Everclear – Like A California King

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  General Comment:Wow. I had never heard that this song is about himself.
  
  In that light, it makes me think of that self-destructive impulse--like just when you start to finally be successful, sometimes you'll do something that brings it all crashing down. Totally makes sense with his self-destructive past.
  
  Think about it, the lyrics:
  I will find you in a crowded room, I will knock you off your feet,
  I will burn you just like teenage love, I will eat you just like meat,
  I will break you into pieces, hold you up for all the world to see,
  yeah, what makes you think you are better than me.
  
  Like, if his old self were to meet him, this is what his old self would think.
  But that old self still there, inside of him, a part of him,
  waiting for an opportunity to ruin it all.
  
  Anyway, that's just my take, being someone who has self destructive tendencies myself.
  Like sometimes it's easier to be a loser because then there's really nothing at stake, so you start to resent your own success.

  Flag ceremoniouson December 03, 2009   Link

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    So I wouldn't view it as self-destructive. Its keeping your ego in check. If you let yourself run wild w/how awesome you are, you're bound to get knocked down by someone else.
    
    Watch.

    Flag Johann4uon March 31, 2011  
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  General Comment:A California King is also a type of snake. Whether he's reerencing the bed size, or the snake, I don't know. But I don't care, because it's such an awesome freaking song.

  Flag LocalGod96on July 01, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:So, I only found out recently that a "California King" is a size of mattress. I guess there could be some symbolism in burning an obscenely large bed or maybe the sound of the phrase just appeals to the idea of a sell out. This might have something to do with the album art on "Welcome to the Drama Club," though.

  Flag hardcorevelouron April 10, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Wow. I never realized this song was written about himself. I've always had a lot of respect for Art as a musician and a person, and the fact that this song was written about himself rather than some childish grudge he's still holding simply propels that respect.

  Flag opus2200on November 24, 2004   Link

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  General Comment:This is on whitelightning.org
  Art: "[It's about] me. It was written looking at me through a jaundice eye. I was poking fun at people who picked on us. There's a lot of tongue and cheek on this album that a lot of people don't pick up on." (Ticketmaster - 1997)
  
  So yeah its what he imagines people are saying about him and Everclear but its not entirely serious

  Flag yllason May 05, 2004   Link

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  General Comment:when bush was on tour with everclear, everclear got a fruit basket from a fan, and bush didn't. gavin rosdale started freaking out and yelling at everyone, and basically being a dick. when everclear toured with no doubt, they told gwen what he did, and she in turn told gavin, and they ended up dating. (i think they're married now) but art didn't like him because of that fact. i'm going to go to a bush concert and give him a fruit basket, and say, "here. a fruit basket from an everclear fan"

  Flag slowmotion_freefallon March 29, 2003   Link

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  General Comment:Well, I've also heard it's about Gavin..somethingorother (lead singer of Bush). Art doesn't like him for some reason (never did find out why) but yeah... it's about himself (Art) though.

  Flag Evergleamon August 31, 2002   Link

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  General Comment:I heard this song was about Scott Weiland. Art Alexakis was disgusted with how he felt Weiland glorified heroin use to children.

  Flag DecemberGuyon August 28, 2002   Link

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  General Comment:We are all our own worst critics. No one will ever be as critical of our work and our actions as we are. Doubt can seems to manifest itself into a voice always talking you down, that's what this song is about.

  Flag ChaosFluro24on August 25, 2002   Link

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  General Comment:True. But this song is actually about himself. Sort of like a little voice in his head pointing out all his faults. I can relate to that.

  Flag Evergleamon July 23, 2002   Link

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