe you-you ain't been loving me right (yeah) I'm just on the floor, I'm like a model Been looking through the texts and all the photos But don't you worry, I can handle it No don't you worry, I can handle it If you let him Touch ya touch ya touch ya touch ya touch ya touch ya (yeah) The way I Used to used to used to used to used to used to (yeah) Did you take him to the pier in Santa Monica? Forget to bring your jacket wrap up in him cause you wanted to? I'm just curious, is it serious? I'm just curious, is it serious? |
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Haley Kiyoko |
Palm Dreams | This is another song is from Kiyoko's 2018 album "Expectations." "Cruising down the only road That leads me to a place that I know, I know Traveled far, I've traveled wide I had to go away to find home, I'm home All the palm trees have the money Watching from above the endless party California, just a bad dream I will hang around until you want me From the hillside (they can party with us) To the valley (they can party with us) Watch the sun come up and warm my body California (they can party with us) Just a bad dream (they can party with us) I will hang around until you break me Star, stars I'll make it to the top I'm shining like their cars and rings The palms see everything Star, stars They watch you like a hawk I'll try to keep 'em company The palms see everything...." |
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Klaatu |
California Jam | Klaatu was a Canadian rock band formed in 1973, named after the humanoid alien in The Day the Earth Stood Still. (No, not the Keanu Reeves version, the original.) This is a psychedelic fun-in-the-sun beach song with a doomsday earthquake lurking in the background, from the band's album "3:47 E.S.T." released in 1976. "Hodad made the scene Totin' a six-pack of cold cola A stogie smokin' in hand A groovin' in his sandals California's on my mind Surf and sand setting in the sun California's on my mind One day you're gonna be A place in our memory When Woody hit the dunes Flying foxtails and Old Glory Rubber ripped the sand He gunned a souped-down Stingray Ah, California She's in mythical Malibu Sitting on the ocean Goodbye mythical Malibu The San Andreas misfortune Will claim the lives of sons and wives The headlines will fill page after page California's on my mind Surf and sand setting in the sun In the sun, in the sunshocked In the setting sun One day you're gonna be one sweet memory Oh yeah, California Swinging on the beach To the sounds of their time Yeah, yeah, yeah" |
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Gladys Knight & the Pips |
Midnight Train to Georgia | Gladys Knight is a soul singer from Atlanta, Georgia, active since 1948. She was a founding member of The Pips, a band formed in 1952 that included her brother, her sister, and her cousins.This award-winning R&B classic was a #1 hit in 1973, but its not an orginal. It's a cover of Jim Weatherly's "Midnight Plane to Houston" released in 1972, with some changes in the lyrics. The song deals with the flip side of the California dream of going to Los Angeles to find fame and fortune. The singer's boyfriend went to L.A. and failed to become a star, so he's taking the midnight train back to Georgia where he came from. Nowadays Atlanta has become one of the new Hollywoods, so maybe someone will make a new version of the song about not making it in Atlanta and going back home. "L.A. proved too much for the man (Too much for the man, he couldn't make it) So he's leaving a life he's come to know (He said he's going) He said he's going back to find (Going back to find) Ooh, what's left of his world The world he left behind not so long ago He's leaving (Leaving) On that midnight train to Georgia, yeah (Leaving on the midnight train) Said he's going back (Going back to find) To a simpler place and time, oh yes he is (Whenever he takes that ride, guess who's gonna be right by his side) I'll be with him (I know you will) On that midnight train to Georgia (Leaving on a midnight train to Georgia, woo woo) I'd rather live in his world (Live in his world) Than live without him in mine (Her world is his, his and hers alone) He kept dreaming (Dreaming) Ooh, that some day he'd be a star (A superstar, but he didn't get far) But he sure found out the hard way That dreams don't always come true, oh no, uh uh (Dreams don't always come true, uh uh, no, uh uh) So he pawned down his hopes (Woo, woo, woo-woo) And even sold his old car (Woo, woo, woo-woo) Bought a one way ticket back to the life he once knew Oh yes he did, he said he would..." |
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The Knitters |
Dry River | The Knitters are a roots rock (or even alt/country) band formed in 1982 by John Doe, Xene Cervenka, and DJ Bonebrake, 3 of the 4 four members of the punk group X, along with Dave Alvin of The Blasters, and stand up bassist Jonny Ray Bartel. They put out one album, then waited more than 20 years to release their second one "The Modern Sounds of the Knitters," where this song comes from. Sure, they could be singing about any river, but the Knitters are from L.A. so I have decided that this river is the L.A. river, which is usually mostly dry. It's that very wide concrete lined drainage ditch in the middle of L.A. that has starred in many movie and TV car chase scenes. "I was born by the river it was paved with cement. I was born by the river it was paved with cement. Still I'd stand in that dry river and dream that I was soakin' wet. Some day it's gonna rain Some day it's gonna pour Some day that old dry river It won't be dry any more. ... ... ... ... Fell in love with a woman but she did not fall for me. I fell in love with you baby but you did not fall for me Now I'm dry as that old river and I'm as dead as those old trees" |
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KO |
Leaving California | KO is a musician from Toronto, Canada, who calls his sound urban-funk and urban-folk. This song was released in 2019. "I'm leaving California Hop the border, going south I'm leaving California Like a soldier, let me out I'm leaving California Hope it slips into the sea I'm leaving California That state took a piece of me The guitar looked so small Couldn't play nothing at all Then the bottle ... my fall Couldn't sing my own songs Police bangin' on the door There's no god anymore I'm high at night on a red eye flight Hope we land before I die I'm leaving California Hop the border, going south I'm leaving California Like a soldier, let me out I'm leaving California Hope it slips into the sea I'm leaving California That state took a piece of me San Diego it's a bore And I lose my voice They act like it's a chore Said it no to the drawer Then the lawyers get involved And it sucks out your soul I'm high at night on a red eye flight Hope we land before I die I'm leaving California Hop the border, going south I'm leaving California Like a soldier, let me out I'm leaving California Hope it slips into the sea I'm leaving California That state took a piece of me I'm leaving California I'm leaving California I'm leaving California I'm leaving California I'm leaving California I'm leaving California I'm leaving California" |
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The Kooks |
California | The Kooks are an English indie rock band formed in 2004. This song is from the deluxe edition of their greatest hits album "The Best of... So Far" released in 2017. It's a version of the 1997 song written by Mason Jennings with a few different lyrics. "Don't you know baby I'm a leading man I dig down deep when I say I love you Well I can hold my own with the best of them I guarantee you, you never seen nothin' Nothin' like this again California say that you love me From all the darkness I couldn't break through Now, I miss the ocean when I go to sleep Oh man, it's gonna break my heart Don't you know that I'll do the things I could I rubbed your back when you were sleeping But all along baby it was understood That you were leaving, absolutely The very first day we met California say that you miss me From all the darkness I couldn't break through I'm gonna miss you I'm gonna miss you I'm gonna miss you I'm gonna miss ya I'm gonna miss you I'm gonna miss ya I'm gonna miss you" |
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The Kooks |
Ooh La | The Kooks are an English indie rock band formed in 2004. This song is from their debut studio album "Inside In / Inside Out" released in 2008. Wickipedia says it's "...an alleged dedication to late model Audrey Lindvall" who died tragically young after she was accidentally thrown off her bicycle and run over by a tanker truck. Whether that's true or not, it's certainy another song about someone seeking stardom but getting chewed up and spat out by the entertainment industry. Fortunately, nobody pays attention to these warnings or show biz would run out of people to chew up and spit out and then we'd have no new celebrity gossip and nothing new to watch or listen to. "In their eyes is a place that you finally discovered That you love it here, you've got to stay On the bottom of the rock, an island On which you find you love it when you twitch You feel that itch in your pettycoat Your pretty pretty pettycoat Then you smiled, he got wild You didn't understand that there's money to be made Beauty is a card that must get played By organisation And ooh la, she was such a good girl to me And ooh la, the world just chewed her up and spat her out And ooh la, she was such a good girl to me And ooh la, the world just chewed her up and spat her out The world can be a very big place So be yourself don't get out of place Love your man and love him twice Go to Hollywood and pay the price Oh go to Hollywood And don't be a star, it's such a drag Take care of yourself, don't begin to lag It's a hard life to live, so live it well I'll be your friend and not in pretend I know you girl In all situations And ooh la, she was such a good girl to me And ooh la, the world just chewed her up and spat her out And ooh la, she was such a good girl to me And ooh la, the world just chewed her up and spat her out Pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty Pretty pretty pettycoat Pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty Pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pettycoat In all situations And ooh la, she was such a good girl to me And ooh la, the world just chewed her up and spat her out And ooh la, she was such a good girl to me And ooh la, the world just chewed her up and spat her out" |
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Kool & The Gang |
Hollywood Swinging | Kool & The Gang is a funk band formed in New Jersey in 1964. This hit song released in 1974 is about a musician making it in the city of stars, movies, women, and cars. The song was covered by Jamirouai in 1997 and has been sampled in rap songs. "Hey, hey, hey What ya got to say? Hey, hey, hey What ya got to say? Hollywood Hollywood swinging Hollywood Hollywood swinging I remember not too long ago I went to the theater And I saw the Kool in the gang show I always wanted To get into a band To sing my songs, sing my songs And become a bad piano playing man So here I am, here I am in this Hollywood city The city of the stars, movies, women and cars Well I guess, I guess I have to stay ... ... ... ... Yea yea, Hollywood, that's how they're doin' it, Hollywood I've figured all the swinging down, down in Hollywood Moving, swinging down say, say, I like to do it And Kool's got the swinging of the dance Get down, get down in Hollywood You know that Hollywood is swinging down, yea You know that, you know that, you know that, you know that Hollywood is swinging down Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, now swinging Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, now swinging Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, now swinging Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, now swinging Hollywood is swinging down Hollywood is swinging down Hollywood is swinging down...." |
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Kool Keith (featuring Esham) |
Dark Vadar | Kool Keith is a rapper from New York City active since 1984. Esham is a rapper from New York City and Detroit, active since 1988. This song is from Kool Keith's album "Spankmaster" released in 2001. "....I'm 2004 beyond the average club music and disco I take cities by storm Drop deep like hills in San Francisco Cookout with hood rats and fried chicken and Crisco After dinner girls come over in lingerie Bake sugar cookies and ginger snaps from Nabisco...." |
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Diana Krall |
California Dreamin' | This song, released in 2015, is a slow and moody jazz vocal version of the Mamas & the Papas classic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lenny Kravitz |
California | Lenny Kravitz is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actor from New York City who moved to Los Angles when he was 10, active in the music business since 1981. This nostalgic rock song is from his hit album "Baptism" released in 2004. He played all of the instruments on the recording and produced and mixed it. "I was converted to the other side From the day I'd gotten there I met a girl who took me on a ride I was young I had no cares When I moved to California California She played me records I had never heard Who, Zeppelin, Beatles, Kiss, The Rolling Stones While we played guitars in air When I moved to California California California California California love! Venice Beach and P.O.P. Station 26 was free Jeff Ho and Horizons West Dogtown Skates they were the best Hang Ten, O.P. were the brands Don't forget the two-tone Vans I miss the Apple and my schoolyard boys Nothing ever will compare But now I skateboard With my surfer girl And we really are a pair When I moved to California California California California California love!" |
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Kris Kristofferson |
The Bandits of Beverly Hills | Kris Kristofferson is a singer-songwriter and actor from Texas, active since 1959. This song is from "The Winning Hand" a collaborative compilation album with songs by by Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, & Brenda Lee, released in 1982. But they're not on this song, which was written by Kristofferson. So he's solely to blame for calling the famous Rodeo Drive "Rodeo Avenue" as well as for pronouncing it wrong. "She knew the moment their eyes came together They'd never need to explain He was a bandit behind his behavior She was precisely the same Laughing and dancing those gay caballeros They look so wild and so free She likes him a little light on the loafers But bless his heart, so does he And he covers for her and she covers for him If it's wild and they want to they will But the dangers are real and the chances are slim And there ain't nothing cheap but the thrill In the badlands of Beverly Hills He had a mustache that made him look macho And she wore a mole on her cheek Making the run around Rodeo Avenue Dancing boutique to boutique And the truth is a question with too many answers And so hard to face on your own Beauty is only as deep as the skin Ugly goes clear to the bone And he covers for her and she covers for him If it's wild and they want to they will But the dangers are real and the chances are slim And there ain't nothing cheap but the thrill In the badlands of Beverly Hills" |
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Kris Kristofferson |
Me and Bobby McGee | Kristofferson's former girlfriend Janis Joplin made this song a hit, and it was first recorded by Roger Miller, but Kristofferson wrote it and recorded it in 1971 and I like his version best. After thumbing a ride across the country, singing songs and all that, he goes and lets his girl Bobby get away somewhere near Salinas. I always wondered why she picked Salinas. Why not nearby Monterey, maybe, or Big Sur? Maybe she was a Steinbeck fan. Salinas was his home town and there's a Steinbeck museum there. "Busted flat in Baton Rouge, and headin' for the trains Feelin' near as faded as my jeans Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained Took us all the way to New Orleans I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana And was blowin' sad while Bobby sang the blues With them windshield wipers slappin' time, And Bobby clappin' hands we finally Sang up every song that driver knew Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free Feeling good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues Feelin' good was good enough for me Good enough for me and Bobby McGee From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun Bobby shared the secrets of my soul Standin' right beside me lord Through everything I done Every night she kept me from the cold Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away Looking for the home I hope she'll find And I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday Holding Bobby's body next to mine Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose Nothin' left is all she left for me Feeling good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues Buddy that was good enough for me Good enough for me and Bobby McGee...." |
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Krist Van D x Dereal |
California | Krist Van D and Dereal are musical artists from Poland. This song was released in June, 2023. The lyrics are in Polish so I can't understand them other than to hear that the word "Cali" is repeated a few times. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steve Kroeger |
Sunsets in California | Steve Kroeger is a musician and producer based in Victoria, British Columbia. This dance track was released in 2024. I don't know why he mentions fireflies in the chorus: "Blue eyes, fireflies, and ocean water." Fireflies are found in California, but they don't flash so they might as well be invisible. You have to go east of the Rockies to see the real "lightning bugs." "Chasing the moon at midnight Crossing highways Staying awake 'til new light Sleeping by the lake There’s a fire, burning in the rain We were hell bent to save Growing tired, lose too many days Waves take us away I still think about Sunsets, sunsets in California Blue eyes, fireflies, and ocean water How’d we get so close to what we wanted Just to watch our sun burn out (Our sun burn out) Sleeping under summer skies Livin’ wild Counting the stars, losing time Ocean silence There’s a fire, burning in the rain We were hell bent to save Growing tired, lose too many days Waves take us away I still think about Sunsets, sunsets in California Blue eyes, fireflies, and ocean water How’d we get so close to what we wanted Just to watch our sun burn out (Our sun burn out) There’s a fire burning in the rain That we were so hell bent to save I still think about Sunsets, sunsets in California Blue eyes, fireflies, and ocean water How’d we get so close to what we wanted Just to watch our sun burn out (Our sun burn out)" |
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Kyle & Lil Yachy |
ISpy | Kyle is a musician and rapper from Ventura and Lil Yachty is a musician and rapper from Atlanta. This is a fun feel-good hip-hop song from 2016 that was a #4 hit. Don't miss the video, which features the rappers as little kids with adult heads in a sandbox and lots of women in swimsuits. You'll need a coaster. “….I ain't been gettin' high... Well, maybe a little, baby, I don't wanna lie I know when you text me girl, I don't always reply Well, you're not an angel either, you can't even fly I notice, you think that you know s*** All this shade that's coming at me, I wonder who throws it They can't see the vision, boy, they must be out of focus That's a real hot album, homie, I wonder who wrote it, oh, s*** Otay, pray them n***as go away Always hella clowns around it look like Cirque Du Soleil This is not the album either, these are just the throwaways This s*** still so cold when it drop, it's gonna be a motherf****** snow day Aye, boy is good and he knows it, he don't say it, he shows it I am just like DeRozan, if I shoot it, it goes in I am in Cali just coastin', get 'em so wet they need coasters I got a selfie with Oprah, I just ain't never post it And I'm in my happy place posted, I ain't frown since '06 I ain't cried since '01, my pad like Six Flags and your house is no fun You can come back to mine though, your friend ain't cute, but it's fine though We gon' end on a high note I spy with my little eye A girlie I can get 'cause she don't get too many likes A curly-headed cutie I can turn into my wife Wait, that means forever, ever, hold up, never mind Oh, I...I spy with my little eye A girlie I can get 'cause she don't get too many likes A curly-headed cutie I can turn into my wife Wait, that means forever, ever, hold up, never mind….” |
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L |
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Robyn L |
Malibu Barbie | Robyn L is a singer-songwriter and social media personality born in Botswana in 2002 and based in Boston. This song was released in 2022. It's another song that refers to a woman critically as a "Malibu Barbie" the blonde blue-eyed California girl Barbie doll. "Saw you looking at me first Thirsty you could hit me where it hurts Baby I never think straight when I'm with you You looked so good in that leather shirt Last week you said we could never work Why won't you just let me fall in love with you You with a Malibu Barbie But she don't know you like I do I'm running late to the party I hope I run into you I got my Benz and my car keys You stepping out with your crew You got a mind that is naughty And I wanna see what it do Baby don't make me look crazy I know that you been feeling something between us too Call me playing games is boring Can't deny that there's something pulling me close to you Maybe all I need is just a moment here alone with you Please don't make plead What's it gonna take to get truth Just say that you want me Think I almost got it out of you Just say that you want me I think I almost got it out of you Tension building up it's bound to burst Almost at the point of no return Baby I know wanna taste of me don't you Don't you Let's just go crazy I promise That it'll be worth it for you Let's kiss in your brand new Bugatti You know that you wanna do things Things that could get us trouble You could come try something new If you want a girl that is naughty Then baby come see what I do Baby don't make me look crazy I know that you been feeling something between us too Call me playing games boring Can't deny that there's something pulling me close to you Maybe all I need is Just a moment here alone with you (alone with you) Please don't make plead (what can I do) What's it gonna take to get truth (to get the truth) Just say that you want me (you want me too) Think I almost got it out of you (I know you do) Just say that you want me (I almost ohh) I think I almost got it out of you (I almost ohh) Boy you got me so confused Want my body up on you Maybe when it's just us two You could make my body ooh Boy you got me stuck on you She don't know you like I do Baby is you pulling through Almost got it out of you You with that Malibu Barbie So I'm running late to the party Just say that you want me Think I almost got it out of you" |
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Bill LaBounty |
California Turnaround | Bill LaBounty is an American singer and songwriter. This jazzy tune is from his album "Back To Your Star" released in 2009. "Stay with me, this could be an all nighter Grab your keys and cigarette lighter All the way to the end of this highway, Like Sinatra I'm doin' it my way now Don't need noone to show me how Tonight I'm gonna make a California turnaround Way out where the sun goes down Wait until the tide goes out And drive away Radio is on a jazz station It's an out of body situation 40 West can't go on forever But I bet the two of us together can Let's get these wheels in the sand I think it's time to do a California turnaround Way out where the sun goes down Wait until the tide goes out And drive away Feels like I'm movin' on a river Coastin' with you by my side Let's put our pieces back together And ride, we're gonna ride Leave the west behind...." |
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Lady Antebellum |
Champagne Night | Lady Antebellum (now Lady A) is a country trio formed in Nashville in 2006. This is a country single released in 2020, that contrasts the simple life in the country with Hollywood extravagance. Country stars love to brag about how down to earth they are as much as rappers love to brag about how rich they are. Most of the rest of us are somewhere in the middle. "The stars go out on the Sunset Strip But after last call, ours still stay lit Make a twenty last like it's 1990 Way out here where we're from We don't say, "Ooh-la-la, Perignon" Don't need no bottle service budget (no) Got no money but we love it (woo) Raisin' plastic cups to a life of luxury C'est la vie on a Friday We get dressed up in a blue jean tux And we go where we don't hear the highway Don't need doubles and bubbles To get in all kinds of trouble Out in the country Don't need a crystal chandelier To have a real good time We're drinkin' beer on a champagne night A champagne night No velvet ropes in our hometown bar Our VIPs are drinkin' PBR No, we don't need a high-rise skyline view from the window 'Cause way out here (way out here) Where we're from (where we're from) We don't have to be fancy to have a whole lot of fun Raisin' plastic cups to a life of luxury C'est la vie on a Friday We get dressed up in a blue jean tux And we go where we don't hear the highway Don't need doubles and bubbles To get in all kinds of trouble Out in the country Don't need a crystal chandelier To have a real good time We're drinkin' beer on a champagne night Champagne night You'll never see us sippin' long-stem glasses Even if we're in a Hollywood palace We ain't on our own island No, we ain't drippin' in diamonds We're gettin' rhinestoned...." |
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Lady Gaga |
Always Remember Us This Way | Lady Gaga is an award-winning best-selling singer, songwriter, and actress from New York City who wears dresses made of meat and a machine gun bra. I'm not making this up. This is from the soundtrack to A Star Is Born, released in 2018, in which she starred and won an Oscar for best original song for the song "Shallow." "That Arizona sky burning in your eyes You look at me and, babe, I wanna catch on fire It's buried in my soul like California gold You found the light in me that I couldn't find So when I'm all choked up And I can't find the words Every time we say goodbye Baby, it hurts When the sun goes down And the band won't play I'll always remember us this way Lovers in the night Poets trying to write We don't know how to rhyme But damn we try But all I really know You're where I wanna go The part of me that's you will never die So when I'm all choked up But I can't find the words Every time we say goodbye Baby, it hurts When the sun goes down And the band won't play I'll always remember us this way...." |
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The Ladybug Transistor |
California Stopover | The Ladybug Transistor is an indie pop band from Brooklyn formed in 1995. This song is from their album "Can't Wait Another Day" released in 2007. "Tell me there's no room left to reason Say it now if you dare Time, precious time That I do hope that you can spare You say these words have no meaning And this long wait you can't bear Lines crossing lines And we have not said a prayer Tell me there's no room left to reason And say it now if you dare Lies, all these lies But I do hope that you still care Time, precious time That I do hope that you can spare California, stop on over California, stop on over California, stop on over California" |
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La Femme |
It's Time to Wake Up |
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La Luz |
California Finally | La Luz is a "surf noir" band from Seattle formed in 2012. This song is from their third album "Floating Features" released in 2018. "In the morning, in the morning I do what I want I do what I want I do what I want I do One endless summer after another I do what I want I do what I want I do what I want I do I made up my mind some time ago No one's gonna tell me where I can go California finally my golden dream Feels so good walking down the street Sun-eye swollen across the ocean I do what I want I do what I want I do what I want I do I made up my mind a long time ago No one's gonna tell me where I can go California finally my golden dream Feels so good walking down the street In the morning, in the morning I do what I want I do what I want I do what I want I do" |
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The Lagoons |
California | The Lagoons are the music project of brothers Ryan and Joey Selan from Los Angeles. This song from their "Gems" EP released in 2017 has a relaxed vibe with an '80s sax sound. "I've been driving in this California sun I've been on the run Just to get a moment with you I've been working all these hours all night long When I hear that song, that makes me think of you I've been sipping on some California wine Everything feels fine when I'm surrounded by you I've been puffin' on some California kush Been thinking 'bout my life How everything revolves around you, 'round you I've been driving in this California sun I've been on the run Just to get a moment with you I've been working all these hours all night long When I hear that song, that makes me think of you, of you" |
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L.A. Guns |
California | L.A. Guns is a glam metal band formed in 1983 in Los Angeles. This song is from their album "Shrinking Violet" released in 1999. "Come on Too much time spent in stormy weather I didn't think it would be so cold Our fire's burnin' now that we're together It almost feels like I'm halfway home Is that a sign up ahead Like a star pointing to your bed Keep your tired eyes open Sparks flyin' through your head Won'tcha take me back, back there Take me back to California Take me back to California Yeah Golden songs floatin' down the river Got the gold shinin' in your hair I wish this road could go forever Not too long, babe, and I'll be there Yeah Is that a sign up ahead Like a star pointing to your bed Keep your tired eyes open Sparks flyin' through your head Won'tcha take me back, back there Take me back to California Take me back to California Yeah yeah yeah Won'tcha take me back, back there Take me back to California Take me back to California Take me back to California Won'tcha take me back, back there Take me back to California Take me back to California Take me back to California" |
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L.A. Guns |
Hollywood Forever | This is from the album "Hollywood Forever" released in 2012. "Through wandering heights Our city she burns bright We love it, we lust it Eternal rules the night Glamorous queens, drug dealers breed The stars on the sidewalk beckon fleeting dreams We all hold the candle We light up the stage As day turns to nighttime Can you hear them say... We play our games Like moths to flames Till death we shine together We feed our fame With lives so vain And scream Hollywood forever! Come in with eager eyes Tinseltown's cruel lies You love it, you lust it You're chained to its side Runways and endless days We know you're here to stay How soon they forget As your ... fade away We all hold the candle We light up the stage As day turns to nighttime Can you hear them say... ... ... ... We play our games Like moths to flames Till death we shine together We feed our fame With lives so vain And scream Hollywood forever! Hollywood forever! Hollywood forever!...." |
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L.A. Guns |
Hollywood's Burning | This is from the album "Tales from the Strip" released in 2005. "If I wanted to, would you let me do All kinds of crazy things to you When I wanna fly, way up in the sky Will you be my guide, will you Everybody gets a little crazy Hollywood's burnin' house by house Goin' down in flames, can't put it out Hollywood's burnin' mile by mile Can't put it out, burnin' down in style And through burning flames I will call your name We'll watch it burn from way up high From the ashes rise, be my alibi We take back the night Hollywood's burning Hollywood's burning" |
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L.A. Guns |
Hollywood Tease | This is from the band's first album "L.A. Guns" released in 1988. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Don't you like me, won't you invite me Take me on back to your home Do you think I'm easy, Would you like to please me Next time you're all alone Would you say you care, rough my hair Do whatever I please Will you keep me in style, 'cuz you know all the while That I'm the Hollywood Tease Oh, what a lonely person you are Oh, without me you couldn't get far Let me be rude, do you mind if I'm crude I'll insult all of your friends Never reprimand me, Say you won't demand me Promise that you like all my trends Will you run my bath, make me laugh Get right down on your knees Stare in amazement at my Hollywood basement I'm the Hollywood Tease Oh, what a lonely person you are Oh, without me you couldn't get far, Oh hot dog Want to abuse you, I'm out to confuse you Suck your blood and leave you for dead Hey I'm sarcastic, I'll treat you like a spastic Ignore every word that you say Gonna snore in your ear, spit in your beer Do whatever I please When I've broken your heart, I'll quickly depart 'Cuz I'm the Hollywood, I'm the Hollywood I'm the Hollywood, I'm the Hollywood ha, ha, Tease" |
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L.A. Guns |
Requiem (Hollywood Forever) | This is another song from "Hollywood Forever" released in 2012. "So glad to see you all again I guess the memories never really end Hope you can stay here for a spell Heaven can wait or am I going to hell My friends The end has come and gone Please stay all day Lie on my lawn And welcome to my neighborhood Life's like the beauty of a rose That wilts and dies into eternal repose Some get cut before their time Like songs left written with no final line My love, my life No need to cry I'm here, don't fear We'll never die And you know I'd kiss you if I could So many mysteries in an instant turned to naught All promised destiny, not promised as was thought And all life's certainties cut short within a blink Sometimes eternity comes sooner than you think Aah-ahh Aah-ahh The day is done Night's on its way Goodbye for now Please come again It gets lonely in this airtight box of steel Hollywood forever Hollywood forever Hollywood forever Hollywood forever And welcome to my neighborhood" |
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Lamalize It! |
California Burning | According to their Soundcloud page "Lamalize it! Is a rubadubwise live duo. Toon man on the Home Made Dubs & Mr EarlyHemp as Singjay." This song is from their album "Dub Intruders" released in October 2022. I don't speak reggae very well so I can't understand a lot of the lyrics. This is the chorus as far as I can make out: "....Watch out California burning All the trees are flashin' Watch out California's burning All the ... go sufferin' Watch out California burning All the people howlin' Watch out California burning...." |
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Kendrick Lamar (featuring MC Eiht) |
M.A.A.D. City | Kendrick Lamar is a rapper form Compton, active since 2004. MC Eiht is a rapper and actor from Compton, active since 1987. This is from Lamar's 2012 album "good kid, m.A.A.d. city." "If Pirus and Crips all got along They'd probably gun me down by the end of this song Seem like the whole city go against me Every time I'm in the street, I hear— Yawk! Yawk! Yawk! Yawk! Man down, where you from, n***a? F**ck who you know—where you from, my n***a? Where your grandma stay, huh, my n***a? This m.A.A.d city I run, my n***a Brace yourself, I'll take you on a trip down memory lane This is not a rap on how I'm slingin' crack or move cocaine This is cul-de-sac and plenty Cognac and major pain Not the drill sergeant, but the stress that weighin' on your brain It was me, L Boog, and Yan Yan, YG Lucky ride down Rosecrans It got ugly, wavin' yo' hand out the window — check yourself Uh, Warriors and Conans, hope euphoria can slow dance With society, the driver seat the first one to get killed Seen a light-skinned n***a with his brains blown out At the same burger stand where **** hang out Now this is not a tape recorder sayin' that he did it But ever since that day, I was lookin' at him different That was back when I was nine, Joey packed the nine Pakistan on every porch is fine, we adapt to crime Pack a van with four guns at a time With the sliding door, f**k is up? F**k you shootin' for if you ain't walkin' up, you f**kin' punk? Pickin' up the f**kin' pump, pickin' off you suckers Suck a d**k or die or sucker punch A wall of bullets comin' from AK's, AR's, "Ayy, y'all—duck" That's what mama said when we was eatin' that free lunch Aw man, goddamn, all hell broke loose You killed my cousin back in '94, f**ck yo' truce Now crawl your head in that noose You wind up dead on the news Ain't no peace treaty, just piecin' BGs up to pre-approve Bodies on top of bodies, IVs on top of IVs Obviously the coroner between the sheets like the Isleys When you hop on that trolley, make sure your color's correct Make sure you're corporate or they'll be callin' your mother collect They say the governor collect all of our taxes, except When we in traffic and tragic happens, that s**t ain't no threat You movin' backwards if you suggest that you sleep with a TEC Go buy a chopper and have a doctor on speed dial, I guess m.A.A.d. city Man down, where you from, n***a? F**ck who you know—where you from, my n***a? Where your grandma stay, huh, my n***a? This m.A.A.d city I run, my n***s If Pirus and Crips all got along They'd probably gun me down by the end of this song Seem like the whole city go against me Every time I'm in the street, I hear— Yawk! Yawk! Yawk!— Wake yo' punk-ass up It ain't nothin' but a Compton thang G-yeah, real simple and plain Let me teach you some lessons about the street (Smoke somethin', n***a) Hood ('Sup, cuz?) It ain't nothin' but a Compton thang G-yeah, how we do Fresh outta school 'cause I was a high school grad' Sleepin' in the living room of my mama's pad Reality struck, I seen the white car crash Hit the light pole, two n***as hopped out on foot and dashed (Watch out, cuz) My pops said I needed a job, I thought I believed him Security guard for a month and ended up leavin' In fact, I got fired 'cause I was inspired by all of my friends To stage a robbery the third Saturday I clocked in Projects tore up, gang signs get thrown up (Sup?) Cocaine laced in marijuana And they wonder why I rarely smoke now Imagine if your first blunt had you foamin' at the mouth I was straight tweakin', the next weekend we broke even I made allegiance that made a promise to see you bleedin' You know the reasons but still'll never know my life Kendrick a.k.a. 'Compton's Human Sacrifice' G-yeah, cocaine, weed N***as been mixin' s**t since the '80s, loc Sherm sticks, butt-nakeds Dip, make a n***a flip Cluck heads all up and down the block and s**t One time's crooked and s**t Block a n***a in Alondra, Rosecrans, Bullis, it's Compton I'm still in the hood, loc, yeah, that's cool S**t, the hood took me under, so I follow the rules But, yeah, that's like me, I grew up in the hood where they bang And n***as that rep colors is doin' the same thang Pass it to the left so I can smoke on me A couple drive-bys in the hood lately, yeah Couple of IV's with the f**ckin' spray-can Shots in the crowd, then everybody ran Crew I'm finna slay, the street life I crave Shots hit the enemy, hearts turn brave Mount up, regulators in the whip Down the boulevard with the pistol grip, yeah Trip, we in the hood still So, loc, grab a strap 'cause, yeah, it's so real, yeah Deal with the outcome, a strap in the hand And a bird and ten grand's where a mothaf**ka stand If I told you I killed a n***a at sixteen, would you believe me? Perceive me to be innocent Kendrick you seen in the street With a basketball and some Now and Laters to eat? If I mentioned all of my skeletons, would you jump in the seat? Would you say my intelligence now is great relief? And it's safe to say that our next generation maybe can sleep With dreams of bein' a lawyer or doctor Instead of boy with a chopper that hold the cul-de-sac hostage Kill 'em all if they gossip The Children of the Corn, they vandalizin' the option Of livin' a lie, drown their body with toxins Constantly drinkin' and drive Hit the powder, then watch this flame that arrive in his eye Listen, coward, the concept is aim and then bang it and slide Out that b**ch with deposit, a price on his head, the tithes Probably go to the projects I live inside the belly of the rough, Compton, USA Made me an Angel on Angel Dust, what? m.A.A.d city Compton N***a, pass Dot the bottle, damn You ain't the one that got f**ked up What you holdin' it for? N***as always actin' unsensitive and s**t N***a, that ain't no word N***a, shut up Hey, Dot, you good, my n***a? Don't even trip Just lay back and drink that" |
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Kendrick Lamar (featuring Dr. Dre) |
The Recipe | Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton, active since 2004. Dr. Dre is a rapper and producer from Compton active since 1985. This is from Lamar's 2012 album "good kid, m.A.A.d. city." He adds weed to wine, women and weather as reasons for visiting California. There's also Weezer, wildlife, weirdos, wildfires, the walk of fame, water shortage, Willets, Westwood Villiage, the W hotel... so many weasons. [Dr. Dre] "Every morning when I wake up Uh, money on my mind Good times and get caked up Sunshine coming through my blinds, I'm living but Really though, it's never enough 10 million, that's a must Living in California, everybody wanna visit for... [Hook] Women, weed and weather They come for Women, weed and weather For the women, weed and weather From all around the world for the Women, weed and weather Women, weed and weather ... ... ... [Kendrick Lamar] You might catch me in Atlanta looking like a boss New Orleans and then Miami Party in New York Texas I be screwed up, chi town I be really pimpin' But nothing like my hometown I'm forever living [Hook:] Women, weed and weather They come for Women, weed and weather For the women, weed and weather From all around the world for the Women, weed and weather Got that women, weed and weather Yo, it sound clever, come and play Wha-Wha-what more can I say Welcome to L.A." |
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Adam Lambert |
Ghost Town | Adam Lambert is a singer-songwriter from San Diego who rose to fame after his appearance on American Idol. This is the title track from his 3rd album The Original High released in 2015, and it's part simple strummed guitar, and part the kind of metallic beats and atonal synthesized farts and burps that are popular in pop and dance music these days. I'm not sure exactly what's going on in the lyrics, but it seems to be about L.A. - Hollywood sold out, James Dean and Elvis are dead, and the singer is wandering through a rusty ghost town full of vampires. "Died last night in my dreams Walking the streets Of some old ghost town I tried to believe In God and James Dean But Hollywood sold out Saw all of the saints Lock up the gates I could not enter Walked into the flames Called out your name But there was no answer And now I know my heart is a ghost town My heart is a ghost town My heart is a ghost town My heart is a ghost town Died last night in my dreams All the machines Had been disconnected Time was thrown at the wind And all of my friends Had been disaffected Now, I'm searching for trust In a city of rust A city of vampires Tonight, Elvis is dead And everyone's spread And love is a satire And now I know my heart is a ghost town My heart is a ghost town My heart is a ghost town My heart is a ghost town...." |
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Miranda Lambert |
California | Maria Lambert is a country superstar from Texas. This is a country ballad about the California boy who left her. It's a bonus track off her 2005 album "Me and Charlie Talking." "I met him on the edge of a goodbye. I was standing there with no place left to fly. I was young but never green, a little wiser than my time it seemed. He told me about the places he could hide. Wild and kinda crazy most the time. My heart was hanging on his every lie. I memorized his every thought, But the walls he had could never be brought down, And now he's not around. Guess I'm just a face left in the crowd. Oh California, please come back to me.... Oh California, you're who I want to be... Live inside of me... Vivid picture plays inside my head. Of things he swore we'd never do again. He put on that L.A. face And left me with a bittersweet taste of life. And that's enough to keep me alive." |
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Ray LaMontagne |
Airwaves | Ray LaMontagne is a singer-songwriter from New Hampshire, Utah, and Maine who put out his first album in 2004. This folk rockish song is from his album "Supernova" released in 2014. I can't find any place called "Landis Hill" but it must be somewhere in L.A. area. "Where're you going Rusty James? To rumble on miles and change What you doing Patty Sue? She says "whatcha thinking?" I'm coming with you I'm coming with you Rolling out of East L.A. Making our way to Santa Fe Man, sure do look pretty, she said Feels so good to get myself out of the city Through the airwaves Can't you feel the fall out? It's in the airwaves Can't you hear me calling out? (Help me, help me, jump and shout) (Help me, help me, jump and shout) (Help me, help me, jump and shout) (Help me, help me, jump and shout) Sitting on Landis Hill Staring out at Beverly Hills Everybody moving so fast Makes you feel like you're already part of the past Through the airwaves Can't you feel the fall out? It's in the airwaves Can't you hear me calling out?...." |
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Ray LaMontagne |
Ojai | This light rock song with pedal steel guitar is from "Supernova" released in 2014. Ojai is a popular tourist town a few miles north of Ventura that bans chain stores to encourage small businesses and keep the town unique. The PCH is the Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 1, that passes through Ventura. "I've been a Savior, a Sideman, a Stranger Stung by anger, burned by law Feel so scattered, like nothing really matters anymore Put that sign out, on my front door Hitchin a ride on the PCH I got some things I need to say Callin' out a friend of mine I don't know where the years have gone Just know I'm worse for hangin' on Maybe it'd be best if I just let things lie Guess I'm never gonna get back to Ojai I knew a good man, he was a break in the clouds Hangin' so low down It's got me to thinking, it's not like he gave in He just never got that second win Hitchin a ride on the PCH I got some things I need to say Callin' out a friend of mine I don't know where the years have gone Just know I'm worse for hangin' on Maybe it'd be best if I just let things lie Guess I'm never gonna get back to Ojai Ojai Ojai I've been a Savior, a Sideman, a Stranger Son, hedge your wager, cause life ain't fair I been shaken, sorely mistaken, this path I've taken Ain't goin nowhere Hitchin a ride on the PCH I got some things I need to say Callin' out a friend of mine I don't know where the years have gone Just know I'm worse for hangin' on Maybe it'd be best if I just let things lie Guess I'm never gonna get back to Ojai Guess I'm never gonna get back to Ojai" |
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Lana Del Rey |
A&W | Lana Del Rey is the stage name of singer-songwriter Elizabeth Grant from New York. It’s hard to describe her unique sound, but it's typically slow and torchy, dark and beautiful. “Hollywood Sadcore,” “Gangsta Nancy Sinatra,” and “Lolita lost in the hood” are a few of the clever descriptions I've read describing her style. This song is from the album "Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd" released in 2023. The song appears on a lot of media lists of the best songs of 2023 and was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. (A&W here probably stands for "American whore" and not the A&W brand of root beer and fast-food restaurants whose slogan is "All American Food.") "I haven't done a cartwheel since I was nine I haven't seen my mother in a long, long time I mean, look at me Look at the length of my hair, and my face, the shape of my body Do you really think I give a damn What I do after years of just hearing them talking? I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter Call him up, 'Come into my bedroom' Ended up, we f**k on the hotel floor It's not about havin' someone to love me anymore This is the experience of bein' an American whore Called up one drunk, called up another Forensic Files wasn't on Watching Teenage Diary of a Girl Wondering what went wrong I'm a princess, I'm divisive Ask me why, why, why I'm like this Maybe I'm just kinda like this I don't know, maybe I'm just like this I say I live in Rosemead, really, I'm at the Ramada It doesn't really matter, doesn't really, really matter Call him up, he comes over again Yeah, I know I'm over my head but, oh It's not about havin' someone to love me anymore No, this is the experience of bein' an American whore I mean, look at my hair Look at the length of it and the shape of my body If I told you that I was raped Do you really think that anybody would think I didn't ask for it? I didn't ask for it I won't testify, I already fu**ed up my story On top of this (Mm), so many other things you can't believe Did you know a singer can still be Looking like a sidepiece at thirty-three? Got a cop who turned on the backbeat Puts the shower on while he calls me Slips out the back door to talk to me I'm invisible, look how you hold me I'm invisible, I'm invisible I'm a ghost now, look how you hold me now It's not about havin' someone to love me anymore (Oh, okay) No, this is the experience of bein' an American whore It's not about havin' someone to love me anymore No, this is the experience of bein' an American whore...." |
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Lana Del Rey |
Arcadia | This song is from the album "Blue Banisters" released in 2021. Arcadia is a city in Los Angeles County near the San Gabriel Mountains. It's also the unspoiled pastoral utopia of ancient myth, which, last time I was there, Arcadia California definitely was not. The Sierra Madre is a mountain range near Santa Barbara, and it's also the name of a town just north of Arcadia. I don't know which Arcadia the GPS Goddess is singing about, or how much Hilton Hotels and Toyota paid her for the multiple product placements. I do know that I'd like to borrow her body next time I'm in L.A. It sounds like it would be more fun than using GPS or an old Thomas Guide. "My body is a map of L.A. I stand straight like an angel, with a halo Hangin' out the Hilton Hotel window Screamin', "Heyo, baby, let's go" My chest, the Sierra Madre My hips, every high and byway That you trace with your fingertips like a Toyota Run your hands over me like a Land Rover In Arcadia, Arcadia All roads that lead to you as integral to me as arteries That pump the blood that flows straight to the heart of me America, America I can't sleep at home tonight, send me a Hilton Hotel Or a cross on the hill, I'm a lost little girl Findin' my way to ya Arcadia My body is a map of L.A. And my heart is like paper, I hate ya I'm not from the land of the palms, so I know I can't stay here I'm not native, but My curves, San Gabriel all day And my lips like the fire licks the bay If you think that you know yourself, you can come over Lay your hands on me like you're a Land Rover In Arcadia, Arcadia All roads that lead to you as integral to me as arteries That get the blood flowing straight to the heart of me America, I need a miracle I can't sleep at home tonight, send me a Hilton Hotel Or a cross on the hill, I'm a lost little girl Findin' my way to ya Arcadia They built me up three hundred feet tall just to tear me down So I'm leavin' with nothing but laughter, and this town Arcadia Findin' my way to ya I'm leavin' them as I was, five foot eight Western bound, plus the hate that they gave By the way, thanks for that, on the way, I'll pray for ya But you'll need a miracle America" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Bartender | This song is from the 2019 album "Norman F***ing Rockwell!"
