See them on their 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 derrieres
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 wont
Get up an go?

So
I have planned my grand attacks
I will stand behind their backs
with my brand-new battle ax
Then they will they taste my wrath
They will hear me say
as the pavement whirls
"I hate California girls..."



Lyrics submitted by soundd

Track duration: 03:00


California Girls song meanings
Add your thoughts

21 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment:I interpret "as the pavement whirls" to refer to an earthquake in california. I think the singer wants them to be all destroyed in an earthquake. I like to think of it that way at least :D
    Flag nrbon August 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:foreveradrone,

    you're right, rereading that comment I see how ridiculous it sounds, and I didn't actually believe it would incite homicides :) it's darkly funny and I listened way too much into it the first time. I am officially chastised.
    Flag Cerebellaon July 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:foreveradrone,

    you're right, rereading that comment I see how ridiculous it sounds, and I didn't actually believe it would incite homicides :) it's darkly funny and I listened way too much into it the first time. I am officially chastised.
    Flag Cerebellaon July 27, 2010   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning:This song is a satire in its entirety with a completely sarcastic, mocking tone; the Narrator does NOT literally want to chop the "california girls" to pieces. come on people. Plus, when sung by a woman, it becomes much easier to see the very obvious feminist tone of the song: the california girls are complete and total frauds, and by using hyperbole (the image of the cali girl being chopped up on a sidewalk) and irony (the cali girls "ain't broke so they put on airs, faux folks sans derrieres"), the narrator provides his reason and means to eliminate the illusion presented about these girls in the media. Again, no one is literally going to take a battle axe to the cali girls; this image represents his feeling that this cultural idea of "beauty" needs to be killed. in addition, the cali girls have plenty of money, but want to appear as though they are just like everyone else, just "gifted" with natural talent and beauty. "faux folks sans derrieres." they are skinny supermodel frauds that the media portrays as being just like everyone else ("square"), when in reality they "breath coke for air" and bang every rapper that walks on by. its quite hilarious actually.
    Flag FireEatersWifeon September 05, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I like your interpretation. Even though it's probably not the intended one, the image of a guy being intimidated by those girls is an even stronger one. When a girl would feel hatred towards them it's more understandable since she could be harmed in a more direct way, but when a guy would have those feelings against such a group it's more likely because he hasn't found a way to deal with not living up to their, and his own, expectations.
    Flag Heeswijkon August 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I think the correct lyrics are:

    "Then will they taste my wrath."
    Flag georgechamounon June 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Spacemaker,

    I think "as the pavement whirls" refers to the California girl who's just been attacked ("I will stand behind their backs with my brand-new battle ax, then they will they taste my wrath") falling to the ground and seeing the pavement whirl.

    "Come on like squares" - I think "squares" in this context refers to the definition of "square" as "someone who doesn't understand what is going on". (From Princeton's online dictionary)

    I think "Do they think we won't get up and go?" suggests that the California girls of the song think lesser beings - e.g. the narrator - will put up with their insults and not react.
    Flag Wezzoon January 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Love this song. The meaning of a few lines are not clear to me. Any thoughts on these?

    "Come on like squares"
    "Do they think we won't Get up and go"
    "as the pavement whirls"

    Flag spacemakeron January 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"This is a song about media literacy. And feminism."
    [audience laughs]
    "What? It is."
    - Stephin Merritt at last friday's show in Atlanta. Which was amazing, by the way.
    Flag anakoluthonon October 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:positive, yes! in the context of laying on the irony about two inches thicker than the icing on a birthday cake in a '50s sitcom.

    which was in response to "Cerebella" who sincerely believes stephin's lyrics indicate a dangerous tendency to feel "threatened" by women not attracted to him. i couldn't have made it up.
    Flag foreverdroneon October 07, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain