I spent a week drinking the sunlight of Winnetka, California
Where they understand the weight of human hearts
You see, sorrow gets too heavy and joy it tends to hold you
With the fear that it eventually departs
And the truth is I’ve been dreaming of some tired tranquil place
Where the weather won’t get trapped inside my bones
And if all the years of searching find one sympathetic face
Then it's there I will plant these seeds and make my home
I spent a day dreaming of dying in Mesa, Arizona
Where all the green of life had turned to ash
And I felt I was on fire, with the things I could have told you
I guess I just assumed that you eventually would ask
And I wouldn’t have to bring up my so badly broken heart
And all those months I just wanted to sleep
And though spring, it did come slowly, I guess it did it's part
My heart has thawed and continues to beat
I visited my brother on the outskirts of Olympia
Where the forest and the water become one
And we talked about our childhood, like a dream we were convinced of
That perfect peaceful street where we came from
And I know he heard me strumming all those sad and simple chords
As I sat inside my room so long ago
And it hurts that he’s still shaking from those secrets that were told
By a car closed up too tight and a heart turned cold
And I went to San Diego, the birthplace of the summer
And watched the ocean dance under the moon
And there was a girl I knew there, one more potential lover
I guess that something’s got to happen soon
Because I know I can’t keep living in this dead or dying dream
And as I walked along the beach and drank with her
I thought about my true love, the one I really need
With eyes that burn so bright, they make me pure
They make me pure
They make me pure
I long to be with you



Lyrics submitted by PLANES

Track duration: 03:34


June on the West Coast song meanings
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52 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:I like to shun bright eyes because of how embarrassing it would be to be caught listening to them, but damn, whose lonely soul do these lyrics not capture?
    every single line is absolutely spot on, and captures a very unique sentiment of loneliness. nostalgic in the most painful way possible, you know? and nostalgic of the future as well, in the most painful way possible.

    and
    "And if all the years of searching find one sympathetic face
    Then it's there I will plant these seeds and make my home"
    I also wonder sometimes how it is that there are so many beautiful, kind, loving people on the earth and not one of them has entered my life. Not even passed through it, or having showed that side to me, even by accident. they all have love maybe, for specific types of people, but not people like me... and I just wonder how it is.
    and I think this is my favorite line: "And I felt I was on fire, with the things I could have told you. I guess I just assumed that you eventually would ask" ... story of my life...
    Flagged minuetteon December 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Does anyone else notice how much this song sounds like "Styrofoam Boots (It's All Nice on Ice Alright)" by Modest Mouse?
    Flag arrstaron January 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:To me, the first verse holds a very different, deeper meaning (not just depression/emotions, like a lot of people have said). I'm from Winnetka, and it's this little pocket of the San Fernando Valley that's pretty poor, even though its surrounded by more affluent communities. Just north, west or south of it, you'll find shopping centers and upscale office buildings and million-dollar homes, but Winnetka itself is mostly old apartment buildings and liquor stores and hole-in-the-wall businesses and graffiti. It's still just as sunny as the rest of the valley, but living in Winnetka is like living in a glass fishbowl where you can enjoy the upper-scale culture around you, but never completely be a part of it. The people from around here are more disillusioned than those from the more stereotypical "valley" communities. They "understand the weight of human hearts", because their own hardships are highlighted by the beauty and wealth around them.
    I'm not sure if Bright Eyes thought about this with those lyrics, but it hits deeper than they might have intended.
    Flag AsheWednesdayon December 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:god, this song breaks my heart
    Flag CloudControlon January 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"I visited my brother on the outskirts of Olympia
    Where the forest and the water become one
    And we talked about our childhood, like a dream we were convinced of
    That perfect peaceful street where we came from."

    I love this part of the song so much.
    Last year I moved to Olympia, Washington to live with my brother.
    And although I hated living there these part of the song reminds me of
    getting closer to family and all the talks we had
    while shivering under our blankets.

    =]
    Flag BuryYourOwnon February 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:And I felt I was on fire, with the things I could have told you
    I guess I just assumed that you eventually would ask
    And I wouldn’t have to bring up my so badly broken heart
    And all those months I just wanted to sleep


    I just wish she could see this, and understand it, no questions asked.
    Flag Modestlyon February 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is the first song that I heard from Bright Eyes - actually the first that I had ever even heard of them - it is so sincere and genuine.

    In my opinion, most of this song is strait forward and poetic- the only line that seems a little obscure to me is "he is still shaking from those secrets that were told by a car closed up too tight and a heart turned cold."

    I have given this line a bit of thought and think it could be referring a road trip. Everybody's locked in the car driving down the road and a cold-hearted someone lets out his brother's secret, which shakes his brother up.
    Flag MissMelodyon November 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I live in southern Arizona, and I know exactly what he means when he daydreams about dying.
    Stupid old desert. :P
    Flag blue.painted.tearson November 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"My heart has thawed and continues to beat."
    Flag shi89on September 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I remember hearing this song when I was on vacation during the first week of summer after a particularly stressful year of high school. The summer, and specifically June, represent to me a chance to just get away from everything for a while and reflect on who you are. You need to just get away from everything and get back on your feet for a while.
    Flag DustinMeier22on September 11, 2008   Link

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