which I think of as a California album
since most of the songs on the album have a reference to L.A. and Hollywood and her journey there from New York. Like a pop song actress, she plays a lot of different roles on this album. There are so many references to L.A. on the album that L.A. Magazine has an article mapping every L.A. reference on it. There are also enough references to other pop songs that someone should map those. This one references Joni Mitchell's song/album "Ladies of the Canyon." "All the ladies of the canyon Wearing black to their house parties Crosby, Stills and Nash is playing Wine is flowing with Bacardi But sometimes, girls just want to have fun The poetry inside of me is warm like a gun I bought me a truck in the middle of the night It'll buy me a year if I play my cards right Photo-free exits from baby's bedside 'Cause they don't yet know what car I drive I'm just tryna keep my love alive With my bartender, hold me all night Bartender, our love's alive Baby, remember, I'm not drinking wine But that Cherry Coke you serve is fine And our love's sweet enough on the vine Bartender, bar-t-t-tender All the ladies of the canyon Wearing white for their tea parties Playing games of levitation Meditating in the garden And I love the little games that we play From the valley to the beach And when at last the day is done, I grab my keys I bought me a truck in the middle of the night It'll buy me a year if I play my cards right Photo-free exits from baby's bedside 'Cause they don't yet know what car I drive I'm just tryna keep my love alive With my bartender, hold me all night Bartender, our love's alive Baby, remember, I'm not drinking wine But that Cherry Coke you serve is fine And our love's sweet enough on the vine Bar-t-t-tender, bar-t-t-tender, bar-t-t-tender Ha, ha, ha, ha I bought me a truck in the middle of the night 60 MPH on PCH drive Here to Long Beach to Newport by your side As they don't yet know where I reside 60 miles from the last place I hide With my bar-t-t-tender, hold me all night Bar-t-t-tender, keep love alive Bar-t-t-tender" |
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Lana Del Rey |
California | This is another song from 2019's "Norman F**king Rockwel! discussed above. "You don't ever have to be stronger than you really are When you're lying in my arms, baby You don't ever have to go faster than your fastest pace Or faster than my fastest cars I shouldn't have done it, but I read it in your letter You said to a friend that you wish you were doing better I wanted to reach out, but I never said a thing I shouldn't have done it, but I read it in your letter You said to a friend that you wish you were doing better I wanted to call you, but I didn't say a thing Oh, I'll pick you up If you come back to America, just hit me up 'cause this is crazy love, I'll catch you on the flip side If you come back to California, you should just hit me up We'll do whatever you want, travel wherever how far We'll hit up all the old places We'll have a party, we'll dance 'til dawn I'll pick up all of your Vogues and all of your Rolling Stones Your favorite liquor off the top shelf I'll throw a party all night long You don't ever have to be stronger than you really are When you're lying in my arms, and, honey You don't ever have to act cooler than you think you should You're brighter than the brightest stars You're scared to win, scared to lose I've heard the war was over if you really choose The one in and around you You hate the heat, you got the blues Changing like the weather, oh, that's so like you The Santa Ana moves you Oh, I'll pick you up If you come back to America, just hit me up 'cause this is crazy love, I'll catch you on the flip side If you come back to California, you should just hit me up...." |
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Lana Del Rey |
Cochella - Woodstock in my Mind | This is from "Lust For Life" released in 2017. Coachella, of course, refers to the music festival that happens there in the spring. "I was at Coachella leanin' on your shoulder Watchin' your husband swing in time I guess I was in it 'cause, baby, for a minute It was Woodstock in my mind In the next mornin' they put out the warnin' Tensions were rising over country lines I turned off the music, tried to sit and use it All of the love that I saw that night 'Cause what about all these children And what about all their parents? And what about all their crowns they wear In hair so long like mine? And what about all their wishes wrapped up like garland roses Round their little heads? I said a prayer for a third time I'd trade it all for a stairway to heaven (A stairway, stairway to heaven) I'd take my time for the climb up to the top of it (A stairway) I'd trade the fame and the fortune and the legend (A stairway) I'd give it all away if you give me just one day to ask Him one question I'd give it all away if you give me just one day to ask Him one question I was at Coachella leaning on your shoulder Watchin' your husband swing and shine I'd say he was hella cool to win them over Critics can be so mean sometimes He was on his knees and I thought he was breakin' 'em down With his words and his voice divine Doesn't take a genius to know what you've got going And to not wanna lose it 'cause they lost their minds What about all these children and all their children's children? And why am I even wonderin' that today? Maybe my contribution could be as small as hoping That words could turn to birds and birds would send my thoughts your way I'd trade it all for a stairway to heaven (A stairway, stairway to heaven) I'd take my time for the climb up to the top of it (A stairway) I'd trade the fame and the fortune and the legend (A stairway) I'd give it all away if you give me just one day to ask Him one question I'd give it all away if you give me just one day to ask Him one question A stairway, stairway to heaven A stairway Got a million things I wanna say Like, what's it all for? Will it be okay? Million things I wanna say Like, what's it all for? Stairway, stairway to heaven Stairway Stairway, stairway to heaven Stairway" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.? | This slow dreamy ballad was released in December 2022 as an early sample of an album due out in March, 2023. The Hi-Lo website describes the tunnel under Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach as the Jergins Tunnel, which opened in 1928 and closed to the public in 1967. Los Angeles also has an extensive network of abandoned tunnels, including the old Red Line subway tunnels and tunnels to prohibition-era speakeasies. There's a lot of info online if you Google "Los Angeles underground tunnels", including a video tour from Oddity Odysseys and a brief Wickipedia entry. When you look into it, it's surprising how much interest there is in abandoned tunnels in L.A. as well as all over the world. The singer wonders when she and her tunnel will be closed off and forgotten like the Jergins tunnel. (Certainly a lot of people would still enjoy a bit of spelunking in the singer's underpass before it's abandoned.) This is something everyone thinks about as they age, but not me - my tunnel was sealed off long ago and is now inhabited by an alligator that was flushed down a toilet as a baby then got mutated by toxic chemicals until it grew into a gigantic man-eating monster. Or wait... maybe that was a movie I saw... Speaking of movies with abandoned tunnels, mysterious underworlds and other secret underground places, delving into the subject can really take you down a rabbit hole. There are so many movies that feature them - "Alice in Wonderland", "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Goonies", "Delicatessen", "Subway", "Big Trouble in Little China", and "Underground" are just a few examples. There's also "The Tunnel", about an abandoned network of tunnels under Sydney, Australia, and "Us", which informs us that there are thousands of miles of abandoned and forgotten underground tunnels all over the country. "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard? Mosaic ceilings, painted tiles on the wall I can't help but feel somewhat like my body marred my soul Handmade beauty sealed up by two man-made walls And I'm like When's it gonna be my turn? When's it gonna be my turn? Open me up, tell me you like it F**k me to death, love me until I love myself There's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard There's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard There's a girl that sings 'Hotel California' Not because she loves the notes or sounds that sound like Florida It's because she's in a world, preserved, only a few have found the door It's like Camarillo, only silver mirrors, running down the corridor Oh, man When's it gonna be my turn? Don't forget me When's it gonna be my turn? Open me up, tell me you like me F**k me to death, love me until I love myself There's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard Don't forget me There's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard Harry Nilsson has a song, his voice breaks at 2:05 Something about the way he says 'Don't forget me' makes me feel like I just wish I had a friend like him, someone to get me by Lennon in the back, whisperin' in my ear 'Come on, baby, you can thrive' But I can't When's it gonna be my turn? Don't forget me When's it gonna be my turn? Open me up, tell me you like it F**k me to death, love me until I love myself There's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard Don't forget me Like the tunnel under Ocean Boulevard Don't forget me Like the tunnel under Ocean Boulevard Don't forget me Like the tunnel under Ocean Boulevard Don't forget me, don't forget me No, don't, don't forget me Don't you, don't you forget me" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Freak | This is from the album "Honeymoon" released in 2015. "Flames so hot that they turn blue Palms reflecting in your eyes, like an endless summer That's the way I feel for you If time stood still, I'd take this moment, make it last forever Your halo's full of fire I'm rising up, rising up My hot love's full of fire Love's full of fire La, ah Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California Be a freak like me, too Screw your anonymity, loving me is all you need To feel like I do We could slow dance to rock music, kiss while we do it Talk 'til we both turn blue Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California Be a freak like me, too Leather black and eyes of blue (blue, blue, blue) Sun reflecting in your eyes, like an easy rider Life makes sense when I'm with you Looking back, my past It all seems stranger than a stranger So let's dance in slow motion Tear it up, tear it up Let's dance by the ocean Ah, ah Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California Be a freak like me, too Screw your anonymity, loving me is all you need To feel like I do We could slow dance to rock music, kiss while we do it Talk 'til we both turn blue Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California Be a freak like me, too Ooh-ooh You're cold as ice, baby But when you're nice, baby You're so amazing in every way Ooh-ooh You're cold as ice, baby I don't wanna fight, baby It's like I told you If you stay, I'll stay (yeah) Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California Be a freak like me, too (Take it to the back if you really wanna talk) Screw your anonymity, loving me is all you need To feel like I do (Take it to the back if you really wanna talk) We could slow dance to rock music, kiss while we do it Talk 'til we both turn blue Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California Be a freak like me, too" |
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Lana Del Rey |
F**k It, I Love You | This is a great single from LDR's hit 2019 album "Norman F**king Rockwell" (discussed above) that makes me wonder if she's going for the record for use of the F-word in a song. (I'll have to check the Guiness book.) Whatever, I don't expect to hear it much on the radio. Not because it's a bad song, but because after they censor it, there won't be much left to hear. And the whole album is full of F-words, too, in case you didn't get enough in this song. Soon we're going to need a new F-word, because this one is getting used up. "I like to see everything in neon Drink lime green, stay up 'til dawn Maybe the way that I'm living is killing me I like to light up the stage with a song Do s**t to keep me turned on But one day I woke up like "Maybe I'll do it differently" So I moved to California‚ but it's just a state of mind It turns out everywhere you go‚ you take yourself‚ that's not a lie Wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine It's killing me slowly Dream a little dream of me Make me into something sweet Turn the radio on, dancing to a pop song F**k it, I love you F**k it‚ I love you F**k it, I love you I really do I used to shoot up my veins in neon And s**t's even brighter, you're gone So many things I would say to you I want you You moved to California, but it's just a state of mind And you know everyone adores you You can't feel it and you're tired Baby‚ wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine But it's killing me slowly Dream a little dream of me Turn this into something sweet Turn the radio on, dancing to a pop song F**k it, I love you F**k it, I love you F**k it, I love you I really do It turns out California's more than just a state of mind I met you on the boulevard, wind through my hair, you blew my mind And if I wasn't so f**ked up, I think I'd f**k you all the time (I really do) It's killing me slowly F**k it, I love you (I moved to California, but it's just a state of mind) F**k it, I love you (It turns out everywhere you go, you take yourself, that's not a lie) F**k it, I love you (Wish that you would hold me or just say that you were mine) I really do (It's killing me slowly) (F**k it, I love you) California dreamin', got my money on my mind (F**k it, I love you) Chances in my veins, running out of time (F**k it, I love you) California dreamin', got my money on my mind (I really do) Chances in my veins, running out of time (F**k it, I love you) California dreamin', got my money on my mind (F**k it, I love you) Chances in my veins, running out of time (F**k it, I love you) California dreamin', got my money on my mind (I really do) Chances in my veins, running out of time" |
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Lana Del Rey |
The Greatest | An apocalyptic vision of L.A. from 2019's "Norman F***ing Rockwell! discussed above. Apparently Kanye West going blonde is one of the signs of the Apocalypse. "I miss Long Beach and I miss you, babe I miss dancing with you the most of all I miss the bar where the Beach Boys would go Dennis's last stop before Kokomo Those nights were on fire We couldn't get higher We didn't know that we had it all But nobody warns you before the fall And I pray that you stay Don't leave, I just need a wake-up call I'm facing the greatest The greatest loss of them all The culture is lit and I had a ball I guess I'm signing off after all I miss New York and I miss the music Me and my friends, we miss rock and roll I want s**t to feel just like it used to And, baby, I was doing nothing the most of all The culture is lit and if this is it, I had a ball I guess that I'm burned out after all Oh I pray that you stay Don't leave, I just need a wake-up call I'm facing the greatest The greatest loss of them all The culture is lit and I had a ball I guess that I'm burned out after all If this is it, I'm signing off Miss doing nothing, the most of all Oh I just missed a fireball L.A. is in flames, it's getting hot Kanye West is blonde and gone "Life on Mars" ain't just a song Oh, the lifestream's almost on" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Happiness is a Butterfly | This is another song from 2019's "Norman F**king Rockwel! discussed above. "Do you want me or do you not? I heard one thing, now I'm hearing another Dropped a pin to my parking spot The bar was hot, it's 2 AM, it feels like summer Happiness is a butterfly Try to catch it, like, every night It escapes from my hands into moonlight Every day is a lullaby Hum it on the phone, like, every night Sing it for my babies on the tour life, ah If he's a serial killer, then what's the worst That can happen to a girl who's already hurt? I'm already hurt If he's as bad as they say, then I guess I'm cursed Looking into his eyes, I think he's already hurt He's already hurt I said, 'Don't be a jerk, don't call me a taxi' Sitting in your sweatshirt, crying in the backseat, ooh I just wanna dance with you Hollywood and Vine, Black Rabbit in the alley I just wanna hold you tight down the avenue I just wanna dance with you I just wanna dance with you Baby, I just wanna dance (Dance) With you (Dance) Baby, I just wanna dance (Dance) With you Left the canyon, drove to the club I was one thing, now I'm being another Laurel down to Sunset in the truck I'll pick you up if you're in town on the corner, ah Happiness is a butterfly We should catch it while dancing I lose myself in the music, baby Every day is a lullaby Try to catch it like lightning I sing it into my music, I'm crazy If he's a serial killer, then what's the worst That can happen to a girl who's already hurt? I'm already hurt If he's as bad as they say, then I guess I'm cursed Looking into his eyes, I think he's already hurt He's already hurt I said, 'Don't be a jerk, don't call me a taxi' Sitting in your sweatshirt, crying in the backseat, ooh I just wanna dance with you Hollywood and Vine, Black Rabbit in the alley I just wanna hold you tight down the avenue I just wanna dance with you I just wanna dance with you Baby, I just wanna dance (Dance) With you (Dance) Baby, I just wanna dance (Dance) With you " |
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Lana Del Rey |
Hollywood | This is an unreleased song, possibly an unreleased track from her EP "Paradise" released in 2012. "One day my hoops will be made of diamonds And my knuckles made of real gold I'll spend my days gettin' high with all my friends In the glamorous and green old part of Hollywood Summer rise, I'm a supernova Body electric and I dance like Morrison When the night begins, baby comes alive again In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood I'm alive again I'm alive again One day I'll drive in a gold Mercedes Benz Singing opera on Bel Air road Hair to my ass we'll be flying in the wind Shootin' heroin and speedballs. See the sea, I'm a supernova, I walk on water and I dance like Joplin When the sun descends, I dive into the waves again In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood I'm alive again I'm alive again Oh my ca-can ya' see me Oh oh my heart beating fast I can feel it chasing in the speed lights I was built to last Oh oh, ca-can ya' feel that Oh oh my heart shaking fast I can feel that you're the one for me You'll be my first, and you'll be my last In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood I'm alive again I'm alive again I'm alive again I'm alive again" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Hollywood's Dead | This is an "unreleased" song recorded in 2011 and leaked in 2012 that commemorates a lot of dead stars - Elvis, Sid Vicious, Marc Bolan, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and Curt Cobain. Genius.com shows the lyric "Roland" instead of "Bolan" and references Ruth Roland, an actress who died in 1937, but that can't be right. She doesn't fit in with the rest of the stars while Bolan, who died tragically young, does. "Our kind of love It was once in a lifetime It couldn't last It was doomed from the first time And you Were '50s cool In blue suede shoes But it was a cover for all of the trouble You got into I always fall for the wrong guy Things that are bad always taste nice That's what girls like me do, lose you Don't tell me it's over Don't tell me it's over Hollywood's dead Elvis is cryin' Vicious in flames Bolan is dyin' And in the light, you're sickeningly beautiful Say goodbye, you're sickeningly beautiful This kind of life Wasn't meant for the good girl Try as I might In the end, it's a cruel world And you Are livin' proof Sinatra aloof But you were an actor who only went after The ones who swooned I always fall for the same type Gangsters in Vegas on game night That's what girls like me like The limelight Don't tell me it's over Don't tell me it's over Hollywood's dead Elvis is cryin' Marilyn's sad Hendrix is lying there In the light, you're sickeningly beautiful Say goodbye, you're sickeningly beautiful If you should go before me, then know That I always loved you There's no one above you, babe Don't tell me it's over Don't tell me it's over Hollywood's dead Elvis is cryin' Lennon, wake up Cobain, stop lying there In the light, you're sickeningly beautiful Say goodbye, you're sickeningly beautiful Say goodnight, you're so beautiful Hollywood's dead Hollywood's dead Hollywood's dead, yeah Hollywood's dead Hollywood's dead Hollywood's dead, yeah Cut" |
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Lana Del Rey |
How To Disappear | This is another song from 2019's "Norman F**king Rockwel! discussed above. "John met me down on the boulevard Cried on his shoulder 'cause life is hard The waves came in over my head What you been up to, my baby? Haven't seen you 'round here lately All of the guys tell me lies, but you don't You just crack another beer And pretend that you're still here This is how to disappear This is how to disappear Joe met me down at the training yard Cuts on his face 'cause he fought too hard I know he's in over his head But I love that man like nobody can He moves mountains and pounds them to ground again I watched the guys getting high as they fight For the things that they hold dear To forget the things they fear This is how to disappear This is how to disappear Now it's been years since I left New York I've got a kid and two cats in the yard The California sun and the movie stars I watch the skies getting light as I write, as I Think about those years As I whisper in your ear I'm always going to be right here No one's going anywhere" |
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Lana Del Rey (featuring The Weeknd) |
Lust For Life | The Weeknd is a Canadian singer-songwriter. This is from Del Rey's album also titled "Lust for Life" released in 2017. At first I thought it might be a cover of the Iggy Pop classic, Lust For Life, but it’s not even close. Failed actress Peg Entwistle jumped to her death from the "H" of the Hollywood Sign in 1932, and Del Rey certainly knows that story, so there’s a bit of lust for death as well as life in the song. “Climb up the H Of the Hollywood Sign, yeah In these stolen moments The world is mine (do it, do it) There's nobody here Just us together (shut up, shut up) Keepin' me hot Like July forever 'Cause we're the masters of our own fate We're the captains of our own souls There's no way for us to come away 'Cause boy we're gold, boy we're gold And I was like... Take off, take off Take off all your clothes Take off, take off Take off all your clothes Take off, take off Take off all of your clothes They say only the good die young That just ain't right 'Cause we're having too much fun Too much fun tonight, yeah And a lust for life, and a lust for life And a lust for life, and a lust for life Keeps us alive, keeps us alive Keeps us alive, keeps us alive And a lust for life, and a lust for life And a lust for life, and a lust for life Keeps us alive, keeps us alive Keeps us alive, keeps us alive Then, we dance on the H Of the Hollywood Sign, yeah 'Til we run out of breath Gotta dance 'til we die (doo-wop, doo-wop) My boyfriend's back And he's cooler than ever (shoo-wop, shoo-wop) There's no more night Blue skies forever….” |
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Lana Del Rey |
Norman F***ing Rockwell | This is another song from 2019's "Norman F**king Rockwel! discussed above. "Goddamn, man-child You f**ked me so good that I almost said, "I love you" You're fun and you're wild But you don't know the half of the s**t that you put me through Your poetry's bad and you blame the news But I can't change that, and I can't change your mood Ah-ah 'Cause you're just a man It's just what you do Your head in your hands As you color me blue Yeah, you're just a man All through and through Your head in your hands As you color me blue Blue, blue, blue Goddamn, man-child You act like a kid even though you stand six foot two Self-loathing poet, resident Laurel Canyon know-it-all You talk to the walls when the party gets bored of you But I don't get bored, I just see it through Why wait for the best when I could have you? You-oh-oh 'Cause you're just a man It's just what you do Your head in your hands As you color me blue Yeah, you're just a man All through and through Your head in your hands As you color me blue Blue, blue You make me blue Blue, blue Blue, blue, blue Blue, blue, blue" |
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Lana Del Rey |
The Next Best American Record | This is another song from 2019's "Norman F**king Rockwel! discussed above. with several references to places and freeways around L.A. "My baby used to dance underneath my architecture To the 'Houses of the Holy' Smoking on them cigarettes My baby used to dance underneath my architecture He was cool as heck He was cool as heck And we were so obsessed with writing the next best American record That we gave all we had to the time we got to bed 'Cause we knew we could We were so obsessed with writing the next best American record 'Cause we were just that good It was just that good Whatever's on tonight I just wanna party with you Topanga's hot tonight I'm taking off my bathing suit You make me feel like There's something that I never knew I wanted My baby used to dance underneath my architecture He was seventies in spirit; nineties in his frame of mind My baby used to dance underneath my architecture We lost track of space We lost track of time And we were so obsessed with writing the next best American record That we gave all we had to the time we got to bed 'Cause we knew we could We were so obsessed with writing the next best American record 'Cause we were just that good It was just that good Whatever's on tonight I just wanna party with you Topanga's hot tonight I'm taking off my bathing suit You make me feel like There's something that I never knew I wanted We play the Eagles down in Malibu And I want it It's true All the roads lead to you Everything I want and do All the things that I say It's true All the roads lead to you Like the 405 I drive through Every night and every day I see you for who you really are Why the thousands of girls Love the way Bill plays guitar Whatever's on tonight I just wanna party with you Topanga's hot tonight I'm taking off my bathing suit You make me feel like There's something that I never knew I wanted We play the Eagles down in Malibu And I want it There's something that I never knew I wanted" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Radio | This is from her major-label album debut "Born to Die" released in 2012. "Not even they can stop me now Boy, I be flying overhead Their heavy words can't bring me down Boy, I've been raised from the dead} No one even knows how hard life was I don't even think about it now because I finally found you (Oh, sing it to me) Now my life is sweet like cinnamon Like a f**kin' dream I'm livin' in Baby, love me 'cause I'm playing on the radio How do you like me now? Lick me up and take me like a vitamin 'Cause my body's sweet like sugar venom, oh yeah Baby, love me 'cause I'm playing on the radio How do you like me now? American dreams came true somehow I swore I'd chase 'em 'til I was dead I heard the streets were paved with gold That's what my father said No one even knows what life was like Now I'm in L.A. and it's paradise I finally found you (Oh, sing it to me) Now my life is sweet like cinnamon Like a f**kin' dream I'm livin' in Baby, love me 'cause I'm playing on the radio How do you like me now? Lick me up and take me like a vitamin 'Cause my body's sweet like sugar venom, oh yeah Baby, love me 'cause I'm playing on the radio How do you like me now?...." |
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Lana Del Rey |
Taco Truck x VB | This song is from "Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd." released in 2023. It's in two parts. The second part, VB is based onher 2018 song "Venice Bitch" which is also on this list. [Part 1: Taco Truck] Met my boyfriend down at the taco truck Pass me my vape, I'm feelin' sick, I need to take a puff Imagine if we actually gave a f**k Wouldn't that be somethin' to talk about for us? Caribbean Blue in sweater weather, I'm falling into your Although it seems I've gotten better, I can be violent too Oh, that's why they call me Lanita When I get down, I'm bonita Don't come find me in Reseda I'll go crazy Read my gold chain, says 'Lanita' When I'm violent, it's Carlito's Way Blood on my feet, on the street I'm dancin' crazy Spin it 'til you whip it into white cream, baby Print it into black and white pages, don't faze me Before you talk, let me stop what you're saying I know, I know, I know that you hate me [Spoken Outro: Margaret Qualley] Honey, I got up so early And then, I got into the shower I was just able to go back to sleep for a hour and a half So that rocked, um, anyway (Ah, ah) I had this dream where, um, aha, I don't know [Part 2: VB] (Signin' off, bang, bang, kiss, kiss) You heard my baby's back in town now (Oh no) You should come, come over We'll be hanging around now You should come, come over Back, back to the garden We're gettin' high now because we're older Me, myself, I like diamonds My baby, crimson and clover Oh God, I miss you on my lips It's me, your little Venice Bitch On the stoop with your neighborhood kids Callin' out, bang, bang, kiss, kiss (Ah, ah, shatter) Calling' out, bang, bang, kiss, kiss (Ah, yeah, ah, shatter) Signin' off, bang, bang, kiss, kiss (Yeah, yeah) Back in the garden We're gettin' high now because we're older Me, myself, I like diamonds My baby, crimson and clover Wha-wha-wha-wha-whatever Everything, whatever Wha-wha-wha-wha-whatever Everything's whatever Oh God, I miss you on my lips (I do, I do) It's me, your little Venice bitch (Yes, it is) On the stoop with the neighborhood kids Callin' out, bang, bang, kiss, kiss (Ah, ah, shatter) Callin' out, bang, bang, kiss, kiss (Ah, yeah, ah, shatter) Signin' off, bang, bang, kiss, kiss (Yeah, yeah) If you weren't mine, I'd be (Get high) Jealous of your love (Drop acid) If you weren't mine, I'd be (Never die) Jealous of your love (Not tonight, Lake Placid) If you weren't mine, I'd be Jealous of your love (Yeah) If you weren't mine, I'd be Jealous of your love If you weren't mine, I'd be (Oh, God, I miss you on my lips) Jealous of your love (It's me, your little Venice Bitch) If you weren't mine, I'd be (On the stoop with the neighborhood kids) Jealous of your love (Calling out, bang bang, kiss kiss) Mmm, mmm (Lake Placid) Callin' out, bang, bang, kiss, kiss Mmm (Jealous of your love) Signin' off, bang, bang, kiss, kiss Mmm (Yeah)" |
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Lana Del Rey |
Venice Bitch | This is an epic-length song from LDR, with shoe-gazy guitars and analog synths. It was released in 2018 then put on her 2019 album "Norman F***ing Rockwell! discussed above. It's another of many songs that reference the classic song "Crimson and Clover" maybe the first dream pop tune. She has other nods to classic rock songs, also. I was surprised but happy to see this song on several "best songs of 2018" lists, even though they all felt they had to censor the title. I see no reason to censor it, especially when it's used by a woman to refer to herself. Maybe the B word is like the N word in that way. I just hope the Google bot Stormtroopers don't tag me and censor the site or whatever they do when they find a dirty word. Besides, it's a clever play on "Venice Beach," the famous tourist destination in southern California. "Fear fun, fear love Fresh out of f**ks, forever Tryin' to be stronger for you Ice cream, ice queen I dream in jeans and leather Life's dream I'm sweet for you Oh god, miss you on my lips It's me, your little Venice bitch On the stoop with the neighborhood kids Callin' out, bang bang, kiss kiss You're in the yard, I light the fire And as the summer fades away Nothing gold can stay You write, I tour, we make it work You're beautiful and I'm insane We're American-made Give me Hallmark One dream, one life, one lover Paint me happy and blue Norman Rockwell No hype under our covers It's just me and you Oh god, miss you on my lips It's me, your little Venice bitch On the stoop with the neighborhood kids Callin' out, bang bang, kiss kiss You're in the yard, I light the fire And as the summer fades away Nothing gold can stay You write, I tour, we make it work You're beautiful and I'm insane We're American-made ... ... ... ... Young baby is back in town now You should come, come over We'll be hanging around now You should come, come over Oh god, I love him on my lips It's me, your little Venice bitch Touch me with your fingertips It's me, your little Venice bitch Out back in the garden We're getting high now, because we're older Be myself, I like diamonds My baby crimson and clover..." |
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Lana Del Rey
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West Coast | From her 2014 album "Ultraviolence" She never mentions California, but the location is obviously L.A. It can't be Portland or Seattle - they're "up" on the West Coast. "Down on the West Coast, they got their icons Their silver starlets, their Queens of Saigons And you've got the music, you've got the music in you, don't you? Down on the West Coast, they love their movies Their golden gods, and rock and roll groupies And you've got the music, you've got the music in you, don't you? You push it hard, I pull away, I'm feeling hotter than fire I guess that no one ever really made me feel that much higher Te deseo, cariño, boy, it's you I desire Your love, your love, your love" |
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Langhorne Slim |
Say Yes | Langhorne Slim is Sean Scolnick, a singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania. This is an upbeat neo-folk song from his album "Be Set Free" released in 2009. "Darling, nobody plans it this way. We're floating or falling We're gonna land either way. Put on your blue lipstick and I'll put on my Venus boots. We're in California But it might as well be the moon. Say yes Say yes Say yes" |
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LANY |
Alonica | LANY is a pop group from Los Angeles, formed in Nashville in 2014. LANY is an acronym for Los Angeles New York. This pop song is from their album "A Beautiful Blur" released in 2023. "I’m falling out of love with you, L.A. Running out of reasons I should stay I’m overwhelmed, I’m over it, it’s too cold here anyway I’m falling out of love with you, L.A. Back to Alonica, where the sun is out all the time My favorite beach is there and the sand it stretches for miles Sing la di di da and slowly dance until the morning comes I feel most at home when I’m back in Alonica Darling, I have finally settled in The water’s perfect for a midnight swim It’s paradise, the stars and I are catching up like old friends My heart is learning how to love again Back to Alonica, where the sun is out all the time My favorite beach is there and the sand it stretches for miles Sing la di di da and slowly dance until the morning comes I feel most at home when I’m back in Alonica Made up of a thousand colors, everything is in its place I don’t know the last time there were tears like this upon my face Every artist falls in wonder, even Michelangelo If god is really out there somewhere, this must be his other home Back to Alonica, where the sun is out all the time My favorite beach is there and the sand it stretches for miles Sing la di di da and slowly dance until the morning comes I feel most at home when I’m back in Alonica" |
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LANY |
Cowboy in L.A. | This song is from the album "Mama's Boy" released in 2020 "Palm trees square dancing under the moon Sunsets, they ain't got nothin' on you And the purple in the sky ain't as pretty as your eyes Tell me what I gotta do When you're with me it's better than Malibu Let's skip the club, let's skip the crowd Wanna take you on a date I'll hold your hand, I'll hold the door 'Cause that's how I was raised Yeah, all the other boys in town all look and talk the same But I got a different kind of heart I'm a cowboy A cowboy in L.A. Cowboy in L.A. Thunder, pick-ups, and cheap gasoline Lightning, best show that I've ever seen And you get up every day and you work hard for your pay Happy in a pair of jeans Oklahoma, it made a man out of me Let's skip the club, let's skip the crowd Wanna take you on a date I'll hold your hand, I'll hold the door 'Cause that's how I was raised Yeah, all the other boys in town all look and talk the same But I got a different kind of heart I'm a cowboy A cowboy in L.A. Cowboy in L.A. And we can take it slow This ain't a rodeo I can show you something new Let's skip the club, let's skip the crowd Wanna take you on a date I'll hold your hand, I'll hold the door 'Cause that's how I was raised And all the other girls in town won't look at you the same 'Cause I got a different kind of heart I'm a cowboy You got a cowboy in L.A. Cowboy in L.A. Palm trees square dancing under the moon" |
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LANY |
It Even Rains in L.A. | This song is from their album "A Beautiful Blur" released in 2023. "When you get that call that you weren’t prepared for 0r if that call that you want never comes at all When you need to fly but you’re stuck on the freeway 0r if your feet wanna run but your best is a crawl You can’t give up, but you can’t count on love And if you think you’re the only one welcome to the club, ‘cause Everybody is gonna let you down and life will dance on your heart Don’t believe me, take a look around, it all falls, even the stars Hope you know when you can’t catch a break It even rains in L.A., it even rains in L.A. When you’re coming home to an empty apartment Or if you got someone there but they want someone else You can’t give up, but you can’t count on love And if you think you’re the only one welcome to the club, ‘cause Everybody is gonna let you down and life will dance on your heart Don’t believe me, take a look around, it all falls, even the stars Hope you know when you can’t catch a break It even rains in L.A., it even rains in L.A. Remember on your bad days, it even rains in L.A. You’re out of breath, you’re out of reasons You’re out there looking for a sign of significance Got nothing left, you’re out of feelings You’re out there screaming at the sky what’s the point of this Everybody is gonna let you down and life will dance on your heart Don’t believe me, take a look around, it all falls, even the stars Hope you know when you can’t catch a break It even rains in L.A., it even rains in L.A. Remember on your bad days, it even rains in L.A." |
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LANY |
Malibu Nights | This is from the album "Malibu Nights" released in 2018. "There's no reason, there's no rhyme I found myself blindsided by A feeling that I've never known I'm dealing with it on my own Phone is quiet, walls are bare I drink myself to sleep, who cares? No one even has to know I'm dealing with it on my own I've got way too much time to be this hurt Somebody help, it's getting worse What do you do with a broken heart? Once the light fades, everything is dark Way too much whiskey in my blood I feel my body giving up Can I hold on for another night? What do I do with all this time? Heavy thoughts when it gets late Put me in a fragile state I wish I wasn't going home Dealing with it on my own I'm praying but it's not enough I'm done, I don't believe in love Learning how to let it go Dealing with it on my own I've got way too much time to be this hurt Somebody help, it's getting worse What do you do with a broken heart? Once the light fades, everything is dark Way too much whiskey in my blood I feel my body giving up Can I hold on for another night? What do I do with all this time? Yeah I drive circles under street lights Nothing seems to clear my mind I can't forget Get this out my head, so I drive, chasing Malibu nights Nothing seems to heal my mind I can't forget I've got way too much time to be this hurt Somebody help, it's getting worse What do you do with a broken heart? Once the light fades, everything is dark Way too much whiskey in my blood I feel my body giving up Can I hold on for another night? What do I do with all this time? Yeah I drive circles under street lights Nothing seems to clear my mind I can't forget Get this out my head, so I drive, chasing Malibu nights Nothing seems to heal my mind I can't forget (Get this out my head, so) I drive, chasing Malibu nights Hey, yeah, na-na, ah yeah" |
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Laufey (featuring Philharmonia Orchestra) |
California and Me | Laufey (Laufey Lin Jonsdottir) is a singer-songwriter from Iceland, active since 2020. Her music has been described as a mix of jazz pop and bedroom pop. Philharmonia Orchestra is an orchestra based in London that was founded in 1945. This song is from Laufey's album "Bewitched" released in, 2023. "Should have figured That you’d go back to New York Don’t consider me When you run back to her You don’t have to hide it I know why you went Said you needed space I know better than that Could have fought for you But I just let you leave Hurt too much to consider You didn’t love me The mountains of L.A. Will weep through the night Driving down Sunset's a terrible sight Left me and the ocean for your old flame Holding back my tears I couldn’t make you stay Can’t quit this So damn wicked To leave California and me I imagine you holding her in your arms Laughing ‘bout how I thought you were the one I get so anxious and maybe I’m young The first sign of trouble and I bite my tongue Left me and the ocean for your old flame Holding back my tears I couldn't make you stay Can’t quit this So damn wicked To leave California and me" |
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Tsim Lauj |
Nkauj hmoob California | I can't find out much about this song or its singer except that it was released in January 2022. I assume Tsim Lauj is singing in the Hmong language and that he's Hmong, but I don't even know that for sure or where he's from. The video shows a city of Fresno trash can in a park, so maybe that's his location. According to the web translators I checked, Nkauj means song or music, Hmoob means Hmong. The translation of the full title shows up as "California Music." If you know what the lyrics say, let me know. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lawndale |
The Days of Pup 'n' Taco | This is a surf rock instrumental from the band's first album "Beyond Barbecue" released in 1986. You're wondering - if it's an instrumental, how can it be a California song? Your Honor, I present the following evidence - Lawndale was a band from Lawndale, California, that got together in 1984, and Pup 'n' Taco was a fast food restaurant chain found almost exclusively in southern California that started in 1956 in Pasadena. The franchise was so popular that Taco Bell bought it out in 1984. The song is a nostalgic look at the time when the band could chow down on cheap tacos, burgers and hot dogs at a garish Pup 'n' Taco shack in a strip mall. That's about as southern California as it gets. (Which reminds me of why I moved north.) And what's more Californian than surf rock? (Check out Lawndale's version of Brubeck's "Take Five" for another great instrumental.) |
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Lawhead |
California Christmas | I don't know anything about Lawhead except that this minimal DIY indie rock song is from "Eggnog X-Mas Tape" released in 2020. This song gets extra credit for clarifying that the sunny holiday they're experiencing is a Southern California Christmas. "Just another California Christmas The sun is shining and the sky is clear Just a Southern California Christmas So spread the California Christmas cheer In Michigan they're snowed in for the winter In Maine they cannot drive out on the street There's ice on the state of North Dakota But I think that I'll head down to the beach Turkey - check Stocking - check Toys that I got on Christmas Eve - check Shades - check Surf board - check California's just the place for me Just another California Christmas The sun is shining and the sky is clear Just a Southern California Christmas So spread the California Christmas cheer...." |
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Marcus Layton (featuring JRDN) |
Cold In California | Marcus Layton is a songwriter, producer and dj who works out of Berlin, Germany. JRDN is Ralph Jordon Croucher, an R&B recording artist from Canada.This electronic dance track was released in 2016. "It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can't get no rest from all pain My heart is ice cold The sun is shining The breeze runs through the palms The mercury is high The waves are crashing in But the people smiling Send shivers to my heart There ain't no blue skies Without your loving Going on without you Is something I can't do All I see in now are shades of grey There's a looming darkness Hanging right above my head Ever since you went away It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can'tt get no rest from all pain It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can't get no rest from all pain My heart is ice cold The snow is falling On the hot desert sand The memories of us Lay frozen in my hand And the fire inside That I once had Is gone and I don't know If I can get it back, no Going on without you Is something I can't do All I see in now are shades of grey There's a looming darkness Hanging right above my head Ever since you went away It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can't get no rest from all pain It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can't get no rest from all painOh if I could only turn the page Heaven knows the sun would go And make my heart, thaw And melt away What was But I just can't let go of you and I Without you here my heart is filled with ice Your love's The only thing that warms me up Now baby It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can't get no rest from all pain It's cold in California Cold in California Every day the sun is shining I feel freezing rain It's cold in California Cause I can't seem to get over ya So I can see my breath Can't get no rest from all pain" |
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LC Wells |
I Wish I Was In California | LC Wells is Larry Cantwell, a singer-songwriter from New Jersey. This acoustic love song with a heartfelt case of California dreaming was released in 2017. "There's a cold wind from the north tonight And the storm's comin' up from the south And soon we'll be buried in two feet of snow Before we see the sun again I wish I was in California On the streets of L.A. I wish I was in California Up by San Francisco Bay I wish I was in California I got a girl who likes to travel She's got a job that keeps her on the road And me I'm stuck in this two bit job That never seems to go anywhere I wish I was in California On the road to Monterey I wish I was in California Drivin' in to Half Moon Bay Sometimes I wonder If I'll ever see your face again Sometimes I wonder If we'll ever make love again I wish I was in California With you there at my side I wish I was in California And you had nothin' left to hide I wish I was in California On a warm December day I wish I was in California And you were never gone away I wish I was in California With you there at my side I wish I was in California And you had nothin' left to hide I wish I was in California" |
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Lechuza |
California Dream Girl | This folk/roots acoustic song s from "Nightowls and Early Birds" released in 2009. (A Lechuza is a witch who turns into an owl in Mexican folklore.) "The California dream girl Is waiting for you down the road I tried to say goodbye so many times But you just can't let go I tried my best to love you But you have a weak soul You California dream girl Is waiting for you down the road Going round and round in circles Is making me dizzy [I wish I couldn't a love you] But I just can't let myself care And now that we've switched places How does it feel to be alone? Your California dream girl Is waiting for you down the road She stole you with her brown eyes And all of her sweet words If it's really over Why is my heart so cold? And now that we've switched places How does it feel to be alone? Your California dream girl Is waiting for you down the road" |
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Logan Ledger |
All the Wine in California | Logan Ledger is a singer-songwriter from the San Francisco Bay Area based in Nashville. This straight up country song with steel-guitar is from his album "Golden State" released in 2023. "All the wine in California couldn’t ease my worried mind At the bottom of each bottle is the love I left behind Oh some folks like the night life They drive their cares away Bathe in the glow of the warm red wine Forgetting yesterday But all the wine in California couldn’t drown my memory I might put away an ocean but I never would be free All the wine in California couldn’t ease my worried mind At the bottom of each bottle is the love I left behind Well I wish for just a moment That I could melt into That warm red sea of emptiness And wash away my blues And wash away my blues But all the wine in California couldn’t drown my memory I might put away an ocean but I never would be free All the wine in California couldn’t ease my worried mind At the bottom of each bottle is the love I left behind At the bottom of each bottle is the love I left behind" |
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Logan Ledger |
Golden State | Logan Ledger is a singer-songwriter from the San Francisco Bay Area based in Nashville. This is a slow acoustic song from his album "Golden State" released in 2023 that sounds like it could have been recorded in 1969. The phrase "the golden state" is California's nickname, which is why it's on the list, but I realize it could also refer to the singer's state of mind or spiritual condition. Even if the phrase doesn't definitely refer to the state, there are several other reasons why the song should be on the list: when the vocals start, the music and singing style and the word "going" strongly evoke Scott McKenzie's song "San Francisco" which begins "If you're going to San Francisco" [This connection might be a bit subjective, but I definitely hear it]; to get to California you usually need to "cross the desert" or "the mountains so high"; and "the land where I come from" and "dragged back by the past" seem to refer to the songwriter's origin in California. "Where are we going? Where have we been? Seems like a million years since yesterday There’s no way of knowing Just where to begin When all the thoughts we have just fade away And it’s so hard to relate But you know I have to wait Till I reach that golden state Till I reach the golden state Till I reach… I’ve been cross the desert And the mountain so high Seems like the road I’m on don’t ever end And it’s hard knowing whether To laugh or to cry There’s always something else around the bend Oh ain’t it so hard to relate But you know I have to wait Till I reach that golden state Till I reach the golden state Till I reach that golden state Out where they’re laughing in the sun Way back in the land where I come from But every mile feels longer than the last Like slowly getting dragged back by the past By the past And it’s so hard to relate But you know I have to wait Till I reach that golden state Till I reach Till I reach Till I reach Till I reach that golden state" |
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Led Zeppelin |
Going to California | Led Zeppelin was a rock band formed in London in 1968 that is generally regarded as one of the most influential and successful rock bands. This beautiful acoustic folk ballad with mandolin is from their fourth untitled album commonly called "Led Zeppelin IV" released in 1971. It's another song with a vague California earthquake reference. Singer and co-writer of the song Robert Plant said that it's about Joni Mitchell, so maybe she's the queen without a king who "...plays guitar and cries and sings...." This song has been covered a lot. There's a list of some of those covers directly below. "Spent my days with a woman unkind Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine Made up my mind to make a new start Goin' to California with an aching in my heart Someone told me there's a girl out there With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair Took my chances on a big jet-plane Never let 'em tell ya that they're all the same Oh, the sea was red, and the sky was grey I wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today Mountains and the canyons start to tremble and shake The children of the sun began to awake (Watch out) It seems that the wrath of the gods got a punch on the nose And it's startin' to flow, I think I might be sinkin' Throw me a line, if I reach it in time I'll meet you up there where the path runs straight and high To find a queen without a king They say she plays guitar and cries and sings... La la la la Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born Standin' on a hill in a mountain of dreams Tellin' myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems" |
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| Various artists | Covers of Led Zeppelin's Going to California |
This is one of those classic California songs that has been covered by a lot of artists. These are a few of them. A lot of them are only live performances. Barsie - singer Rachel did a cover of the song in 2015. The Brothers Comatose - 2 members of this San Francisco bluegrass band recorded a live banjo & guitar cover of the song in 2023. Sierra Eagleson, a singer songwriter from Ohio, recorded a live acoustic version of the song in 2014. Fuel, a rock band from Pennsylvania, recorded the song for an album in 2023. Heart, a rock band from Seattle, did a great version recorded live on the Howard Stern Show in 2024. Amy Lee of the rock band Evanescence recorded a version for her 2016 solo album. Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters recorded a great live version in 2018. Sam Robson, an English multi-instrumentalist, recorded a live version in Dubai in 2023. Train, a pop rock band from San Francisco, covered the song live on stage in 2006. Anne Wilson (of the rock band Heart) recorded a live version with her solo band in 2021. |
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Led Zeppelin |
The Song Remains the Same | This song with several long instrumental breaks is from the band's fifth studio album "Houses of the Holy" released in 1973. The title was used three years later in a documentary about the band's 1973 Madison Square Garden concerts which, of course, includes a live version of this song. "I had a dream, oh yeah Crazy dream, oh ho Anything I wanted to know Any place I needed to go Hear my song, yeah People, don't you listen now? Sing along, oh You don't know what you're missing now Any little song that you know Everything that's small has to grow And it's gonna grow now Push, push, yeah Na-na-na-na-na California sunlight Sweet Calcutta rain Honolulu starbright The song remains the same, oooh, oooh, ooh (Get it on) Oh, keep on All you gotta do, all you gotta do All you gotta do now, all you gotta do now Ooh, sing out Hare Hare Ooh, dance the Hoochie Koo City lights are oh-so bright As we go sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding..." |
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Ben Lee |
Catch My Disease | Ben Lee is an Australian musician and actor. This is an Indie pop song with an infectious (sorry) stomp clap beat from his album "Awake Is The New Sleep" released in 2005. It mentions a woman the singer meets in Pomona who tells him about the Santa Ana winds. Maybe the last verse was accurate before this song was released, but afterwards they did play him on the radio. That's where I first heard it, back in 2005. "My head is a box filled with nothing And that's the way I like it My garden's a secret compartment And that's the way I like it And that's the way I like it Your body's a dream that turns violent And that's the way I like it And that's the way I like it The winter is long in the city And that's the way I like it So please Baby please Open your heart And catch my disease I was backstage in Pomona And that's the way I like it She drank beer with Coca-Cola And that's the way I like it And that's the way I like it She told me about the winds from Santa Ana And that's the way I like it And that's the way I like it She told me she'd love me like fireworks And that's the way I like it So please Baby please Open your eyes And catch my disease So please Baby please C'mon And catch my disease They play Good Charlotte on the radio And that's the way I like it They play Sleepy Jackson on the radio And that's the way I like it And that's the way I like it I hear Beyonce on the radio And that's the way I like it And that's the way I like it They don't play me on the radio But that's the way I like it So please Baby please Open your heart And catch my disease...." |
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Jacquie Lee |
California Dreaming | Jacquie Lee is a pop singer from New Jersey who got her start on The Voice in 2013. This is from her album "The Only One" released in 2017. "Maybe I want you here Maybe I don't I never really had Time on my own Never accustomed to feeling alone Maybe I'll just want you back when you're gone, no Going numb in L.A. Can't believe what they say Think I'm losing my way California dreaming Wait for it to sink in California dreaming Wait for it to sink in, no Going numb in L.A. Trying not to lose faith To another dark day California dreaming Wait for it to sink in, no Another depression It's getting cold Cali suppression I'll be hitting the bowl I'm getting lost in the blue dreams Trying to cope with a few things And sinking to my feelings Going numb in L.A. Can't believe what they say Think I'm losing my way California dreaming Wait for it to sink in California dreaming Wait for it to sink in, no Going numb in L.A. Trying not to lose faith To another dark day California dreaming Wait for it to sink in California dreaming Got me heavy in my feelings California dreaming Got me heavy in my feelings California dreaming Wait for it to sink in California dreaming Wait for it to sink in Going numb in L.A. Trying not to lose faith To another dark day (California dreaming) California dreaming Got me heavy in my feelings California dreaming Got me heavy in my feelings California dreaming Got me heavy in my feelings California dreaming Got me heavy in my feelings" |
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Maxime Le Forestier |
San Francisco |
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Left Arm Tan |
California Sands | Left Arm Tan is a band from Texas that took its name from a Wilco song. This acoustic alt-country song was released in December 2022. "Well I've read those books in school How the sirens sang to men Men who were lost at sea And how the sirens took them in But it was me that she sang to On the shores of my Gallilee And as the sand fell away beneath my feet I knew the fault line ran through me And I can hear the west wind calling On this lonesome heart of mine It beckons me there to harness my share California sands of time Well I'm captured and haunted by waters As the moon breaks the trance of this night And I look for it's glow to light my way But there's no sign of that in sight And I've heard there's peace in the valley But this canyon's too damn wide I know time has a way of healing the teeth marks On this rattling cage inside And I can hear the west wind calling On this lonesome heart of mine It beckons me there to harness my share California sands of time And I can hear the west wind calling On this lonesome heart of mine It beckons me there to harness my share California sands of time These sands of time" |
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Tom Lehrer |
I'm Spending Hanukkah In Santa Monica | Tom Lehrer is a very witty singer-songrwriter from New York City, who is best known for the humorous songs he recorded in the 1950s and '60s, including songs about pollution, smut, nuclear war, and The Vatican. This song is from a box set of his complete songs along with some unreleased songs released in 2000 "The Remains of Tom Lehrer." "I'm spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica, Wearing sandals lighting candles by the sea. I spent Shavuos, in East St. Louis, A charming spot but clearly not the spot for me. Those eastern winters, I can't endure 'em, So every year I pack my gear And come out here to Purim. Rosh Hashona, I spend in Arizona, And Yom Kippa, way down in Mississippa. But in December, there's just one place for me. Amid the California flora, I'll be lighting my menorah. Like a baby in his cradle I'll be playing with my dreidl. Here's the Judas Maccabeas Boy if he could only see us Spending Hanukkah In Santa Monica By the sea." |
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Less Than Jake |
Hell Looks a Lot Like L.A. | Less Than Jake is a third wave ska punk band from Florida, formed in 1992. This is from their "Borders & Boundaries" album released in 2000. Apparently, Hell has traffic jams and fast food jobs, and probably a lot of palm trees, too. Listening to this song again I forgot how much I like ska punk. Maybe it's time for a fourth wave. "He got in his car and told himself to drive Gotta leave it all behind if he wants to feel alive, yeah Nineteen and lost and never thought he'd ever leave this place Vacant mind from endless grind so what's to lose anyways? Another fast food job? Another 8 to 5 day? Ten minutes and two miles Is just a mile too many today You can see why it's easy to say You know that Hell looks a lot like L.A. Six months ago was the last she felt alive Moved down from the north and told herself she'd try, yeah Eighteen and lost and never thought this place would change Ignored and bored with the same feelings as yesterday She said it's way too much more than she could take Ten minutes and two miles is just a mile too many today You can see why it's easy to say One less car that's in the way You know that Hell looks a lot like L.A." |
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Huey Lewis and the News |
The Heart of Rock & Roll | Huey Lewis and the News are an American pop band based in San Francisco that had a bunch of hit singles in the 1980s and early 1990s. This song, which received a Grammy nomination for song of the year, comes from the band's album "Sports" released in 1983. It name checks a lot of places around the U.S.A. including L.A., Hollywood and the Sunset Strip and San Francisco. "New York, New York is everything they say And no place that I'd rather be Where else can you do a half a million things And all at a quarter to three When they play their music, ooh that modern music The like it with a lot of style But it's still that same old back beat rhythm That really drives them wild They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating And from what I've seen I believe 'em Now the old boy may be barely breathing But the heart of rock and roll is still beating L.A., Hollywood and the Sunset Strip is something everyone should see Neon lights and the pretty, pretty girls all dressed so scantily When they play their music, that hard rock music They like it with a lot of flash But it's still that same old back beat rhythm That really kicks 'em in the They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating And from what I've seen I believe 'em Now the old boy may be barely breathing But the heart of rock and roll is still beating D.C., San Antone and the Liberty town, Boston and Baton Rouge Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City, Seattle, San Francisco, too Everywhere there's music, real live music, bands with a million styles But it's still that same old rock and roll music that really drives 'em wild They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating And from what I've seen I believe 'em Now the old boy may be barely breathing But the heart of rock and roll is still beating In Cleveland Detroit, heart of rock and roll" |
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Jenny Lewis |
Hollywood Lawn | Jenny Lewis is a singer-songwriter and actress who grew up in L.A. Formerly the lead singer for Rilo Kiley, she's now making solo records, including this song from "On the Line" released in 2019. "On a Hollywood lawn today Slip and slide, watching the kids play You know that I love you, babe Dozin' off watchin' the channels change I been searching for the heart to tell you somethin' I could get down on my knees I've had it with you trippers and drama queens If I click my ruby slippers like Don Quixote Long lost like Rockefeller drifting out to sea On a Hollywood lawn today Suckin' back some Beaujolais Rememberin' better days Lookin' up at the chem trail haze And you keep dreamin', keep dreamin', alright If you keep dreamin', keep sleepin' through the night 'Cause your demons got reason to fight And you keep dreamin', yeah, yeah Rode down a Kingston highway Eureka moment come my way You know that I love you, babe I just cannot stay I been searching for the heart to tell you somethin' I could get down on my knees I've had it with you trippers and drama queens If I click my ruby slippers, would you forgive me? Long lost like Rockefeller drifting out to sea And you keep dreamin', keep dreamin', alright If you keep dreamin', keep sleepin' through the night 'Cause your demons got reason to fight And you keep dreamin', yeah, yeah Your demons got reason to fight Your demons got reason to fight Your demons got reason to fight We keep dreamin', yeah, yeah" |
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Jon Peter Lewis |
California Christmas | Jon Peter Lewis is a singer-songwriter born in Bakersfield, and a former American Idol contestant. This old-school rock and roll song is from the album "Breaking For The Holidays" released in 2006. "Pack up your red bikini baby Grab your surfboard and I don't mean maybe Hop in the plane, goin' away for the holiday (Away for the holiday) Away from the snow and the icy roads Jack Frost nippin' at your nose Takin' the friendly skies straight to The Coast California Christmas my dear Palm trees swayin' by the seaside singin' California Christmas my dear California Christmas this year I saw Santa down by the seashore Big white beard and a gnarly long board I said 'Santa should't you be way up north?' (I said 'Santa should't you be way up north?') I'm havin' too much fun on a big wave I think I will be a little late Wrappin' all the gift's your sweetheart gave) (Gift's your sweetheart gave) California Christmas my dear Palm trees swayin' by the seaside singin' California Christmas my dear California Christmas this year (California California Christmas) California Christmas my dear Palm trees swayin' by the seaside singin' California Christmas my dear California Christmas this year California Christmas my dear Palm trees swayin' by the seaside singin' California Christmas my dear California Christmas California Christmas this year (Cha cha cha)" |
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Lifeseeker |
Mr. California | Lifeseeker is an alternative hip-hop group formed in 1997 by Marc Lariviere who came out of the Bay Area hip-hop underground of the 1990s. This song is from "self titled debut album" released in 2000. "Well Imma lay it on ya right upon ya Coming through with the fondue is Mr. California Soakin' up sunshine on the frontline Of the car lot with instant credit get it while it's hot And we'll kick it to the slow jams no plans Making money out of dreams look ma no hands Well you claim you got it made well whatever you say Jack You try to take it easy I'm way more laid back So bring your aura down to earth and maybe we can click Cause flying too high will leave you three feet thick So I stick my stick and move cause karate is my course Yeah I can break a brick in half and I can feel the force And targets I lock on like Chuck Norris in the octagon I kick through windshields and keep rocking on Because good guys wear black when they're on the attack And at the beep the time will be for you to step back Just leave a message maybe I'll call Mister, mister, mister Mister, mister Mister, mister California, mister Cal-i-forn-I-A Mister, mister California, mister Cal-i-forn-I-A Mister, mister California, mister Cal-i-forn-I-A ... ... ... Now feeling all the mellow good vibrations on my cello With my girl like Moon Doggie and Annette Funicello I picked up a shell, hello it spoke to me Like the phone in my car strictly rotary It said the yin the yang the whole damn thang Cosmic hot tub of love set off by the big bang So skip the real juice and enjoy the tang And you'll be laughing on the path of the boomerang I said dang that's heavy but I feel it though Got to remember all that when I'm feeling low 'Cause it's a long way to go and we ain't there yet Trying to see the sunrise inside the sunset ... ... ... Cal-i-forn-I-A Cal-i-forn-I-A Cal-i-forn-I-A Cal-i-forn-I-A Now it's time to wake the sleeper because minds are getting deeper As we kick it like a field goal with or sans sneaker Eureka! anywhere you go you're just right there The warm smell of collita rising up through the air! Where it's up with the people and down with the man Hook up some sunbeams get yourself a suntan And wash on wash off staying hardcore but soft Like an avacado creative leisure is my motto So with sushi on my platter it's like domo arrigato As the wheel in the sky keeps on turning like lotto We swing whichever way we want to swing Like the ping to the pong or the pong to the ping And when I say we I mean O-U-I Like the french riviera it's mighty fly Where a girl in a thong just can't go wrong But homeboy in the speedo put your pants back on Sittin' round stroking stroking Baywatch messing up my OP shirt Laid back With my hand on my jimmy and my jimmy in my hand Mister, mister California, mister Cal-i-forn-I-A Mister, mister California, mister Cal-i-forn-I-A Mister, mister California, mister Cal-i-forn-I-A Mister, mister, mister Mister Mister, mister, mister Mister" |
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The Lightning Kids |
California | The Lightning Kids is a Synthwave band from the UK. This is their second single, released in 2022. "Hey, It’s me I just wanted to let you know That I miss you Close your eyes, tell me something Just like when we were young Since you left California I haven’t seen the sun I’ve been killing time Filling up my mind Thinking ‘bout the things that you said Darlin’ I’ve been down Every road in town Trying to get you outta my head In California In California Hey, It’s me I just wanted to let you know That I miss you Call me sometime? I’ve been killing time Filling up my mind Thinking ‘bout the things that you said Darlin’ I’ve been down Every road in town Trying to get you outta my head In California In California In California In California.... I’ve been killing time Filling up my mind Thinking ‘bout the things that you said I've been driving down Every road in town Trying to get you outta my head I’ve been killing time Filling up my mind Thinking ‘bout the things that you said In California I've been driving down Every road in town Trying to get you outta my head In California" |
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Lil Baby |
California Breeze | Lil Baby is Dominque Armai Jones, a rapper-singer-songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia, active since 2016. This song from his album 'It's Only Me" released in 2022 was a huge hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. "We all want somebody to care for your needs Yeah, made it out the trenches, this type of life I can get used to Number one on YouTube, private dinner in Malibu Show you how to work your stick Ain't nobody gon' handle you Put you in a Phantom 'cause you my lil' boo Ready for whatever, I tie up my boots Everybody goin' the same route, so, I switched up my route Ni**as ain't be what they talkin' 'bout, so, I switched up my crew Actin' like you love me knowin' it's flaw, so, I'm gon' fake it too But, that's what I'm supposed to do Aware of my surroundings, I don't f**k with y'all, don't come around me "Baby switched up," how that sound? Like a ni**a in his feelings You can't name somethin' I did flaw, I'ma die and breed only the realest I ain't never worry 'bout another ni**a, so, in that case, I'm the biggest I been trappin' all around the world, my pivots still ain't left the business She got everything I want, ain't no need to f**k with these bi**hes You can go and have a lil' fun, I ain't gon' trip, baby, I get it Ain't bulls**t in this game, wherever this plane land, I'm the littest ni**a there Turn your back on me, I ain't even care If you need me, I'm still gon' be there Tell me how the f**k is this s**t fair Switch on who? I went there F**k them too, I'm prepared I run s**t, get that clear Heartbroke, can't drop no tears Was what it was, is what it is California breeze, take her out to eat Stop at a lil' party End up at the big house I can 't f**k with shawty, 'cause she got a big mouth Pull up in a 'Rarri, hop out like a big dawg Get my s**t together, feel like I done took two years out Bookin' on my schedule, I ain't rich enough to chill out I watched you turn sour, I still don't know how to feel 'bout it Majority unfolded, but, I'm still solid I'm still out here, still don't know how to feel about it Early in the mornin' talkin' to Marquis about it Wonderin', "Should I let it go, or, we beefin' 'bout it?" Knowin' that I'll go cold on you for weeks about it And it weren't that deep, but, that's just how it be with me I can't lie, she be fu**kin' me good, but, girl, you f**k me better I'm not surprised that you stereotypin' to be a lil' guy But, if I can have a second of yo' time, try to elevate yo' mind We can crush 'em on every level, I'm tellin' you I fell in love with generatin' revenue I know they gon' try to push you from the top, so, I'm careful I put ni**as under my wing like they my nephew I'ma give you every piece of game I got when I catch you I'm just tryna let you feel the breeze with me (Yeah) California breeze, take her out to eat Stop at a lil' party End up at the big house I can 't f**k with shawty, 'cause she got a big mouth Pull up in a 'Rarri, hop out like a big dawg Get my s**t together, feel like I done took two years out Bookin' on my schedule, I ain't rich enough to chill out I watched you turn sour, I still don't know how to feel 'bout it Majority unfolded, but, I'm still solid No, no, no, no I'm supposed to be gone But, s**t, where I'm gon' go? Tryna hold it in, I can't let this s**t show It can't be forced, it don't work, let it go I try to tell you, you act like you know" |
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Lil Darrion |
Sacramento Love | Lil Darrion (who now goes by Darrion) is a rapper from Sacramento. This ode to Sac Town was released in 2016. [Woman's voice] Yeah you know, I've been lookin' at you for quite some time, and I just got this one question - What made you who you are today? Like I gotta see where you came from. Can you show me that? [Lil Darrion] I can take you on a tour through my city top down hair blowin' On the block where it's rollin' Northside where we goin' Sacramento love bae allow me to show it I can show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love Take a ride, enjoy it Show you Sacramento love I can show you Sacramento love Shorty never been to a place like this She never ever ever been to a place like this I can tell she never ever seen a place like this And never met a man like me who can play like this So I'ma take her to the north Where them young n***as shoot and they ain't worried about sports Where the gang violence hot s**t my hood on ... Where I'm from you gotta bang no choices for us I'm just a product of the streets But we can slide through Buckle up, take a breath, enjoy God's view I'm talkin' ... the Capitol let me remind you See how I live it's good I wouldn't mind bullets I can take you on a tour through my city top down hair blowin' On the block where it's rollin' Northside where we goin' Sacramento love bae allow me to show it I can show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love I can show you Sacramento love I got some homies in the streets, few homies to send 'em books And some on the field but most are gettin' booked We used to dream big 'till ... got took What caused the crime rate to rise got n***as shook Got me ridin' past the Capitol to snap you a pic Help me drive a few block the new arena is lit We ain't even dealt with it but the view still six When it's done floor seats with a view that's sick This city wicked but we labeled as Kings I'm just tryin' to show you it's no promiscuous things Just you me and Sac, yeah this city is treat I know you not ... but I'm callin' you queen I can take you on a tour through my city top down hair blowin' On the block where it's rollin' Northside where we goin' Sacramento love bae allow me to show it I can show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love I can show you Sacramento love Yeah I know I look rugged, but it's love I promise People die all the time it's common You ain't gotta trip So take my hand finish this power trip I'm used to it if you ain't down for it but after ... I got .. in the east ... And more in the south but north is where it is My home's Sac Town man that's where I'm from Ain't no other place I'd rather be from I can take you on a tour through my city top down hair blowin' On the block where it's rollin' Northside where we goin' Sacramento love bae allow me to show it I can show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love Show you Sacramento love I can show you Sacramento love" |
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Amelia Lily |
California | Amelia Lily Oliver is a singer and TV personality from England, active since 2011. This pop rock song is a single released in 2014. "Laying here Feeling so rough Guess the pink bubbles didn’t do enough To cover up the way I feel What’s the point in wearing these heels? Still my make-up’s on Mascara’s run Not sure it was tears or a heavy one I’m losing it But now you’re gone You got me singing a sad song Oh, it’s cold Sleeping in this bed alone Oh, I just wanna let you know I’ve been living in denial Trying to raise a smile Life is picking on me Looking at your pictures Who’s that with you She ain’t a patch on me Cause you’re in California And I'm in London city Tell me what I have done de done de done To deserve this Oh Cause you’re in California And I'm in London city Tell me what I have done de done de done To deserve this Oh You’re full of s**t She’s buying it You got yourself a hole Go lie in it If it’s a game Well nothing's changed I still want you the same This ain’t me I’ve been weak I’m so sick of this hide and seek I’m losing it But now you’re gone You got me singing a sad song Oh, it’s cold Sleeping in this bed alone Oh, I just wanna let you know I’ve been living in denial Trying to raise a smile Life is picking on me Looking at your pictures Who’s that with you She ain’t a patch on me Cause you’re in California And I'm in London city Tell me what I have done de done de done To deserve this Oh Cause you’re in California And I'm in London city Tell me what I have done de done de done To deserve this Oh Can you make me feel better (I'll make you feel better) Come on make me feel alright Give me some whatever (I'll give you some whatever) Something that will get me through the night Can you make me feel better (I'll make you feel better) Come on make me feel alright Give me some whatever (I'll give you some whatever) Something that will get me through the night...." |
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Lil Nas X (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) |
Old Town Road Remix |
Lil Nas X is Montero Lamar Hill, a rapper from Georgia who is so far best known for this song which, in August 2019, set a record for the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 #1 song in history at 19 weeks. It features vocals by Billy Ray Cyrus, a country music singer, songwriter and actor originally from Kentucky, who's probably best known for two things he helped create in 1992 - the hit song Achy Breaky Heart, and his daughter Miley. Cyrus adds lyrics to the original song that move us from the Country life to the cliche California materialistic rockstar lifestyle. He turns Lil Nas X's Old Town Road into a street with fancy stores for the rich. Cowboy fashion becomes luxury women's wear, a horse and tractor are turned into an expensive Italian sports car, and a bull-riding rodeo becomes the B.S. of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It's no wonder he wishes he was back on the old town road. (Billy Ray Cyrus) "Yeah, I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more Kio, Kio (Lil Nas X) I got the horses in the back Horse tack is attached Hat is matte black Got the boots that's black to match Ridin' on a horse, ha You can whip your Porsche I been in the valley You ain't been up off that porch, now Can't nobody tell me nothin' You can't tell me nothin' Can't nobody tell me nothin' You can't tell me nothin' Ridin' on a tractor Lean all in my bladder Cheated on my baby You can go and ask her My life is a movie Bull ridin' and boobies Cowboy hat from Gucci Wrangler on my booty Can't nobody tell me nothin' You can't tell me nothin' Can't nobody tell me nothin' You can't tell me nothin' Yeah, I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more (Billy Ray Cyrus) Hat down, cross town, livin' like a rockstar Spent a lot of money on my brand new guitar Baby's got a habit: diamond rings and Fendi sports bras Ridin' down Rodeo in my Maserati sports car Got no stress, I've been through all that I'm like a Marlboro Man so I kick on back Wish I could roll on back to that old town road I wanna ride 'til I can't no more...." |
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Lil Rob |
California | Lil Rob is the stage name of Roberto L. Flores, a rapper from San Diego active since 1987. This song is from the album "The Album" released in 2002. "Southern California Home of low-ridin' Gang-bangin' and s**t California I was raised in the streets of California Southern California, home of car-hoppin' and bomb-droppin' West coast pop lockin', walkin' how we're talkin' I was raised in the streets of California I was raised in Californ-I-A Where homeboys die everyday over some s**t they say I've always been down with hydros And cholos, the low-lows The six-threes, the six-fours The rucas with no clothes Used to drop the two-door Gang-bang in a four door Puttin' bullet holes In the doors of a Ford Explorer Hard-core, and I got more and more Where that came from? Welcome to my kingdom The streets are my freedom I need em', I feed em', I feedback They need that, like I need my weed sack Take a toque, wacha Where were we at? Oh, California the golden state Controllin' states, pushin' weight Where vatos like me hallucinate Double up while you fumble up F***in' up, you f****n' punk If there's no room Then we'll stick em' by the f***in' pump ... ... ... Lowrider bicycles, tricycles Cold as icycles Smokin' chronic s**t So high, you would think my eyes are closed I got my eyes on those Who be thinkin' that my eyes are closed But there not ese Trucha when you get too close You'll know, that I know What you think? I don't know I might explode, unload Reload, and unload You broke the code, you got's to go Ain't no future in your frontin' Crazy California homeboy Where the cuete's bustin' California stylin', California ridin' Whittier Boulevard to 'Frisco Then back to Highland I gots to do it like the locos do Don't race your ride Hop your ride like you're supposed to do, through I was raised in the streets of California Southern California, home of car-hoppin' and bomb-droppin' West coast pop lockin', walkin' how we're talkin' I was raised in the streets of California I was raised in Californ-I-A Where homeboys die everyday over some s**t they say...." |
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Lil Peep (with Nedarb featuring Craig Xen) |
California World | Gustav Elijah Ahr, aka Lil Peep, was a Swedish-American rapper-singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania and New York, active from 2014 until his tragic accidental drug overdose in 2017 at the age of 21. Craig Xen is a rapper from Texas, active since 2013. Nedarb is Braden Morgan, a producer-DJ-rapper from Canada, based in Los Angeles. (Nedarb is Braden spelled backwards.) This song is from "California Girls" released in 2016. [Lil Peep:] "Why you always tryna spend my money? Why you always gotta act so funny? I got six gold chains on and I'm goin' dummy While your b**ch give me brains in the back of the Hummer California girls f**kin' with me in the summer It's that California world s**t, California cutta Why you always tryna spend my money? Why you always gotta act so funny? I got six gold chains on and I'm goin' dummy While your b**ch give me brains in the back of the Hummer California girls f**kin' with me in the summer It's that California world s**t, California cutta California girls f**kin' with me in the summer It's that California world s**t Lights out, baby, it's on I'm 'bout to make a stain on your Louis Vuitton If you f**kin' with a lame then this is your song 'Cause I wrote it with your name on the tip of my tongue (The tip of my tongue) Lights out, baby, it's on I'm 'bout to make a stain on your Louis Vuitton If you f**kin' with a lame then this is your song 'Cause I wrote it with your name on the tip of my tongue (The tip of my tongue) [Craig Xen:] F**k you, b**ch, I'm breakin' b**ches, pimpin', sell a ni**a's hoes Take it in, I turn her out, she ridin' up and down the pole You will be the one, take her out and buy her clothes I'ma be the cone, take her money, you know how it go F**k you, b**ch, I'm breakin' b**ches, pimpin', sell a ni**a's hoes Take it in, I turn her out, she ridin' up and down the pole You will be the one, take her out and buy her clothes I'ma be the cone, take her money, you know how it go...." |
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Lil Pluto |
California Girl | This hip-hop song was put on YouTube in February, 2023. "....Wake up and I think about you I .... come be my boo See no other b**ch but you Am I on a drug of you You switched up you are brand new Girl I don't know what to do Pop me a Xan or two Bet I still can't forget about you ... we comin' up We gon stop like hockey puck Doin' all these Cali drugs I need me a Cali girl Never turn my back on her She my sign, she my thug Lil' baby she a hood queen Stay low-key and duck the fame Burn this s**t up like f**k you mean Got my double cup I'm sippin' lean I stay geeked up like a popped up bean You say you see me in your dream I stay low-key don't wanna be seen They put the ... that green Don't feel right if you ain't with me I need you right on side of me In the hills, in the hills She callin' on me In the hills, in the hills I hear you callin' my name California drug California girl Baby you been on my mind N***as f**k with you they die Never wanna see you cry You say that you want I'm buyin' I'll be offer you ain't lyin' When I shine you know you shine We locked in like we did a crime You hold that switch and do the time California love California girl California drugs California I tried it it feels nice It feels nice I been down there lots today But I found you on the way Day is good Night is better Always feel this way Through the hills I hear you callin' Thousand miles away Through the hills Through the hills" |
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Lil Wayne (featuring Tyga) |
California Love | Lil Wayne is a hip hop artist from New Orleans who got signed when he was only 9 years old. He is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time and in 2012 he surpassed Elvis Presley as the male artist with the most songs that have charted on the Billboard Hot 100, including songs on which he was a featured artist. (The comparison isn't really fair, though, since it's easier to chart now than it was in Elvis' day since streaming and digital sales now drive the charts more than airplay and physical sales.) This 2008 rap is another song about California girls. Lil Wayne lets us know what it’s like to go on a date with him and what kind of cologne he likes to wear, while Tyga rhymes morals with oral. And he's not rapping about going to the dentist. “We met at City Walk, Universal Studio Uhh so beautiful Truly cold Shawty need a movie role I am not an actor but I'm stickin to da script Tony Montana had me stickin to da blimp But now I got an actress stickin to my hip And she hit with me with her fubbb You can roll the credits and Shawty is my fetish. And you know I like em reddish and shawty is reddish U kno I like em fast and shawty is da last number on my dash Speedin like a cop behind me Tryna catch up with this girl like sum 57 Heinz And u deserve lobster mami So how bout I make reservations at crustaceans for 9? Table for two Just me and you Some drinks and some food Couple yeah I know's couple of jokes Uh couple plies uh couple girl I know our lines. Cup of Patron Cup of Dom Perignon Cup of hound Cup of moans Couple groans And we hit our couple on and her goodies so good I can't make a bad sound And her pussy so good wish I could wear it for cologne And her pussy so wet I wish I slip and break my neck And I take her to Rodeo She shopped all day-o And I f***ed her Hollywood a** like she was from Vallejo I wish dey could be California girls (California ca ca California) Man I wish dey could be California girls (California ca ca California) She my California love My California love Dat girl my California love ... ... ... [Tyga:] Uhhh my Caliz consist from Compton to da valley A few stallions and Rancho Cucamonga So run those they say waitin patiently like a drumroll From my area codes got em all from 213, 310, 323 I got a bad one up in Carson soon as we met her heart stuck She gorgeous I'm fallin Can't fall though, never been in my morals Just plenty oral I'm young though so before we start get ready to bounce like a 64 Yo wants yo info? sexy text me like usin a pencil and your friends been know I'm real g yung money baby no rental But before it all end though Just remember: I'm that uhhh You exited on now tell your friend to enter Tyga man.” |
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Limón Limón |
Northern California | According to their website: "Limón Limón is an Indie Future duo based in Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from classic pop, alternative rock and electronic genres, they create timeless songs that bring people together from all over the world." This upbeat pop song was released in 2020. If you're wondering, the Rainbow Tunnel (officially named the Robin Williams Tunnel) is a tunnel on highway 101 in Marin County just north of the Golden Gate Bridge that has rainbow-colors painted on its rainbow-shaped openings. "Getting closer now I can see that freeway sign (freeway sign ) Sausalito where we had to say goodbye (say goodbye) Guess I lost track (lost track) Of how many times I told myself that (self that) I’d leave it all behind Heavy on my heart Pulling me apart But I keep coming back I keep coming back Northern California I get paranoia It was nice to know ya Every time I Every time I Hit the rainbow tunnel I get visions of ya It feels like I’m running Like I'm running Like I’m running from you (I’m running from you ) Northern California I'm running from you (I’m running from you) Northern California Slowly drowning in these hometown memories Everywhere I turn, your face it follows me Guess I lost track (lost track) Of how many times I told myself that (self that) I’d leave it all behind Heavy on my heart Pulling me apart But I keep coming back I keep coming back Northern California I get paranoia It was nice to know ya Every time I Every time I Hit the rainbow tunnel I get visions of ya It feels like I’m running Like I'm running Like I’m running from you (I’m running from you) Northern California I'm running from you (I’m running from you) Northern California (Northern California) Northern California I get paranoia It was nice to know ya Every time I Every time I Hit the rainbow tunnel I get visions of ya It feels like I’m running Like I'm running Like I’m running Northern California I get paranoia It was nice to know ya Every time I Every time I Hit the rainbow tunnel I get visions of ya It feels like I’m running Like I'm running Like I’m running from you (Running from you) Northern California (California) I'm running from you (Running from you) Northern California (California)" |
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Mark Lindsay |
Arizona | Mark Lindsay was the lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders, a rock band that originated in Idaho in 1958. This song, a hit in 1969, is named after the singer's girlfriend, not the state. It was written by Kenny Young, who is probably best known for the song he co-wrote "Under the Boardwalk." "She must belong to San Francisco She must have lost her way Postin' a poster of Poncho and Cisco One California day She said she believes in Robin Hood and brotherhood And colours of green and grey And all you can do is laugh at her Doesn't anybody know how to pray? Arizona, take off your rainbow shades Arizona, have another look at the world My myyy Arizona, cut off your Indian braids Arizona, hey won'tcha go my way Mmmm strip off your pride you're acting like a teeny-bopper run away child And scrape off the paint from the face of a little town saint Arizona, take off your hobo shoes Arizona, hey won'tcha go my way Follow me up to San Francisco I will be guide your way I'll be the Count of Monte Cristo You'll be the Countess May And you can believe in Robin Hood and brotherhood and rolling the ball in the hay And I will be reading you an Aesop's fable Anything to make you stay-ay-ay" |
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J. Lisk |
To California | I think J. Lisk is a singer from the UK, though the singer of this song claims he was born in Arizona. This low-key electronic dance track was put on YouTube in 2016. "California (California) California (California) I was born in Arizona Then I moved to California I don't know if I will stay So you should look the other way In California (California) California (California) California (California) .... ... ... I don't know if I will stay So you should look the other way In California (California)" |
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Little Feat |
Willin' | Little feat is a rock band formed in L.A. in 1969. It's leader Lowell George died in 1979. This alt country truck driving classic was released in 1971 on the band's "Little Feat" album, then again in a faster more successful version with more instruments on their "Sailin' Shoes" album released in 1972. It only mentions the city of Tehachapi briefly in a list of T-cities, but that's enough for me. Linda Ronstadt also had success with a cover of the song in 1974. "I been warped by the rain Driven by the snow I'm drunk and dirty, don't you know And I'm still... willin' And I was out on the road late at night I seen my pretty Alice in every headlight Alice, Dallas Alice I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari Tehachapi to Tonapah Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made Driven the back roads So I wouldn't get weighed And if you give me weed, whites, and wine And you show me a sign I'll be willin'... to be movin' Well, I've been kicked by the wind Robbed by the sleet Had my head stoved in But I'm still on my feet And I'm still... willin' I smuggled some smokes And folks from Mexico Baked by the sun Every time I go to Mexico And I'm still... And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcari Tehachapi to Tonapah Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made Driven the back roads So I wouldn't get weighed And if you give me weed, whites, and wine And you show me a sign I'll be willin'... to be movin'" |
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Little Jackie |
The Stoop | Little Jackie is a duo from New York City. This is from their 2008 debut album "The Stoop." I first heard it when I was staying in Brooklyn in 2008. And she's right, Brooklyn ain't no Beverly Hills - it's much better! At least it is for those of us who are not multi-millionaires. "This stoop is my throne This hood is my home And the sky's always blue by the brownstones We in Brooklyn, ain't no Beverly Hills Basically we pay bills, then chill It 's like east coast bliss, west coast diss We do it like this and you seal it with a kiss And a pound, that 's just how it go down It 's the protocol, do you feel me all? Saturday afternoon is all about the night before And tonight we gonna do it some more Sunday morning hear the bands in the church play All day long, every block there 's a new song Sitting on the stoop in the Bed-Stuy Always sayin hi when the brothas walk by Just proper etiquette Sitting on the top step With a bag of chips, sit back, relax, enjoy the bricks We got a neighborhood philosophy I don 't mess with you, you don 't mess with me It is what it is, it ain 't all hard up in the hood Sittin on my front stoop and its all good...." |
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LIttle River Band |
L.A. in the Sunshine | Little River Band is a rock band formed in Australia in 1975. This is from their album "Diamantina Cocktail" released in 1977. "L.A. in the sunshine Or it's Denver and we're snow blind All the palm trees on the skyline It's a good day, it's a good time Getting into all that I have seen Getting off on everywhere I've been What a shame down on the jet street That we fell for the old country Not impressed, man, we got ripped off When we need next, they'll see the next star I don't know how, I've made it this far It seems like years, I've lost track of time What can I say, when you smile and say 'Can we make it? Or you'll fake it What you say now Can we make it?' Getting into all that I have seen Getting off on everywhere I've been Now we're playin' ping pong, on a pub flight Drinkin' Champagne til after midnight Oh, we flew high on a sweet dream Happy landings, baby, where have you been? I've been getting into all that I have seen Getting off on everywhere I've been Back to L.A. in the sunshine After Denver when we got snow blind All the palm trees on the skyline She said, 'Have a good day Make sure you have a good time.' (Have a good time ...)" |
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LL Cool J |
Going Back to Cali | LL Cool J is the stage name of a rapper, actor, author, etc. from Queens. Before appearing on sit coms and Sesame Street, and NCIS Los Angeles, he made this hard-boiled jazzy horn-filled hip hop hit in 1989. It still sounds as good today as it did then. J's Califorinia is all about shiny black Corvette convertibles and beautiful girls in small bikinis and tall heels. No wonder he's going back. Notorious B.I.G. made his own very X -rated version of this song, too. "I'm going back to Cali, Cali, Cali I'm going back to Cali.. hmm, I don't think so I'm going back to Cali, Cali, Cali I'm going back to Cali.. I don't think so Going back to Cali, stylin, profilin Growlin, and smilin, while in the sun The top is down, on the black Corvette And it's fly, cause it's sittin on Dayton's Laurents steering wheel, plushed out, gold-leaf phantom top and three girls waiting VRRRROOM engine's blowin, the chrome, is shining Passing all the cars on the way Movement of the wind, back wheels spin Pop in a cassette and push play I'm going back to Cali, Cali, Cali I'm going back to Cali - yea y'all, I don't think so I'm going back to Cali, Cali, Cali I'm going back to Cali.." |
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Local H |
California Songs | Finally, a song about how there are too many California songs! I totally agree. I could be finished with this list if musicians would just stop writing them but they keep on coming, more than ever now, twenty years after this song was released in 2004 on the album "Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles?" The band is from Chicago, so they even throw in a gratuitous dig at New York. Bicoastal haters is what they are, and I hope they also hate this list. "Well I got your late night call You're in the center of it all You're havin’ a ball And you're really doin’ fine A West Coast time And I believe you But here’s one for The Coast The people with the most The pretty, pretty folks The West Coast folks Yeah here’s one for The Coast The people with the most The pretty, pretty folks The West Coast folks And here we go again It’s never gonna end We’re all so sick of California songs Yeah we know you love L.A. There’s nothing left to say Please no more California songs! And f**k New York too! Yeah your heaven is a lie Just more s**t that I don’t buy Well they're headin’ for The Coast They’re movin’ out in droves Sendin’ back reports on the radio The message is the same It’s getting pretty lame California Dreamin’s on the radio And here we go again It’s never gonna end We’re all so sick of California songs Yeah we know you love L.A. There’s nothing left to say Please no more California songs!..." |
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Rebecca Loebe |
California | Wickipedia 11/13: "Rebecca Loebe is an itinerant American folk/pop singer/songwriter based in Atlanta, Georgia." This song - just acoustic guitar and her voice - is from her 2010 album "Mystery Prize." After 6 weeks in an LA Hotel, appearing on "The Voice," it's no wonder she doesn't want to stay in Cali. "Fell asleep in Hartsfield, Woke up in LAX, A bloody mary balanced on my knee. Studied my reflection Caught between two panes of glass Right there on the plane. California, I warned you I can't stay. Alcohol and nicotine, Caffeine and Hollywood. Funny how they wear us down in time. In the roughest of your water The smallest of my stones Grow smooth in every way. California, I warned you I can't stay. California, I warned you I can't stay. How many stars Align beneath your sun? All of them ours but one? California, how could I be more clear? I was born for rocky soil A coast away from here. California, you're with me every day. But I warned you, I warned you I can't stay. California, I warned you I can't stay." |
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Julie London |
I Left My Heart in San Francisco | Tony Bennett owns this song, but others have recorded it, including Julie London, who was a singer, actress, and model from Santa Rosa California. She made several movies then signed a record contract, becoming famous for the song "Cry Me a River" in 1955. Her sexy album covers, and her sultry style and husky voice made her a popular torch singer and sex symbol but eventually she had to change with the times and record sixties hits such as "Yummy Yummy Yummy." (Her version of this song is not to be missed.) This song is from her 1963 album "The End of the World." "The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray The glory that was Rome is of another day I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan I'm going home to my City by the Bay I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care My love waits there in San Francisco Above the blue and windy sea When I come home to you, San Francisco Your golden sun will shine for me" |
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London Grammar |
Californian Soil | London Grammar is a pop band from England, active since 2009. This song is from the band's third album "Californian Soil" released in 2021. "I left my soul On Californian soil And I left my pride With that woman by my side I never had a willing hand And I never had a plan But I'm glad I found you here But I'm glad I've got you here But I never had a name And I never felt the same They keep on trying it on And they will keep on trying it on And they will keep on trying it on And I never felt the same I'm young, I'm old And so you do what you're told I never had a willing hand And so you pack up all your bags But I'm glad I've got you here But I'm glad I've got you here But I never felt the same And this life is just a game They keep on trying it on They keep on trying it on And they won't keep on trying it on Until you never feel the same" |
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Gabe Lopez (featuring Belinda Carlisle) |
California Blues | Gabe Lopez is a singer-songwriter-producer from Santa Barbara, active since 1991. Belinda Carlisle is a singer from Los Angeles, formerly with The Go-Gos, active since 1977. This single was released in 2015. It's a pop rock song with a great hook that plays on a double meaning of "blues." "When all the waves come crashing down And I get lost with you I'm found Oh And we take on the neighborhood The bad and good of Hollywood Oh All the ghosts and demons collide At the sunset door They can't change the stars in you eyes When I look into your California, California blues You take away my California, California blues And all the sinners want a taste They try to steal your heart away Oh But your love never disappears Like here the summer's for all year Oh All the fools of Malibu drive To the sunset shore But it's all in vain 'cause you're mine When I look into your California, California blues You take away my California, California blues It's a Mexicali kind of love That burns all around in my veins You're the best thing that I've ever loved Hotel California insane It's a Mexicali kind of love That burns all the sins of my soul You're the best thing that I've ever loved Never go California, California blues California, California blues All the ghosts and demons collide They can't change the stars in you eyes California, California blues All the fools of Malibu drive But it's all in vain 'cause you're mine When I look into your California, California blues You take away my California, California blues California, California blues California, California blues California, California blues California, California blues California, California blues California, California blues" |
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Lorde |
California | Lorde is a singer-songrwriter from New Zealand. This song is from her 2021 album "Solar Power." The opening lines refer to Carole King presenting Lorde with the 2014 Grammy Award for Song of the Year for her song "Royals." "Once upon a time in Hollywood when Carole called my name I stood up, the room exploded and I knew that’s it, I’ll never be the same That’s when a door swung open and a voice said, “We’re glad you came” Now I’ve spent thousands on you darling, all the hotels and the jets And I’d pay it all again to have your golden body back in my bed But I don’t miss the poison arrows aimed directly at my head Goodbye to all the bottles, all the models, bye to the clouds in the skies that all hold no rain— Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love Once upon a time the Canyon Store was where my world began All that mystery and beauty gleaned from desert flowers and gifted children But it got hard to grow up with your cool hand around my neck Now in my hometown, we’re sunbathing My girlfriends, and my baby But every time I smell tequila, the garden grows up in my mind again Goodbye to all the bottles, all the models, bye to the kids in the lines for the new Supreme— Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love Don’t want that California love It’s just a dream It’s just a dream It’s all just a dream I wanna wake up, I wanna wake up" |
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Russ Lorenson |
Christmas in San Francisco | Russ Lorenson is an actor and singer from Pennsylvania, active since 1970. This retro-crooner holiday schmaltz is from his album "A Little Travelin' Music" released in 2006. It's a version of the song recorded by Vic Damone in 1977, which is the earliest version of the song I know of, but it might not be the original. Lorenson sings slightly different lyrics, so I've put them here. He changes some of the lyrics in the Chinatown verse as well as changing "fairyland" to "wonderland," which was probably a good idea, considering it could be heard as a gay slur. "Christmas in San Francisco What a lovely place to be Seeing the hills being all lit up Like a diamond Christmas tree Hearing children singing carols People come from everywhere To sing along with the children Standing all around Union Square Christmas in San Francisco Looking like some wonderland People with gifts in the crispy air Giving old Saint Nick a hand Let's get some tea in Chinatown Take in some jazz on Fillmore What can you say about the Golden Gate That hasn't been said before Christmas in San Francisco There is no place quite so dear It's the closest thing to Heaven How I wish that you were here What can you say about the Golden Gate That hasn't been said before Christmas in San Francisco There is no place quite so dear It's the closest thing to Heaven How I wish that you were here" |
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Chris Lorenzo (featurnig High Jinx) |
California Dreamin' | Chris Lorenzo is a DJ from Birmingham, UK. High Jinx is a female fronted electropop duo from Toronto. Vintage Culture is Lukas Rafael Hespanhol Ruiz, a Brazilian DJ and producer. This is a dance remix of the Mamas and the Papas classic, released in 2021. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Los Alacranes |
Chicano Park | According to an article in the San Diego Reader, Los Alacranes is a Mexican folk quartet led by Ramon "Chucky" Sanchez who grew up in Blythe, California then joined the farm worker struggle with Cesar Chaves and the United Farm Workers Union before he became the unofficial bard of San Diego's Chicano community. This inspirational song was included on the album "Chicano Soul - Vol. 2, 1999" released in 2012, but it was recorded in 1999. Now more tha 50 years later Chicano Park is Historic Landmark No. 143. You can fight city hall. Viva la gente. "In the year 1970 In the city of San Diego Under the Coronado Bridge Lied a little piece of land A little piece of land that the Chicano community Of Logan Heights wanted to make into a park A park where all the chavalitos could come and play in So they wouldn't have to play in the street and get run over by a car A park where all the viejitos could come in the tarde and watch the sun come down A park where all the familias could come and just get together On a sunday after noon and celebrate the spirit of life itself But the city of San Diego said chale were going to make a Highway Patroll sub-station here So on april 22nd. 1970 la raza of Logan Heights and other Chicano communities got together and they walked on the land and they took it over with with their picks and their shovels and they began to build their own park and today almost 20 years later That little piece of land under the Coronado Bridge in San Diego is known to people every where as Chicano Park Orale raza vamos al parquer ya (softly) It began in 1970 under the Coronado Bridge En mi barrio en San Diego where my people began to fight Por Chicano Park ohh Chicano Park Under the bridge under the bridge under the bridge Orale raza vamos al parque We shall continue to live my brother We shall continue to fight my friend We shall continue to live my brother We shall continue to fight my friend For Chicano Park under the bridge For Chicano Park under the bridge We shall continue to live my brother We shall continue to fight my friend We shall continue to live my brother We shall continue to fight my friend For Chicano Park Under the bridge Ohh Chicano Park under the bridge Raza Raza Raza Que viven que vivan Raza Los barrios unidos Raza Que viven que vivan Raza Los barrios unidos Que viven que vivan Raza Los barrios unidos Raza Que viven que vivan Raza Los barrios unidos" |
