I used to think that I knew
My way around this town
But I'm always getting lost
Since you're not around
I never thought that I would say this
But I miss my mom
Even though for all those years
We didn't get along
And when I stop to think about it
I guess we were the same
Too stubborn to apologize
Too filled up on rage

I wish she felt young again
When everything was new
When her father held her hand
And said, "There's nothing you can't do"

And then I woke up to a phone call
Right On Christmas day
It said, "Your grandmother is dying
In a painful way
Her lungs are filling up with fluid
Even as we speak
The doctor said that if she's lucky
She'll make it 'til next week"
I had one last chance to see her
Right before I moved
But I didn't end up going
I used some lame excuse

I hope that she's not scared
Lying there alone
I hope she hears her husband's voice
Telling her she's coming home

It's just sleepy California
But I just hope they know
It's just sleepy California
How much I really care
It's just sleepy California
How I want the best for them
It's just sleepy California
Even though I'm hardly there


Lyrics submitted by MozOnFire

Sleepy California Lyrics as written by Marc Bianchi

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Sleepy California song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    i can't listen to this song and not cry.

    freakishordeon July 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    This song really hits me at home. He talks a lot about the physical distance of living in California, when his family is elsewhere (Texas?). But he really admits, it isn't the geography that creates the distance with the family, it's him. He has chances to be near them, to visit his grandmother, to pick up the phone and he doesn't. The passage where he imagines his mom young is so beautiful too. He's recognizing that maybe they didn't get along well because life hardened her with disappointment.

    scott10154on May 22, 2017   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    THis song is amazing, everytime I hear it I tear up because it reminds me so much of my grandparents right before they passed away. it's just so beautiful.

    Three652bhappyon June 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is the first Her Space Holiday song I heard. My roommate and I were in my car and just stopped conversation to listen. An exceptional song. Facing tragedy, he's facing his own inadequacies and shortcomings.

    catherinekson March 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    her space holiday does it again.

    clairebabyon May 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I wish she felt young again When everything was new When her father held her hand And said, "There's nothing you can't do"

    ... :(

    peachcakeon July 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I had one last chance to see her Right before I moved But I didn't end up going I used some lame excuse

    Yeah i cry with this song.

    Rachondalooseon December 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I never thought that I would say this But I miss my mom Even though for all those years We didn't get along And when I stop to think about it I guess we were the same Too stubborn to apologize Too filled up on rage

    that reminds me EXACTLY of my mom and i three years ago. we found like crazy and freaked out on eachother and i left to go with my dad and didnt talk to her for years. man oh man. i can see myself crying like crazy in the middle of the night to this song. but loving it. because i can relate and someone feels the same.

    shejustwantstorockon January 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    uhh. and i cant stop listening to it.

    shejustwantstorockon January 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    wow

    devastatoron June 18, 2006   Link

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