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California, California
You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed
Big time rollers, part time models
So much to plunder
That I think I'll sleep instead
I don't know this sea of neon
Thousand surfers, whiffs of freon
And big nights back east with Rhoda
California please
There's a moment
I've been saving
A kind of crucifix around this munchkin land
Up north freezing, little me drooling
'That's Entertainment's' on at eight
Come on Ginger slam
I don't know this sea of neon
Thousand suffers, whiffs of freon
And my new grandma Bea Arthur
Come on over
Ain't it a shame that at the top
Peanut butter and jam they served you
Ain't it a shame that at the top
Still those soft skin boys can bruise you
Yes I fell for a streaker
I don't know this sea of neon
Thousand surfers, whiffs of freon
Ain't it a shame
That all the world can't enjoy your mad traditions
Ain't it a shame that all the world
Don't got keys to their own ignitions
Life is the longest death in California
California
You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed
So much to plunder that I think I'll sleep instead
You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed
So much to plunder that I think I'll sleep instead
You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed
Big time rollers, part time models
So much to plunder
That I think I'll sleep instead
I don't know this sea of neon
Thousand surfers, whiffs of freon
And big nights back east with Rhoda
California please
There's a moment
I've been saving
A kind of crucifix around this munchkin land
Up north freezing, little me drooling
'That's Entertainment's' on at eight
Come on Ginger slam
I don't know this sea of neon
Thousand suffers, whiffs of freon
And my new grandma Bea Arthur
Come on over
Ain't it a shame that at the top
Peanut butter and jam they served you
Ain't it a shame that at the top
Still those soft skin boys can bruise you
Yes I fell for a streaker
I don't know this sea of neon
Thousand surfers, whiffs of freon
Ain't it a shame
That all the world can't enjoy your mad traditions
Ain't it a shame that all the world
Don't got keys to their own ignitions
Life is the longest death in California
California
You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed
So much to plunder that I think I'll sleep instead
You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed
So much to plunder that I think I'll sleep instead
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I heard Rufus in an interview where he said he used to watch golden girls with his grandma as a child and when he first moved to California he felt lonely and started watching Golden girls. Rufus said he met Bea Arthur at a party and told her about him and his grandma watching golden girls and he that kind of felt Bea Arthur was his 'Calidornia grandma' and Bea Arthur said: I'm not your F*cking grandma! (she was kidding of course).
Really cool song!
...I live in the heart of Orange County, but I still love and agree with this song.
The "peanut butter and jelly" line is also inspired by that party. It was a big Hollywood type party, but they were just serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Hence: "Ain't it a shame that at the top..." they still serve you simple sandwiches.
It's a song about disillusionment, I feel.
Also, I thought it wasn't "surfers" but "thousands suffer."
I don't think Rufus hates California... but there are I guess certain issues with it.
"Now he's out in Hollywood, D.B., being a prostitute. If there's one thing I hate, it's the movies. Don't even mention them to me."
It is Holden talking about how his brother, D.B., used to be a really cool writer back home (when he wrote The Secret Goldfish), but now he's sold out and "gone Hollywood."
I'm not saying that Rufus necessarily had this in mind when he wrote the song, I just feel that the sentiments are similar.