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Los Lobos |
The City | Los Lobos is a band from East Los Angeles, active since 1973. This is from the album "The Town and the City" released in 2006. "Come on, let's go out tonight Out into the neon light Sidewalk shining from the rain From First and Hill to Sixth and Main Two lovers kissing by the door There's yelling from the second floor Come on, let's go, go get high Out in the neon night Hit every spot along the way From Paramount to Cudahy A man is calling out a name A rose wrapped up in cellophane Come on, let's fall down tonight Shoot out all the neon lights People dancing real slow The music plays 'til the rooster crows" |
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Los Lobos & Friends |
Mañana is Now | Los Lobos are known more for their rock music, including their huge hit version of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba" in 1987, but this is a political folk song with a female vocalist about Cesar Chavez from the 1976 album "Si Se Puede" - An anthology of original songs composed by members of the United Farm Workers and by others who have long supported their struggle for justice and dignity in the agricultural fields of America." "Despierta, mi bien despierta That great myth is over Mañana is now Mañana is now Dear Lord For too many years we have toiled In the fields of Northern California For too long those crops have controlled us Oh but we've worked on our knees too long Yes we've been on our knees too long Dear Lord You know we thought we'd never win With that political machine all around us Our hopes were lost to the injustice that surrounds us Until that man, that brave brown man proved we can win! Despierta, mi bien despierta That great myth is over Mañana is now Mañana is now Mañana is now Mañana is now" |
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Los Lobos with Lalo Guerrero |
Route 90 | This is from the album "Papa's Dream" released in 1995. Don't try to rely on it for travel directions. There is no Route 90 that goes from California to Texas and into Mexico. To make it more confusing, the narrator sings about flying then floating then riding into Texas then again flying into old Mexico. Maybe this is a drug song... "Won't you come along with me To a land I know Just take Route 90 Down to Mexico Fly over California This land we love Everything looks tiny From so high above Into Arizona We'll float along We'll cross the desert To old Tucson Then over the state line To New Mexico On our wooly bully Yippee ay ay yo We'll ride into Texas The biggest state I know See the cattle lolling On the range below To the gulf of Mexico We're gonna go Where the little shrimp boats Look like toys below Where the Rio Grande flows To where I was born Down below the border One Christmas morn Aren't you glad you came with me So here we go Flying over the border To old Mexico" |
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Lost Kings
(featuring Sevyn Streeter & Luh Kel) |
L.A. & The Parties |
Lost Kings are a DJ duo based in Los Angeles, active since 2014. They're known for their remixes as well as their original music. This song is from their 2019 album "Los Angeles." "Don't need your money I got fifty cars I bought 'em all myself, whoa Don't be surprised I'm not impressed by everything Just bring yourself, whoa Yeah, nothing like the little things Oh, yeah, yeah I just want the little things around Yeah, nothing like the simple things And I just want the realest things around I just need somebody I'm tired of L.A. and the parties I just need someone to hold me Catch me when I'm lonely Coming when I'm calling Catch me when I'm falling Ooh, sorry, I'm sick of L.A. and the parties I just need someone to hold me Catch me when I'm lonely Coming when I'm calling Catch me when I'm falling, ooh I'm sick of L.A. and the parties I'm sick of L.A. and the parties...." |
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Lost Kings
(featuring Ty Dolla Sign & GASHI) |
Oops I'm Sorry | Lost Kings is an L.A. DJ duo, Ty Dolla Sign is a rapper from L.A., GASHI is a rapper based in New York. This song was released in 2020. "No, I never meant to break your heart But you kind of knew I always would Said you always wanna be a star Now you're the saddest girl in Hollywood Took a hit 'cause I can't say I miss you But I miss you now, -ow Apologize for what I got you into But it's too late now, -ow Hate me, hate me Hate me, if you need to Sorry, sorry I'm sorry now No, I never meant to break your heart But you kind of knew I always would Said you always wanna be a star Now you're the saddest girl in Hollywood I tried to warn ya, I'm no good for ya I tried to warn ya, know I did No, I never meant to break your heart Oops Now you're the saddest girl in Hollywood Didn't wanna believe when I met you I would let you down, -own Apologize for what I got you into But it's too late now Hate me, don't fight me Replay me, if you need to Sorry, I'm sorry So sorry now No, I never meant to break your heart But you kind of knew I always would Said you always wanna be a star Now you're the saddest girl in Hollywood I tried to warn ya, I'm no good for ya I tried to warn ya, know I did No, I never meant to break your heart Oops...." |
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Loud Hound |
I Hate California | Loud Hound is Tommy Florio, who released his first songs in 2018. This 2020 single is from his first EP. "Spending all my money like my heart is made of gold Barely have a dollar and I’m 26 years old I never wanna sing to you I think I hear my ghost Look around no one's listening I'm losing all hope Holding on just a little bit longer I can't take it my heart can't ignore ya Baby I hate California Baby my heart can't ignore ya Look at all these people and they’re all f**king fake A plastic sized life and body full of hate Everyone's got an ego Its easy to lose faith Sure does make it hard just to keep my head on straight } Just to keep my head on straight I'm losing my faith Just to keep my head on straight I'm losing my faith Holding on just a little bit longer I can't take it my heart can't ignore ya Baby I hate California Baby my heart can't ignore ya There we are flying too close to the sun So terrified of every growing up I wish I could find a nice girl to love I wish I could’ve been a better son" |
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Demi Lovato |
15 Minutes | Demi Lovato is a singer, songwriter, and actress from New Mexico, active since 2002. This song is from "Dancing With The Devil…The Art Of Starting Over" released in 2021. Andy Warhol said in the late 1960s that in the future everybody will be famous for 15 minutes, but these days nobody can pay attention for that long. That's a lot of TikTok videos.... "Change your colors so fast Tried to turn my friends into friends of the past Always putting you first Could've been your future But you didn't even care about me like that 'Cause you were looking for 15 minutes, yeah Now you got 15 minutes, yeah Packed your stuff, you can come and get it, yeah Ain't goodbye but it's good riddance You got 15 minutes Hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes I'm not innocent I'm know I'm a headache but I'm working on it It should be an honor I even had the time to bother But this is where the sand in the hour glass ends 'Cause you were looking for 15 minutes, yeah Now you got 15 minutes, yeah Packed your stuff, you can come and get it, oh yeah Ain't goodbye but it's good riddance You got 15 minutes Hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes Praying in Malibu Praying in Malibu How could you? How could you? Praying in Malibu Praying in Malibu I hope it saved you Praying in Malibu Praying in Malibu How could you? How could you? Crying in Malibu While you were looking for 15 minutes Now you got 15 minutes Packed your stuff, you can come and get it Ain't goodbye but it's good riddance You got 15 minutes Hope you enjoyed your 15 minutes" |
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Demi Lovato |
California Sober | This is another song from the album "Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over" released in 2021. It was written after Lovato was sober for several years then experienced a relapse and an opiod overdose in 2018 that nearly killed her/them. Being "California sober" means abstaining from highy addictive substances and replacing them with less harmful substances such as cannabis or occasional light alcohol consumption. I don't know who made up the term, but with all the press about her addiction problems Demi Lovato certainly helped to popularize the term, and that stirred up a lot of controversy with the addiction recovery community that promotes the idea of complete abstinence or "sober sober." It seems to me that after complete absinence has failed if smoking weed or drinking an occasional beer helps to keep someone from using more dangerous drugs, then that's a good thing. As long as they can sustain it. As Lovato says: "living for perfection isn't living." Whatever works for you. There are lots of funny parody terms now. These are a few I've heard, but surely there are more: Northern California sober (mushrooms only) Florida sober (meth only) Bushwick sober (ketamine only) Wall Street sober (I use coke but I have a job) Vegas sober (no alcohol, only drugs) Wisconsin sober (no hard liquor, only beer) Midwest sober (an alcoholic but no DUIs) NYC sober (having several drugs in your system but you didn't buy any of them) Comedian Casey Rocket jokes that he's "Biloxi Mississippi sober" which is where he does a bunch of whippets and loses his son on a riverboat gambling trip. "Cashin' in my chips for forgiveness Trading in my shame for perspective Tired of being known for my sickness It didn't work, I'm tryin' something different, I Healing got me lookin' for freedom Happiness it used to be fleeting History was always repeating Not anymore I'm California sober It doesn't have to mean the growing part is over No, it ain't black or white, it's all of the colors That I only just discovered, now I'm California sober California sober I, used to live in fear of always slipping But living for perfection isn't living, I I ran a little slower, now I'm tripping, I A beautiful and magical beginning, I Healing got me lookin' for freedom Happiness, it used to be fleeting History was always repeating Not anymore I'm California sober It doesn't have to mean the growing part is over No, it ain't black or white, it's all of the colors That I only just discovered, now I'm California sober California Sober Trading judgment for freedom Found something new to believe in Something inside of me screaming 'Don't be so hard on yourself' Look up, something has shifted My heavy spirit is lifted I found myself I'm California sober Doesn't have to mean the growing part is over No, it ain't black or white, it's all of the colors That I only just discovered, now I'm California sober California sober, I California sober, I California sober" |
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Demi Lovato |
La La Land | This song is from her debut studio album "Don't Forget" released in 2008, when she had just turned 16. She says the song is about the pressure of fame. La La Land is a longstanding nickname for Los Angeles, especially Hollywood and the entertainment business. It's also slang for being out of touch with reality, due to bliss or ignorance, which is also a very good description of the Hollywood machine. "I am confident but I still have my moments. Baby, that's just me. I'm not a supermodel, I still eat McDonald's. Baby, that's just me. Well, some may say I need to be afraid Of losing everything. Because of where I Had my start and where I made my name Well everything's the same In the la-la land machine, machine. Who said I can't wear my converse with my dress? Well, baby, that's just me! And who said I can't be single And have to go out and mingle Baby, that's not me, no, no. Well, some may say I need to be afraid Of losing everything. Because of where I Had my start and where I made my name Well, everything's the same In the la-la land. Tell me do you feel the way I feel 'Cause nothing else is real In the la-la land appeal Some may say I need to be afraid Of losing everything Because of where I Had my start and where I made my name Well, everything's the same In the la-la land machine Well, I'm not gonna change In the la-la land machine I will stay the same In the la-la land... Machine Machine Machine I won't change anything in my life (I won't change anything in my life) I'm staying myself tonight (I'm staying myself tonight) La la la la la...." |
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Lyle Lovett |
L.A. County | This is a country song from Lovett's 1987 album "Pontiac." I think of it as his violent take on the ending wedding scene of The Graduate, but with his coal black .45 doing the talking instead of Dustin Hoffmann. "She left Dallas for California With an old friend by her side Well he did not say much But one year later He'd ask her to be his wife And the lights of L.A. County Look like diamonds in the sky When you're driving through the hours With an old friend at your side One year later I left Houston With an old friend by my side Well it did not say much But it was a beauty Of a coal black .45 And the lights of L.A. County Look like diamonds in the sky When you're driving through the hours With an old friend at your side So I drove on all the day long And I drove on through the night And I thought of her a'waiting For to be his blushing bride And the lights of L.A. County They looked like diamonds in the sky As I drove into the valley With my old friend at my side And as she stood there at the altar All dressed in her gown of white Her face was bright as stars a'shining Like I'd dreamed of all my life And they kissed each other And they turned around And they saw me standing in the aisle Well I did not say much I just stood there watching As that .45 told them goodbye And the lights of L.A. County Look like diamonds in the sky When you're kneeling at the altar With an old friend at your side And the lights of L.A. County Are a mighty pretty sight When you're kneeling at the altar With an old friend at your side" |
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Low |
California | Low is an indie rock slowcore band formed in Minnesota in 1993. This song is from their album "The Great Destroyer" released in 2005. California is not all sun, sandy beaches and palm trees, but most songs, including this one, talk about the weather when it's warm, not when it's cold and wet. "See your reflection in the mind You keep your revelations wide They knew just where to draw the line You let them got you every time Though it breaks your heart We had to sell the farm Back to California where it's warm It fell around you like the stars You picked up everything they dropped And though it breaks you like a song You had some secrets of your own And though it breaks your heart We had to sell the farm Back to California where it's warm" |
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Lowell (featuring Icona Pop) |
Ride | Lowell is a female Canadian singer-songwriter so far known mostly for this song which features Icona Pop, a female Swedish electropop duo. This song was featured in the 2016 film Nerve. "Yo, kiss me You know that you miss me Get on the bike and go (Ride!) Ride it like you stole it, floor it I don't like the road, I adore it I can see you got stars in your eyes I can see you got stars in your eyes I can see you got stars in your eyes Stars in your eyes, love is in the air Speed demon, my little angel Pick up the pace like danger (Ride!) Let's go to Hollywood, burn down the disco Break away to San Francisco I can see you got stars in your eyes I can see you got stars in your eyes I can see you got stars in your eyes Stars in your eyes, love is in the air (Ride, ride, ride!) Break the windows (Ride, ride, ride!) Shout it out tonight Have a b**ch fit, we don't give a s**t Love is in the air, hey, hey (Ride, ride, ride!) Break the windows (Ride, ride, ride!) Shout it out tonight Have a b**ch fit, we don't give a s**t Love is in the, love is in the air...." |
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Viki Luch |
California Dreamin | This is a Google translation of the comments written in Russian on Viki Luch's YouTube page: "I won a Green Card the first time and run a channel about life in the USA. I am an epidemiologist who teaches yoga and is a health coach. At the beginning of our journey, we worked in dentistry in Beverly Hills, where we gained excellent experience working with Americans. Now I write music and choreograph dances." This song was released in September, 2024. "She's got a little house in Cali With a garden that she tends Wants to feel the ocean breeze Not chase dollars'till the end She's not about that twenty-four seven More like dancing 'till eleven No hustle and no grind Just losing track of time She just wants to dance to yoga With her life in slow motion No more work day blues Just sunsets by the ocean She's painting skies with colors bright Living free her heart so light California dreaming In her garden every night She's drawing all her dreams In the sunlight by the trees Letting go of every worry In the morning's gentle breeze No emails no deadlines Just peace of mind she'll find She's go her rhythm, got her flow Letting all her passions grow She just wants to dance to yoga With her life in slow motion No more work day blues Just sunsets by the ocean She's painting skies with colors bright Living free her heart so light California dreaming In her garden every night Oh she's not running away She's just finding her way With every step, every breath She's moving closer to the best She just wants to dance to yoga With her life in slow motion No more work day blues Just sunsets by the ocean She's painting skies with colors bright Living free her heart so light California dreaming In her garden every night California dreaming Where the days are pure delight She's dancing in the moonlight Everything's going to be alright." |
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Lucifer |
California Son | Lucifer is a heavy metal/occult rock band formed in Berlin Germany in 2014 now based in Sweden. "Son of the morning Hold your head up high Spread your wings like an eagle You're your mother's child You got your motor running Speeding faster than light And there's no denying You're born to be wild Set your soul among the stars today You're a warrior child You're just an ocean away You're just an ocean away Sitting with Ra by your side In the California sun Your spirits are so high You've only just begun Among stars you ride To ride free you were born On highway number one You're a rider on the storm Set your soul among the stars today You're a warrior child You're just an ocean away You're just an ocean away You're just an ocean away...." |
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Rex Luciferius |
California Earthquake Song | Rex Luciferius is a rock & country blues singer-songwriter and internet prophet who claims that he knows the future and that if you listen to his songs you may save your life by moving to the safe zones. This song was written in 2016, but it still hasn't happened yet so there's still time to get to a safe zone. "California Cali forn yah aye I say can u say Cali forn yah aye Yeahhhhhh California's gone in a blink The San Andreas opened with a wink It disappeared into the drink Ol' Lucifer made it sink That ol' Pentagram of blood ink Makes the sheep now think Something really stinks The holy rollers now shrink California Cali forn yah aye I say can u say Cali forn yah aye Yeahhhhhh California's gone in a blink The San Andreas opened with a wink It disappeared into the drink Ol' Lucifer made it sink Look at the map Ol' Lucifer set the trap His angels now clap He just tips his cap California Cali forn yah aye I say can u say Cali forn yah aye Yeahhhhhh California's gone in a blink The San Andreas opened with a wink It disappeared into the drink Ol' Lucifer made it sink Gone is the city of Angels Gone is old San Fran Gone is the hill of Beverly Gone is Sacramento California Cali forn yah aye I say can u say Cali forn yah aye Yeahhhhhh California's gone in a blink The San Andreas opened with a wink It disappeared into the drink Ol' Lucifer made it sink...." |
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Ludacris (featuring Nate Dogg) |
Area Codes | Ludacris (Christopher Bridges) is a rapper and actor who started out in Atlanta, in 1998. Nate Dogg is a rapper from Long Beach, CA, active since 1992. This song is from Ludacris' third album "Word of Mouf" released in 2001. It's a stealth California song because it sneaks in a couple of California area codes - 213 (L.A.) and 415 (S.F.). When the song came out I used to wonder how high his phone bill must be from roaming and long distance charges. It used to be that you could tell someone's location from their area code but not so much now that people often don't change their cell phone numbers when they move. From the 737 I would use a 206 phone to call a 510 phone to talk to someone in the 202. Makes your head spin if you try to think about it too much. "[Nate Dogg] [Chorus:] I've got hoes I've got hoes, in different area codes (area, area codes..codes) hoes, hoes, in different area codes (area, area codes..codes) [Ludacris] Now you thought I was just 7-7-0 And 4-0-4, I'm worldwide b***h, act like y'all don't know It's the abominable "O" man Globe-trot international post man Neighbor-dick dope man 7-1-8s, 2-0-2's I send small cities and states I-O-U's 9-0-1, matter fact 3-0-5 I'll jump off the d-4, we can meet outside So control your hormones and keep your drawers on 'Til I close the door and I'm jumping your bone 3-1-2, 3-1-3, 2-1-5, 8-0-3 Read your hor-o-scope and eat some hor-derves Ten I pump one these hoes is self serve 7-5-7, 4-1-0, my cell phone says overload [Chorus] [Ludacris] Now everyday is a ho-li-day So stop the violence and put the 4-4 away, keeps you to hold today 5-0-4, 9-7-2 7-1-3, whatcha gon' do You checkin up the scene, I'm checkin a ho tonight With perpendicular vehicular ho-micide 3-1-4, 2-0-1 Too much green, too much fun I bang cock in Bangkok Can't stop, I turn and hit the same spot Think not, I'm the thrilla in Manilla, Schlong in Hong Kong Pimp em like vision, magic Don Juan Man after Henny with a coke and a smile I just pick up the muthaf***in phone and dial I got my condoms in a big-a**-sack I'm slaggin' this d**k like a New Jack, biatch [Nate Dogg] Is it cuz they like my gangsta walk? Is it cuz they like my gangsta talk? Is it cuz they like my handsome face? Is it cuz they like my gangsta ways? Whatever it is, they love it And they just won't let me be I handle my biz, don't rush me Just relax and let me be free Whenever I call, come running 2-1-2 or 2-1-3 You know that I ball, stop frontin' 'For I call on something to free [Chorus] [Ludacris] 9-1-6, 4-1-5, 7-0-4 Shout out to the 2-0-6 Everybody in the 8-0-8 2-1-6, 7-0-2, 4-1-4 3-1-7, 2-1-4, 2-8-1 3-3-4, 2-0-5, I see ya 3-1-8, 6-0-1, 2-0-3 8-0-4, 4-0-2, 3-0-1 9-0-4, 4-0-7, 8-5-0 7-0-8, 5-0-2 And different area codes." |
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Luna |
California (All the Way) | Luna is an indie rock/dream pop band formed in New York City in 1991 and fronted by Dean Wareham formerly the leader of Galaxie 500. This upbeat guitar pop song is the opening track on the band's second album "Bewitched" released in 1994. "Well, she followed him from Phoenix out to California And then she passed out on the bed And all the little things he never even asked her for She simply smiled and shook her head Why can't we smile just like we used to Why don't you figure anymore Why has my sympathy now turned to malice It doesn't matter any more And now I realize I'm living like a trucker does Although I haven't got the belly And though she followed me to California all the way I only wanna watch the telly Why can't we smile just like we used to Why don't you figure anymore Why has my sympathy now turned to malice It doesn't matter any more He asked her please stop quoting Rod McKuen in your post cards Can't understand it anymore And if your gonna read your poetry aloud to me I'll have to show you to the door Why can't we smile just like we used to Why don't you figure anymore Why has my sympathy now turned to malice It doesn't matter any more" |
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Luna |
California Blue | This great indie rock cover of the Roy Orbison song is from the album "Postscripts" released in 2019. The lyrics are listed under Roy Orbison. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Luna |
Malibu Love Nest | This song is from the album "Rendezvous" released in 2005. "Honey bunny come on It's time to put the diamonds on In the bathroom on the plane On the bus and on the train I'll write your name In Malibu In Malibu Inside Italian magazines In my wishes and my dreams On the walls and on the streets In the sand and on the beach I'll write your name In Malibu In Malibu In Malibu You will call me Robespierre Put the powder in your hair Moonman light This crooked sky There is something in the air" |
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Luniz |
I Got 5 On It | Luniz is a hip-hop duo formed in Oakland in 1992. A huge top ten hit, this song was their debut single from their first album "Operation Stackola" released in 1995. The chorus features the R&B singer Michael Marshall "Creep on in, on in, on in Woah See, I'm ridin' high, woah Kinda broke this evening, y'all, so all I got is five, I got five Player, give me some brew and I might just chill But I'm the type that like to light another joint like Cypress Hill I steal doobies, spit loogies when I puff on it I got some bucks on it, but it ain't enough on it Go get the S, the T, I-D-E-S Nevertheless, I'm hella fresh, rollin' joints like a cigarette So pass it 'cross the table like ping pong I'm gone, beatin' my chest like King Kong It's on, wrap my lips around the forty And when it comes to getting another stogie Fools all kick in like Shinobi (Shinobi) No, he ain't my homie to begin with It's too many heads to be poppin' to let my friend hit Bit Unless you pull out the fat, crispy Five-dollar bill, on the real, before it's history 'Cause fools be havin' them vacuum lungs And if you let 'em hit it for free, you hella dumb, da-dumb-dumb I come to school (Nyoom) with the Taylor on my earlobe Avoidin' all the dick teasers, skeezers and weirdos That be blowin' off the land like, "Where the bomb at?" Give me two bucks, you take a puff and pass my bomb back Suck up that dank like a Slurpee, the serious Bomb will make a niggy go delirious like Eddie Murphy I got more growin' pains than Maggie 'Cause homies nag me to take the dank out of the baggie I got five on it (Got it, good) Grab your '40, let's get keyed 'Cause I got five on it Messin' with that Indo weed 'Cause I got five on it (Got it, good) It's got me stuck, and I'm tore back 'Cause I got five on it Partner, let's go half on a sack I take sacks to the face whenever I can, don't need no crutch I'm so keyed up till the joint be burnin' my hand Next time I roll it in a hampa To burn slow, so the ashes won't be burnin' up my hand, bruh Hoochies can hit, but they know they got to pitch in Then I roll a joint that's longer than your extension (Hahahaha) 'Cause I'll be damned if you get high off me for free Hell, no! You better bring your own spliff, chief (Five on it) What's up? Don't babysit that, better pass the joint Stop hittin' 'cause you know you got asthma Crack a 40 open, homie, and guzzle it 'Cause I know the weed in my system is gettin' lonely I gotta take a whiz test to my P.O. I know I failed 'cause I done smoked major weed, bro And every time we with Chris, that fool rollin' up a fatty But the Tanqueray straight had me I got five on it (Got it, good) Grab your '40, let's get keyed 'Cause I got five on it Messin' with that Indo weed 'Cause I got five on it (Got it, good) It's got me stuck, and I'm tore back 'Cause I got five on it (Got it, good) Partner, let's go half on a sack Ayy, make this right, mane, stop at the light, mane My yester-night thang got me hung off the night train You fade, I fade, so let's head to the East Hit the stroll to 9-0, so we can roll big hashishs I wish I could fade the eighth, but I'm low-budget Still rollin' a two-door Cutlass, same old bucket Foggy windows, soggy Indo I'm in the 'land gettin' smoked with my kinfolk, Ibeen smoked Yuk'll spray ya, lay you down Up in the O-A-K, the Town, homies don't play around, we down to blaze a pound Then ease up, speed up through the E-S-O Drink the V-S-O-P up, with a lemon squeeze up And everybody's rolled up, I'm the roller That's quick to fold a blunt out of a bunch of sticky doja (Wouh) Hold up, suck up my weed is all you do, kick in feed 'Cause where I be, we needs half like Umfufu I got five on it (Got it, good) Grab your '40, let's get keyed 'Cause I got five on it Messin' with that Indo weed 'Cause I got five on it (Got it, good) It's got me stuck, and I'm tore back 'Cause I got five on it (Got it, good) Partner, let's go half on a sack" |
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Lupe Fiasco |
Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) | Lupe Fiasco is Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, a rapper and producer from Chicago active since 2000. This song is from his fourth studio album "Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt.1" released in 2012. "Oakland City" in the song probably refers to the neighborhood in Atlanta, not the California city. The great saxophone hook in the song is a sample from the 1992 Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth song "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" which sampled it from the 1967 song "Today" by Tom Scott and the California Dreamers, which is a cover of the 1967 Jefferson Airplane song "Today." Got that? It will all be on the final. "Yeah Great American Rap, resurrect... Rest in peace, Young F 'Porting live from the set Uh 'Porting live from the set, yeah! First off, say "Peace" to Pine Ridge Shame at all the damage that the white man wine did Ghost Dance, Trail of Tears, five million beers a year And all that other crime did More peace to the teachers of blind kids To rebels in small cells keeping their mind big Say everything's hostile, suicide bombers And prosperity gospels, emaciated models With cocaine and blood pouring out their nostrils They got to, just to stay awake On the catwalk of life where everybody watch you Straight hair, high heels, and a handbag Crucifixes, racism, and a land grab Katrina, FEMA trailers, human body sandbags A peace sign and a pants sag A money toss cause a nine-stripper mad dash A friend request, follow, and a hashtag Now everybody want it like the last laugh A Michael Jackson jacket or a Daft mask Purple Jordans or the mixed girl in your math class Stable is when the Ba'ath had Baghdad But corporate jets really had to have that gas bad War and they hope they all fall from the ratatat 'Cause that's just more dinosaur for their Cadillac Live from the other side, what you see? A bunch of nonsense on my TV Heaven on Earth is what I need But I feel I'm in Hell every time I breathe 'Porting live from the other side, what you hear? A bunch of nonsense all in my ear Rich man, poor man, we all gotta pay 'Cause freedom ain't free, 'specially round my way And we marvel at the state of Ottoman Then turn around and treat Ghana like a garbage can America's a big motherf***kin' garbageman If you ain't know, you're part and parcel of the problem You say no you ain't, and I say yes you is Soon as you find out what planned obsolescence is You say no they didn't, and I say yes they did The definition of unnecessary-ness Manifested Say that we should protest just to get arrested That goes against all my hustling ethics A bunch of jail ni***as say it's highly ineffective Depart from Martin, connect on Malcolm X tip Insert Baldwin to similar the separate To me, the truth is more fulfilling than a meth hit Or finding really fast internet to have some sex with It's all one song short of a set list Couple croissants shy of a continental breakfast Or blowing out your birthday candles just to make a death wish So absurd, word to Chief Bone Necklace Down at the Lakota Sioux Casino A whole culture boiled down to giving you pokeno I go as left as a heart in the chest 'Cause the Horn of Africa is now starving to death Live from the other side, what you see? A bunch of nonsense on my TV Heaven on Earth is what I need But I feel I'm in Hell every time I breathe 'Porting live from the other side, what you hear? A bunch of nonsense all in my ear Rich man, poor man, we all gotta pay 'Cause freedom ain't free, 'specially round my way An all-white Los Angeles, the dream of Mr. Chandler Hope and pray they take Columbus Day up off the calendar South Central, an example of God's gifts So shout to all the mothers raising babies in SPA 6 The projects of Oakland City, Detroit ghost towns Monopolies on poverty where D-boy coke bound It’s parts of Manila like the video for "Thriller" But the U.S. Embassy is reminiscent of a villa If poverty is chocolate and privilege, vanilla Then what’s the flavor of the Sunday preacher’s pedophilia? Cash rules everything around these ni**as As classrooms everywhere around me wither Hither you can be Mr. Burns or Mr. Smithers The tyrant or the slave, but nowhere in the mid-ler Of the extremes of America’s dream Freud fighting Neo, Freddy Krueger refereeing, now… Live from the other side, what you see? A bunch of nonsense on my TV Heaven on Earth is what I need But I feel I'm in Hell every time I breathe 'Porting live from the other side, what you hear? A bunch of nonsense all in my ear Rich man, poor man, we all gotta pay 'Cause freedom ain't free, 'specially round my way Great American rap resurrect... Lupe on the check Westside till I die!" |
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Margeaux Lynn |
Ottoman California | Margeaux Lynn, aka Margeaux Sippell, is a folk-pop singer-songwriter from Rhode Island, currently (2022) based in Los Angeles where she also works as a journalist, writing for MovieMaker Magazine. This song was released in fall 2022. She's obviously singing "autumn in" but the title spells it "Ottoman" like a footstool, no doubt because she's a huge fan of putting her feet up. I can relate to that. "Autumn in California Didn't the weatherman warn ya There's nothing chill about it We'll have to live without it Plenty of faces for punching Not enough leaves for the crunching They say that Hollywood's haunted But autumn is all that we wanted I've got a bad fall fixation We ... to my imagination Autumn in California Autumn in California There's much to be desired These pumpkin patches look tired I know this latte's rediculous But show me a tree that's deciduous It's kind of hot for October We'll dance at dusk in the clover Autumn in California Autumn in California There's no need to wear a sweater But she'll wear one if you let her... Autumn in California Autumn in California Autumn in California Autumn in California...." |
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Sandra Lynn |
Hey California | Sandra Lynn is a country music singer-songwriter from California. This song was released in 2017. "Hey California, yeah I dig your style You light me up with that Hollywood smile And you're killing me baby, with those Robert Redford eyes I wanna fly, I wanna fly in your bluer sky, yeah Hey California, I love your new red car, I wanna a cruise with you down your boulevard When that sun sets, I wanna melt in your arms, Where the moonlight's a spotlight, and you're my superstar, ohh I feel so fine in your sunshine Keep taking my breath away Got me so high baby you're like A picture perfect summer day Hey California, oh you're so sublime Can I take a selfie with you baby, I wanna show you off online And I bet your kiss is like a fine wine So I say, it's okay to put your lips on mine, yeah I feel so fine in your sunshine Keep taking my breath away Got me so high baby you're like A picture perfect summer day Hey California, don't you forget my name Go on and put my star on your Walk of Fame Cuz LAX ain't gonna hold my plane So I gotta run, but look me up if you're ever out my way Hey California Don't you forget my name Hey California Don't forget my name" |
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Lyno Nine8 (produced by Falconi x Jurij Gold) |
California Glow | I can't figure out who Lyno Nine8 is but I assume he's a German rapper since this is a rap song in German. Simon Falconi is an electronic music producer from Ecuado and Jurij Gold is a music producer who might be from Germany. There is not much information about any of them. This song was released in May, 2023.
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Melissa Lyons |
California Christmas | Melissa Lyons Caldretti is a singer and actress based in Los Angeles, known for being the singing voice of Mattel's Barbie for many years. This song is from the soundtrack to the animated movie "Barbie in A Christmas Carol" released in 2008. (Somehow I missed that one...) There are some good lines in this, my favorite being "And the
flip flops hung by the chimney with care." "It's 70 and sunny, not a cloud in the air And the flip flops hung by the chimney with care We've been good all year, we've been waiting all day For the tricked out, red convertible sleigh All the carolers are out tonight Santa's gonna make 'em shout tonight It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Everybody's hanging ten on the waves, oh yeah Gonna bring a little North Pole to the West Coast And jingle all the way again It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Top down with the radio on, oh yeah It's the magic of the season just believing it will never end We're making a list, and we're checking it twice Gonna party on the beach, don't forget the ice Line up all the presents underneath the palm tree One for cousin Holly and her friend Ivy Cool the reindeer with a fan today Santa's gonna get a tan today It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Everybody's hanging ten on the waves, oh yeah Gonna bring a little North Pole to the West Coast And jingle all the way again It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Top down with the radio on, oh yeah It's the magic of the season just believing it'll never end Everybody's singing fa la la la la la la la la la la la la And the bells are ringing fa la la la la la la la la la la la la It's the time to come together And you just can't beat the weather It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Everybody's hanging ten on the waves, oh yeah Gonna bring a little North Pole to the West Coast And jingle all the way again It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Top down with the radio on, oh yeah It's the magic of the season just believing it'll never end It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Everybody's hanging ten on the waves, oh yeah Gonna bring a little North Pole to the West Coast And jingle all the way again It's a California Christmas, oh oh oh Top down with the radio on, oh yeah It's the magic of the season just believing it'll never end...." |
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Lyrics Born (featuring C. Holiday and The Poets of Rhythm) |
The Bay | Lyrics Born (formerly known as Asia Born) is a Tokyo born rapper/songwriter who eventually ended up in Berkeley. This is from his compilation album "Same !@#$ Different Day" released in 2005. The San Francisco Bay is the defining feature of the Bay Area, though for a lot of people it's just an obstacle they have to get past on a boat, over a bridge, or under it in a tunnel in order to get where they need to go. But in this song the bay stands for the entire Bay Area, on every side of the bridges. That's a lot of territory... "Ladies and Gentlemen, We will soon touch down in the beautiful Bay Area Please lean your seats back, cut your turn tables up And always hold a firm and forthright position We ask that you permanently stow all of your baggage behind you With temperatures about like this, with a slight ocean breeze With crisp highs and deep lows It's been our pleasure serving it, and we appreciate you riding high for the team Ladies and Gentlemen, it's a new day in The Bay Where the people are intelligent, articulate, eloquent Artistic, hard-working and diligent, both progressive and politically spirited(ed), definitely in possession of the Ill-latent element, we hella independent More than a little bit critical of the political system And nobody bulls***tin' The Bay, that aint the way we livin' Women got that smart-ass charm, so uninhibited They always catch us men off guard, but cool to kick it with We hold a certain love for our own, known as Bay-love But if push comes to shove we won't hesitate to raise up We aint afraid of funk, The Bay was made of funk They say we help create the funk, baby take it from this native son I dedicate this one to every neighborhood on every side of each bridge Globally we known for bein' soulfully distinct, culturally rich, totally unique Emotionally I'm linked to the place I'm from that's why I named this one The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay Now I grew up in this area from a very early age It ain't occurred to me the world could be much bigger than The Bay Now I've journeyed around the Earth and I can certainly say If I'm lucky they'll bury me here, I'll hit the pearly gates I spent my early days in Berkley getting thoroughly blazed Could have very well been worse but I was mercifully saved The Bay taught me how to persevere, endure and maintain Despite adversity, courageously with purpose and strength The entrepreneurial attitude we have will serve us very well With very little we're able to adapt From independent record labels, newspapers and stands Explorin' every avenue, nobody gave us a hand From the mom and pop bargain spots, record shops, restaurants, Auto-body shops, flea-markets and BART parking lots Some parts is large and yo we all want homes there Some parts is hard even the fog don't go there The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay 510, 707, 925, 650, 408, 209 The 4 the 1 the 5 Players in Gators, Hippies in Dickies, Asians with Pagers Heathen and fiends, straight makers and demonstrators Day laborer slash caterer slash bass player Slash waiter slash painter slash whatever pays in cash A's, Raiders, and Giants, Sharks, Warriors, and 49ers The birthplace of defiance, earthquakes and choirs Two guys inside a blue painted Yukon, who grind Suitcases full of Tupac bootlegs in a shoebox, 'you break it you buy it' Liquor stores, record stores, thrift stores Vacant sign in a second story red Victorian Picket lines, E-40 / Too Short lyrics, American spirits Newports, shoe stores, mixed marriage and new courts Spinners that don't spin, women that don't bend Beat poets, weed growers, heat holders Each culture represent the way it ought to be home They callin' me back, the ocean lullabyin' me is where my soul will always be The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay The Bay, The Bay" |
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Mac 10 (featuring Ice Cube and Snoop Doggy Dogg) |
Only In California | Mack 10 is a rapper from Inglewood, active since 1992. Ice Cube is rapper and actor from L.A. Snoop Dogg is a rapper and actor from Long Beach. This song is from the album "Based on a True Story" released in 1997. [Ice Cube] "Speak on it my ni**a, speak on it (and my heat go) Only in California Where ni**az pull heat and run up on ya (get your grind on) Only in California (California) Where ni**az pull heat and run up ya (run up on ya) Ice Cube the mutherf**kin don Snoop Doggy Dogg a.k.a. Tha Doggfather Mack 10 alias the Chicken Hawk Gangstas with rules Cause youse the ni**az with no rules Ain't got nothing to lose, we got everything to lose Threw his ass in, he feel the fin of the barracuda I negotiate Mack is the shooter You the ni**a on the journey strapped to this gurney We break breads with accountants and attorneys Currency never worry me (never) Who's got the balls to murder me Degree higher than a 33 Tell em what you drank (Hennessy) Never tell em what you thinkin' Never tell em where the body stankin' F**k Lincoln, f**ck Jackson, bankin' Franklin what you thankin' Hope your man come with the ransom Let me see you dance on, no longer handsome If you don't drop off than walk off, watch him, watch him Only in California Where ni**az pull heat and run up on ya (get your grind on) Only in California (California) Where ni**az pull heat and run up ya (run up on ya) [Snoop Doggy Dogg] Them West Coast ni**az is real set trippas Will get you for them zippas, on a quest for them chippas Slidin' while we ridin', not even hittin' switches Hangin' at the high school gettin at them young b***hes I got the dove sacks, homies love that (who got the bud) Where the bud at, hollering at my big homeboy who fresh out Hangin' at my grandmama house, homie burnt out What you gonna do when you get out of jail (speak on it) I'm gonna have some fun What do you consider fun a ounce and about five hun So I put him on a move that I know about Hooked him with a homegirl from the South (good lookin out) Money made, plug a playa in the game Especially when he represent the same thing I claim Damn they don't make ni**az like they used to That's probably why I keep a tight grip on my deuce deuce (that's real) Cause everybody wanna be a star In the city of dope, a.k.a. caviar Only in California Where ni**az pull heat and run up on ya (get your grind on) Only in California (California) Where ni**az pull heat and run up ya (run up on ya) [Mack 10] What have we a house full of cavi (no stress) Well known ridas from different sides of the West Got the hi-zoes lickin' up so hard we stickin' up ni**az Tired of the bulls**t so we clicken up Ni**a please we ain't trippin off C's and B's It's the Westside Connect with the DPG's For the cheese we jab with the gift of the gab Always cappin', Mack, Cube and Snoop rappin' Now how did that happen it's all good (fool) So peep game If you could Snoop be from Long Beach and I be from Inglewood Now you despise cause it came to yo surprise Two well known enemies now becoming allies In Californ-I-A we parlay the G way Some wear red and black and some sport blue and grey So gangsta's don't dance we hang boogie and bang So it's the Westside Connect with the Dogg Pound Gang...." |
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Tom Mac |
California On My Mind | Tom Mac is a traveling singer-songwriter from Victoria, Australia. This light acoustic folk/country song is from his EP "Hearts Are Strong" released in 2023. "Being free comes with All its loneliness Being with you is this One and- only-ness I′m just wasting time worried About wasting time If I bite this bullet Will it digest in time With California on my mind California on my mind Tell me are you with me Or is this all about you? Once our love was raging Rage has taken over loving you We're both in deep water These waves are climbing higher and higher and higher We′re both scared of flying This ain't the smoothest ride With California on our minds California on our minds California on our minds California on our minds Say it's now or never I said you take yourself wherever Wherever you go So slow Slow Slow, slow your mind Slow, slow your mind Slow, slow your mind Slow, slow your mind Being free comes with all it′s loneliness" |
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Jeanette MacDonald |
San Francisco | Jeanette MacDonald was a singer and actress from Philadelphia, active from 1909-1959, and best known for her musical films of the 1930s. This song is from the 1936 movie "San Francisco" starring MacDonald, Clark Gable, and Spencer Tracy. The song is played for much of the movie movie until the 1906 earthquake finally puts an end to it. These days it's painful to listen to her operatic music hall style, especially when she tries to get jazzy and it's like musical blackface. Nominated for Oscars for best picture, best director and best screenplay the movie is worth watching at least once even though it's very cheesy. "It only takes a tiny corner of This great big world to make a place you love My home up on the hill I find I love you still I've been away but now I'm back to tell you San Francisco Open your Golden Gate You let no stranger wait outside your door San Francisco Here is your wandering one Saying I'll wander no more Other places only make me love you best. Tell me you're the heart of all the golden west San Francisco Welcome me home again I'm coming home To go roaming no more" |
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Mac Dre (featuring Coolio da Unda Dogg) |
California Livin' | Mac Dre was a rapper from the Bay Area active from 1984 until he was murdered in 2004. This is from his 1991 "California Livin' EP". "(Mac Dre) This California lifestyle that I live Zeus amps, Zap' board, highs and mids Woofers in the trunk straight slammin Strikin through the neighborhood jammin Where you can drop the top, or blow the brains Hit the intersection and do some thangs Passin up freaks with a gang of 'Yo!'s Smooth thick legs, no panty hose Silky perms and dookie braids Brothers with curls, some with bangs House parties rock way past 3 Players straight sip on Hennessy High-speed chases, Chevy races Havin sex in the strangest places Nike shoes, Levis jeans Triple gold Daytons and straight laced Zeniths Some on Vogues, some on Elites Brothers like me rap to the beat Dual exhaust, candy paint Fat bank and a gang of dank Never on time, always late On the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate If you wanna live on the best coast You better try to move to the West Coast Where Life Is Too Short and The Game Is Thick Home of The Mack and the Groupie Ol' Chick Where brothers stay on the savage grind Kick with a freak when they find the time The C-a-l-i-f-o-r-n-i-a rap superstar Dose for dose, I love to spit it And for the dank, I love to hit it Hold it in, so it can choke me And when I get dank, it will provoke me To bust a rhyme, through the mic A West Coast rap, the kind you like I'm from the V-a-double l-e-j-o Where makin dope raps is all I know Wake up in the mornin, eat some grits Hit the studio, make some hits Now that you been told about Watch you rap fans get sold about One million copies, or even more I'm pumpin dope rhymes to the record store Yeah fool, you hear me spittin Tellin you about that California livin (Coolio Da' Unda' Dogg) Kickin it tough everyday, tryina make it through Stackin a bank, pullin women and I take it you Would wanna be down with this California lifestyle Ruthless as a child, now I play the wild In the streets of California you better be packin And watch your back, due to the fact they jackin The wind breeze blowin through the trees And I'm still gettin tacked at a hundred degrees Side so hard on the avenue From L.A. to the Bay brothers stay comin through In Benzes, Porsches, Fives and thangs Drop coupes, lift Chev's and whipped up 'Stangs Gold Daytons and Vogues, candy paint in the kit Fifth wheel, gold grill, boy I'm talkin 'bout [?] Some of the baddest females ever seen Straight California snakes, I'll be your green In the Golden State, livin way too real, fool And if you're soft, you best be cool To the double R all my time is given Coolio and Mac Dre, California livin (Mac Dre) California livin it up, girls be givin it up Kickin back on the track with some heem in your cup It's a twelve-month party So when you see me on stage with Lott and Marty Get out your seat and feel the beat And peel a freak and don't stop till Cee's killed the beat On the California coast we pop the most And dose for dose we spit the dough On the W-e-s-t C-o-a-s-t It's young Mac Dre from the C-r-e-s-t Down and dirty, doin things that only players can do Straight California livin is what I'm sayin to you Ridin, sidin, whippin, dippin 24/7 a brother ain't trippin Mac Dre, the one you like to listen to Nationwide and now I'm fins'to Put a little slang in the rap game And come up strong for The Mac, mane" |
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Machine Gun Kelly (featuring Gunna, Yung Thug, and Landon Barker) |
Die in California | Machine Gun Kelly is Colson Baker, a singer-songwriter-actor from Ohio active since 2006. Gunna and Yung Thug are rappers from Georgia. Landon Barker is one of the lyricists on the song. (I think he might be the son of drummer Travis Barker.) This alt-rap song is from the album "Mainstream Sellout" released in 2022. "Killed the me I used to be I might die in California In my mind I had a dream Saw a demon on my shoulder Yeah, I know, I should probably let it go Yeah, I know I might die in California Die in California Ayy Someone cut the lights off, please I've been kinda sad lately I know that I'm good for you, but you're kinda bad, baby Witches doin' love chants, brewin' up the potion I had a premonition I was overdosin' So someone cut the lights off, please I don't want you to look at me I paint my nails black, if I ever look happy then it's an act Every day is an anxiety attack I wish I could take it back to when I was drinkin' water out the tap With the Cleveland logo printed on my hat Tell me was it my fear of bein' complacent That ended up leavin' me so jaded (Ended up leavin' me) I'm miserable even though I made it Got a house in the hills and I f**kin' hate it Killed the me I used to be I might die in California In my mind I had a dream Saw a demon on my shoulder Yeah, I know, I should probably let it go (Let it go) Yeah, I know I might die in California Die in California They gon' be missin' me It's gon' be chaos when it comes down to my royalties I keep the stick like Mister X and that's by any means Watch out for opps, watch out for cops, they kill for anything I got on Prada shoes and Prada tee I love my brudda, rest in peace, I know you're proud of me I'm pourin' mud up, tryna stay away from Billie Jean On all these uppers, everybody say I hardly sleep And I got demons on my shoulder, heart gettin' colder, oh so cold Keep me a heater, that's my toaster in my coat, you never know The streets don't love you, I don't need love, I don't need you, no, no, no I pray on my knees and I stay strong Take care of my family, I don't wanna die alone Killed the me I used to be I might die in California In my mind I had a dream Saw a demon on my shoulder Yeah, I know, I should probably let it go (Let it go) Yeah, I know I might die in California Die in California All this bread, make her, speed up When I did, ate her, I made her sit up I don't talk to a pillow I don't walk, Rolls Royce truck Tell the old ladies and the babies go inside I told that b**ch, I been a savage before the rappin' I can take the jet to Seattle without the sky I can shoot this b**ch like a veteran with precise 911 Porsche Cayenne grey like a granny Dyin' in L.A., I done OD'd on twenty Xannies, slime Oh, she my baby, she my wife She tryna kiss it while we ride (Muah) We bouta f**k around and die Livin' in the hills, got eyes (Eyes) Now she tryna hire her a spy (Now she tryna hire her a spy) Killed the me I used to be I might die in California In my mind I had a dream Saw a demon on my shoulder Yeah, I know, I should probably let it go Yeah, I know I might die in California Die in California" |
