Neil spoke about this song in the early 90s at a concert in Newport/Cardiff ... I recall (heh its 16 years ago now) him mentioning being tempted by the girl in the blue dress and also about the 'earth will rebel' bit being about how Californian excess will lead to the earth rebelling in the form of an earthquake. So I'm going for an analogy between personal temptation and Californian excess - but no soothsaying or moralism just his usual 'wouldn't it be fun or interesting (or intriguing) to see it this way'. So if your tempted be prepared for the consequences.
Oh by the way, fantastic song, yeah he's the best songwriter since L&M, I reckon he's inherited the McCartney role and Costello the Lennon role and both have taken them further but still haven't written anywhere near as many classics, but one man's apple is anothers ....
Neil spoke about this song in the early 90s at a concert in Newport/Cardiff ... I recall (heh its 16 years ago now) him mentioning being tempted by the girl in the blue dress and also about the 'earth will rebel' bit being about how Californian excess will lead to the earth rebelling in the form of an earthquake. So I'm going for an analogy between personal temptation and Californian excess - but no soothsaying or moralism just his usual 'wouldn't it be fun or interesting (or intriguing) to see it this way'. So if your tempted be prepared for the consequences. Oh by the way, fantastic song, yeah he's the best songwriter since L&M, I reckon he's inherited the McCartney role and Costello the Lennon role and both have taken them further but still haven't written anywhere near as many classics, but one man's apple is anothers ....