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Doug Macrae and the Big Grass Tradition |
A Day in the Life of a Morro Bay Rambler | Doug Macrae is a singer-songwriter who grew up in Florida and settled in California where he formed several musical outfits to write and perform with, including the Big Grass Tradition, a six piece bluegrass band. This song is from their album "A Day in the Life of a Morro Bay Rambler" released in 2018. "Take me on down the Embarcadero Turn up the song roll down the window I wish I were down the Embarcadero Oh my my, where does the time go? There's a foghorn blowing in the hours of a new day When you're out on the town in the city of Morro Bay There's a blue sky even when the fog is rolling in There's a dockside too, and your pets are welcome I can hear the Sirens singing by the waterside And I know Grandma's gonna fix it up just right There's three stacks flashing and they're lighting up the way To the Gibraltar of the Pacific in the city of Morro Bay Take me on down the Embarcadero I wanna see the gull, pelican, and sparrow I wish I were down the Embarcadero Where the streets are wide but the path is narrow And the sunset's prettier and prettier each day When you're down on the docks in the city of Morro Bay When you're out on the town in the city of Morro Bay" |
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The Madden Brothers |
California Rain | The Madden Brothers are a pop rock duo from Maryland, active since 2011, made up of twin brothers who are also members of the band Good Charlotte, which formed in 1996. This song is from their debut studio album "Greetings From California" released in 2014. ""Little Darling don't you cry even California's cold sometimes We can make it, we got to try Baby I believe in California rain Yeahhh Let me take you back before the lights, before the crowd, before we made a sound All I wanted was to make my mother proud She told me "Son we're from the side of town, no one even makes it out" Before we created, before they hated Before anyone anticipated, we just want to make it They said you're crazy nothing's ever changing So I packed up all my things and headed out towards the ocean In my imagination California's waiting She'll take me by the hand say "Hello, I'm so glad you finally made it" Here comes the rain Little Darling don't you cry, even California's cold sometimes We can make it we got to try Baby I believe Summer's waiting, on the other side There's no limit we can touch the sky Baby I believe in California rain Yeah It's been a long time coming, a long road running You know what I'm saying, if you ever wanted something So bad that you could taste it, couldn't sleep until you make it And you know when you got it no one else could ever take it When I met her she was easy she was happy just to meet me She never wanted nothing just something to believe in But the storms start raging come all the tribulations When the fire starts fading, you've just got to recreate it In my imagination California's waiting She'll take me by the hand say "Hello I'm so glad you finally made it" Here comes the rain Little Darling don't you cry, even California's cold sometimes We can make it, we gotta try Baby I believe Summer's waiting, on the other side There's no limit we can touch the sky Baby I believe in California rain Yeah (California rain, California rain, California rain) Everything ain't what it seems, California rain on me Everything ain't what it seems, California rain on me Everything ain't what it seems (rain on me), California rain on me Everything ain't what it seems California rain "" |
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Madonna |
Hollywood | Madonna is a singer, songwriter & actress from Michigan who has been performing since the 1970s. This is a dance pop song (with acoustic guitar) from her 2003 album American Life. Like just about any song now that uses the word "Hollywood," this song evokes the illusory dreams of wealth and fame that bring people to the entertainment capital, where most of them fail. This was a minor hit by one of the wealthiest and most famous entertainers in the world who used Hollywood to provide her with a large part of that success, so its hard to sympathize with her complaints. (Music stations always play the same songs all over the world, not just in Hollyweird.) "Everybody comes to Hollywood They wanna make it in the neighborhood They like the smell of it in Hollywood How could it hurt you when it looks so good Shine your light now This time it's gotta be good You get it right now Yeah 'Cause you're in Hollywood There's something in the air in Hollywood The sun is shining like you knew it would You're riding in your car in Hollywood You got the top down and it feels so good Everybody comes to Hollywood They wanna make it in the neighborhood They like the smell of it in Hollywood How could it hurt you when it looks so good I lost my memory in Hollywood I've had a million visions Bad and good There's something in the air in Hollywood I tried to leave it but I never could ... ... ... Music stations always play the same songs I'm bored with the concept of right and wrong ... ... ... 'Cause you're in Hollywood 'Cause you're in Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood In Hollywood Push the button Don't push the button Trip the station Change the channel...." |
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Madonna |
I Love New York | In this dance pop hit from her 2005 album “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” Madonna channels her inner cranky old man screaming "get off my street." She loves New York, but not so much Paris, London, Texas, or Los Angeles, and she makes it clear that New Yorkers are angry with an attitude, probably because they’re sleep deprived, unlike the well-rested people of L.A. “I don't like cities But I like new york Other places make me feel like a dork Los Angeles is for people who sleep Paris and London Baby you can keep Other cities always make me mad Other places always make me sad No other city ever made me glad except New York I love New York I love New York I love New York If you don't like my attitude Then you can F off Just go to Texas Isn't that where they golf New York is not for little pussies who scream If you can't stand the heat Then get off my street I love New York Get off my street” |
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The Magnetic Fields |
California Girls |
The Magnetic Fields is a band founded by Stephin Merritt who's from Boston, active since 1989. The singer, Shirley Simms, is a singer-songwriter from Boston. If you like distortion and hate the California Barbie girl stereotype enough to encourage an axe murderer, then you'll like this song. It's from the album "Distortion" released in 2008. "See them on the big bright screen Tan and blonde and seventeen Eating nonfood keeps them mean But they're young forever If they must grow up They marry Dukes and Earls I hate California girls They ain't broke, so they put on airs, The faux folks sans derrières They breathe coke and have affairs With each passing rock star They come on like squares Then get off like squirrels I hate California girls Looking down their perfect noses At me and my kind Do they think we won't Well, never mind Laughing through their perfect teeth At everyone I know Do they think we won't Get up and go? So I have planned my grand attacks I will stand behind their backs With my brand-new battle axe Then they will they taste my wrath They will hear me say As the pavement whirls I hate California girls" |
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The Magnetic Fields |
Come Back From San Francisco | This song is from the three-volume album "69 Love Songs" released in 1999. In it, a woman begs a man to come back from San Francisco, and not get distracted by pretty boys in discos. If he's discovered the Castro I'm afraid she's going to be disappointed... "Come back from San Francisco. It can't be all that pretty, when all of New York City misses you. Should pretty boys in discos distract you from your novel, remember I'm awful in love with you. You need me like the wind needs the trees to blow in. Like the moon needs poetry, you need me. Come back from San Francisco and kiss me; I've quit smoking. I miss doing the wild thing with you. Will you stay? I don't think so, but all I do is worry, pack bags, call cabs, and hurry home to me." |
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The Main Ingredient |
California My Way | The Main Ingredient is a soul and R&B group from Harlem, NYC, active since 1964. This song is from their album Euphrates River, released in 1974. It's a cover of the 1967 song by the Fifth Dimension, but in the soul genre and with some added lyrics included a fixation on Hollywood. "Oooh, oooh California my way I'm movin' on, babe Yeah Oooh, oooh California my way California my way Got to move on, yeah Oooh, oooh California my way California my way I've got my bags packed, yeah (Yeah) And I'm well on my way (Well on my way) Girl, I should be there (Yeah) In the warm of the day Yes, I do I really, really want to go there, yeah They say 'Till you go You haven't been nowhere, no, no California my way California my way Any day, whoa-oh I'm gonna move I've got to hit the highway, yeah, yeah Right away, whoa-oh California my way Got to hit the highway Gonna move, gonna move, gonna move Here I come, Los Angeles San Diego, San Francisco Here I come Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Hollywood, yeah (Hollywood) I'm gonna hit the highway, baby Movin' on, babe California my way California, here I come Got to go Hey, c'mon, baby, get up, c'mon Hey! I've got my bags packed, baby (Yeah) And I'm well on my way (Well on my way) I know, I know, I know I've got to go there, baby In the warm of the day Yes, I do I really, really want to go there, yeah They say 'Till you go You haven't been nowhere, no California my way Any day, whoa-oh I'm gonna move, gonna move, gonna Got to hit the highway, baby California my way I'm gonna to hit the highway I'm gonna move, gonna move, gonna move Gotta find my way, baby Oakland's first up San Diego, Los Angeles San Francisco, c'mon California Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood, yeah (Hollywood) I've got to hit the highway Get on up, c'mon, yeah California Get on up California, my way, yeah Get up I've got to hit the highway, yeah Get up, c'mon, get up, get up, get up, uh Get on up C'mon Get on up Come on , California California my way Get on up Get up, get up Got to hit the highway, baby Really, really, got to move Get on up, get on up, get on up California my way" |
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Majeeed |
California | Majeeed is the stage name of Ekeh Chiaka Joseph, a singer-songwriter from Lagos, Nigeria, active since 2020. This Nigerian Afropop song was released in 2024. I don't know if using "Califo" for the state is common in Nigeria, or just in this song, but it seems better than "Cali" which can be confused with the city in Colombia. "I'll be away for a while I need a pay you babe Nah why you no dey reply (nuh) I dey ten thousand miles I'm working in California I hope you're doing alright Oh my babe babe babe I put my life on the line Never give in to pressure E dey spoil person life I hope you're getting my letters I'm going away for a while Never give in to pressure 'Cause I go dey by your side (is for life) Ten thousand miles away (babe) Away Away (babe) Away Away For Califo Ten thousand miles away (babe) Away away (babe) Away away For Califo No go too reason am oo, my philo I know that you missing me down below Down below You'll remember the day wey I tell you 'I love you' for jangilo Olomi bami fo (eh) [Yoruba = water bathed in water] I dey for Califo Californiaaaaaa (oh my babe babe) I put my life on the line Never give in to pressure E dey spoil person life I hope you're getting my letters I'm going away for a while Never give it to pressure 'Cause I go dey by your side (nah for life) Ten thousand miles away (babe) Away away (babe) Away away For Califo Ten thousand miles away (babe) Away away (babe) Away away For Califo Never give it to pressure E dey spoil person life Go" |
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The Mamas & the Papas |
California Dreamin' | The Mamas and the Papas were a folk rock vocal group formed in Los Angeles, originally made up of John Phillps, raised in Virginia, Michelle Phillips from Long Beach Calfornia, Cass Elliott from Baltimore, and Denny Doherty from Canada. The group was active from 1965-1968 and again in 1971. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. This is the great 1965 California classic folk pop hit with lots of harmonies, tambourines, and even a flute solo. It's in the Grammy Hall of Fame and it's on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song was written by John and Michelle Phillips in 1963 during a cold winter when they were living in New York City, but it was first recorded in 1965 by Barry McGuire with The Mamas and the Papas on backing vocals. The Mamas and the Papas used the same music and backing vocals to make their own version of the song which was then released as a single in December 1965 and became a huge hit in 1966. There's even a Wickipedia page on the song. The song has also been recorded by a lot of mucsicians. A list of some of them is included below the lyrics. Some of the lines in the lyrics are interpreted in different ways, but I think the lyrics shown below are the originals: "And I pretend to pray" is sometimes sung as "And I began to pray" (Mama Cass sang it this way.) "You know the preacher likes the cold" is sometimes sung as "You know the preacher likes the coast." AZ lyrics, shows it as "You know the preacher lights the coals" and it shows Bobby Womack's version as "You know the preacher digs a a call." "All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown) And the sky is gray (And the sky is gray) I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) On a winter's day (On a winter's day) I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm) If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.) California dreamin' (California dreamin') On such a winter's day Stopped into a church I passed along the way Well, I got down on my knees (Got down on my knees) And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray) You know the preacher likes the cold (Preacher likes the cold) He knows I'm gonna stay (Knows I'm gonna stay) California dreamin' (California dreamin') On such a winter's day All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown) And the sky is gray (And the sky is gray) I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) On a winter's day (On a winter's day) If I didn't tell her (If I didn't tell her) I could leave today (I could leave today) California dreamin' (California dreamin') On such a winter's day (California dreamin') On such a winter's day (California dreamin') On such a winter's day" |
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Various Artists |
Cover Versions of California Dreamin' (originally by the Mamas & the Papas) There's a longer list of cover versions over on SecondHandSongs.com |
America - a 1979 soft rock version. American Idol 2024 - Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, & Odell Bunton Jr. sing a very emotional version of the song. American Music Club - a 1994 rock version. Omar Apollo - a 2022 acoustic version. Michael Armstrong - The California Regions Song. (The singer describes the regions of California singing to the melody of California Dreamin'.) Baby Huey and the Babysitters - a funky instrumental. Barbara y Dick - a 1967 version with the first and last verses in Spanish. The Beach Boys - a 1986 pop rock version. Benny Benassi 2004 Remix - a 2004 dance remix. George Benson - a 1972 instrumental jazz guitar version. Calixte - a 2015 alternative rock version. The Carpenters - a soft rock demo version released posthumously in 2001. Kelly Clarkson - a 2022 live solo pop version from her TV show. Rosa Marya Colin - a 2008 Brazillian Bossa Nova version. Colorado - a 1978 disco version by an Italian group. Dead Artist Syndrome - a 1992 version by a gothic rock band. The Faction - a 1986 punk rock version. Jose Feliciano - a 1966 folk version. The Four Tops - a 1968 R&B version. Foxes and Fossils - A 2022 live classic rock version with nice harmonies and dual guitars instead of the flute solo. They also made a studio version in 2020. Freischwimmer - a 2015 electronic dance version. Gamazda - a 2022 solo piano version by a woman with a lot of piano rock covers on YouTube. Ayden George - a trippy instrumental electronic remix released in 2023. Eddie Hazel - A funky 1977 cover from the great psychedelic guitarist of Parliament-Funkadelic. (His guitar playing on the song "Maggot Brain" is legendary.) Hi-Standard - a 1995 version by a Japanese punk rock band. MJ Johnstone - a 2024 rap version. Talisha Karrer - a 2020 somber jazz vocal version. Killteq x D. Hash x Dimestrix - A 2023 Russian dance version. Diana Krall - a 2015 jazz vocal version. Angela Lancieri - a 2023 12 String Guitar Instrumental version. Chris Lorenzo (Vintage Culture Remix featuring High Jinx) - a 2021 electronic dance cover. Max Martis & HALUNA - A 2023 downtempo electronic dance version. Barry McGuire - 1965 - the first recording of the song. Meat Loaf - a 2012 hard rock version. Melanie - a 1978 slow dramatiic pop version. Liz Menezes - a 2015 Bossa Nova version. Hugh Masakela - a 1966 instrumental. Mocedades - a 1992 version in Spanish that translates as "California Awaiting." Wes Montgomery - a 1966 jazz guitar instrumental. Leo Moracchioli - a 2016 heavy metal version. Lee Moses - a 1971 R&B version. Nappy Roots - a 2008 re-imagined rap version called Kalifornia Dreamin'. Nobu Wada - a 1971 version from a Japanese folk rock group. No Clue - a 2011 version with some additional rap verses. PORTEGO - a 2023 Bardcore (fake Medieval) instrumental version. Queen Latifah - a 2004 smooth jazz version. REM - a 1984 indie rock version. Johnny Rivers - a 1967 unplugged version with just voice, violins and cellos, and a flute solo, of course. Royal Gigolos - a 2004 dance version with new lyrics. Scala & Kolacny Brothers - a 2010 version by a Belgian women's choir. Tommy Shaw & Jack Blades - a 2007 pop version. Sia - a 2015 movie pop version made for a movie soundtrack. Nancy Sinatra - a long slow solo pop version from 1998. Scahotel rub - a 2011 hip hop version with added lyrics. Stravitticus - a slow somber 2021 Bardcore (fake Medieval) instrumental version. Wilson Phillips - a 2012 pop version by a female trio that includes a daughter of the original songwriters. Tayla - a 2024 YouTube live acoustic guitar and solo vocal version. Bobby Womack - a great 1969 soul version. James F Wright - A 2023 easy listening version with acoustic guitars. |
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The Mamas & the Papas |
California Dreaming 2004 (Benny Benassi Remix) | Benny Benassi is an Italian DJ and dance music producer and a pioneer of electro house. This is one of his early remixes, released in 2004. Do you like only the first verse of the Mamas & the Papas classic but think it would be better if it had a thumping house beat? Then this one's for you. |
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The Mamas & the Papas |
Creeque Alley | This song from the 1967 album "Deliver," tells the story of the formation of The Mamas & The Papas, with references to other folk artists and bands of the time. After the success of their huge hit "California Dreamin'" which is mentioned in the last line of the song, the band was no longer "broke, busted, disgusted" and forced to survive on credit. "John and Mitchy were gettin' kind of itchy Just to leave the folk music behind Zal and Denny workin' for a penny Tryin' to get a fish on the line In a coffee house Sebastian sat And after every number they'd pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire just a-gettin' higher In L.A., you know where that's at And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass Zally said "Denny, you know there aren't many Who can sing a song the way that you do, let's go south" Denny said "Zally, golly, don't you think that I wish I could play guitar like you" Zal, Denny and Sebastian sat (At the Night Owl) And after every number they'd pass the hat McGuinn and McGuire still a-gettin higher In L.A., you know where that's at And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass When Cass was a sophomore, planned to go to Swarthmore But she changed her mind one day Standin' on the turnpike, thumb out to hitchhike "Take me to New York right away" When Denny met Cass he gave her love bumps Called John and Zal and that was the Mugwumps McGuinn and McGuire couldn't get no higher But that's what they were aimin' at And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass Mugwumps, high jumps, low slumps, big bumps Don't you work as hard as you play Make up, break up, everything is shake up Guess it had to be that way Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful Michelle, John, and Denny gettin' very tuneful McGuinn and McGuire just a-catchin' fire In L.A., you know where that's at And everybody's gettin' fat except Mama Cass Di-di-di-dit dit dit di-di-di-dit, whoa Broke, busted, disgusted, agents can't be trusted And Mitchy wants to go to the sea Cass can't make it, she says we'll have to fake it We knew she'd come eventually Greasin' on American Express cards It's low rent, but keeping out the heat's hard Duffy's good vibrations and our imaginations Can't go on indefinitely And California dreamin' is becomin' a reality" |
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The Mamas & the Papas |
Pacific Coast Highway | This is from the group's 1971 album "People Like Us." Rollin' along Pacific Coast Highway Bummin' along to my radio Saw a blonde hitchin' my way Rolled up and said "How far do you want to go?" She'd been hummin' thumbin' hitchin' and wishin' For a good day on Pacific Coast Highway. Looked in at me and when I could see her She seemed to be somebody I ought to know Opened the door, sat down beside me Then with a roar, we started to roll She'd been hummin' thumbin' hitchin' and wishin' For a good day on Pacific Coast Highway. Looked like a swan, but brown as Chuck Berry A summer's dawn, yeah, light as a fairy We got to town, she said her name was Mary. She'd been hit, she'd been whipped, She'd been hummin' she'd been bummin' all her life. (On the highway...on and on) (On the highway...on and on) |
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The Mamas & the Papas |
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) | This is from the band's fourth album "The Papas & The Mamas" released in 1968, though it had previously appeared on a greatest hits compilation "Farewell to the First Golden Era" when the band was temporarily broken up. The canyon of the song is Laurel Canyon, a neighborhood of Los Angeles above Hollywood, where the songwriter John Phillips lived. According to Wickipedia "A popular interpretation is that girl "groupies" would party into the night at the homes of show business types in the canyon and wander home the next morning, passing the house and engaging the songwriter in conversation as they went." "I used to live in New York City Everything there was dark and dirty Outside my window was a steeple With a clock that always said twelve thirty Young girls are coming to the canyon And in the mornings I can see them walking I can no longer keep my blinds drawn And I can't keep myself from talking At first so strange to feel so friendly To say good morning and really mean it To feel these changes happening in me But not to notice till I feel it Young girls are coming to the canyon And in the mornings I can see them walking I can no longer keep my blinds drawn And I can't keep myself from talking Cloudy waters cast no reflection Images of beauty lie there stagnant Vibrations bounce in no direction And lie there shattered into fragments Young girls are coming to the canyon (Young girls are in the canyon) And in the mornings I can see them walking (In the mornings I can see them walking) I can no longer keep my blinds drawn (Can no longer keep my blinds drawn) And I can't keep myself from talking" |
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Manafest |
California Christmas | Manafest is a rapper from Canada. This song is from 2013. "California Christmas, my seasons been sunkissed My shovel is done with, my jacket's been hung in Leaves on the palm trees are green like the stockings Eat chocolate and toffees, be good he is watching Cookies and gifts, mistletoe kiss, old Saint Nick Just one wish on my list This is my California Christmas Palm tree stockings, Christmas time is here Sunshine, good times, Christmas time is here Sun's shining, I'm riding, I'll be at home California Christmas Christmas time, surfin' my beautiful coast California Christmas California Christmas, the beaches are lit with The campfires glistening and carolers singing Cruising the coast with a tank not a coat We're escaping the cold I love Christmas the most Cookies and gifts, mistletoe kiss, old Saint Nick Just one wish on my list This is my California Christmas Palm tree stockings, Christmas time is here Sunshine, good times, Christmas time is here Sun's shining, I'm riding, I'll be at home California Christmas Christmas time, surfin' my beautiful coast California Christmas Palm tree stockings, Christmas time is here Sunshine, good times, Christmas time is here Sun's shining, I'm riding, I'll be at home California Christmas Christmas time, surfin' my beautiful coast California Christmas" |
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Manfred Mann's Earth Band |
California | Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a rock band formed in England in 1971 by Manfred Mann who is from South Africa. This song is a single released in 1977 that's also on the album "Watch" released in 1978 "(California, California California, California California California, California California...) How're you doin' out in California Now that you've made the grade? Is there a chance you'd think of me And all the things we did together? How're you doin' out in California Now that you've got it made? You must be glad you made the break But how I wish you'd stayed Livin' out in California Seems to suit you well But my news is all second hand So it's hard for me to tell One day I'll make it out to California See if it's what it seems I've been there many times before But only in my dreams (California, California California, California California...) One day I'll make it out to California See if it's what it seems I've been there many times before But only in my dreams Oh, it could be the money It could be the sun Something's keeping you away from me California look what you've done Whoah, oh" |
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Manfred Mann's Earth Band |
California Coastline | Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a rock band formed in England by Manfred Mann from South Africa, active since 1971. This song is from the band's first studio album "Manfred Mann's Earth Band" released in 1972. "Took off in San Francisco Hitching up 101 Ended up on a flat bed Chevy Breaking at the setting sun Slept all night in the cold, Lord Thought I'd nearly freeze alive 'Cause all I had was a U.S. blanket Dated nineteen forty-five On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time Got loose from jail in three days Sheriff didn't like my face [?] for Utah [?] the human race And if I live to be a hundred Ain't never going back again Couldn't think of a colder place to visit Or an easier place to sin On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time Come from the north of nowhere Somewhere west of everybody else I'm up from the north of nowhere Somewhere west of everybody else On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time On the California coastline Trying to have myself a good time...." |
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Aimee Mann |
Freeway | Aimee Mann is a singer-songwriter originally from Virginia, active since 1980. This is from her 2008 album @#%&*! Smilers. (I didn't censor it, that's the actual title.) The song mentions Orange County, and while there is also an Orange County in Florida and one New York State (and probably elsewhere), New Yorkers call their toll-free multi-laned controlled-access higways "expressways," and Floridians call them "interstate highways" while Californians call them "freeways," so I'm sure that she's singing about the O.C. in SoCal. "You've got a lot of money but you can't afford the freeway The road to Orange Country leaves an awful lot of leeway Where everyone's a doctor or a specialist in retail They'll sell you all the speed you want if you can take the blackmail You know it I know it Why don't you Just show it You got a lot of money but you can't afford the freeway You got a lot of money but you can't afford the freeway You've got a lot of money but you cannot keep your bills paid The sacrifice is worth it just to hang around the arcade You found yourself a prophet but you left him on the boardwalk Another chocolate Easter bunny, hollowed out by your talk You know it I know it Why don't you Just show it You got a lot of money but you can't afford the freeway You got a lot of money but you can't afford the freeway...." |
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Aimee Mann |
Patient Zero | This song is from her 2017 album "Mental Illness." Though it never specifically mentions the city, it is totally an L.A. song. According to Mann, in a Song Exploder Podcast interview where she breaks down how the song was made, it's about an artist who comes to Hollywood to make a movie but gets chewed up and spit out by corrupt influences. She wanted to evoke the L.A. of Nathanael West's "Day of the Locust" & of Raymond Chandler: "...the version of Los Angeles that's darker, and more noir, and more disturbing." The song mentions a screen test and focus pulling on a movie camera and it references Chandler's L. A. novel and movie "The Big Sleep" in which Carmen Sternwood is a character who is mixed up in a shooting, as well as Nathanael West's dark novel set in Hollywood about the American dream turning into a nightmare. "They served you champagne like a hero When you landed, someone carried your bag From here on out, you're patient zero Smelling ether as they hand you the rag Life is good You look around and think I'm in the right neighborhood But, honey, you just moved in Life is grand And wouldn't you like To have it go as planned? Go as planned Hip hip hooray, hocus pocus With some magic you can fly through the air But when you're the guy pulling focus There are people who will wish you weren't there Life is good You look around and think I'm in the right neighborhood But, honey, you just moved in Life is grand And wouldn't you like To have it go as planned? Go as planned Go west, young man Go west, take a real screen test Doesn't count as a job well done The locust have their day The suckers pay in a bay Carmen Sternwood probably pull that trigger for fun And in the hills, where all the sunshine, constant companion Close enough to almost touch the lights of the canyon The lights of the canyon But news filtered out of the transom That a villain ended up with a part You paid your respects like a ransom To a moment that was doomed from the start Life is good You look around and think I'm in the right neighborhood But, honey, you just moved in Life is grand And wouldn't you like To have it go as planned? Go as planned And in the hills, where all the sunshine, constant companion Close enough to almost touch the lights of the canyon The lights of the canyon...." |
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Marilyn Manson |
The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles | This is from the 2015 album "The Pale Emperor." Marilyn Manson is the stage persona of Brian Warner, a singer etc. from Ohio. Mephistopheles is a demon who works for the devil by collecting the souls of those who are already damned. That's gotta be a mighty big job in the City of Angels. I hope Brian has a lot of helpers. You have to like someone who sings "Loss Ann-ja-leeze" instead of "Loss Ann-ja-liss." I enjoy the old timers who completely ignored the city's Spanish roots and pronounced it "Los Ang-gah-iiss" or "Los Ang-gah-leez" with a hard G. Mayor Yorty did that. "I don't know if I can open up I've been opened enough I don't know if I can open up I'm not a birthday present I'm aggressive regressive The past is over And passive seems so pathetic I was fated, faithful, fatal I was fated, faithful, fatal I feel sole and alone like a heretic Ready to meet my maker I feel sole and alone like a heretic I'm ready to meet my maker Lazarus has got no dirt on me Lazarus has got no dirt on me And I'll rise every danger I'm the Mephistopheles of Los Angeles Of Los Angeles Don't know if I can open up I been opened too much Double cross glossed over in my pathos I was fated, faithful, fatal I was fated, faithful, fatal I feel sole and alone like a heretic Ready to meet my maker I feel sole and alone like a heretic I'm ready to meet my maker Lazarus has got no dirt on me Lazarus has got no dirt on me And I'll rise every danger I'm the Mephistopheles of Los Angeles Of Los Angeles...." |
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Mark-Almond Band |
The City | The Mark-Almond Band was an English jazz-rock group from 1970-1981, formed by Jon Mark and Johnny Almond. This song is from the album "Mark-Almond" released in 1970. The long version is ten and a half minutes long. Eventually, Almond lived in the SF Bay Area, but I think the band was still in England when this song was written. The only California mention in the song is the redwood tree. There are redwood trees in Oregon, also, but they are more commonly associated with California, where the band was eventually based. Also "The City" is what people call San Francisco and it's what I think the song title is about. "Well, I slept last night in the open Down by a redwood tree Yes, I slept last night in the open Just to let, just to let, just to let my soul free I don't want to know, I don't want to go I don't want to go back into the city It's just a long long long lonely taxi ride Going nowhere Well, I slept last night in the open (It gets so hot in the city) Down by a redwood tree (It gets so hot in the city) Yes, I slept last night in the open Just to let, just to let, just to let my soul free I don't want to know, I don't want to go I don't want to go back into the city It's just a long long long lonely taxi ride Going nowhere" |
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Maroon 5 |
Leaving California | Maroon 5 is an extremely successful band from Los Angeles, with a huge collection of top ten hits. They formed as Kara's Flowers in 1994 and re-named in 2001. This is from their fifth album "V" released in 2014. "You got in so late It's Sunday morning Said that you were leaving Letting go of us Where did we go wrong? Oh And now you say you're leaving California Gotta head back East and want to leave tonight Pack your things and go But if you run away I won't be alright Even if the sun crashes into us I won't let go, I won't let go And I can be your light Stay with me tonight I won't let go, I won't let go Oh, Oh, Oh ... Yeah Pick up all the pieces Fight to hold on Put them back together, do it all for love Never let it go Oh, yeah Cause I don't need a reason Just to hold ya Wipe all of your tears and Look you in the eyes Oh, baby please don't go Oh, yeah But if you run away I won't be alright Even if the sun crashes into us I won't let go, I won't let go And I can be your light Stay with me tonight I won't let go, I won't let go Oh, Oh, Oh... Yeah Now you say you're leaving California" |
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Maroon 5 |
Sugar | This hit song from their fifth album "V" released in 2014 peaked at #2 on the Hot 100. It only has a brief mention of California, but it's a good one. "I'm hurting, baby, I'm broken down I need your loving, loving I need it now When I'm without you I'm something weak You got me begging, begging I'm on my knees I don't wanna be needing your love I just wanna be deep in your love And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby, 'Cause I really don't care where you are I just wanna be there where you are And I gotta get one little taste Your sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me? I'm right here, 'cause I need Little love, a little sympathy Yeah, you show me good loving Make it alright Need a little sweetness in my life Your sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me? ... ... ... Yeah I want that red velvet I want that sugar sweet Don't let nobody touch it Unless that somebody's me I gotta be your man There ain't no other way 'Cause girl you're hotter than a southern California day...." |
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The Marshall Tucker Band |
Fire on the Mountain | The Marshall Tucker Band is a rock band from South Carolina, active since 1972. This song is from their fourth studio album "Searchin' for a Rainbow" released in 1972. It's about a man who travels west to hunt for gold, probably to California in the 1849 gold rush, though the lyrics never specifically mentions California, only that he went west. He could have gone to Alaska or the Yukon, both of which are in the west, but I don't think there's any doubt that he's singing about California. I'm a sucker for a gold rush story song sung by a dead man, especially a song with a steel guitar and a flute solo that sneaks in out of nowhere, so here it is. "Took my family away from my Carolina home Had dreams about the West and started to roam Six long months on a dust covered trail They say heaven's at the end but so far it's been hell And there's fire on the mountain, lightnin' in the air Gold in them hills and it's waitin' for me there We were diggin' and siftin' from five to five Sellin' everything we found just to stay alive Gold flowed free like the whiskey in the bars Sinnin' was the big thing, lord and Satan was his star And there's fire on the mountain, lightnin' in the air Gold in them hills and it's waitin' for me there Dance hall girls were the evenin' treat Empty cartridges and blood lined the gutters of the street Men were shot down for the sake of fun Or just to hear the noise of their forty-four guns And there's fire on the mountain, lightnin' in the air Gold in them hills and it's waitin' for me there Now my widow she weeps by my grave Tears flow free for her man she couldn't save Shot down in cold blood by a gun that carried fame All for a useless and no good worthless claim And there's fire on the mountain, lightnin' in the air Gold in them hills and it's waitin' for me there Fire on the mountain, lightnin' in the air Gold in them hills and it's waitin' for me there Waitin' for me there" |
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Marshmello & Kane Brown |
Miles On It | Marshmello is a wildly popular electronic music producer and DJ, active since 2015. He wears a giant marshmello helmet on his head to remain anonymous, but his name was quickly revealed to be Christopher Comstock from Pennsylvania. Kane Brown is a country music singer from Tennessee, active since 2014. Since I'm describing headgear here, let me point out that Brown does not wear a giant marshmello helmet on his head. He seems to favor baseball caps. This country/dance track was an immediate hit when it was released in May, 2024, charting high on the Billboard country chart and #1 on the dance chart. I'm aware that it doesn't really mention the state of California, just the extra-long king-sized bed named after the state, but that's good enough for this list for which Rihanna's song already set the precedent. When you first heard this you probably wondered, as I did, what kind of Chevy truck the singer drives that can fit such a big mattress - 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. I found two 2024 Chevy Silverado models that can accomodate the length - the 1500/Long at 98.2 inches long and the HD/Long at 98.3 inches in length, but both trucks have a bed width of only 71.4 inches. That's close enough, since the singer doesn't say he's actually going to put the Cal KIng in it, just that it's wide like the bed. Of course, if I was him I wouldn't break it in on just bare metal. Ouch. At least throw a blanket down first if you're going to put some miles on it. "New truck, big lift, old roads We've been tearing up since way back when But these wheels are innocent New hitch, new seats, no history And you just can't fake that So, let's change that, Girl, let's go put some miles on it Back of the Chevy with the engine running Just you and me in a truck bed wide like a California King We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it Back of the Chevy with the engine running Just you and me in a truck bed wide like a California King We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it We could break it in If you know what I mean All night, no brakes, all tail, no gate Ain't gotta try too hard My baby's push to start All torque, full speed, off road On me zero to a hundred fast My foot ain't touch the gas I said, hey baby, slow it down Let's make it last You said, where's the fun in that Yeah, let's go Put some miles on it Back of the Chevy with the engine running Just you and me in a truck bed wide like a California King We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it We could break it in If you know what I mean Mile after mile after mile after mile Turn up the night like that radio dial Shoulder to shoulder where nobody knows Know where we're going, we ain't going home We're putting miles on it Back of the Chevy with the engine running Just you and me in a truck bed wide like a California king We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it Back of the Chevy with the engine running Just you and me in a truck bed wide like a California King We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it We could break it in If you know what I mean Put some miles on it" |
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Terrace Martin |
Leave Us Be | Terrace Martin is a musician and record producer from Los Angeles. This song is a single from his upcoming album "DRONES" to be released in late 2021. "Early Friday, traffic on the 405 Grab my cell phone, check out what's on Live Throw my phone down, police passin' by L.A. living, homies stay on go The hood relentless, pain is all we know Baby moms pull up trippin', police passin' by Just leave, just leave Just leave us be Just leave, just leave T Lee's gumbo, cuzzo's s**t be fire Drinkin', smoking, we only get one life But f**k all that, police passin' by Just leave, just leave Just leave us be Just leave, just leave...." |
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Daniele Martino, Leonardo Fornasiero & Raccoon |
California Train | This Italian rock song was put on YouTube in 2022. I found it there when it had only one view. Daniele De Martino is a popular musical artist from Italy but I don't know anything about any of the other names listed or what the lyrics are saying other than the word California is repeated a few times. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
mary in the junkyard |
this is my california | Mary in the junkyard are an experimental rock trio from London, England, who released their first single in 2023. Their YouTube and Instagram bios call them an "angry weepy chaos rok trio." In an interview with Dazeddigital.com, the band describes their music as "Sparse rock, like rock but balding" which is hilarious, but accurate. This song was released in November, 2024. It's sort of an anti-California Dreaming song, with the singer warning someone not to go to California and saying she has never been there and will never go there. I get annoyed when people don't capitalize their names and titles and lyrics. It's an affectation designed to make them look casual and unassuming, but which actually makes them look pretentious. But I am respecting their pretentiousness by not using caps, except where they use them, which for some reason is only on the first word of each stanza except the last one, and the word California in the lyrics (but not the title.) "Skin tight oh won't you see the light and follow up into the night my dream comes from the pale light of a bright blue screen it was old, it was cold from the song that was sung and my heart made a noise like an oil drum but everybody's holding me down And it calls again something lifting you out of the place that you're in is a pain, it's about angels It's a craving not a crime Could you fall for it for the ways of the world it was all that I got from the falling of a dead angel It's a curse and it's a shame This is my California I know it doesn't look like much this is my way to warn you that it will never be enough If you go to California we will not stay in touch I've never been to California and I will keep it as such But everybody's holding you down and its gone again something lifting me out of the place that I'm in is it tame, let it out cages it is bursting into life" |
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Mary Mary |
California Christmas | Mary Mary is an urban contemporary gospel duo of sisters from Inglewood, active since 1998. This is from "A Mary Mary Christmas" released in 2006. "Looked out my window down the block No snow on my street East coast folks are making snowmen But that's fine with me No snow cone (No chestnuts roasting) Got no scarf (Don't need no mittens) Maybe a sweater for the evening time 'Cause where I'm from, it's warm outside It's a California Christmas You can go outside and ride your new bike It's a California Christmas And nobody wants to stay inside 'Cause it's a beautiful day and the sun is shining The family's all here and the baby's smiling Blessed to see another holiday Especially Christmas the Cali way This time of year I gotta bring cheer To someone in need 'Cause I am blessed and all I wanna do Is help somebody This is the time (To be self less) Give from your heart ('Cause it's priceless) I'll tell you the reason Everybody 'tis the season It's a California Christmas You can go outside and ride your new bike It's a California Christmas And nobody wants to stay inside 'Cause it's a beautiful day and the sun is shining The family's all here and the baby's smiling Blessed to see another holiday Especially Christmas the Cali way No matter how it feels outside it's still alright with me 'Cause it's all good as long as I got my friends and family So all around the world don't let this season just pass you by Love and hugging, help somebody like us on the West Side It's a California Christmas You can go outside and ride your new bike It's a California Christmas And nobody wants to stay inside 'Cause it's a beautiful day and the sun is shining The family's all here and the baby's smiling Blessed to see another holiday Especially Christmas the Cali way...." |
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Mates of State
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California | Mates of State are an indie pop duo from Kansas active since 1997. This song is a cover of Phantom Planet's theme song to the TV show "The OC." It was released on a 2006 compilation CD "Music from the OC: Mix 6." I actually like it better than the original, maybe because I never watched the show and this is the first version of the song I heard. You can see the lyrics under Phantom Planet. |
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Mati Goldstyle |
California Słodka | Mati Goldstyle is Adrian Matras, a Polish rapper. The title of the song uses a Polish letter that looks like an "l" with a slanted cross on it that I hope shows up correctly on your browser. The title translates to "Sweet California, or California Sweet" but I don't have any of the lyrics yet, so I don't know what the song is about. The video shows a lot of cannabis and smoking, so maybe it's about California cannabis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MattyB |
California Dreamin | MattyB (aka MattyBRaps) is Matthew Morris, a singer and rapper from Georgia active since 2010. This pop-rap song was released in 2016 when he was 14 years old. It might be the only rap song with a line about getting home from school. "I’m from down south where we always got sunshine They say you can’t be a light if it wasn’t for the dark side Some days you gotta smile through all the broken times It’ll all be fine, It’s all in your mind, oh yeah We were paralyzed by fear, now we more than kids, we up We just chasing dreams, chasing dreams California dreamin, oh yeah You know that we just chasing dreams, chasing dreams California dreamin, oh yeah oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Gotta get your sunshine oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh California dreamin Sometimes I’ll get home from school and see people on the news Arguing with each other and yelling their point of view While people fighting and rioting and shooting to kill each other Somebody’s brother - POW - There goes another I wish love would be our drugs and bullets could heal each other Smiles instead of tears - be kind and real to each other We just wanna live our life, red and yellow black and white Maybe one day we’ll grow up and this will all just be alright like We just chasing dreams, chasing dreams California dreamin, oh yeah You know that we just chasing dreams, chasing dreams California dreamin, oh yeah oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Gotta get your sunshine oh, oh, oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh California dreamin Now I’m sending all the love that’s inside my soul All across the globe, let’s see where it goes I’ll be sending all the love that’s inside my soul Let’s see where it goes...." |
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John Mayall |
California | John Mayall was a musician from England active since 1956. This jazzy blues-rock song from his album "The Turning Point" released in 1969 is one of the all-time-great long jam songs, clocking in at about nine and a half minutes. "Goin' back to California So many good things around Don't wanna leave California The sun seems to never go down Some people may treat you ugly Some treat you beautiful too That's the way life is all over So look for the good things for you California, so many things to be free California, that's where I wanna be California, so many place for home California, I'll be back there be for long I'll be back there be for long I'll be back there be for long California, that's where I wanna be California, I'll be back there for long I'll be back there be for long I'll be back there for long I'll be back there for long" |
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John Mayall |
Laurel Canyon Home | This is from Mayall's album "Blues From Laurel Canyon" released in 1968. It was the first album he made after he broke up with his band The Bluesbreakers, though YouTube credits the band for this song. Wikipedia reports that Mayall lived in Laurel Canyon from 1969 to 1979, but this song was recorded in August 1968, so either he didn't really have a Laurel Canyon home until after he recorded the song or Wickipedia is wrong. "Each and every morning When the sun is high I hunt around the Canyon Till I find a place to lie It's so beautiful to be alone Got the sun and trees and silence I'm in my Laurel Canyon home Looking back a century I look at where I stand It must have looked the same as when Apaches roamed the land It's so beautiful to be alone Got the sun and trees and silence I'm in my Laurel Canyon home Now the sun is sinking It's time to reminisce Here's a way of living That I will sorely miss It's so beautiful to be alone Got the sun and trees and silence I'm in my Laurel Canyon home" |
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John Mayall |
Vacation | This is another song from Mayall's album "Blues From Laurel Canyon" released in 1968. "Ten hours in a plane England left behind Back here in L.A. Wonder what I'll find Summertime, my plane is coming down I'm wandering man and this is gonna be my town" |
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John Mayall |
Walking on Sunset | This is another song from Mayall's album "Blues From Laurel Canyon" released in 1968. Sunset refers to Sunset Boulevard, the famous street in Hollywood and West L.A. "Watching all the people like the waves along the shore They hang around The Whiskey and every open store I'm walking on Sunset Well I'll never reach the end I'm walking on Sunset Everything is like a friend All the pretty women, never seen a better crop Music all around, the flashing lights will never stop I'm walking on Sunset Well I'll never reach the end I'm walking on Sunset Everything is like a friend Standing at the corner watching every kind of car Friendly people come and say they wanna know your star I'm walking on Sunset Well I'll never reach the end I'm walking on Sunset Everything is like a friend The cops are in the cars but they never bothered me A new magic world where I never felt so free I'm walking on Sunset Well I'll never reach the end I'm walking on Sunset Everything is like a friend" |
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John Mayer |
Queen of California | John Mayer is a Connecticut-born singer-songwriter, who is known for his excellent guitar playing as well as for being a staple of the gossip tabloids because of his many famous girlfriends. This song is from his 2012 album "Born and Raised." The lyrics mention Neil Youing and Joni Mitchell but the Queen doesn't seem to be anyone in particular. "Goodbye cold, goodbye rain Goodbye sorrow, goodbye shame I'm headed out west with my headphones on Boarded a flight with a song in the back of my soul And no one knows I just found out her ghost left town The Queen of California is stepping down, down Hello beauty, hello strange Hello wonder, what's your name? Looking for the sun that Neil Young hung After the gold rush of 1971 I just found out her ghost left town The Queen of California is stepping down, down If you see her say, 'Hello' Just don't tell me, 'I told you so' Joni wrote Blue in her house by the sea I gotta believe there’s another color waiting on me To set me free I just found out her ghost left town The Queen of California is stepping down, down" |
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Maze (Frankie Beverly &) |
Look At California | Frankie Beverly relocated from Philadelphia to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1971 and his group Maze, playing a mellow soul style sometimes called "quiet storm," released their first album "Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly," which includes this song, in 1977. Samples have been used in a few hip hop versions including those by Mr. Shadow, The Scrayper Boyz, and Young Thugg. "Look at California Look at California Look at California Look at California The rollin' hills seem to do something for you It seems they're meant to be looked on by you And when the sunshine is doing it's thing Then you know that all you see is true Every day every night the same old groovy feelin' People that live a lot love a lot And everything there is so good Look at California Look at California All the flowers are bloomin' all about Every kind you and I could think of And if you see anything that's missin' Then they make it up to you with love Whether up or whether down It don't even mean a thing Look at the things around The peace you've found And all that you feel is so real Look at California Look at California Look at California Look at California" |
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Mazzy Star |
California | Mazzy Star is an alternative rock band from Santa Monica best known for their slow and dreamy 1993 hit song "Fade into You" sung by Hope Sandoval.
With mostly acoustic guitar and atmospheric vocals, this song is from "Seasons of Your Day", released in 2013, the band's first album since 1996. "I think I'm going back to California Somewhere distant and it's all far away It's so far, it's so far far away I think I'll drift across the ocean now Clouds look so clear in your eyes Let me dream all my, let me dream all my friends I think I'll fly across the ocean I can watch the sky turning grey I think I'm going back, I think I'll go back I think I hear the whisper of my own best friend I think I hear the bells ringing in the square California, California" |
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Chuck McCabe |
I'd Rather Be in Redding | According to a web site about him, before Chuck McCabe died in 2010, he was a musician and author who wandered and played music all over the country and spent most of his adult life in the San Jose area. This song is from his 2008 CD "Creatures of Habit." I can't find anything besides this song that connects him to Redding, but the town obviously made a big impression on him. Either that or the song was commissioned by a coalition of the Redding Chamber of Commerce and Indian casinos. I don't know if they do that sort of thing, but if they do, they got their money's worth. "Beyond the almonds and the olives and the truck stops on I-5 There's a little piece of heaven makes it almost worth the drive I've been to cities by the ocean and the city by the bay but I'd rather be in Redding and it's oh so far away Where the Sacramento River runs through one side of town and a freight train through the other how I miss that mournful sound Where the Siskiyous rise up and the logging trucks roll down I'd rather be in Redding than the place I'm stuck in now All the bright lights up in Reno may be a big deal for some but an Indian casino's more my idea of fun Where the blackjack, dice, and Cuervo is all part of the game I think I'd rather be in Redding where the cops all know my name And from Weaverville to Shingletown we sang a song and drank around Shasta Lake to Anderson the barbecue at old Oak Run Post Office Grill and old City Hall the disappearing downtown mall happy hour to last call they've been like home to me Where the blossoms and the buzzards drift together on the breeze and mosquitoes sing as sweetly as the birds up in the trees If I ever get to heaven I would tell Saint Peter please I'd rather be in Redding when it's 99 degrees" |
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Delbert McClinton |
Two More Bottles of Wine | Delbert McClinton is a singer-songwriter from Texas active since 1962. This song is from his album "Victim of Life's Circumstances" released in 1975. Emmylou Harris had a #1 country hit with the song in 1978. One online lyrics site shows the lyric "sleeping at a warehouse in West L.A." but it makes more sense to me that he would be working in one and not sleeping in one, unless he was squatting, because I don't think warehouse lofts were trendy back then. "We came out west together with a common desire The fever we had might have set the West Coast on fire Two months later got trouble in mind Maggie moved out and left me behind But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine The way she left sure turned my head around Seemed like overnight she just up and put me down Well I ain't going to let it bother me today I've been working and I'm too tired anyway But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine I'm sixteen hundred miles from the people I know Been doing all I can but opportunity sure comes slow Thought I'd be a star by today But I'm sweeping out a warehouse in West L.A. But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine Sixteen hundred miles from the people I know Been doing all I can but opportunity sure comes slow Thought I'd be a star by today But I'm sweeping out a warehouse in West L.A. But it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine Yes, it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine Yes, it's all right 'cause it's midnight And I got two more bottles of wine" |
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Reba McEntire (featuring Ronnie Dunn) |
Does the Wind Still Blow in Oklahoma? |
Reba McEntire is an American country music artist and actress from Oklahoma who made her first record in 1976. This song is from her 2007 album "Reba: Duets." It's a slow traditional country love duet with Ronnie Dunn, formerly with the very successful country duo Brooks & Dunn. [Reba:] "L.A.'s a fast horse daddy Everybody rides I'm sorry I haven't called home lately Out here time flies I met a boy a few weeks back He plays in a band He's a whole lot like you daddy you're gonna like him, he's a good man At times lonely sneaks up on me But I'm getting by Yeah I know what you've always told me Cowgirls don't cry [Chorus:] But does the wind still blow in Oklahoma Out here the Hollywood stars sure shine bright It's such a long way from home here in California Missin' you and that blue wide open sky [Ronnie:] Out here it's all freeway fast cars Cold concrete You won't believe all the crazy people Valley girls, Sunset freaks I met a girl you're gonna like her mama She has your hair Red as that Tahlequah sunset Seems like an angel I swear I can't say I don't get lonesome But I'm alright Cowboys kinda go with homesick Like blue moons and whippoorwill nights [Chorus:] But does the wind still blow in Oklahoma Out here the Hollywood stars sure shine bright It's such a long way from home here in California Missin' you and that blue wide open sky...." |
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Johnny McEvoy |
Muirsheen Durkin | Johnny McEvoy is an Irish folk singer active since 1965. This was the first single he released, in 1966, and it became a number one hit in Ireland, popularizing the song and leading the way for many other versions, including those by Christy Moore, The Pogues, The Irish Rovers, The Dubliners, The Mollys, and The Wolfe Tones. (FYI, a "pratie" is a potato.) Muirsheen Durkin (also spelled Muirshin Durkin) is a traditional Irish folk song about a man going to California to dig for gold during the California gold rush period that began in 1849. The song was obviously written some time after 1849, but I don't know exactly when. It's based on a traditional Irish air "Cailíní deasa Mhuigheo" (pretty girls of Mayo), a popular reel dating from the 19th century. The Great Famine in Ireland, which killed 20 to 25 percent of the population due to a disease that infected potato crops, lasted from 1845 to 1852, coinciding with the California gold rush. At least two million people were forced to flee the country, and many of those Irish refugees probably tried their luck in California, like the singer of the song. "In the days I went a-courting, I was never tired resorting To the alehouse or the playhouse or many's the house besides But I told me brother Séamus, I'd go off and go right famous And I come back again I'd roam the world wide Goodbye Muirsheen Durkin, sure I'm sick and tired of workin' No more, I'll dig the praties, no longer, I'll be fooled For sure as me name is Carney, I'll be off to Californy Where instead of diggin' praties, I'll be diggin' lumps of gold I've courted girls in Blarney, in Kanturk, and in Killarney In Passage and in Queenstown; that is the Cobh of Cork Goodbye to all this pleasure, for I'm goin' to take me leisure And the next time you will hear from me is a letter from New York So goodbye Muirsheen Durkin, sure I'm sick and tired of workin' No more, I'll dig the praties, no longer, I'll be fooled For sure as me name is Carney, I'll be off to Californy Where instead of diggin' praties, I'll be diggin' lumps of gold Goodbye to all the boys at home, I'm going far across the foam To try and make me fortune in far Americay There's gold and money plenty for the poor and for the gentry And when I come back again I never more will say Goodbye Muirsheen Durkin, sure I'm sick and tired of workin' No more, I'll dig the praties and no longer I'll be fooled For sure as me name is Carney, I'll be off to Californy Where instead of diggin' praties, I'll be diggin' lumps of gold" |
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Johnny McEvoy & Isla Grant |
Going to California | Johnny McEvoy is a singer from Ireland and Isla Grant is a singer from Scotland. According to their YouTube page: "The song was written by Johnny McEvoy who recorded it with Isla Grant on their 1998 and 2003 Going To California CDs." "He was never there when needed and oh how much she pleaded Saying darling won't you stay home just one time He'd just smile and say I'm sorry But there's no need to worry Just going to meet some army buddies Drink some beer and fight the war. In the kitchen making wishes As she tidies up the dishes Of another lonely weekend And the wine she drank alone And the nights they hold no pity In the cold of New York city As she waits there in the darkness To hear his key turn in the door She said I'm going to California To taste the sunshine and the wine Sit beside the rolling ocean And slowly pass the time Reading books and old love stories And forget about my worries And maybe who knows maybe We'll meet again sometime Then one night he came home sober With a longing just to hold her When he found the note she'd written Waiting by the telephone And she said I'll always love you And I never will forget you But I just can't take this lonely feeling anymore Now the nights are cold and lonely And he sits and watches TV Drinking beer and chasing whiskey Wondering where it all went wrong And his eyes are tired and burning From the dreams that keep returning And all his yesterdays they won't leave him alone She said I'm going to California To taste the sunshine and the wine Sit beside the rolling ocean And slowly pass the time Reading books and old love stories And forget about my worries And maybe who knows maybe We'll meet again sometime" |
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Kate & Anna McGarrigle |
Talk to Me of Mendocino | Kate McGarrigle was a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter active from 1970 to 2009. She married Loudon Wainwright III and is the mother of singers Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright. Anna McGarrigle is her older sister, who is also a singer-songwriter. This song is from their debut album, released in 1976. "I bid farewell to the state of ol' New York My home away from home In the state of New York I came of age When first I started roaming And the trees grow high in New York state And they shine like gold in Autumn Never had the blues from whence I came But in New York state I caught 'em Talk to me of Mendocino Closing my eyes I hear the sea Must I wait, must I follow? Won't you say "Come with me?" And it's on to Southbend, Indiana Flat out on the western plain Rise up over the Rockies and down on into California Out to where but the rocks remain And let the sun set on the ocean I will watch it from the shore Let the sun rise over the redwoods I'll rise with it till I rise no morelin Talk to me of Mendocino closing my eyes, I hear the sea Must I wait, must I follow? Won't you say 'Come with me?' " |
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Tim McGraw |
California | Tim McGraw is an American country singer-songwriter and actor. This is from his "Damn Country Music" album released in 2012. It's about a woman hungry for the California Dream and the lure of stardom who is willing to leave the singer behind to achieve it. (I wonder if it isn't the promise of fame and fortune that lures all these people to L.A. - maybe they just want to get away from where they're at and who they're with. That's a song I'd love to hear a guy sing.) There's even a Nissan Altima product placement in the song. I know that's a hip-hop thing, but I didn't know it had spread to country. "It's a 3 day drive if she drives all night Says she's leavin' at the crack of dawn Well she might still be lyin' here with me But in her heart she's already gone Already packed up, the Altima's gassed up She's done put the map up there on the dash I'm all tore up just tryin' to man up Dammin' these tears up but can't hold 'em back Cuz she's in love with California And that west coast sunshine dream These ain't no Hollywoods And these hills ain't Beverly Ain't no beaches on these backroads No sunset on the boulevard She's in love with California And breakin' my heart Got a waitress job waitin' in an Ihop Throw a rock and hit Universal City Got a glamour shot in her hip pocket Hopin' somebody'll think she's pretty By this time tomorrow she'll hit Colorado I'll be drownin' my sorrow in a bottle of Beam Before she hits Flagstaff maybe she'll backtrack But I wouldn't bet that if I was me Cuz she's in love with California And that west coast sunshine dream These ain't no Hollywoods And these hills ain't Beverly Ain't no beaches on these backroads No sunset on the boulevard She's in love with California And breakin' my heart Well she was all mine Now it's go time She's in love with California And that west coast sunshine dream These ain't no Hollywoods And these hills ain't Beverly There ain't no beaches on these backroads No sunset on the boulevard She's in love with California And breakin' my heart She's in love with California And breakin' my heart Oh she's breakin' my heart" |
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Barry McGuire |
California Dreamin' | Barry McGuire is a singer-songwriter born in Oklahoma but moved to California when he was two years old, active since 1962. This song is from his album "This Precious Time" released in 1965. The song was written by John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas in 1963 but it was first recorded by McGuire with The Mamas & the Papas on backing vocals. They used the same recording of their backing vocals in their version of the song which they released in late 1965. You can see the lyrics under The Mamas and the Papas. |
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Nellie McKay |
Pasadena Girl | Nellie McKay is a singer-songwriter from London and New York City, active since 2003. This song is from the Rob Reiner film "Rumor Has It" released in 2005, about a New York Times reporter who returns to her hometown of Pasadena for a wedding then sleeps with a man who previously slept with her mother and grandmother. That's quite a hat trick. "What is my name? Who is this fool? What is this game? What are the rules? There you go havin' up a party Have you got a lot to see? 'Fore I know having somebody Ain't all it's cracked up to be for me Pasadena girl Strike down my hands Strike down my heart Strike out this plan White out this part There you go havin' up a party Have you got a lot to share? Before I know having somebody Mightn't be the best idea for me Pasadena girl Problems of the lifetimes, often everywhere Solving them takes fighting as a pair, do we dare? Please let me be, this ain't no good Ten thousand feet from where I stood There you go havin' up a party Have you got a lot to give? Before I know having somebody Maybe ain't the way to live for me Pasadena girl Problems of the lifetimes, often everywhere Solving them takes fighting as a pair, do we dare? There you go havin' up a party Have you got a lot to show? Before I know having somebody Maybe ain't the way to go for me Pasadena girl" |
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Nellie McKay |
Testify | This song is from her album "Obligatory Villagers" released in 2007. It's here because it's another one of those shameful songs that rhyme San Francisco with disco... "As we approach fair weather As we entertain our maiden endeavor 'Round us still the chorus beats The schools, the streets There's always danger there For men will divest Only to a certain point For each divines their own experience And to our own We must attest They say authority's essential They are insincere They say discipline is fundamental You will persevere And when you've lost your fear Then that's when you must [Chorus]: Testify Raise your hands up to the sky Clouds are comin' closer, but a-don't you cry Because you ain't got time Just keep on strivin', testifyin' [Repeat Chorus] As you pack the tools of past illusions You have lost your nerve Set them near you, lest they cause confusion Keep some in reserve To get what you deserve You're gonna have to Testify Raise your hands up to the sky Clouds are comin' closer, but a-don't you cry Because you ain't got time Just keep on strivin', testifyin' [Repeat Chorus] Mama, you got me my corduroy jeans "Do your own laundry if you want them clean" Mama, the workload they're puttin' me through "Like I don't know" Mama, you got me history books "Yeah, and I thought me I'd take me a look" But doesn't matter what you do or say Because it ain't my history anyway Feast or famine, you're cryin' at the disco You have lost your way The peace they were plannin' died in San Francisco Floating on the bay Just close your eyes and pray Then stand up straight and [Chorus]" |
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Bonnie McKee |
California Winter | Bonnie McKee is a singer-songwriter from California and Seattle, active since 2002, known for her hit collaborations with Katy Perry and lots of other pop stars. This song is a single released in 2014. "Dreaming of palm trees tonight This is the season, the city is sleeping Gleaming and glistening white But it’s always summer with you Outside, it’s cold and gray All the streets shine like silver lakes And the stop lights are blinking red and green Like something in a movie scene Snow babe, it’s in the air And I’m frozen but I don’t care 'Cuz I’m golden as long as I’m with you 'Cuz when I’m in your arms it’s like a California winter Yeah, your love can keep me warm When it’s storming outside And you’re holding me tight It’s like you take me to paradise California winter Yeah, your touch is like sunshine And on my holiday Feels like I’m in L.A. 'Cuz I’m yours and I know you’re mine, yeah baby (California-California winter, California-California winter) When it’s storming outside And you’re holding me tight It’s like you take me to paradise Dark skies, December hail But I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed Like I’m pool side and soaking up the sun Even though my toes are numb You are my angel wings You are my North star, watch over me And when it gets dark you always light me up 'Cuz when I’m in your arms it’s like a California winter Yeah, your love can keep me warm When it’s storming outside and you’re holding me tight It’s like you take me to paradise California winter Yeah, your touch is like sunshine And on my holiday Feels like I’m in L.A. 'Cuz I’m yours and I know you’re mine, yeah baby (California-California winter, California-California winter) When it’s storming outside And you’re holding me tight It’s like you take me to paradise ...." |
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Scott McKenzie |
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) | Scott McKenzie was a singer-songwriter who grew up in North Carolina and Virginia. This hit pop song became an anthem of the 1960 counterculture and its popularity most likely inspired a lot of young people to go the city in the late 1960s. It was also used as an anthem during Czechoslovakia's 1968 uprising against the Soviet Union. Who knew such cheezy pop music could be so revolutionary? "If you're going to San Francisco Be sure to wear Some flowers in your hair If you're going to San Francisco You're gonna meet Some gentle people there For those who come To San Francisco Summertime Will be a love-in there In the streets of San Francisco Gentle people With flowers in their hair All across the nation Such a strange vibration People in motion There's a whole generation With a new explanation People in motion People in motion For those who come To San Francisco Be sure to wear Some flowers in your hair If you come to San Francisco Summertime Will be a love-in there If you come to San Francisco Summertime Will be a love-in there" |
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Carmen McRae |
I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco (And I Don't Drink At All) | Carmen McRae was a jazz singer from New York City, considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, active from 1939-1991. This is from "Portrait of Carmen" released in 1968. It was originally recorded by Cannonball Adderley and Ernie Andrews in 1964. McRae throws in an extra line about getting stoned in The City that's not in the original version, maybe because it was 1967 and the Summer of Love. "I'm always drunk in San Francisco I always stay out of my mind But if you've been to San Francisco They say that things like this go on all the time It never happens nowhere else Maybe it's the air Can't really seem to help myself And what’s more, I don't care I'm always drunk in San Francisco I'm never feeling any pain But tell me why does San Francisco Just like a lover's kiss go straight to my brain I guess it's just the mood I'm in That acts like alcohol Because I'm drunk in San Francisco I get stoned in San Francisco Yes I'm drunk in San Francisco And I don’t drink at all" |
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Jensen McRae |
Immune | Jensen McRae is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, active since 2017. This song about waiting in line to get vaccinated in L.A. was released in 2021 during the pandemic. Her comments on the YouTube page for this song describe it as a parody of a song one of her favorite songwriters, Phoebe Bridgers, could have written. "Traffic from the East side got me aggravated Hotter than the day my brother graduated Wait for hours in the sun In line at Dodgers Stadium I'm not scared of dogs or getting vaccinated Lay the seat back, turn this place into a bed Someone's smoking in the Camry just ahead Yeah, I know the irony Would never be lost on me You don't have to point it out Again What will we say to each other When the needle goes in? What will we be to each other If the world doesn't end? Radio is static through the Taylor song Think a college football game is comin' on God you hate Top 40 s**t But as the sports preempted it Your mouth in my ear You hummed along What will we say to each other When the needle goes in? What will we be to each other If the world doesn't end? Think the nurse that gave our shots is judging us Can she tell that we just f***ed the friendship up? As we leave, I turn to you Ask how it feels to be immune And you know what I mean a bit too much...." |
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Meat Loaf |
California Isn't Big Enough (Hey There Girl) | Meat Loaf was the stage name of Michael Aday, a singer and actor from Texas who formed his first band in Los Angeles and was active from 1968-2021. This song is from his album "Hang Cool Teddy Bear" released in 2010. It sounds to me like California is big enough for this guy, he just needs bigger pants. "Hey there girl Here's a little surprise I'm so hot And you're the reason why You're so cute I wanna smash your face I know you're the queen I'm just a pawn Babe let me tell you Tell you Tell you Tell you I can barely fit my d**k in my pants Oh (Whoa Oh) Oh (Whoa Oh) California isn't big enough for me Oh (Whoa Oh) Come and lend me your hand With my Forthcoming release Because California isn't big enough for me I'm no Fred [?] But I can make your bed rock baby Oh, Oh yeah My god you're a beauty I'm just a beast Babe let me tell you Tell you Tell you Tell you I can barely fit my d**k in my pants Oh (Whoa Oh) Oh (Whoa Oh) California isn't big enough for me Oh (Whoa Oh) Come and lend me your hand With my Forthcoming release Because California isn't big enough for meYou always pictured me Laughing in the arms of others What kind of man do you think I am? We were just good friends But we dreamed we could be lovers Damned if ya don't, damned if ya do I always promised you The earth and you were right to ask it What kind of fool do you take me for? I played Romeo But the tragedy became a farce yeah I don't make promises anymore I don't make promises anymore I don't make promises anymore I don't make promises anymore I can barely fit my d**k in my pants Oh (Whoa Oh) Oh (Whoa Oh) California isn't big enough for me Oh (Whoa Oh) Come and lend me your hand With my Forthcoming release Because California isn't big enough for me Whaa! No, no, no I can barely fit my big dog in here Oh (Whoa Oh) Oh (Whoa Oh) California isn't big enough for me Oh (Whoa Oh) No, no I can barely fit my d**k in my pants Oh, oh California isn't big enough for me" |
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Meat Loaf |
Los Angeloser | This is another song is from the album "Hang Cool Teddy Bear" released in 2010. "" I wrote you this poem I'd like to dedicate it to you I'm just a white boy I play the guitar I put my pants on I drive a s**t car Up into the valley To see my girlfriend She got a big couch She got a Mercedes Benz Sing hallelujah My glass is half full She pours me champagne She drinks a Red Bull And she says "darling One thing thing you got to understand As long as I am satisfied Well, you will always be my man" You know that I, I'll give you all the love that I have I'll empty all my pockets and I'll give you what I can You know that I, I'll give you all the love that I have I'll give you all the love that I can Los Angeloser Los Angeloser Los Angeloser I'm gonna give you all the love that I can Oh yeah We got the sunshine We got the good friends We do-si-do and all the time Out in the wilderness She always looks fine She's gonna be the one to make it And I'll be two steps behind You know that I, I'll give you all the love that I have I'll empty all my pockets and I'll give you what I can You know that I, I'll give you all the love that I have I'll give you all the love that I can Los Angeloser Los Angeloser Los Angeloser I'm gonna give you all the love that I can Now check this out I say this with the deepest appreciation for all you ladies out there Especially the ones who've shown a little love for someone such as myself You believed in me You loved me Oh so friendly towards me If it wasn't for you There would be no me You know that I, I'll give you all the love that I have I'll empty all my pockets and I'll give you what I can You know that I, I'll give you all the love that I have I'll give you all the love that I can...."" |
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The Mekons |
Lawrence of California | The Mekons are a band formed in the late 1970s in the UK. This song is from their 2019 album "Deserted." This is probably a reference to Lawrence of Arabia, but who knows? The great thing about song lyrics is that they don't always have to make sense. (I tried that line once in an English paper when I couldn't understand a poem. It didn't work then, either.) "Lawrence of California Get out of the van and disappear Hello, teeth flash yellow Over your shoulder as the dusty walls move in And nothing is near Get out of the van and disappear Every seed is a weapon here And soon I'll be the king I will be the king Yeah, I will be the king Lawrence of California Take the bottom of the sea And turn it ninety-five degrees Shady groves and ancient tip-toe Stubborn silence grows Flat on your back in the dark Red thorns burst through fossil bark To clutch and to cling But soon I'll be the king I will be the king Yeah, I will be the king Lawrence of California (Hey, woo-woo, ha-haha) Barbs and burs to clutch and cling And soon I'll be the king Spreading over everything A million at a time Draw a line and see How much good that will do for ye How much good Soon I'll be their king Oh, I will be the king I will be the king Lawrence of California (Hey) I will be the king I will be the king Lawrence of California (Hey, hey, ow)" |
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| Party En California |
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Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers (featuring June Hutton) |
The Hills of California | This swing vocal with orchestral acompaniment was given new exposure from its use in the 2013 movie "Gangster Squad." Johnny Mercer was an Academy-Award-winning American singer-songwriter and a co-founder of Capitol Records who was active mostly from the mid-1930's through the mid-1950s, but he didn't write this song. It was written in 1947 by Robert Hayward and Robert Staver back before the smog got so bad you couldn't even see the hills a few miles away. "The hills of California Are something to see The sun will kind of warm ya Then drop in the sea Though we've overworked terrific The blue Pacific Is all Balboa claimed That it would be The hills of California Will give you a start I guess I better warn ya 'Cause you'll lose your heart You'll settle down forever And never stray from the view The hills of Cali-for-ni-a Are waitin' for you The hills of California Are something to see The sun will kind of warm ya And then drop in the sea We've overworked terrific But that Pacific Is all Balboa claimed That it would be The hills of California Will give you a start I guess I better warn ya 'Cause you'll lose your heart You'll settle down forever And you'll never stray from the view The hills of California You can see to San Berdoo California Ooh, what a righteous view They're waitin' They're waitin' for you" |
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Natalie Merchant |
San Andreas Fault | Natalie Merchant is a singer-songwriter from New York, who joined the band 10,000 Manicacs in 1981 and went solo in 1993. This song is from her 1995 album "Tigerlily." Since the San Andreas Fault is almost entirely in California I'm logging this as a Calfornia earthquake song / California Dream becomes a nightmare song. It seems to be about going to paradise to become a star but finding the fragile rags-to-riches dream shattered like a house in an earthquake. Time to bolt the foundation, brace the walls, and earthquake retrofit that dream, girl. "Go west Paradise is there You'll have all that you can eat Of milk & honey over there You'll be the brightest star The world has ever seen Sun-baked slender heroine Of film & magazine Go west Paradise is there You'll have all that you can eat Of milk & honey over there You'll be the brightest light The world has ever seen The dizzy height of a jet-set life You could never dream Your pale blue eyes Strawberry hair Lips so sweet Skin so fair Your future bright Beyond compare It's rags to riches Over there San Andreas Fault Moved its fingers Through the ground Earth divided Plates collided Such an awful sound San Andreas Fault Moved its fingers Through the ground Terra cotta shattered And the walls came Tumbling down O, promised land O, wicked ground Build a dream Tear it down O, promised land What a wicked ground Build a dream Watch it all fall down" |
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The Messengers |
California Soul | The Messengers were a band from Minnesota that recorded for Motown records, active in the 1960s. This song was released as a B-side of their single "Window Shopping" in 1967. It's not the best-known, but it's the first recorded version of this classic California song which was written by the great songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson. Many other versions have been recorded. I've put a short list below the lyrics. These lyrics are from The Messengers' version. Other versions may be slightly different. "Like a sound you hear that lingers in your ear But you can't forget from sunrise to sunset It's all in the air, you hear it everywhere No matter what you do it's gonna get a hold on you It's California soul California soul They say the sun comes up every morning And if you listen carefully The winds that ride on the high tide Whistle a melody And so the people started to sing And that's how the surf gave birth I'm told To California soul California soul When you hear the beat you wanna pat your feet And you've got to move 'cause it's really such a groove Puts a brand new kind of thinking in your mind And you can't go wrong 'cause you're happy all day long It's California soul California soul They had the melody and the beat But it still didn't seem complete Until they saw two lovers kissing They knew just what was missing So happy they were rocking and reeling Because they added that loving feeling To California soul California soul Like a sound you hear that lingers in your ear But you can't forget from sunrise to sunset It's all in the air, you hear it everywhere No matter what you do it's gonna get a hold on you When you hear the beat you wanna pat your feet And you can't forget..." |
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| Various Artists | Cover versions of The Messengers' Calfiornia Soul |
Nick Ashford (one of the song's writers) released a version in 1968. The Fifth Dimension, a vocal group from Los Angeles, released a version in 1968, which is the biggest chart hit of the song. Marlena Shaw, a soul singer from New York, released my favorite version in 1969. Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell, the great Motown duo, released a version in 1970. Edwin Starr, a soul singer-songwriter from Ohio, released a version in 1970. The Undisputed Truth, a Motown recording act, released a psychedelic version in 1971. Diplo, a DJ and Producer from Mississippi, made a dance remix of Marlena Shaw's version in 2008. |
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Zana Messia |
L.A. Minute | Zana Messia is a Los Angeles-based Bosnian singer-songwriter from the former Yugoslavia. Her family were forced to flee to Sweden as refugees during the war when she was a child. Her music has been referred to as Balkan Soul and World Soul and it has elements of Pop, R&B, and Jazz. This song is from the album "Detour" released in 2020. An L.A. minute sounds a lot like a New York Minute, but with palm trees, more sunshine, and broken dreams. "She’s a hot babe with lots going on She did one too many bumps yesterday, today is blown He’s a big shot, aces up his sleeve Wishin' he could lose it all so he could have a new beginning Life is moving fast and everything is possible You can lose your heart and never know it, just keep holding on Love is in the air but love is not what you been told In a city where nobody loves themselves you ought to know It’s an L.A. Minute (In a minute, in L.A.) Everything can change in a heartbeat In an L.A. Minute (In a minute, in L.A.) You can be a star and wind up on the street In an L.A. Minute Hold on for your life, many died walking this path Nothing’s what it seems, you can see now, life’s a dr?am Take look around, everybody’s up and down Life is like a blink of an eye in an L.A. Minute In L.A. In the right place at the right time She could make it come together, she could catch her shooting star He wants a piece of what he's left behind All the dollars can’t buy he can see himself in her eyes But what to do, would you give up your dollars for a dream? Would you dream of life or live without your heart in it? Love is in the air Love is not what you been told. In a city where nobody loves themselves you ought to know (In a minute, in L.A.) You can lose yourself in a heart beat In an L.A. Minute (In a minute, in L.A.) You can be you can be a star, wind up on the street In an L.A. Minute Hold on for your life, many died walking this path Nothing’s what it seems, you can see now life’s a dream Take look around, everybody’s up and down Life is like a blink of an eye In an L.A. Minute (In a minute, in L.A.) It's an L.A. Minute (In a minute, in L.A.) It's an L.A. Minute (In a minute in L.A., everything can change) (In a minute in L.A., things can sure get strange) In an L.A. Minute...." |
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Zana Messia |
Ride This 2 The End | This is from the album "Detour" released in 2020. "Every beat around you is like do or die We’re rollin, it ain’t love – just a high And maybe I’m losing my mind It felt like love to me You got caught up Dreams that you wanted so bad Hollywood got to your head And I’m just a girl in your bed It was too good to be true I don’t care what people say I love you anyway And I’m still gonna stay Ride this 2 the end I lose A part of me just dies With every girl you f**k And I’m still gonna stay Ride this 2 the end So just play Play me till we’re all played out Draw me in, then kick me out Hurt me and say it’s your right Cuz I ain’t good enough You got caught up Dreams that you wanted so bad Hollywood got to your head And I’m just a girl in your bed It was too good to be true Don’t care what people say I love you anyway And I’m still gonna stay Ride this 2 the end...." |
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Zana Messia |
Ride This 2 The End (Alter-Ego Version) | This is a bonus track from the album "Detour" released in 2020. Messia's website describes The Midnight Mission as her "alter-ego punk/rock/soul band" that has its own way of interpreting her songs. "Every beat around you is like do or die We’re rollin, ain't love just a high And maybe I’m losing my mind It felt like love to me You got caught up Dreams that you wanted so bad Hollywood got to your head And I’m just a girl in your bed I know you would never be true Don’t care what people say I love you anyways And I’m still gonna stay Ride this 2 the end So just play Play me till we’re all played out Draw me in, then kick me out Hurt me and say it’s your right I knew you would never be true Don’t care what people say I love you anyway And I’m still gonna stay Ride this 2 the end It’s hard to say goodbye to all the places we’ll never go I love when I’m high with you but when we’re low we’re so low And I can’t deny it I’d be better off alone But I live for the nights like this I love when we fight then kiss I just can’t leave though I know you will never be true Don’t care what people say I love you anyway And I’m still gonna stay Ride 2 the end I lose A part of me just dies With every girl you f**k And I’m still gonna stay Ride this 2 the end" |
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Zana Messia & Angelized |
Cali Skyline | Angelized is a Swedish artist and producer. This is from the album "Zana Messia" released in 2021. "The Cali skyline is getting ready for the show Crystal every rooftop ... about to let you know When summer gets lonely I try to hold out again ... to find your love When summer gets lonely tear it up cut it up When summer gets lonely cut it up cut it up When summer gets lonely cut it up ... on the line When summer gets lonely call you up I cut it up When I can't help myself 'cause I just can't get enough High on our love you keep stayin' out of town Why do you keep leavin' me along in this old house I want your love you're not just some ... And I will make it through the summer if you stay away Alone in your bed there's just ... girl everywhere All I wanna do is just wrap my legs around your waist Boy you keep lettin' all this lovin' go to waste When summer gets lonely tear it up cut it up When summer gets lonely cut it up cut it up...." |
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Zana Messia & The Balkan Soul Orchestra |
I've Seen Him Before | Zana Messia & The Balkan Soul Orchestra was formed in Los Angeles in 2011, combining elements of Balkan Roma music and jazz. This sultry torch song is from the album "Balkan Soul" released in 2012. "He played a jazz guitar In some club on Sunset Boulevard I was there by chance on a Sunday night Though we never met I knew that I've seen him before Maybe in a dream I love him maybe I heard him before He's playing that song And I heard it in my dream Desire is a magic spell Sometimes it's tough to stay grounded To have a dream come true Just like that can be terrifying I've seen him before Maybe in a dream I love him maybe I heard him before He's playing that song And I heard it in my dream I've seen him before Maybe in a dream I love him maybe I heard him before He's playing that song And I heard it in my dream...." |
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Joe Dee Messina |
Heads Carolina, Tails California | This was the debut song and first big hit back in 1996 for Messina, a country singer from Massachusetts, but it wasn't her last. She's had several number one hits since then. I like that she mentions they have family in Boston and Des Moines, but then she chooses Carolina or California. I suppose nobody wants to go home when you're planning on getting lost on a road trip. And who doesn't flip a coin when they're thinking of driving thousands of miles? Another great way to choose a destination that I've seen in movies is to spin a globe and stop it with a finger and then buy a plane ticket to wherever the finger landed. This song is also sampled and mentioned in Cole Swindell's song 'She Had Me at Heads Carolina". "Baby, what do you say we just get lost Leave this one horse town like two rebels without a cause I've got people in Boston, ain't your daddy still in Des Moines? We can pack up tomorrow, tonight let's flip a coin Heads Carolina, tails California Somewhere greener, somewhere warmer Up in the mountains, down by the ocean Where it don't matter, long as we're goin' Somewhere together, I got a quarter Heads Carolina, tails California We can throw what we own in the back of a U-Haul van Couple of modern day Moses' searchin' for the promised land We can go four hundred miles before we stop for gas We could drive for a day and then we'll take a look at the map Oh, heads Carolina, tails California Somewhere greener, somewhere warmer Up in the mountains, down by the ocean Where it don't matter, long as we're goin' Somewhere together, I got a quarter Heads Carolina, tails California We're gonna get out of here if we gotta ride a Greyhound bus Boy, we're bound to outrun the bad luck that's tailin' us Oh, heads Carolina, tails California Somewhere greener, somewhere warmer Up in the mountains, down by the ocean Where it don't matter, long as we're goin' Somewhere together, I got a quarter Heads Carolina, tails California Oh California, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah Carolina California" |
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Joe Dee Messina |
You're Not in Kansas, Anymore | This is another hit from Messina's self-titled first album released in 1996. It's another one from the list of songs that mention The Hollywood Sign. “He said "I grew up in Wichita In a Mayberry kind of town" He never liked overalls Or haulin' hay 'til sundown He said he dreamed about L.A. As he plowed away the day on an old John Deere I said "Boy let me warn you In southern California there's some fast trains here" You're not in Kansas anymore Can't be too careful that's for sure City lights will led you on Morning comes and they'll be gone So write my number on your wall You can call me anytime at all I'm so happy now boy You're not in Kansas anymore He said do you know where Carson lives So we drove up to Malibu Cruisin' down Sunset Strip I let him steal a kiss or two Under the Hollywood sign I tried to hide a smile as I whispered low I wanna be the first to tell you Here we say ro-day-o, not ro-dee-o You're not in Kansas anymore Can't be too careful that's for sure City lights will lead you on Morning comes and they'll be gone So write my number on your wall And call me anytime at all I'm so happy now boy You're not in Kansas anymore I'm so happy now boy You're not in Kansas anymore” |
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Metro Station |
California | Metro Station is a pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in 2006. This song is from the album "Metro Station" released in 2007. It's another let's-get-in-the-car-and-drive-to-California song. "What do you say we leave for California? If we drive all night, we can make it by the morning And, no one else will know if we decide to go, oh What do you say we leave for California? We could leave our friends And we could be together We could leave this town If only for the weather I could drive And you could sleep While the radio collides To the sound of our heartbeats What do you say we leave for California? If we drive all night, we can make it by the morning And, no one else will know if we decide to go, oh What do you say we leave for California?" |
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Davina Michelle |
California King Bed | Dalvina Michelle Hoogendorn is a singer from the Netherlands, active since 2017. She released this cover of the song originally released by Rihanna in 2024, leaving out one of the verses and some choruses. You can see the original lyrics under Rihanna. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Middle of the Road |
Sacramento (A Wonderful Town) | Middle of the Road is a Scottish pop group active since the early 1970s that has been most popular in Europe and Latin America. With its bubblegum sound, this song was a million-selling single off their third album "The Best of Middle of the Road" released in 1972. I'm not saying Sacramento is not a wonderful town - don't send me hate mail - but it's hard to imagine what inspired a group of foreigners to sing a song praising a city which was not a big tourist town, though it's possible the lyricist had visited the city. Harold "Lolly" Stott, a British singer-songwriter who also wrote Middle of the Road's biggest hit, co-wrote the song with three Italian songwriters, which still doesn't explain the connection with Sacramento. Maybe he just picked the name off a map, or maybe it was commissioned by the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. I guess we'll never know. Thanks to Steve Martarano for introducing me to this and other great California songs. "There's something about the weather That everybody loves They call it the Indian spring of Sacramento And when the sun is up in the sky The wind is blowin' by the riverside most everyday You're in Sacramento a wonderful town Sing sing sing din din din There's something about the people That everybody knows That gives you a tender feelin' of confusion You're feelin' lonely but you don't know Until this other feelin' here inside you starts to grow You're in Sacramento, a wonderful town Sing sing sing din din din Now that spring is here again And you're thinkin' if only you were not so lonely ooh ooh But you can ease your restless mind Ease your restless mind All the people are a lovin' kind, In Sacramento There's something about the weather That everybody loves They call it the Indian spring of Sacramento You're feelin' lonely, but you don't know Until this other feelin' here inside you starts to grow You're in Sacramento, a wonderful town Sing sing sing din din din Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento" |
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Bette Midler |
White Christmas | Bette Midler is a singer, actress, author, and more, born in Honolulu and active since 1965. Not many people realize that this song is sung by someone in California wishing for snow at Christmas, but it makes sense. This is the classic nostalgic Christmas song written by Irving Berlin for the 1942 movie "Holiday Inn" which won a best song Oscar. Bing Crosby's recording of the song became a smash hit with help from its popularity with American GI's fighting overseas during World War II. According to the Guiness World Records it's the best-selling single of all time. But in "Holiday Inn" and in the 1954 movie "White Christmas" Crosby does not sing the opening verse which shows that the singer is in Beverly Hills on a sunny Christmas Eve. Bette Midler does sing the opening verse in her version as do a few other singers including Barbara Streisand. This is from the album "Cool Yule" released in 2006. "The sun is shining, the grass is green, The orange and palm trees sway. There's never been such a day In Beverly Hills, L.A. But it's December the 24th, And I'm longing to be up north I'm dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, And children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be white. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be white." |
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The Midnight North |
Back to California | According to their YouTube channel description, Midnight North is a "...group of multi-instrumentalists with songwriting roots in Folk and Americana" who began playing together in San Francisco as Grahame Lesh & Friends, then changed their name in 2013 to Midnight North. This song from their upcoming album "Diamonds in the Zodiac" was released in September, 2023, though it was written in 2015. You can also listen to the original version, which is a bit slower with different lyrics and instruments, on their 2017 album "Under The Lights." I prefer this new version with its faster pace and piano. "I should’ve cut my hair the way you tried to warn me Maybe I would have liked the humid air back east I never knew a day would come when home was all I need But you’re in California In 30 days I know I'll miss the long grind Hard days and long nights feel great with time I've run myself ragged but it always stays the same But I just want to see you And all my days are gone And all my nights are long So take me back to California with fire in my eyes I'll get up 'Till I can’t hold on I got time to miss you but nothing more to say Each time it unwinds before it goes away I see problems around me but can’t find my own way No rest 'till California And ll my days are gone And all my nights are long So take me back to California with fire in my eyes I'll get up 'Till I can’t hold on Oh, the worries come in the morning Oh, the nights are full of endorphins So turn the lights down low and Let the starlight follow Thru that void lost along the way All my days are gone And all my nights are long So take me back to California with fire in my eyes I'll get up 'Till I can’t hold on I'll get up 'Till I can’t hold on I'll get up 'Till I can’t hold on I'll get up 'Till I can’t hold on" |
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The Mighty Mighty Bosstones |
To California | The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were a ska punk band formed in Boston in 1983. This song is an unreleased track from 2002 that was put on the compilation album "Medium Rare" released in 2007. In the song, a guy decided to take the California trip, ran into some obstacles, but got there anyway, only to end up in the L.A. County jail. "...To California. He said that's where he'd find his fortune. And where it's warmer The weather's warmer and the girls are scorching hot. He quit his job down at the diner. And then he loaded up his SUV. Just like a modern 49er. Except for the Schlager and the PCP. To California. He said he'd make it there come hell Or come high water. He isn't doing very well. He made it to Atlantic City. To try to double what he brought. Lost it to a voodoo girl named Kitty. Totaled the truck out in the parking lot. So he decided He was determined not to turn back. No way. So guess what he did? Well he snuck aboard an Amtrak Train. To California. He said that's where he'd find his fortune. And where it's warmer. The weather's warmer and the girls are scorching hot. To California. Just got a postcard in the mail. "Just to inform ya. I'm in the LA County Jail. Right now." |
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Migos |
Avalanche | Migos is a hip-hop trio from Georgia founded in 2008. This song is from their album "Culture III" released in 2021 after they've had enough succss to buy a house in Bel Air. If I could afford it, I'd brag about it too. "...We been the n***as that steppin’ We came in the do’ and they takin’ the flow, call it repo (bite) My dog he gon’ bite, no Chico (grrr) Get hit with the Draco and make him with Rico (brrr) Ain’t shopping Rodeo You wanna see the 3 Migos, then turn on your Vivo (Vivo) The Wraith colored mayo (white) And the cheese like I ate a bag of some Cheeto’s (cheese) They must’ve forgot we the Migos (forgot) Straight from the Nawf out the bando (bando) I done been quiet for too long (too long) I copped that Cuban, it’s two-toned (two-toned) I heard he trappin’, they tappin’ that static Tell that boy go get a new phone (brrring) Out In Bel-Air, copped a new home (new home) Avalanche with the blue stone (ice) I’m the s**t, can’t find a fit, my neck is a fridge The rings and wrists, I retro’d the kicks Ain’t givin’ no kiss, I’m givin’ her d**k You staring too long, like you seen a ghost So whip out your camera, take you a pic So when you get home, get back on your phone Zoom in on the flick, and look at the drip She asked me to pay for the ass to get lifted I told her I’m better of getting you a Lyft Think I’ma put all my trust in a ho with no benefits Tell her go jump off a cliff I go through 230 a cup of that purple Put ice in my drink just to keep on chill (lean) F**k all that talk you ain’t been in the field (nah) Open my bank account and it give me chills (chills)" |
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Migos (featuring Polo G) |
Malibu | This is another song from the Atlanta hip-hop trio's 2021 album "Culture III." Polo G is a rapper from Chicago. "Buss down y’know what I’m sayin’ Producer Tag: Poo You A Fool For This One Hey Hey Hey I bought me a drop (drop) I’m switchin’ out hoes and thots (switch out the thots) I Richie’d the watch (Richie) I made me an M on the spot (M on the spot) I took 25 hoes in Malibu on my yacht (25 hoes) I got 25 M’s in the bank no cap no lie (certified) Run up an M ain’t tripping (run it up) Chrome Hearts cross I’m Christian (Chrome Hearts) Sippin’ on dirt no whiskey (dirt) Bought me a spurt big Bentley (spurt) I’m from the Nawf put a hole in your boss And then call me a lil’ bitty 50 (50 ball) I bought a ‘Cat with a wide body back Take it out to burn out and go fishing (skrrt hey) You did this s**t with handouts it wasn’t no help If you think I’d cross and take my mans out just killed so In the trenches 40 on my hip I had to fix my belt Can’t listen to critics ’cause they can’t relate to s**t I felt Chrome Hearts Fendi prints shopping sprees expensive s**t Hennesy she getting lit hoes in three’s splitting d**k Six deep in Suburbans totin’ felonies we with this s**t Catch a op get the stick bodies drop flip the switch Hit Rodeo splurgin’ f**k a price tag we rich as s**t Drip so hard on purpose diamonds no flaws make n****s sick In that two-door swervin’ screamin’ f**k ’em all ’cause n****s switched Just better not be lurkin’ cause this 40 glock gon’ give ’em kiss I bought me a drop (drop) I’m switchin’ out hoes and thots (switch out the thots) I Richie’d the watch (Richie) I made me an M on the spot (M on the spot) I took 25 hoes in Malibu on my yacht (25 hoes) I got 25 M’s in the bank no cap no lie (certified)...." |
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Miguel |
Leaves | Miguel is a singer-songwriter-producer from L.A. who is usually placed among the curent new wave of R&B artists, although he also incorporates rock, psychedelic, electronic, funk, and hip hop styles in his music. He's another great musician who proves that genres are no longer very relevant. This song is off his 2015 album, Wildheart. "The leaves don't change you The leaves don't change you, so I never saw it coming Went to hit me, Hiroshima, where did the Sun go? Just the cruel rain pouring, you say that it's over How could it be over, when I never saw it coming? Sweet California, sour California Sweet California, bitter California Sweet California I should've known better, I should've known better Cause the leaves don't change here Heart caught in a rift, cold Pacific waters Keep on pulling me under. drowning in my sorrows Eager waves keep on crashing, you say that it's over How could it be over? I never saw it coming Sweet California, sour California Sweet California, bitter California Sweet California I should've known better, I should've known better The leaves they don't change here You know I'm from here, I never saw it coming Where did the summer go, when you loved me? Where did the summer go, when you loved me? You say it's over now, how could it be over? I never saw it coming Sweet California, sour California Sweet California, bitter California Sweet California oh, I should've known better Should've known better The leaves they don't change here" |
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Miguel |
Hollywood Dreams | This is another song off Miguel's 2015 album, Wildheart, that's about a woman with dreams of Hollywood fame and with a coke habit. "Lost angel with an urgent subtle Jaded eyes, and this empty fixation Sweet Hollywood Sign, you're my salvation Cokey scenes full of pipe dreams Palm trees and a numb sensation Chasing, uh-huh Vivid schemes, put my name on a marquee, alright Still waiting for my big break (big break), for fame sake, alright And we could be better than heroes baby, alright We could fly higher than spaceships baby, all night Said could you ever find the magic man (magic man) He can make it all happen (happen), alright Lost Hollywood dreams Lost Hollywood dreams Say wow, up fame, became your religion woman You need 'cause all your faith is coming Now the walk of shame woman It's reputation, cheap thrills, fake friends, coke binge What a numb sensation Then he said, "honey I can put your face on the big screen Well aren't you looking for your big break (big break)? Come here, for fame sake" (yeah) And we could be better than heroes baby, alright (alright) We could fly higher than spaceships baby, all night (all night) Girl you're looking at the magic man I can make it all happen (all happen) Lost Hollywood dreams (yeah) And we could be better than heroes baby, alright (alright) We could fly higher than spaceships baby, all night (all night) Said could you ever find the magic man (magic man) He can make it all happen (all happen), alright Lost Hollywood dreams (Up and down Hollywood and Sunset) (Up and down... ... ... ) Lost Hollywood dreams" |
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Miguel |
The Valley | Another song from his 2015 album, Wildheart. The lyrics are a bit too explicit for me to show much here. It's about a man who wants to enjoy his time with his lover like they're "filming in the valley,' a reference to making a pornographic film in the San Fernando Valley, the heart of that branch of the film industry, which people in L.A. call "the valley." "...This is hard babe, play your part baby Then we all get paid I wanna f**k like we're filming in the valley I wanna push and shove and paint your hills and valley I got a red idea to expedite the ride Put it over, pull em to the side ... Like we're filming in the valley, in the valley... In the valley, in the valley... I'm your heaven, I'm your hell, I'm your healer baby Pour your sins on me baby, let us pray I wanna f**k like we're filming in the valley I wanna push and shove and paint your hills in valley ... Like we're filming in the valley, in the valley...." |
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Mila J |
California Christmas Trees | Mila J is Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo, a singer-songwriter-rapper from Los Angeles, active since 1991, and the older sister of R&B singer Jhéne Aiko. This is from her album "Holiday" released in 2019. "Can you feel it in the city? Everywhere I go it's a vibe We could ride slow through the city I used to love to see the lights We should take a ride, I'll go if you like I know, somewhere we could hit the gas same time drive slow We can dip through the city but you better keep it lit Do you know who you ridin' with? This Christmas I want all the smoke This Christmas I want all the smoke Can you see it in the air? 'Tis the season so you know that you better share We waited a long time, we can finally say we here, in L.A. We can finally roll up every night If you don't believe me We should take a ride, I'll go if you like I know, somewhere we could hit the gas same time drive slow We can dip through the city but you better keep it lit Do you know who you ridin' with? This Christmas I want all the smoke This Christmas I want all the smoke" |
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Mila J (featuring DJ Battlecat) |
Welcome to the West | DJ Battlecat is Kevin Gilliam, a DJ and producer from Los Angeles active since 1988. This song was released in 2022. "WELCOME TO THE WEST... Throw it up for the homies In the khakis and chucks It's Mila J in this b**ch Bout to act the f**k up Pullin up on my opps in a Lambo truck It's Killahpride worldwide You can say that's us West coast for ever Better than any competitor I'm a terror with these bars I'm the best in America Motha f**ka you can call Tyrone and Erykah On my Schwarzenegger s**t A b**ch ah body a predator The swag drip heavy Forgive me for being petty I ain't reach my apex yet Y'all ain't ready See the money fall from the sky like confetti I'm in the hood servin 'em sweets like lil Debbie 6-4 Impala my shoes is all chrome Rollin' stone Where I kick off my shoes is my home Mad latto Grabba leaf sippin' Patron Spaced out in the zone Originals can't be cloned Heartbreaker b**ch You better cuff yo n**ga Cuz when I'm in the room You can't trust yo n**ga Wettest of the West I'm a gangsta in the flesh I'm the b**ch they try to emulate Who want flex You can't be serious homie Game recognize game Cuz where I come from they bang They call me Supernova My lines in your veins Welcome to L.A. What set you claim California Yeah we in that golden state of mind California Nothin like that Cali sunshine California California Nobody party they don't party Like we party like we party Welcome to the Westside God damn it I can rhyme Who f**kin' wit me Pretty b**ch squeeze 3 At your cherry m3 Bang any rap bitb**chch easily Young and I'm flawless But I kick real s**t like OG's Slauson to Western Normandie to Crenshaw West Coast b**ch where you at This the roll call City of the Angels Home of the face card Hair bomb Nails bomb And the weed so bomb I'm a God not a demigod Spit church like a synagogue Got bars to take out 10 of yall Word to Snoop double g I'm forever blue'd up B**ches need to back the f**k up Or get chewed up R.I.P. Nipsey Dodgers, Lakers Rams ride with me Put on for the city Sip wit me Till we pissy Then walk in stilettos in pure form Yeah I stay on my crispy You can't be serious homie Game recognize game Cuz where I come from they bang They call me Supernova My lines in your veins Welcome to L.A. What set you claim California Yeah we in that golden state of mind California Nothin like that Cali sunshine California California Nobody party they don't party Like we party like we party Welcome to the Westside...." |
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Grant Miller |
California Train | Grant Miller is a singer and model from Indiana. He went to Europe in 1984 to do modeling work, met a German music producer, and became a popular Euro-Disco singer. This song was released in 1987. "Here it comes the train of fame Steaming through the night Dreams on sale for everyone Tales in black and white Betty Davis' eyes stare into the night Mick and Tina turn down the lights California Train Stars and heroes The old American dream California Train Stars and heroes Watch out Hollywood Here they come! Moonlight shines on Madonna's hair Night time's growing short Fancy kings and movie stars Talking about the law Rex and Fred are drinking Champagne at the bar Frankie shades and Liza are dreamin' afar California Train Stars and heroes The old American dream California Train Stars and heroes Watch out Hollywood Here they come!...." |
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Mac Miller |
San Francisco | Mac Miller was a rapper from Pittsburgh, active since 2007. This song is from his mixtape "Faces" released in 2014. He often mentioned his struggles with addiction in his songs and, as the lyrics of this song predict, sadly, he did die alone from an overdose in 2018. "Yeah, welcome to the dark side of my bizarre mind I'm trapped inside of this amusement park ride There's an atom bomb inside my hard drive I'm holdin' the apocalypse (apocalypse) Let's take a ride and get lost in this metropolis (metropolis) Just realized that I'm an idiot Wearin' my disguise, my real face is f**kin' hideous My pretty b**ch watchin' insidious with her pussy out (pussy out) Aw, sookie-sookie now (aw, sookie-sookie now) Rapper terrorist, rarer than good parents is Puttin' hard drugs inside of all your baby's carriages Arrogance, throwin' cherry bombs where the sheriff lives (sheriff lives) Just because that s**t's hilarious (s**it's hilarious) And I inherited the thirst for self-destruction and I'm scared of it I wanna be buried with a novel and a chariot (and a chariot) I'm a bigger illusion than good marriages (marriages) Or what it means to be American Whoa I took acid in San Francisco Stripped butt-naked, caused a panic at the disco Fell for the bimbo who was dancin' at the strip show I gotta stop thinkin' with my d**k-hole (ya) I took acid in San Francisco Stripped butt-naked, caused a panic at the disco Fell for the bimbo who was dancin' at the strip show A genius still thinkin' with his d**k bone Out in Wichita, Kansas, smokin' meth with all the locals (all the locals) Askin' them to teach me how to yodel Suppose I'll die alone from an overdose of some sort In a motel while some whore I'm f**kin' runnin' to the drug store I hacked into the motherboard, argued on a public forum Uploaded a virus to the network, then unplugged the cord (unplugged the cord) The laws are not important If you scared, lock your door then (door then) Okay, uh, I always feel like a foreigner Morphin' into some sort of sorcerer (sorcerer) I'm Yuri's brother if it's Lord of War What would I be normal for? I'm goin' door-to-door shootin' pornos with a good script (good script) I took acid in San Francisco Stripped butt-naked, caused a panic at the disco Fell for the bimbo who was dancin' at the strip show I gotta stop thinkin' with my d**k-hole (ya) I took acid in San Francisco Stripped butt-naked, caused a panic at the disco Fell for the bimbo who was dancin' at the strip show A genius still thinkin' with his d**k bone" |
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Millington |
California Songs | Millington is a pop punk/ska band from Albany, NY, founded in 2018. This song was released in 2018. "There’s an answer calling out It’s calling out but you’re not there to listen And even if this ship goes down I’ll scour the wreckage Pull you out Have you been found or missing? It’s getting hard to sleep I really wish you were here with me The sirens in my head are going off And if it’s not enough The miles keep adding up and up And I’m too young to shut the voices up If this fails I want to sleep Hide out from the sun for weeks Neglect the reassuring words from family (I can’t make you wait for me) It’s the last call For running home to the East Coast The sunshine and the palm trees Don’t mean s**t if no one loves me I figured out who I want to be Cross my heart and hope to die Hope you don’t forget me Hope you don’t forget me I'm wasting away in California While you and your friends drive to Saratoga You’re gonna drink all night It’ll keep me up all night I think you’ve had enough The bottles keep adding up and up And I’m too dumb to shut the voices up If this fails I want to sleep Hide out from the sun for weeks Neglect the reassuring words from family (They can’t take you away from me) I’m hanging on your echo Just like the memories you left Like I’m walking on a tight rope When I’m trying to make some sense" |
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Blake Mills |
It'll All Work Out | Blake Mills is a singer-songwriter-session musician-producer from Malibu. This is from his first solo album "Break Mirrors" released in 2010. "West Valley, Mormon family with seven hungry mouths to feed, and that's how she learned to raise my sister and me, and voted Nixon in the seventies and it would all work out, it would all work out My mother was the youngest child no college education, wasn't ever her style but she knew just how to make a quarterback smile, and it would all work out It'll all work out My father loved us right, stayed up at night tryin' to keep the checkbook tighter than a duck's a** going down a waterslide Oh, I know he tried, became a victim of the mortgage spikes, collections calling every night since 1999 In 10 more years, you'd think the interest rates'd decline It'll all work out, it'll all work out, it'll all work out He'd say, "go to college, get your knowledge straightened out," with inherent desperation in the way it sounded like he'd bet on it, and now it seemed his odds were down Well, thank you, Dad, I love you, and I hope you're proud and I'm sorry that I didn't take the road you laid down but it'll all work out, it'll all work out, it'll all work out Is that your letter in the middle of the pile? I must have been out of town for quite a little while The stitches in your arm must have healed by now f**k that plumber if your heat is still out and don't be scared, I know you can still throw down It'll all work out, it'll all work out Now, I don't feel a speck of hate really, no, I'm trying to get my story straight - when you called me from the car when you were on your way with your friend from San Francisco that you told me was gay and I guess he was a closet straight Get it all out now and it'll all work out...." |
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Ronnie Milsap |
L.A. to the Moon | Ronnie Milsap is a CMA and Grammy-winning country music artist from North Carolina, active since 1963. He has made 35 #1 country singles and some of his hits have also crossed over to the pop charts. This song is a single released in 1992. "You were always different Had a big dream in your heart This old cow town couldn't hold you down Once you caught your star I stood out on the runway And watched you taxi past I would have gone anywhere with you But you never asked You went from Beaumont to L.A. And L.A. to the Moon An overnight success You put a lot of years in tune You tell me nothing's different I'm just a call away from you But it feels more like the distance From L.A. to the Moon I would never stop you I only want to see you fly But is wrong to want to see you Flyin' home tonight You know how proud you make me I could never hold you down But what I'd give, to hold you down here In this Texas town You went from Beaumont to L.A. And L.A. to the Moon An overnight success You put a lot of years in tune Oh, you tell me nothing's different I'm just a call away from you But it feels more like the distance From L.A. to the Moon...." |
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Ronnie Milsap |
Santa Barbara | This is from Milsap's 1978 album "Only One Love in My Life." "Crowded streets, speeding cars Buildings that are so tall that they hide the stars Just for now we must stay But I'll take you back where you belong someday What Santa Barbara is to you The golden sand, the silver sea What Santa Barbara is to you You are to me, you are to me I took you far from home While I'm out there working you're left all alone Bear with me for a while I'll put that California sun back in your smile What Santa Barbara is to you The golden sand, the silver sea What Santa Barbara is to you You are to me, you are to me What Santa Barbara is to you The golden sand, the silver sea What Santa Barbara is to you You are to me, you are to me What Santa Barbara is to you The golden sand, the silver sea What Santa Barbara is to you You are to me, you are to me" |
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Minutemen |
History Lesson - Part II | Minutemen was a seminal punk band formed in San Pedro, California, active from 1980-1985. This song is from their critically-acclaimed double album "Double Nickles On the Dime" released in 1984. "Double nickles" is trucker slang for driving 55 miles per hour, and "the dime" refers to the 10 freeway Mike Watt is driving at exactly 55 mph on the album cover. The opening line of the song inspired the title of the definitive book about '80s American indie underground music "This Band Could Be Your Live" by Michael Azerrad. "Our band could be your life Real names'd be proof Me and Mike Watt, we played for years Punk rock changed our lives. We learned punk rock in Hollywood Drove up from Pedro We were f***ing corndogs We'd go drink and pogo Mr. Narrator, This is Bob Dylan to me My story could be his songs I'm his soldier child Our band is scientist rock But I was E. Bloom, Richard Hell, Joe Strummer and John Doe Me and Mike Watt, playing guitar" |
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The Miracles |
Ain't Nobody Straight In L.A. | The Miracles were an R&B vocal group that originated in Detroit in 1955 and are best known for the years from 1965-1972 when they worked with Smokey Robinson as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. This is from the album "City of Angels" released in 1975 after Robinson had left the group. It's a concept album about a man searching for his ex-girlfriend in Los Angeles after she moved there to try to become a star. The lyrics are hard to decipher. All of the lyric sites online skip over most of the lines sung by the background singers, which are hard for me to understand, especially the lines that are in Spanish, but I've done my best. There is one Spanish word that is repeated several times that should mean "straight" and sounds like cuero or cuello but I can't figure it out. Let me know if you can. Why does this song have a Latin beat and lyrics in Spanish? I have no idea. Maybe they're honoring L.A.'s hispanic heritage. There has been some controversy regarding whether this song is offensive to anybody who does not idenfify as "straight." I'm sure the intent was to advocate inclusion and not to offend anyone, but it was 1975... ""Ain't nobody straight in L.A. (No hay nadie in L.A. [?]) It seems that everybody is gay (? Spanish lyrics) Homosexuality is a part of society I guess that they need some more variety Freedom of expression is really the thing La mayoria es AC/DC (Hombre con hombre es el estilo) Bisexuales es un grupo amoroso (Poniéndose las manos) Most everyone is AC/DC (Every man woman with more [?] is the trend) Bisexuals on a loving spree (Holding hands they're no longer between) Homosexuality is a part of society Well, I guess that they need some more variety Freedom of expression is really the thing Ain't nobody straight in L.A. (Ain't nobody in L.A. straight) It seems that everybody is gay (No hay nadie in L.A. [?]) Oooh oooh, oooh oooh, Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh "Hey, man, check that out." Ain't nobody straight in L.A. (No hay nadie in L.A. [?]) It seems that everybody is gay (? Spanish lyrics) "Hey, man, let's ride out" "Yeah c'mon, man!" "I mean that's cool with me, uh, where we gon' go?" "Hey, man, I know where a real hip place is on Sunset Boulevard and there's another place on La Cienega that's really..." "Nah, nah, I know this bad place on Hollywood Boulevard" "Hey, but wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, ain't that place you took me the other night..." "Yeah?" "Hey, but wait a minute, man, that's a gay bar" "Hey, man, ain't nothing but gay bars in Los Angeles" "Yeah, Bill, that might be true though, but, uh... You know some of the finest women are in the gay bars" "Hey, but dig, Bob, how do you know they women?" "Well... uh... Hey, man, look, well, look, gay people are nice people too, man" "Yeah, let's go, man. Let's go, man"" |
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The Miracles |
City of Angels | This slow ballad is another song from the album "City of Angels" released in 1975 and discussed above. It's also one of the weirder earthquake songs, comparing the city to Atlantis and pleading with it not to fall into the sea. Turns out, global warming is going to do that even without any help from a big quake. "Walking your seashores and staring into space Dreaming of your people that possess your charm and grace Oh I love you L.A. (City of Angels) Please don't go away (Please don't go) (Please don't go away) Will you fall into the sea? (Will you fall into the sea?) And forsake me City of Angels you have faults in your land People say you'll crumble and your beauty will no longer stand Oh I love you L.A. (City of Angels) Please don't go away (Please don't go) (Please don't go away) Will you fall into the sea? (Will you fall into the sea?) And forsake me? Will you disappear from the earth just like Atlantis did? Each and every night I'll say a prayer for heaven to forbid I could never live without you my salvation I would give to you If you stay (please stay) don't go away (don't go away) Your soft breeze through the palm trees whisper longing goodbyes Vibrations say you're fading as the tears nestle in my eyes Oh I love you L.A. (City of Angels) Please don't go away (Please don't go) (Please don't go away) Will you fall into the sea? (Will you fall into the sea?) And forsake me? (No please don't go away) Oh I love you L.A. (City of Angels) Please don't go away (Please don't) (Please don't go away) Will you fall into the sea? (Will you fall into the sea?) And forsake me?...." |
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The Miracles |
Smog | This is another song from the album "City of Angels" released in 1975. Air pollution is not a problem that is only found in Los Angeles, but there's no doubt this is a song about L.A. The L.A. metropolitan area still has the worst smog pollution in the nation, but in 1975 before cars had smog controls and other efforts were made to reduce air pollution the smog was even worse. Air pollution in L.A. was actually at its worst in the 1940s and 1950s. Notice that this song discusses using electric cars to help prevent smog, but they are barely in use today more than 45 years later. "....I wish it would rain and take the smog away So that we can have a bright and sunny day The sky is gray when the smog fills the air Hiding the light that shines through your hair When the smoggy day evolves into the night The air begins to clear because the traffic's light We might have to use electric cars To keep the smog from the sky so we can see the stars We breathe in the smoke every day With impurities leading the way To sickness and heartache one day I wish the smog would drift away, to stay The sky is gray when the smog fills the air Hiding the light that shines through your hair Hiding the light that shines through your hair Hiding the light that shines through your hair Hiding the light that shines through your hair Hiding the light that shines through your hair Hiding the light that shines through your hair" |
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Missing Persons |
Walking in L.A. | Missing Persons is a rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1980 fronted by female vocalist Dale Bozzio. This song was a single from the band's debut album "Spring Session M" released in 1982. The singer is shocked to see a pedestrian while driving in Los Angeles. I don't think that's so unusual now in the 21st century, when people not only walk in L.A., but they set up a tent and live on the street, too. "Look ahead as we pass, try and focus on it I won't be fooled by a cheap cinematic trick It must have been just a cardboard cut-out of a man Top-forty cast off from a record stand Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. I don't know could've been a lame jogger maybe Or someone just about to do the freeway strangler baby Shopping cart pusher or maybe someone groovie One thing's for sure, he isn't starring in the movies 'Cause he's walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., only a nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' You won't see a cop walkin' on the beat Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' You only see 'em drivin' cars out on the street Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' You won't see a kid walkin' home from school Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Their mothers pick 'em up in a car pool Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Could it be that the smog's playing tricks on my eyes Or is it a rollerskater in some kind of headphone disguise Maybe somebody who just ran out of gas Making his way back to the pumps the best way he can Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., only a nobody walks in L.A. Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin...' Nobody walks in L.A." |
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Mistah F.A.B. |
Ghost Ride It | Mistah F.A.B. is a rapper from Oakland, active since 1999 and a central figure in the hyphy movement in the San Francisco Bay Area. This song, released in 2006, is a hyphy version of the Ghostbusters theme song. It includes a tutorial on how to ghost ride - which is when you get out of a car and dance around it while it is still moving, as if the driver is an invisible ghost. There's also a verse that explains Bay slang in case your ripper loses her stunners when she's perink' in your scraper and you have no idea what that means. "Yea man it's ya boy Mistah F.A.B. man Da Yellow Bus Rydah, man Sean T the real king of slaps man Y'all better act like y'all know who he is man (yeah) Let me give you a 101 on how to ghost ride Look, the streets know just what this is Ghost ride the whip up and down the strip The ghost bustas, they the police Always wanna pull a n**ga over for his piece Not me, I get it in a scrape Tire marks on the street lookin like figure 8's Sideshow, you know where I'm going From the north to the east just in case you ain't knowin' Bay biz A town politic Hit club late now trying to holla at a chick Can't get in the club, gotta parkin' lot pimp Hey, lil' mama, come holla at a pimp What you know about gettin' you a whip? Buy yourself some shoes and then your car kicks Ice up ya neck, ya hands and ya whip Just to hang out the window stuntin' wit ya clique When you get a new car And ya feeling like a star What you gon' do? Ghost ride it! Ghost ride the whip When you get a new car And ya feeling like a star What you gon' do? Ghost ride it! Ghost ride the whip Pull up, hop out, all in one motion Dancing on the hood while the car's still rollin' Stuntin', shinin', flamboastin' On one, high, off that potion Windows down, feet out of it Damn that boy high, he out of it Thizzin' to grittin, and gridin' Ice in his mouth, you know he big timin' Chevys, Buicks, Regals, and Ribbys though First one I seen ghost ride was Critty Bo Goin' dumb, party like Diddy do Mistah FAB I'm the prince of the city, ho Ghost ride, ghost ride Get out the way, let Casper drive Ghost ride, go crazy Who that drivin'? Patrick Swayze! When you get a new car And ya feeling like a star What you gon' do? Ghost ride it! Ghost ride the whip When you get a new car And ya feeling like a star What you gon' do? Ghost ride it! Ghost ride the whip Now stop stop stop stop Now go go go go Get out the car, get out the car Let it roll, let it roll Let it roll, let it roll Tap that wheel, tap that Open up the door, open up the door Now thats ghost ridin'. What's ghost ridin'? Ya know, ya know, ya know, now ya know It ain't that hard, you can do it You wanna go dumb? Just lose it Bay game, Bay slang Its a Bay thang So just know when you come to the Bay man Stunnas is glasses Thizz is pills Rippers is broads Scrapers automobiles Hyphy is hyper Our version of crunk Thizzin' is high And perkin' is drunk...." |
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Joni Mitchell |
California | Joni Mitchell is a singer-songwriter originally from Alberta, Canada, who has made music since the 1960s, achieving commercial success, winning awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She's regarded as an important, influential, and independent recording artist, writing her own songs, producing her own records, and designing her own album covers when few musicians did those things. This song features her Appalachian dulcimer playing like other songs on her 1971 album "Blue" which was rated the 30th best album ever made by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2012. (Maybe that's what you get when you mention the magazine in a song....) There's a list of some of the cover versions of the song below. "Sitting in a park in Paris, France Reading the news and it sure looks bad They won't give peace a chance That was just a dream some of us had Still a lot of lands to see But I wouldn't stay here It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here. Oh, but California California I'm coming home I'm going to see the folks I dig I'll even kiss a Sunset pig California I'm coming home. I met a redneck on a Grecian isle Who did the goat dance very well He gave me back my smile But he kept my camera to sell Oh the rogue, the red red rogue He cooked good omelettes & stews And I might have stayed on with him there But my heart cried out for you, California Oh California I'm coming home Oh make me feel good rock'n roll band I'm your biggest fan California, I'm coming home Oh it gets so lonely When you're walking And the streets are full of strangers All the news of home you read Just gives you the blues Just gives you the blues So I bought me a ticket I caught a plane to Spain Went to a party down a red dirt road There were lots of pretty people there Reading Rolling Stone, reading Vogue They said, 'How long can you hang around?' I said a week, maybe two Just until my skin turns brown Then I'm going home to California California I'm coming home Oh will you take me as I am Strung out on another man California, I'm coming home...." |
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Various artists |
Cover versions of Joni Mitchell's song "California" | This is one of the best California songs but it has not been recorded by as many musicians as some of the other California classics and it hasn't been sampled much either. Secondhandsongs.com shows more than 20 cover versions of the song in April, 2023, most of which are online. There are also several instrumental versions not on this list, including a lullaby. Most of these versions are fairly faithful to Mitchell's interpretation of the song with a few modifications. Unfortunately I haven't yet heard any death metal, pop punk, ska punk, hip-hop, phonk, electronic dance, or hyperpop covers of the song. But I still have hope. Robin Adler & Mutts of the Planet released a live version in 2011. Jazz singer Laurie Antonioli released a version in 2014. Indie rock band Arc Iris released a quirky version in 2018 on their album "Foggy Lullaby." Belle-Skinner released a live acoustic guitar version in 2022. Chicks With Dip (featuring Victoria Lavington) released a version in 2012. Eniid released an acoustic folk version in 2015. Alexa Green released a version in a medley with "Come Rain or Come Shine" in 2016. Jaclyn Guillou released a jazz version in 2011. Maggie Hollinbeck and Graham Sobelman released a version in 2019. Morgan James released a piano-accompanied version in 2016 on her album covering Joni Mitchell's album "Blue." Experimental electronic musician Amy X Neuberg released an unusual version in 2012 with lots of layered voices in 2012 that's one of my favorites. Sandbloom with Kevin Sandbloom released a version in 2011. Mathilde Santing released a live version in 2020. James Taylor (who played guitar on Mitchell's original recording) sings the song live on the PBS TV show of the 2023 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert honoring Joni Mitchell. Marianne Trudel & Karen Young released a version on an album of Joni Mitchell Songs in 2018. Wilson Phillips does a version of the song on "California," an album of cover songs released in 2004, but it doesn't appear to be online anymore. |
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Joni Mitchell |
Ladies of the Canyon | This is from Mitchell's third album "Ladies of the Canyon," which was released in 1970. The canyon is Laurel Canyon, in the hills above Hollywood. "Trinna wears her wampum beads She fills her drawing book with lines Sweing lace on widows weeds And filagree on leaf and vine Vine and leave are filagree And her coats a second hand one Trimmed in antique luxury She is a lady of the canyon Annie sits you down to eat She always makes you welcome in Cats and babies round her feet And all are fat and none are thin None are thin and all are fat She may bake some brownies today Saying, you are welcome back She is another canyon lady Estrella circus girl Comes wrapped in songs and gypsy shalws Songs like tiny hammers hurled At bevelled mirrors in empty halls Empty halles and bevelled mirrors Sailing seas and climbing banyans Come out for a visit here To be a lady of the canyon Trinna takes her pains and her threads And she weaves a pattern all her own Annie bakes her cakes and her breads And she gathers flowers for her home For her home she gathers flowers And Estrella, dear companion Colors up the sunshine hours Pouring music down the canyon Coloring the sunshine hours They are the ladies of the canyon" |
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Joni Mitchell |
Little Green | This is another song from the album "Blue" released in 1971. "Born with the moon in Cancer Choose her a name she will answer to Call her green and the winters cannot fade her Call her green for the children who've made her Little green, be a gypsy dancer He went to California Hearing that everything's warmer there So you write him a letter and say, "her eyes are blue." He sends you a poem and she's lost to you Little green, he's a non-conformer Just a little green Like the color when the spring is born There'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow Just a little green Like the nights when the northern lights perform There'll be icicles and birthday clothes And sometimes there'll be sorrow Child with a child pretending Weary of lies you are sending home So you sign all the papers in the family name You're sad and you're sorry, but you're not ashamed Little green, have a happy ending Just a little green Like the color when the spring is born There'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow Just a little green Like the nights when the northern lights perform There'll be icicles and birthday clothes And sometimes there'll be sorrow" |
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Joni Mitchell |
Trouble Child | This jazzy pop song is from Mitchell's 1974 album "Court and Spark." "Up in a sterilized room Where they let you be lazy Knowing your attitude's all wrong And you got to change And that's not easy Dragon shining with all values known Dazzling you, keeping you from your own Where is the lion in you to defy him When you're this weak And this spacey So what are you going to do about it You can't live life and you can't leave it Advice and religion, you can't take it You can't seem to believe it The peacock is afraid to parade You're under the thumb of the maid You really can't give love in this condition Still you know how you need it They open and close you Then they talk like they know you They don't know you They're friends and they're foes, too Trouble child Breaking like the waves at Malibu So why does it come as such a shock? To know you really have no one Only a river of changing faces Looking for an ocean They trickle through your leaky plans Another dream over the dam And you're lying in some room Feeling like your right to be human Is going over too Well, some are going to knock you And some'll try to clock you You know it's really hard To talk sense to you Trouble child Breaking like the waves at Malibu" |
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Keb' Mo' |
House in California | Keb' Mo' is Kevin Moore, is a Nashville-based blues guitarist from Compton, active since the 1970s. This is from his 2004 Grammy Award-winning album "Keep it Simple." The housing market is even more expensive now in the 2020s than it was back in 2004. I hope he waited to sell that big house. "He said, 'boy you got to be a big time actor or a corporate lawyer, if you want to buy a house in California!' Cause it don’t snow and it don’t rain, ever’ day looks the same, and before you pack your thangs, let me warn ya’, It’s the land of milk and honey, but you better have good money, If you’re lookin’ for a house in California! Well I got me a job, my wife’s got two, kids flippin’ burgers at the local drive-thru, We all doin’ everything we can, we savin’ for a house in California. Then one day the bank starts shakin’, the sky went dark and the earth was a quakin’ Then o’r night, it became alarmin’, how the price dropped on a house in California! Well it needs a roof and it needs a floor, yeah yeah, it’s a real fixer-upper, Friends back east said somebody should have warned ya, about buyin’ my big house in California." |
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Mocedades |
California Espera |
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The Mojave Collective |
California Style | The Mojave Collective is a group formed in Liverpool, England in 2002 by Mark Pountney and Tommy Clarke. This pop rock or alt-country song is from the album "Rust & Dust" released in 2008. It's one of those songs where you have to make up your own lyrics because the vocals are unintelligible at times. "Waking up in silence and the morning surrounds you Guided by the highest love You barefoot ... you wander And you're living in California style And you're walking the ... Run to it ... Miles fading by You're ... Wading through life's muddy waters Find a way to your freedom Swallowed stones ... But you won't see them And you're living in California style And you're walking the ... Run till it hits you Miles fading by...." |
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Victoria Monét (featuring Earth, Wind & Fire & Hazel Monét) |
Hollywood | Victoria Monét is a singer-songwriter born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Sacramento, California, active since 2010. Earth, Wind & Fire is a group active since 1969 that has made a lot of hits and sold more than 90 million records. Hazel Monet is Victoria's baby daughter who probably made the happy baby sounds we hear at the end of the song. Released in 2023. the song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance. "Simple things, little things Get lost in all the glitter and the bling In the machine (in the machine) Remember the trees and the bees And memories of when you used to be A kid on a swing But I'm in Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should (ooh) I'm a product of Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should (Dreaming bigger than I ever) (Dreaming bigger than I ever) Simple things, little things Get lost in all the glitter and the bling In the machine (in the machine) Remember the trees and the bees And memories of when you used to be A kid on a swing But I'm in Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should (ooh) I'm a product of Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should (Dreaming bigger than I ever) (Dreaming bigger than I ever) What do you live for What are you here for What do you breathe for What do you stand for What would you die for What will you leave when you're gone What are you here for How could you give more How could you love more What do you live for But I'm in Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should (ooh) I'm a product of Hollywood Dreaming bigger than I ever should (Dreaming bigger than I ever) (Dreaming bigger than I ever) Simple things, little things Get lost in all the glitter and the bling In the machine" |
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The Monkees |
Me and Magdalena | The Monkees were a pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1966, created to be a fictional band for a TV sitcom, and relying at first on other songwriters and studio musicians to play on their recordings. This song from their 2016 release "Good Times!" was written by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and features three of the original four members of the band. "Me and Magdalena We're driving south through Monterey As the sun is slowly sinking Into a distant ocean wave And I don't know if I've ever loved any other Half as much as I do in this light she's under Tell me Magdalena What do you see in the depths of your night? Do you see a long lost father? Does he hold you with the hands you remember as a child? But know everything lost will be recovered When you drift into the arms of the undiscovered And I don't know if I've ever loved any other Half as much as I do in this light she's under Me and Magdalena Always leaving early and sleeping late Secluded in the canyon Lost within a turn of fate But know everything lost will be recovered When you drift into the arms of the undiscovered And I don't know if I've ever loved any other Half as much as I do in this light she's under" |
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Ashley Monroe |
Gold | Ashley Monroe is a country music singer-songwriter from Tennessee in the business since 2005. This song is from her album "Rosegold" released in 2021. Purists won't call this country music since it uses mostly electronic instruments instead of guitars and banjos, so you can make up your own genre. ElectroCountry? SynthCountry? I"m still working on it. "I like the way you move I like the way you say my name I like the way crazy feels I like the twisted games You've got a fire the kind they try but never can burn down You've got a heaven no one ever really figured out You're the light in the morning The glitter on the wave A buried treasure A pharaoh's face You're a 50s record On the stereo You're California Pouring that sunshine on my soul You are good as gold The more I see, the more it shows It shows Something to behold I can't afford to let you go Ooooooo You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold I wear you like a ruby locket hangin' round my neck Sometimes I think that there's a halo up above your head I never knew the sight of love could make me feel so much When you put your hands on me, yeah, it's like the Midas touch You're the light in the morning The glitter on the wave A buried treasure A pharaoh's face You're a 50s record On the stereo You're California Pouring that sunshine on my soul You are good as gold The more I see, the more it shows It shows Something to behold I can't afford to let you go Ooooooo You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You are good as gold You love me tender On the radio You're California Pouring that sunshine on my soul Shine on me baby You are good as gold...." |
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Ricky Montgomery |
California | Ricky Montgomery is a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles and St. Louis. active since 2014. This pop song is from his first album "Montgomery Ricky" released in 2016. Is the singer just a boy or just a girl? You figure it out. "California, this evening I'll be headed back For my shot at the family dream| I am just a boy, but with a little bit of culture, I'll go far I want the world to know that I'm not just a photograph Some way, someday you'll know my name If I can let my ego have my face I'm not too good to say, "I love you, I love you" Why, oh baby Must we always make love from the back? My eyes are up here and my legs can move on I am just a girl, but with a little motivation, I'll go far I want the world to know that I'm not just a piece of trash Some way, someday you'll know my name If I can let my ego have my face I'm not too good to say, "I love you, I love you" I been dyin' since I learned it Art is dead and artists killed it I am just a boy, but with a little bit of a culture, I'll go far I want the world to know that I'm not just a photograph Some way, someday you'll know my name If I can let my ego have my face I'm not too good to say, "I love you, I love you" Oh, I am just a girl, but with a little revelation, I'll go far I want the world to know that I'm not just a piece of ass Some way, someday you'll know my name If I can let my ego have my face I'm not too good to say, "I love you" I love you" |
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Suzi Moon |
California | Suzi Moon is a singer from southern California, a former guitarist and background singer of the Long Beach punk rock band Civet (as Suzi Homewrecker) and lead singer for the band Turbulent Hearts, another L.A. punk band. This is from her solo album "Dumb & In Luv" released in 2022. "Top down seat back, bags are packed Wheels are rollin’ now There’s no lookin’ back I gotta make this mine, I gotta make it last My mama said get a job with the big boys But I ain’t listenin’ to all that white noise The city’s callin’ I think I’m fallin’ for you All the kids are singin’ Let’s go to California, it’s gunna be so great Make it in California Califor-ni-yay Palm trees blowin’ in the warm breeze I wanna be up there on the big screen I’m gunna burn as bright as the golden sun Cuz all the kids are singin’ Let’s go to California, it’s gonna be so great Make it in California Califor-ni-yay Listen to what I say And I can almost taste the sunshine, Drivin’ slow down PCH Like a storm along the coastline I’m headed west It’s just a dream away Let’s go to California, it‘s gunna be so great Make it in California Califor-ni-yay Let’s go to California, my sun-kissed escape Goin’ to California Califor-ni-yay I could never stay away From California" |
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Moonshine Bandits |
California Country | Moonshine Bandits is a country rap duo from Los Banos active since 2003. This song is from their fifth album "Calicountry" released in 2014. "Pack of tobacco, bottle of shine, Pontoon boat and some fishing line Blow a little smoke, just to ease our minds That's California country! Lake in the woods, and the water feels fine Girls on the deck, with no tan lines Bonfire lit on summer nights That's California country! Pull up to the lake, drop the tailgate down Pull out the lawn chair, crank them sounds Throw out the line when the sun goes down Cuz this how you do it when you're from our town Knobs on swampers, hum when they roll by Lift kit, dairy boy, California 4 by Super duty full of cuties West Coast ride Zip lock full of cookies valleys so high From the valley to the beach From the mountains to the creeks From the desert to the streets That's where you'll find me Pack of tobacco, bottle of shine, Pontoon boat and some fishing line Blow a little smoke, just to ease our mind That's California country! Lake in the woods, and the water feels fine Girls on the deck, with no tan lines Bonfire lit on them summer nights That's California country! Dump gas on Cali, watch her blow Gave the farm boys fire, proud they're from the West Coast Rib-eye steaks with some homemade beans Bourbon in my coffee with a Philly full of green And the cops can't catch me, I'm living too fast I'm running off shine, I don't need no gas All my clampers drinking every top bar dry This is our song, so we put one in the sky From the valley to beach From the mountains to the creeks From the desert to the streets That's where you'll find me Pack of tobacco, bottle of shine, Pontoon boat and some fishing line Blow a little smoke, just to ease our mind That's California country! Lake in the woods, and the water feels fine Girls on the deck, with no tan lines Bonfire lit on them summer nights That's California country! Country, country Cali... Country, country California country!...." |
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Allison Moorer |
Cold in California | Allison Moorer is a country music singer-songwriter from Alabama, active since 1998. This song is from her album "Miss Adventure" released in 2002. "The summer days are gone Along with you they disappeared And left me here Just like the falling leaves I watched you turn and drift away Nothing stays Don't want to face the fall alone But it's your nature to move on Is it cold in California Like I told you it would be? Do you need someone to warm you Like I warmed you? Is it cold in California Like it is in Tennessee? Spent the holidays with a man Made out of snow ho ho ho Kept on building fires But they don't ease the chill Nothing will This has been the hardest time Winter has the longest nights Is it cold in California Like I told you it would be? Do you need someone to warm you Like I warmed you? Is it cold in California Like it is in Tennessee? I'll count the days until the spring And hope it brings you back to me...." |
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Gaby Moreno and Van Dyke Parks |
The Immigrants | Gaby Moreno is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter who sings in several different languages, active since 1997. Van Dyke Parks is a musician from Mississippi who moved to Los Angeles where he became known for his collaborations with the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson and many more musicians, as well as for his own music. This is from the album "Spangled!" released in 2019. "So much trouble in the home of the brave and the land of the free Am I an immigrant or am I a new slave, made for all brutality? I don't think so Is it that man has lost his reason? You can't even blame the heat They're moving like jackals in the hunting season And the refugee's soul is the meat The immigrants are here to stay, to help build America The immigrants ain't going nowhere, they're here for America Fighting for a better life Fighting through the grunge America remember Ellis Island We all came here to take the plunge I hope you understand it Take me away now with your sweet soul calypso A cumbia and a reggae Like a punta rock and a salsa samba A high life bhangra merengue In other words This is a different kind of apple now, New York City Or like an orange, I love L.A. What a delight so bright and juicy But a little spicy to the taste USA The immigrants are here to stay, to help build America The immigrants ain't going nowhere, they're here for America Fighting for a better life Fighting through the grunge America remember Ellis Island We all came here to take the plunge I hope you understand it We all hold this truth to be self-evident That all men are created equal Bring your sick, bring your needy In the early evening, by the dawn's early light Remember the founding fathers Home of the brave, land of the free You and me From the New York island, from sea to shining sea!" |
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morgen |
Sunsets in Malibu | Morgen is a singer-songwriter from Santa Cruz. This pop song is from her debut EP "Unaccompanied Minor" released in 2021 when she was 17. "I've been chasing Time is always changing Tell me, Imma be fine Cause I Feel like falling Back to where I started So I can do it over and try I could be fine, I would be fine, If I just put my head down If I just tried, I could be something all right, I could be just fine 'Cause I could have sunsets in Malibu Watch the world go by I could have sunsets in Malibu Dive into an open sky I could have sunsets in Malibu Take you on a ride I could have sunsets in Malibu (sunsets in Malibu) I could have sunsets in Malibu I've been waiting Lost in space and saying Everything will happen, give it some time And I Swear I'll make it, but 'till then I'll be making The same mistakes while losing my mind 'Cause I could have sunsets in Malibu Watch the world go by I could have sunsets in Malibu Dive into an open sky I could have sunsets in Malibu Take you on a ride I could have sunsets in Malibu (sunsets in Malibu) I could have sunsets in Malibu...." |
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Moron Police |
Another Song About California | Moron Police is a rock band from Norway. This short acoustic song is from "Defenders of the Small Yard" released in 2014. "Baby won’t you move to California, ‘cause I heard they've got some really nice things there And my baby, I've been living in a coma, but at least I've got these wonderful pills Man, it’s head over heels, they said that you’d be dead – I wanna do the cinema If it’s right or wrong, at least the pain won’t last so long I’m saying I don’t wanna leave you there to die Baby won’t you move to California ‘cause I know they've got some really nice things there. And my baby, I've been smoking up a coma, but I never have to take those damn pills Cry through hands of fate and I’ll meet you on some other side, with some help from those pills and some moonshine. Why not try? It’s not too late. I’d rather not die by hands of hate and that’s okay with me. Yeah, that’s okay with me Baby won’t you move to California ‘cause I know they've got some really nice things" |
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Van Morrison |
St. Dominic's Preview | This is a classic Van Morrison song from his1972 album with same title as the song. He names several locations from different times in his life, including San Francisco, where the album was recorded. "St. Dominic's" is also a Catholic church in San Francisco. Another song on the album "Redwood Tree" is about taking shelter under a redwood tree, maybe one in Marin County where Morrison was living at the time. "Shammy cleaning all the windows, Singing songs about Edith Piaf's soul. And I hear blue strains of 'no regredior' Across the street from Cathedral Notre Dame. Meanwhile back in San Francisco We're trying hard to make this whole thing blend, As we sit upon this jagged Story block, with you my friend. And it's a long way to Buffalo. It's a long way to Belfast city too. And I'm hoping the choice won't blow the hoist 'cos this town, they bit off more than they can chew. As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on Saint Dominic's preview Saint Dominic's preview Saint Dominic's preview...." |
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Van Morrison |
Snow in San Anselmo | Van Morrison is a singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland, active since 1958. This is from his album "Hard Nose the Highway" released in 1973. San Anselmo is just north of the San Francisco Bay. It rarely snows in the Bay Area except on some high peaks, so when it does it's worth writing a song about it. "Snow in San Anselmo The deer cross by the lights The mission down in old San Rafael A madman looking for a fight A madman looking for a fight The massage parlor's open The clientele come and they go The classic music station Plays in the background soft and low Plays in the background soft and low The silence round the Cascades The ice crisp and clear The beginning of the opera Seem to suddenly appear Seem to suddenly appear The pancake house is always crowded Open 24 hours of every day And if you suffer from insomnia You can speed your time away You can speed your time away Snow in San Anselmo My waitress my waitress my waitress Said it was coming down Said it hadn't happened in over 30 years But it was laying on the ground But it was laying on the ground" |
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Van Morrison |
In Tiburon | This song from Morrison's 36th studio album "Keep Me Singing" released in 2016 evokes memories of the great Bohemian era of San Francisco in the 1960s with all of its poetry and jazz, by a guy across the bay on the swanky Tiburon peninsula. "Across the bay the fog is lifting And I am here in Tiburon That's what she said When she was sitting looking out at the Golden Gate In the morning dawn Across the bay in San Francisco Where City Lights and Ferlinghetti stay North Beach alleyways and cafés Kerouac and Ginsberg Gregory Corso and Neal Cassady all held sway Vince Guaraldi would play 'Cast Your Fate To The Wind' in the distance Lenny Bruce got busted at 'The Hungry Eye' The 'No-Name Bar' down in Sausalito Across the street where Chet Baker used to play My heart was beating on the hillside Near Belvedere and Tiburon I need to take you back, back down to 'Frisco Now we need each other, need each other to lean on Vince Guaraldi would play 'Cast Your Fate To The Wind' And we'd listen In the evening across the way Chet Baker would play down at the Trident With his horn he blew everybody away The Cliff House down at the Seal Rock Hotel Foghorns blowing all night long 'til dawn Geary Street culchies left their homeland a long while ago Some have stayed, but others not for so long My heart was beating on the hillside Near Belvedere and Tiburon Take you back down to San Francisco Now we need each other more than ever to lean on Now we need each other more than ever to lean on Lean on me Lean on Now we need each other more than ever to lean on Back to City Lights, City Lights, North Beach and Broadway We need each other We need each other to lean on Back to City Lights and North Beach and Broadway We need each other Need each other to lean on Across the bay in Tiburon Across the bay in Tiburon Across the bay in Tiburon Across the bay in Tiburon" |
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Van Morrison |
Venice U.S.A. | This is from Morrison's tenth studio album "Wavelength" released in 1978. "Found myself, found myself Oh, in a restaurant in Venice I found myself Oh, in a restaurant in Venice I was talkin' to my baby In a restaurant down in Venice When I found myself Down in Venice And I'm cryin' But my tears But my tears are filled with joy, oh yeah Oh, and as I'm walkin' in Venice Walkin' in Venice And I'm cryin' Gonna sing a song, goes like this: Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah I like it As I'm leaving Venice, as I'm leaving Venice As I'm leaving Venice All the streets are wet with rain And in my memory, and in my memory And in my memory I remember it well, yeah And I take a stroll Oh, and see the ships come sailing in In the harbor, in the harbor Down in Venice Oh yeah, and I'm cryin' But my tears But my tears are filled with joy Oh, and I'm walkin' in Venice I'm walkin' in Venice And I'm cryin' And we sing the song, it goes like this now: Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah Dum derra dum dum diddy diddy dah dah ... ... ... Walkin' in Venice and I'm cryin' Oh, as I'm (Walkin' in Venice, walkin' in Venice) And I'm cryin' Well, I'm walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk Walkin' in Venice (Walkin' in Venice, walkin' in Venice)...." |
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Alanis Morissette |
Big Sur | Alanis Morissette is a singer-songwriter from Ottawa, Canada active since 1986. She began making dance-pop albums, but her record company moved her to Los Angeles where she made her most popular album to date in 1995, the alternative rock oriented "Jagged Little Pill" which won her the album of the year Grammy. This song in a much softer pop style is a bonus track from her album "Havoc and Bright Lights" released in 2012. "Highway One Crystalline-haunted sun With the Pacific masculine crash My little one Enthralled by the redwoods As I write amongst monarchs and mist Me and Anaïs and Henry and Jack Kerouac Me and the Ohlone, the Esselen, the Salinan Me and Julia, Helmuth and Brautigan All roads lead to Big Sur All roads home to Big Sur Clear celestial and frogs Fritz in cabins of logs Amongst the springs we are barefoot and warmed Me and Anaïs and Henry and Jack Kerouac Me and the Ohlone, the Esselen, the Salinan Me and Julia, Helmuth and Brautigan All roads lead to Big Sur All roads home to Big Sur I am climbing on the Bluff Beseeching god to answer us Not much distracts from our shamanic creek breakfast This watery heartbeat by the forest Me and Anaïs and Henry and Jack Kerouac Me and the Ohlone, the Esselen, the Salinan Me and Julia, Helmuth and Brautigan All roads lead to Big Sur All roads home to Big Sur Me and Mickey and a path high on the Molera Me and Lolly and Bill watching a red-tailed hawk Me and the posts take it all in through the big Ventana All roads lead to Big Sur All roads home to Big Sur" |
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Bill Morrissey |
Barstow | Bill Morrissey was a folk singer based in New Hampshire. This is from his first album "Bill Morrissey" released in 1994. "Well here comes Parks and he's found another bottle He tips it up like a trumpet: he takes a drink and passes it on And every man 'round the fire takes a course on the bottle It ain't much, it ain't good, but it'll get us through 'til dawn Don't the freight yards sound like a drunk in a metal shop? I can't believe it gets this cold in Barstow And I can't believe I p**sed my twenties away Well if ya take me back this time, baby I promise you I'll stay Then Parks takes another drink and he starts to sing off key There's not a man big enough 'round the fire to shut him up An in the cold morning he's sayin' "Hey Okie tell Arkie, Texas found a job in California And everybody around the fire cracks up...." |
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Mos Def |
Kalifornia | Mos Def is Yaslin Bey, a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor from New York City, active since 1994. This beautiful hypnotic song is from the soundtrack to the 2003 movie "Biker Boyz". It contains samples and lyrics from Ronnie Hudson's "West Coast Poplock" that were also used in Tupac's "California Love" and it also samples the 1971 Mahavishnu Orchestra jazz-fusion song "You Know You Know." "This is the place where you say People come from far, far, far away to find their dreams Chasin' down these meteors and comets (Chasin' 'em, chasin' 'em, chasin' 'em down) Called dreams, in the sky of life (Chasin' 'em, chasin' 'em, chasin' 'em down Chasin' 'em, chasin' 'em) There certain hot spots where these meteors and stars have tendency to fall And legend has it that California is one of those spots I believe that to be true They say this is the place stars are born They say this is the place legends are made They say this is the place where angels come again, ay ay They say that this is the place where it all can happen for you (For you, for you, for you) California knows how to make dreams seem so sweet California knows how to Whisper in your ear and tell ya you're a star You're a star, you're a star, you're a star, you're a star (star) You're a star and you keep on shinin' (You're a star, you're a star, you're a star, you're a star) Pretty girls by the oceanside (side) Stars that refuse to shine (shine, shine) This is on your mind (i-i-i-ind-i) California knows how to party (indeed) In the city of L.A. (ay ay ay ay ay ay ay) They say that angels come again In the city, city of Compton (Compton, Compton, Compton, Compton) Black people all over the other side In the city of good ol' Watts Watts, Watts, Watts, Watts, Watts) Make them stop, make them stop In the city, California don't stop (don't stop) All the way from L.A. to the Bay (indeed) Stars fall down here, that's what they say (indeed) All the way from L.A. to the Bay (indeed) Stars fall down here, that's what they say (indeed) It's everything they say, it's everything they say Distant lights from across the Bay California! It's the C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A California knows how to make me smile sometime Yes they do (woo) yes they do California-hey-ay knows how to do what they do When they do what they do When they do what they do to me and you too, hey-ay California-how-hey-ay-ay (phenomenon, phenomenon) Worldwide original style (indeed) Mos Def on the profile (indeed) Adamsville droppin' you so very well Worldwide original style (indeed) Mos Def on the profile (indeed) Adamsville rockin' you so very well Worldwide original style (indeed) Mos Def on the profile (indeed) Adamsville rockin' you so very well (indeed) Worldwide original style (indeed) Mos Def on the profile (indeed) Adamsville rockin' you so very well (woo) In the city of L.A. (ay ay ay ay ay ay ay) It's everything they say, it's everything they say It's everything they say, it's everything they say It's everything they say" |
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The Motels |
So L.A. | The Motels is an L.A. new wave band that had some hits in 1982 and 1983 and eventually was re-formed with the name Martha Davis and The Motels. This song, drenched in cheezy 80's synthesizer sounds, is from their third album "All Four One" released in 1982. "Walk of the town on a sunburned night Keep in mind the dream so nice Walk of the night that seemed so new All of it is up to you Jimmy cracked when he came out here Precious dream never seemed so clear Now he practiced a thousand times The city that should have been his that night And the man on the corner got something new And something new is good for you tonight Oh, oh, it's so so L.A. Walk of the woman that came to say She come and walk there every day Her speciality was you, and she Dreamed the same but incomplete And the man on the corner got something new And something new is good for you tonight Oh, oh, it's so so L.A. Walk of time as time goes on Walk of pain as pain's prolonged And the dream and the woman and the time and you Are all very welcome to Hollywood Cause the man on the corner got something new And something new is good for you tonight Oh, oh, it's so so Oh, oh, it's so so L.A." |
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Mother Feather |
L.A. | Mother Feather is a rock band formed in New York City in 2009, led by vocalist Ann Courtney. This song was released in 2024. "You wanna go You wanna stay You wanna put your dirty fist in the gravy You wanna put your name on the recipe You wanna take a s**t in it and take it from me Is that the way they do things in L.A.? Don’t call me Don’t say my name I saw the stories For shame With all that time to waste Oh baby I’ma f**k your f**king face like an earthquake Is that the way they do things in L.A.? L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A. Put on a face Put on a smile Put on a record Crocodile Waited forever Went to bed I woke up and the fire had just spread Is that the way they do things in L.A.? L.A. L.A. Do the shimmy shake Do the emancipate I got a gold rush right here in the Empire State You’re a disgrace Feel free to break away Now I’m free to be me oh Californi-yay Is that the way they do things in L.A.? L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A. Is that the way they do things in L.A.? L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A. L.A." |
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The Mothers of Invention |
Who Needs the Peace Corps? | Frank Zappa and the other Mothers released this song about fake hippies in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco on their 1968 classic album "We're Only in it for the Money." I was reminded of it after hearing it in the 1969 film set during the 1968 Chicago Riots "Medium Cool." "What's there to live for? Who needs the Peace Corps? Think I'll just drop out I'll go to Frisco Buy a wig & sleep On Owsley's floor Walked past the wig store Danced at the Fillmore I'm completely stoned I'm hippy & I'm trippy I'm a gypsy on my own I'll stay a week & get the crabs & Take a bus back home I'm really just a phony But forgive me 'Cause I'm stoned Every town must have a place Where phony hippies meet Psychedelic dungeons Popping up on every street Go to San Francisco. . . How I love ya, How I love ya How I love ya, How I love ya Frisco! How I love ya, How I love ya How I love ya, How I love ya Oh, my hair is getting good in the back! Every town must have a place Where phony hippies meet Psychedelic dungeons Popping up on every street Go to San Francisco . . . Hotcha! First I'll buy some beads And then perhaps a leather band To go around my head Some feathers and bells And a book of Indian lore I will ask the Chamber Of Commerce How to get to Haight Street And smoke an awful lot of dope I will wander around barefoot I will have a psychedelic gleam in my eye at all times I will love everyone I will love the police as they kick the s**t out of me on the street I will sleep . . . I will, I will go to a house That's, that's what I will do I will go to a house Where there's a rock & roll band 'Cause the groups all live together And I will join a rock & roll band I will be their road manager And I will stay there with them And I will get the crabs But I won't care Because . . ." |
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Mötley Crüe |
Girls, Girls, Girls | Mötley Crüe are an enormously successful heavy metal band formed in L.A. in 1981. (But I can't help saying that I'm not a fan of 1980s glam metal spandex hair bands, or their videos.) This song is from the band's album of the same name, released in 1987. It's an ode to the tremendous contributions made to society by brilliant and successful women all over the world... Yeah, nah. It's just a stupid song about female strippers. According to Wickipedia, it mentions several L.A. strip clubs on the Sunset Strip - The Tropicana, The Body Shop, and Seventh Veil. "Friday night and I need a fight My motorcycle and a switchblade knife Handful of grease in my hair feels right But what I need to make me tight are Girls, girls, girls Long legs and burgundy lips Girls, girls, girls Dancin' down on Sunset Strip Girls, girls, girls Red lips, fingertips Trick or treat, sweet to eat On Halloween and New Year's Eve Yankee girls you just can't be beat But you're the best when you're off your feet Girls, girls, girls At the Dollhouse in Ft. Lauderdale Girls, girls, girls Rocking in Atlanta at Tattletails Girls, girls, girls Raising Hell at the Seventh Veil Have you read the news In the Soho Tribune Ya know she did me Well then she broke my heart I'm such a good good boy I just need a new toy I tell you what, girl Dance for me I'll keep you overemployed Just tell me a story You know the one I mean Crazy Horse, Paris, France Forgot the names, remember romance I got the photos, a menage a trois Musta broke those French's laws with those Girls, girls, girls At the Body Shop and the Marble Arch Girls, girls, girls Tropicana's where I lost my heart Girls, girls, girls" |
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Mötley Crüe |
Saints of Los Angeles | This song is from their 2008 album "Saints of Los Angeles." "Tonight There's gonna be a fight So if you need a place to go Got a two room slum A mattress and a gun And the cops don't never show So come right in Cuz everybody sins Welcome to the scene of the crime You want it, believe it, We got it if you need it The devil is a friend of mine If you think it's crazy You ain't seen a thing Just wait until we're goin down in flames We are, we are the saints We signed our life away Doesn't matter what you think We're gonna do it anyway We are, we are the saints One day you will confess And pray to the saints of Los Angeles Red line, tripping on land mines Sippin at the Troubador Girls passed out, hangin in the back lounge Thinking everybody's gonna score She's jacked up, down on her luck You wan't it, you need it the devil's gonna feed it Don't cha say it's crazy, you don't know a thing Just wait untill we're going down in flames We are, we are the saints We signed our life away Doesn't matter what you think We're gonna do it anyway We are, we are the saints One day you will confess And pray to the saints of Los Angeles...." |
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Motörhead |
Stone Deaf in the U.S.A. | Motorhead was a hard rock band formed in London England active from 1975 to 2015 when founder and vocalist Lemmy died in Los Angeles where he had lived since 1990. This song is from the album "Rock 'n' Roll" released in 1987. "Crossed the ocean in a silver bird Flying into another world Flying down the Pacific coast Flying up in a silver ghost Love to be back in Los Angeles LAX what a sight to see Stone fox women, crazy days Table hopping at the Rainbow, babe Stone Deaf in the U.S.A. Stone Deaf in the U.S.A. Coming back to New York City Just as crazy, ain't so pretty People running like crazy fools Know you got to break the rules You can have yourself a real good time You can have yourself a life of crime Hit the Limelight, make my day Get me back to JFK Stone Deaf in the U.S.A. Stone Deaf in the U.S.A. Been to Texas, can't get enough Gold Virginia, fell in love Detroit where the bad boys are See Chicago, make you a star Boston, Cleveland and Buffalo Another shake, another show Shake your ass, San Francisco Bay I hate to leave, I want to stay Stone Deaf in the U.S.A. Stone Deaf in the U.S.A." |
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Motorpsycho |
Go to California | Motorpsycho is a pop rock band from Norway, active since 1989. This is an 8-minute long progressive rock song with electric piano, guitar and flute solos, from their album "Phanerothyme" released in 2001. The singer sings California as "cally-fornia" so I'm going to say it that way from now on. I'm going to guess that the line "...the world is turning tricks for you" is just a translation problem (maybe they mean "the world is playing tricks on you") and that they don't really want to say that the world is a prostitute and you're its pimp. "There is no tomorrow, there's only now And when you think about, it so much left to do You can have kisses by the millions Get up, go to California, go to where the skies are blue Move on there are no exceptions, the world is turning tricks for you There is no tomorrow, there's only now And when you think about it, so much left to do You can have kisses by the millions if you want to Some stall, some can't get their bearings, some can never move on time Don't think, never fret or worry, life will not leave you behind There is no tomorrow, there's only now And when you think about it so much left to do You can have kisses by the millions if you want to Some dream too much Some dreams turn into nightmares too All dream, but not a single soul wasted time and stayed content Get up, go to California Get up, go to California Get up, go to California Get up, go to California, go to where the skies are blue Move on there are no exceptions, the world is turning tricks for you Some dream too much Some dreams turn into nightmares too All dream, but not a single soul wasted time and stayed content There is no tomorrow, there's only now And when you think about it so much left to do You can have kisses by the millions if you want to Get up, go to California Get up, go to California Get up, go to California" |
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The Mountain Goats |
Birth of Serpents | The Mountain Goats are a band formed in Claremont, California in 1991 by John Darnielle. This song from "All Eternals Deck" released in 2011 includes references to both herps and California. "Let the camera pull back till the fullness of the frame is clear and plain Peer into the screen until you see it all like a vision in a crystal ball Let it all fill with smoke Is this somebody's idea of a joke? Let the fixer work until the silver's washed away And take the picture from the tray Look hard at what you see and then remember you and me And let the truth spring free Like a jack-in the box Like a hundred-thousand cuckoo clocks From the Oregon corners to the Iowa corn To the rooms with the heat lamps where the snakes get born Crawl through the tunnel and follow, follow the light north west See that young man who dwells inside his body like an uninvited guest See the tunnel twist Clutch your birth rite in your fist Let the camera do its dirty work down there in the dark Sink low, rise high, bring back some blurry pictures to remember all your darker moments by Permanent bruises on our knees Never forget what it felt like to live in rooms like these From the California coastline to the Iowa corn To the rooms with the heat lamps where the snakes get born" |
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The Mountain Goats |
California Song | This is from the album "Sweden" released in 1995. "I know you see Mars in the sky tonight I know you can see Venus rising and veering off to the right But can you see that young star overhead? It's the one that designed my undoing I know that in California the waves break on the beach And I know that the foam on the breaking waves Is as white as household bleach But do you see that particular white right now It's the color of the young star coming on down I got joy joy joy in my soul tonight I got joy joy joy in my arms alright Although you treat me badly I love you madly You really got a hold on me You really got a hold on me" |
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The Mountain Goats |
Going Back to California | This is an unreleased song that was recorded for the "Marsh Witch Visions EP" in 2016. "Parked by a mansion with an airstrip Sun rising up so crisp and bright Old dudes holed up in their bunkers Chasing down the light Faster than a speeding bullet Smart as a whip Dead in a parking lot in Leesburg This is it Going back To California Going back To California Burned up jewelry at the inquest Cold now to the touch Last time I ever saw him He told me how I drink too much Feel like I'm gonna crumble What will become of us Take two weeks to think about it Get right back on the bus Feel so bad, so afraid Of the road up ahead Going back To California Going back To California" |
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The Mountain Goats |
Going Through Pomona | This song, also known as "Going to Pomona," is an unreleased song that was written no later than 2004 and maybe earlier. "The lights are on in your room so tell me Who's your friend? And the lights are burning in the little house on east end And I remembered who I was And what I came here for The moon was caught high in the branches of the sycamore And on my neck I felt the cold wind And it licked around my ears and it asked me to ask you, yeah Who's your friend? And the lights came down over Pomona, blazed again before your front door The moon was caught high in the branches of the sycamore" |
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The Mountain Goats |
Going to Chino | This song that sounds like it was commissioned by the Chino City Council comes from "The Hound Chronicles" a cassette-only release from 1992. "I'd like to say hello to all our friends from Chino To the people of Chino, hello I'd like to say hello to all our friends from Chino To the people of Chino, hello I know how hard it is down in Chino I know how you struggle just to get by I know they got farm fresh eggs down in Chino And track homes reasonably priced I'd like to say hello to all our friends from Chino To the people from Chino, hello I'd like to say hello to all our friends from Chino To the people of Chino, hello Convenient exit to the 60 freeway Acredited medical care down at Chino Valley Hospital A unified school system the likes of which you won't find elsewhere And friendly people I'd like to say hello to all our friends from Chino To the people from Chino, hello I'd just like to say hello to all our friends from Chino To the people of Chino, hello" |
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The Mountain Goats |
Going to Malibu | This is from "Protein Source Of The Future... Now!" released in 2002. "When we meet on neutral ground I can't believe how good you look And the thoughts that race around my mind Fill a long unreadable book and I can hear the waves I can sense the continent eroding You say you know why I called you here But you couldn't have any way of knowing, so That's not true That's a mean thing to say That's a damnable lie That's a damnable lie Looking at you, and I don't know What it is I see But I know you're changing, almost indetectibly And I see a ship off the shore And I imagine it sinking And you smile and you say that you know What it is that I'm thinking That's not true That's a rotten thing to say That's a damnable lie That's a damnable lie" |
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The Mountain Goats |
Going to Norwalk | This is from "Hot Garden Stomp" a 1993 cassette-only release. I have no idea what these lyrics have to do with Norwalk, but these are the lyrics. "At one thirty on a Thursday night I saw a pair of raccoons heading to the gutter They stopped at the storm drain Their tails hung down and out of sight They looked up at me Their eyes were shining I thought of you And I can't stand the way the moon expands and fills out The corners of your California sky I can't stand it The old buildings stood tall against the sky The windows had old sheets hanging over them doubling as curtains And the silhouettes moving in the bright lights behind the curtains Looked like you I stopped moving momentarily The world will Stand still on nights like these Without any kind of warning And I can't stand it." |
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The Mountain Goats |
Going to San Diego | This is part of the Mountain Goats' series of "Going To" songs, many of which are not recorded. California songs include Catalina, California, Chino, Malibu, Norwalk, Pomona, and San Diego. I don't know when this song was first recorded, but the version linked to here was recorded at KSPC radio in 1992. "Long rain, it must be June again The seashore, I don't want to see it anymore Mmmm, here it comes |
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The Mountain Goats |
San Bernardino | This song is from "Heretic Pride" released in 2008. A man's voice and an acoustic guitar are all that are needed in this sweet song about a couple driving to San Bernardino to give birth in a hotel bathtub. "We got in your car and we hit the highway Eastern sun was rising over the mountains Yellow and blood red bits like a kaleidoscope And flaming swords may guard the garden of Eden But we consulted maps from earlier days Dead languages on our tongues Holding on to our last hope And the day was bright and fine And the highway sign said, 'San Bernardino welcomes you' I checked us into our hotel and filled the bathtub And you got in the warm warm water I pulled petals from my pocket I loved you so much just then And it was hard but you were brave, you are splendid And we will never be alone in this world no matter what they say We’re gonna be okay We were safe inside and our new son cried, “San Bernardino welcomes you” |
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The Mountain Goats |
Sinaloan Milk Snake Song | This is from the album "Zopilote Machine" released in 1994. "Sun melts everything down And the hills are reduced to nothing The whole house shakes And you can see that the coach is coming You lean down and you pick up the small soft eggs in the dust outside my door I hold them in my hands They are warm and the air is warming up now I've got a message for you If I could only remember I've got a message for you But you're gonna have to come and get it La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la Ever since I came here All I could think about is water Last night they brought the fat lamb in from the fold But I couldn't bring myself to do anything about it I remember California, I remember Malibu I remember the states and the names of the cities but I don't remember you And I've got a message for you If I could only remember I've got a message for you But you're gonna have to come and get it I've got a message for you I've got a message for you, 2 3 4 La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la Ya! Whoo Sarah: huh-huh-huh huh huh ay!" |
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The Mountain Goats |
This Year | This upbeat indie rock song about the joys of teenage drinking and driving (don't lecture me, I didn't write it) is from "The Sunset Tree" released in 2000. It's a good song to listen to when you feel like giving up - just sing along with the chorus and try to survive another year, but maybe try it without the DWI. Mills Avenue is a street in Claremont California, where the singer John Darnielle went to high school, so I'd guess that this song is somewhat autobiographical. "I broke free on a Saturday morning I put the pedal to the floor Headed north on Mills Avenue And listened to the engine roar My broken house behind me And good things ahead A girl named Cathy Wants a little of my time Six cylinders underneath the hood Crashing and kicking Aha! Listen to the engine whine I am going to make it through this year If it kills me I am going to make it though this year If it kills me I played video games in a drunken haze I was seventeen years young Hurt my knuckles punching the machines The taste of Scotch rich on my tongue And then Cathy showed up And we hung out Trading swigs from a bottle All bitter and clean Locking eyes Holding hands Twin high maintenance machines I am going to make it through this year If it kills me I am going to make it though this year If it kills me I drove home in the California dusk I could feel the alcohol inside of me hum Pictured the look on my stepfather's face Ready for the bad things to come I down shifted As I pulled into the driveway The motor screaming out Stuck in second gear The scene ends badly As you might imagine In a cavalcade of anger and fear There will be feasting and dancing In Jerusalem next year I am going to make it through this year If it kills me I am going to make it though this year If it kills me" |
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Mount Westmore |
California | Mount Westmore is a rap supergroup formed in 2020 made up of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too $hort. This song is from their debut album "Snoop Cube 40 $hort" released in 2022. "Boy, do it (Oh, God) [Snoop Dogg] I'm from the murder side, Long Beach Certified Rollin' 20 Crip, you heard it right Boy (Oh, God), no place you can hide Throwin' up the C, but got homies from the other side Boy (Oh, God), I hooked up with more hogs Cube, 40 and Short Dog Representin' Cali (Oh, God), we back on it, boy Mount Westmore, put a stamp on it, boy We smack on you, boy (Oh, God), blowin' smoke through the ozone (Ah) Hit the block and get my roll on Money lookin' so long (Oh, God), all my ni**gas on the same s**t Pick one, you can't go wrong (Yes, sir) Yeah, for sure, boy (Oh, God), we do it, we sip the fluid Dippin' and movin', smokin' the best weed (Ohh-whee) Dub-E-S-T (Oh, God), just look to the left Live in the flesh, four ni**as throwin' up the West Out of the dark alleys of Californ-I-A Bow-wow-wow, yippy-yo, yippy-yay Where the Gs play Home of the Cougars and the Falcons, oh, yeah, that's the Bay But out in L.A. We prefer the four, the deuce, or the trey [E-40] California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California Whoop, whoop, that's the Blood call (Ooh-ooh) Make you wanna Crip walk Southern California (Oh, God), from L.A. to the Bay I'm from Northern Cali-foolya, where the hustlers play Survival (Oh, God), still relevant like the Bible, tribal Prayin' for all of my enemies, continue rewritin' history Doing it all over again (Oh, God), bi**h, we gon' finish up what we started This slap right here is sick, might make you speakers vomit I be still gettin' carded, found the fountain to youth Lookin' the same way that I looked way back in nineteen ninety-deuce (Whoop, whoop) Ni**a, we livin' proof, stood the test of time If a f**ker disagree, he must be deaf, dumb and blind (Whoop, whoop) [E-40 & Too $hort] California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure, yeah, Oakland ni**as in this motherf**ker now) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California [Too $hort & Ice Cube] We from the East Side Oakland, California, that's how we ride (Oh, God) We don't know you, ni**a, where you from? You lookin' over here, but y'all don't want none We make the homicide rate go up every year (Oh, God) If you a bad motherf**ker, you can make it here And we ain't throwin' no signs (Oh, God), just a clip and a nine One bullet to the head, put some s**t on your mind Get busy, California grizzly I'm rollin' hundreds, who rollin' with me? Yellow's the color of sun rays Harley-Davidsons on Sundays So don't hate, I'm from the Golden State Do a half-pike off the Golden Gate Will I live or die? Ain't no tellin' 'Fore I hit the water, you know what I'm yellin' [E-40] California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California, yeah, for sure (For sure) Tell the people this is Mount Westmore (Whoop, whoop) California California" |
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The Move |
California Man | The Move was a British rock band formed in 1965 and then again in 2004. They were very popular in the UK, but not in the U.S.A. Front man Roy Wood went on to form The Electric Light Orchestra. This was a non-album single released in 1972. It was a bigger hit for Cheap Trick in 1978. "Goin' to a party, meet me on after school Well, we're goin' to a place where the jive is really cool And if the band stops playin' there's a jukebox down the hall And with your blue dress on, your folks are all gone You're sure to give the guys a ball Get that real guitar, boy, shakin' I'm a California man Dance right on 'till the floors are breakin' I'm a California man Well, I rocked my Mama so bad This woman she's makin' me mad Well, I don't care if her legs start achin' I'm a California man Well, my legs start to shiver when I hear you call my name Well, my knees keep a-knockin' and my bow tie's bustin' out Well, my feet start to fly and my jeans slung way down low You know I'm back on my heels and it's makin' me feel Like the king of rock 'n' roll Get that real guitar, boy, shakin' I'm a California man Dance right on till the floors are breakin' I'm a California man Well, I rocked my Mama so bad This woman she's making me mad I don't care if your legs start achin' I'm a California man I'm a California man Goin' to a party, meet me on after school Well we're goin' to a place where the jive is really cool And if the band stops playin' there's a jukebox down the hall And with your blue dress on, your folks are all gone You're sure to give the guys a ball Get that real guitar, boy, shakin' I'm a California man Dance right on till the floors are breakin' I'm a California man I really rocked my Mama so bad This woman's she's making me mad Well, I don't care if your legs start achin' I'm a California man I'm a California man I'm a California man" |
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The Mowgli's |
San Francisco | The Mowgli's were a rock band from Calabasas, CA, active from 2010-2020. The song is the band's debut single, released in 2012. "I’ve been in love with love And the idea of something, binding us together You know that love is strong enough, I’ve seen time tell tales about that systematic drug, Yeah that heart that beats as one It’s collectively Unconsciously composed I lost my head in San Francisco, Waiting for the fog to roll out But I found it in a rain cloud It. Was. Smiling. Down. Do you feel the love? I feel the love C’mon c’mon, lets start it up! Let it pour out of your soullllllll I’ve been in love with love And the idea of something, binding us together You know that love is strong enough, I’ve seen time tell tales about that systematic drug, Yeah that heart that beats as one It’s collectively Unconsciously composed Do you feel the love? I feel the love C’mon c’mon, lets start it up! Let it pour out of your soullllllll- Do you feel the love? I feel the love C’mon c’mon, lets start it up! Let it pour out of your soullllllll" |
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Mozzy |
California Ni**a | Mozzy is the professional name of Timothy Patterson, a rapper from Sacramento, California, active since 2004. This was released in 2017. "Tried and told you ni**as You ain't the only ni**as Riding round with a pole doming ni**as All these bi**hes and these hoes on me Got a roll on me, I'm a California ni**a Im a California ni**a, You ain't knowing? Keep the ratchet on me, you ain't knowing It be bracking homie, you ain't knowing S**t be activated, you ain't knowing ni**a Tried and told you ni**as You ain't the only ni**as Riding round with a pole doming ni**as All these bi**ches and these hoes on me Got a roll on me, I'm a California ni**a California ni**a, You ain't knowing? Keep the ratchet on me, you ain't knowing? It be bracking homie, you ain't knowing S**t be activated, you ain't knowing ni**a You'll prolly' a drown You'll prolly' a drown in these waters for fu**king with clowns Smoke out the pound Stiff arming these bi**hes cause they just be holding me down We load up them rounds We throw up the hood to show them we loyal and down Oil and loud, whole lot of oil and loud Course I'ma spoil my child My soil is proud We came from nothing for real, my hood is abandoned with filth Blam or get killed, that s**t is hell Remember when Deezy had ni**as on pills? Remember when Perc had you ni**as on drills? Follow ya gut if you think he'll squeal Pour up a four 'Cause I love how it feel, yeah yeah, love how it feel I'm at like four trying to run up a mill', uh yeah , Run up a mill' We in the hood cause I'm comfortable there And these rapping ass ni**as ain't welcomed out here One in the head and I'm sure you're aware yeah I don't mind taking it there yeah Stay away from you squares Pull up on 'em with a loaded La fare Tried and told you ni**as You ain't the only ni**as Riding round with a pole doming ni**as All these bi**hes and these hoes on me Got a roll on me, I'm a California ni**a Im a California ni**a, You ain't knowing? Keep the ratchet on me, you ain't knowing It be bracking homie, you ain't knowing S**t be activated, you ain't knowing ni**a Tried and told you ni**as You ain't the only ni**as Riding round with a pole doming ni**as All these bi**hes and these hoes on me Got a roll on me, I'm a California ni**a California ni**a, You ain't knowing? Keep the ratchet on me, you ain't knowing? It be bracking homie, you ain't knowing S**t be activated, you ain't knowing ni**a...." |
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Jason Mraz (featuring Raining Jane) |
Silent Love Song | Jason Mraz is a singer-songwriter from Virginia, active since 1999. Raining Jane is an eclectic rock-folk band from Los Angeles. Mraz sings a love song to the wildfire-fanning Santa Ana winds as if they're his girlfriend named Ana, who's a hurricane in bed. An interesting choice considering the song was recorded for a special CD released in 2007 to support the victims of the 2007 San Diego wildfires named "Fire Relief." "Feeling less than my ordinary self I guess I must be getting older The fog already heavy on my mind evokes a time that's turning colder At breakfast the effect is picturesque The window opens up and lets in The Santa Ana winds again She's a silent love song Never stays long Does not belong to any person Though she's opening the curtains in my head She's a kind of quiet And always hides it in a flame She's certainly a hurricane Strange how such a gust of gentle breeze can ravage hearts across California You start to grow accustomed to her turn around She's gone of course she warned ya She sometimes passes in a single night And other times she lasts the weekend She's a silent love song Never stays long Does not belong to any person Though she's opening the curtains in my head She's a kind of quiet And always means just what she says She's certainly a hurricane in bed And tangles up inside and under covers Angled in her way seen as a struggle But two lovers we're always in the end And the Santa Ana winds again I've been stealing hearts Where I don't belong (she's a silent love song) I'm breathing hard (does not belong to any person) When you come on strong (like a hurricane) The more I love (you never have to say you're sorry) The less I know (Anna don't cry) Anna don't go" |
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Mr. Criminal |
Welcome to California | Mr. Criminal is the stage name of Roberto Fabian Garcia who's from California. This rap song is from his album "Stay on the Streets" released in 2006. I think it's crazy that the California Office of Tourism didn't use the song in their campaign to promote tourism since it makes killa Cali sound so welcoming, but what do I know. "Welcome to California homie Home of the mothaf**ken G’s Crooked ass police Homicide on a f**king regular basis Striking out left and right, 25 to life [Chorus:] Welcome to California That’s where we put it down Another gun blasting Another body on the ground To all the homies in the streets Yeah I see you now Throw up your fingers Twist ‘em up and represent your town In California The drama never dies And as a matter of fact It spreads and multiplies You gotta be ready to spill blood You better be ready to ride Because the weak lose And only the strong survive Take a walk with me Through that golden state Where homicide numbers stack And that murder rate Just keeps going up And youngsters keep going down The same spot he used to slang Is where his body was found And here’s a little advice Before you get caught up You better run that southside If it’s all shot up Because the streets have no mercy No pity is shown At the early age of 13 He’s already grown The homies took ‘em under their wing So now the streets are his home You give that boy a quarter pound He breaks it down in to zones The only state with [?] And crooked politicians Another murder on the news Another youngster on a mission And them D.A.‘s are handing out 25 to life It’s a deadly ass game You better not get the third strike Wonder why foos get shanked Tossed off the third tier Foos be looking for some love But love ain’t fu**ing living here [Chorus] High speed chases Foos catching them cases Hardest youngsters on the streets Pull their straps at their faces Haha yeah, it’s just a daily routine Working out in the yard Slanging dope to them fiends Baseheads talking to themselves Sleeping up in the mattress Tourists get their chain snatched Welcome to killa Cali It’s all good There’s palm trees Yeah there’s b***hes learning s**t on these streets That their schools would never teach So we use all the tools and the knowledge that we know Homies locked down in prison 25 to life up on the row And yeah these cops ain’t packing automatics now You better not make a wrong move These crooked pigs will buck you down Foos get the misconception Thinking it’s blooding and just cripping Hit a wrong left turn Witness ten sureños tripping And you can slip at any time I suggest you pack your cuete And in this crazy ass state Criminal’s fully auto-quipping [Chorus] Welcome to California Where its hot in the summer And if you don’t watch your move The streets will take you under We got crooked laws enforced by these crooked ass cops And everybody wants to smoke the bomb California chronic Some muthaf**kas get beat For acting all violent Quick to burn the city down Like the L.A. riots And my raza’s United All representing the southern side From Silverlake, West Covina, Baldwin Park and Riverside From Pomona to Corona, homies holding it down San Bernardino, Lynwood, back to the Pico town All the way to Ventura back down to San Diego Homies in Compton, Inglewood, Fontana and Chino All my riders, every city, always keeping it real City of Monte, Huntington Park Can’t forget about Bakersfield Santa Monica, Hollywood, Canoga Park and Pacoima On behalf of Mr. Criminal Welcome to California [Chorus]" |
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Mr. Shadow |
Look At California | Mr. Shadow is a Chicano rapper from San Diego. This version samples the Maze song discussed above. |
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The Mr. T. Experience |
Gilman Street | An upbeat fun punk classic from Frank Portman and his Berkeley pop punk band. 924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, not for profit, collective music club started in 1986 in Berkeley where no racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or major label bands are allowed, that was still in operation 26 years later when I put it on this list. The song documents and parodies typical Berkeley grass roots democracy at the same time "you can vote on whether you're gonna vote," and turns it all into an anthem for all young punks and socially conscious do-it-yourselfers everywhere. "Seems like it was only yesterday nothing to do and nowhere to play but we could go down to Gilman Street and see Op Ivy every week no violence drugs or alcohol just maximum rock and roll at Gilman Street it's the place to be it's the seat of the punk rock scene cause we got the beat and we don't eat meat it's a club it's a place it's a thing and if the band is hell of rad Tim will start to bounce his head all the kids will jump up on the stage and they'll hit the microphone in your face and you will get a fat lip you will get a fat lip in the pit at Gilman Street it's a safe retreat for a zillion punk rock bands cause they've got the club and it's not enough but at least it's not Bill Graham it's Gilman Street Radley does the sound Honey watches the door and James McKinney sweeps the floor Isocracy made a mess we demand nothing less and if you've got nothing better to do there's a meeting every Sunday afternoon you can talk about skinheads at the shows you can vote on whether you're gonna vote and you can make a speech you can rant you can rave you can preach at Gilman Street it's democracy it's just one big family it's a bunch of geeks it's a load of freaks it's a club it's a place it's a thing it's Gilman Street." |
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Shawn Mullins |
California | Shawn Mullins is an American singer-songwriter originally from Georgia. This is the opening track from his album "Light You Up" released in 2010. "Well, he was from a small town In Northern Mississippi She was raised on the Puget Sound A third generation hippie Fate would take them to L.A. County And get 'em stuck in a traffic jam An El Camino and a red Trans Am Her stereo was blaring Dylan The Bootleg Sessions And oh ' The Times, They Are A-Changin' ' Made a pretty good impression She looked over and caught him smilin' Under a California setting sun They fell in love on the 101 California, California, California California dreams come true Well, they got in with the In-Crowd And got off on the rock 'n' roll Cocaine spree and the music's loud Backstage at the Hollywood Bowl They got the house in Topanga Canyon They partied at the Viper Room Blending into the neon gloom California, California, California California dreams come true California, California, California California dreams come true Well, you see them down on the Sunset Strip Trying so hard to be so hip Manhattan Beach to Malibu It's all about the ocean view And who you know in Hollywood It's cut throat but it's understood Champagne Kool-Aid, drink it down You're the toast of Tinseltown California, California, California, California California dreams come true California, California, California, California California dreams come true" |
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Shawn Mullins |
Lullaby | This talky rock song was a big hit in 1998. It’s all about a girl in LA, but my favorite line describes the city as “Nashville with a tan.” “She grew up with the children of the stars In the Hollywood hills and the boulevards Her parents threw big parties Everyone was there They hung out with folks like Dennis Hopper and Bob Seger and Sonny and Cher She feels safe now in this bar on Fairfax And from the stage I can tell that she can't let go and she can't relax And just before she hangs her head to cry I sing to her a lullaby I sing: Everything's gonna be all right Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye Everything's gonna be all right Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye She still lives with her mom outside the city Down that street about a half a mile And all her friends tell her she's so pretty But she'd be a whole lot prettier if she smiled once in a while 'Cause even her smile looks like a frown She's seen her share of devils in this angel town Everything's gonna be all right Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye Everything's gonna be all right Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye I told her I ain't so sure about this place It's hard to play a gig in this town and keep a straight face Seems like everybody's got a plan It's kind of like Nashville with a tan Everything's gonna be all right Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye Everything's gonna be all right Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye” |
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MUNEE |
Malibu | Munee is a group from Korea. This song is from "Layers" released in 2020. The lyrics in brackets are Google translations of words sung in Korean and shown in the online lyrics in Korean characters that I can't show here. "She very likes to see Malibu She very likes to see Malibu Malibu Malibu Malibu She very likes to see Malibu She very likes to see Malibu Malibu Malibu Malibu [Megonawa] Prada bag Go Malibu beach Malibu [I don't know where it is] [It'll probably be cool if I'm with you] [Run and run] I'm going to rent a foreign car Versace, Versace [Accident without insurance] no no [My butler calls and scolds me again] Gucci walet [The bills inside disappear] What [Hullaeng hullang wu] [Every day with money earned through blood and sweat] Ballin ballin wu [No matter what you said] [My feelings for you haven't changed] [No matter what words you kill me with] [I always sing the song I made only to you] She very likes to see Malibu She very likes to see Malibu Malibu Malibu Malibu She very likes to see Malibu She very likes to see Malibu Malibu Malibu Malibu [I believe it is one thing] [It's one thing, it's not right, it's not right] Oh baby [All of the East and West divisions] [What is the reality?] Oh baby Malibu [dreamlike] hood [My love is open, my heart is open] Malibu [sea breeze] [???] My favorite place Malibu My favorite place Malibu She very likes to see Malibu She very likes to see Malibu Malibu Malibu Malibu She very likes to see Malibu She very likes to see Malibu Malibu Malibu Malibu" |
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Christina Munsey |
California Glow | Christina Munsey is a singer-songwriter from Raleigh, North Carolina. This electronic pop song is from "for me, or for you" released in 2020. "Full moon, riding on the skyline Lines that look a lot like you and I Draggin' me by my heartstrings The weight that I felt could never pull me that far down Unrefined, sweeter than wine How did we go from that to overdrive Sun-kissed mornings turned to ice-cold storms How did we get so far gone Soaking in that California glow Tryin' to put all these memories on hold Where's the light in your shadow You got me all wrong Can't beckon at your call As if my heart mattered at all My type don't care at all Tryin' to put up walls Bad love put on pause Our love is overrated I'll act as if I hate it Conversations, no reservations What is patience to me Hiding what you're feeling Can't tell by your appearance I'm running on low, low Why don't you say it now Tell me where do we stand now What is all this silence about Soaking in that California glow Tryin' to put all these memories on hold Where's the light in your shadow Soaking in that California glow Deep down, I think I've always known But I threw myself in for the blow...." |
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The Mutants |
Twisted Thing | The Mutants are an art punk band from San Francisco, active from 1977 to 1986, then they re-formed in 2004. This evocation of an old L.A. crime film noir is from their album Fun Terminal, released in 1982. It only has a brief mention of L.A., but it's one of my favorite songs from that er. "It was a day much like any other day I looked out the window and the concrete was breathing its paranoia On all the members of the street As I walked down the hall I had the feeling that trouble would be waiting to stare me straight into the face I stopped by the shill who sells newspapers down on the corner Asked him if he'd seen this girl named Betty and her sister They went to L.A., they owe me ten bucks Betty lay in the corner of the room So cold, so lily white (It was a twisted thing) And she wrote it on the mirror (It's a twisted thing) That's the way love is my dear (It's a twisted thing) Sex and love (It's a twisted thing) Sex and love is I got back to my office about two o'clock in the afternoon I went to stick my key into the lock and through the glass door I could see someone moving around suspiciously As I opened it cautiously the telephone began to ring And I moved across the floor easy All of a sudden a ton of bricks hit me on the back of the neck I fell into a deep black absence And when I woke up I was staring... They sit on my desk for a while Tell me a joke, and I try to laugh (It's a twisted thing) And she wrote it on the mirror (It's a twisted thing) That's the way love is my dear (It's a twisted thing) Sex and love (It's a twisted thing) Sex and love is The moon came up early that night And I swear I could hear it laughing Everyone was laughing I reached my hand into a pocket I pulled out a telephone number without a name I thought for a minute, and dialed I waited for a long time and a very, very female voice made an answer 'Hello...' She was in a long black robe Following her down the hallway (It's a twisted thing) And she wrote it on the mirror (It's a twisted thing) That's the way love is my dear (It's a twisted thing) Sex and love (It's a twisted thing) Sex and love is ...." |
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Max Mutzke |
California Spider | Max Mutzke is a singer-songwriter and TV personality from Germany. This song, which is not for the arachnophobic, is a single released in 2024. "Walkin' on a tightrope Tryin' to catch my fall Racin' down the highway I can't go back no more We run out of time Gotta let you fly Things were goin' sideways I think we had it all Walkin' on a tightrope Walkin' on fire Walkin' on fire California spider Stakes couldn't be higher They couldn't be higher Couldn't be higher Walkin' on a tightrope Almost leads to the top Gamblers on a high roll Right until we drop Maybe another life We will get it right Still see you in my daydreams God knows we try Hell yeah we try Walkin' on a tightrope Walkin' on fire Walkin' on fire California spider Stakes couldn't be higher They couldn't be higher Walkin' on a tightrope Walkin' on fire Walkin' on fire California spider Stakes couldn't be higher They couldn't be higher Stakes couldn't be higher Couldn't be higher Walkin' on a tightrope The California spider" |
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My Chemical Romance |
We Don't Need Another Song About California | My Chemical Romance is an alternative rock band from New Jersey formed in 2001. This song is bonus content from the deluxe version of the album "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killhoys", released in 2010. I'd hate to be the one to tell them how many more songs about California have been released since this song came out. "Give up or give it a shot Dedication, to the places that you never need to hide Occupations, the opportunity to see yourself in a light And all the city fires And the tabloid lies And the television guys For the missions and the boulevards And the way it is when money's all you got Stop and stare At the accidents and stars that bore you We don't dare to sing another song for California Well, anywhere Where the city lights are hopeless for you We don't care or need another song for California Shut up and give me a shot On vacation, to the places that you never want to die On the station, everybody hears but no one needs to try On the telephone, on the methadone Every minute that you scream Before the errant scars and the dying stars Every second that you take to fake your life Stop and stare At the accidents and stars that bore you We don't dare to sing another song for California Well, anywhere Where the city lights are hopeless for you We don't care or need another song for California Stop and stare At the accidents and stars that bore you We don't dare to sing another song for California Well, anywhere Where the city lights are hopeless for you We don't care or need another song for California" |
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My Morning Jacket |
One Big Holiday | My Morning Jacket is a rock band from Kentucky active since 1998. This song is from their album "It Still Moves" released in 2003. "Wakin' up feelin' good and limber When the telephone it ring Was a bad man from California Tellin' of a stone he'd bring And of better days From this town, we'd escape If we holler loud and make our way We'd all live one big holiday So we listened and up the river And recorded all the sounds Was some shakin' and some record playin' All the leather kids were loud" |
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