The Mama's and the Papa's
I know somebody who has been flying back and forth between Kansas City and Los Angeles. He e-mailed me today, telling me what the weather is going to be like for the next week while he's in Kansas City. It looks dreadful and cold. I simply e-mailed him back, asking if he was "California Dreamin'".
I never understood that song. I understand that wherever the singer is, he is cold and miserable and wants to be in sunny California. It's a song of homesickness. However, there is a line that goes: "If I didn't tell her, I could leave today." What did he tell her? Why is it that whatever she was told, it is keeping him in the cold and gray? If it were good news, then he should be happy. If it were bad news, then why not leave? I don't get it!
Eosophobia: fear of dawn
I never understood that song. I understand that wherever the singer is, he is cold and miserable and wants to be in sunny California. It's a song of homesickness. However, there is a line that goes: "If I didn't tell her, I could leave today." What did he tell her? Why is it that whatever she was told, it is keeping him in the cold and gray? If it were good news, then he should be happy. If it were bad news, then why not leave? I don't get it!
Eosophobia: fear of dawn
posted by Doug Murata at 10:02 AM
7 Comments:
In the previous verse, there is a line that says 'You know the preacher likes the cold, he knows I'm gonna stay' - perhaps implying that the narrator has some religious bond to this place, a marital obligation perhaps.
Gah.
I don't know.
The line is too vague within the context of the whole song. Maybe the writer just liked the sound of the words..
Ultra: That's a good point. I always took that line at face value: He was looking for someplace out of the cold and found a church. He's not particularly religious, but he doesn't want to appear as though he doesn't belong or get kicked out, so he pretends to pray. Other than a place of shelter, I hadn't placed any deeper meaning to it.
But, assuming he's going to get married, wouldn't he be happy? Or is this homesickness coupled with cold feet? (What an oddly appropriate euphemism. I should have used Gamophobia, fear of marriage, as my word, instead.)
Yes, I agree with Toast. Perhaps he told a girl, "I do," and now he feels trapped and obligated to stay.
I think that some of the beauty in music and poetry can be in not necessarily knowing exactly what the writer is thinking...to interpret it one's own way.
...anyhoo, I do dig The Mamas and the Papas. I have one of their greatest hits CDs.
HDD: Trapped and obligated, eh? Now, all of a sudden, the regret of commitment seems more and more the likely scenario here.
Why is it that that possiblity completely went over my head?
I LOVE that song....I LOVE IT as much as Craigslist!!!!
Doug - He didn't tell her because he lives in New York and he has merit increase to do and he isn't finished yet. And apparently his work is more important that she is and he doesn't know how to say that to her. However by the time the season changes so does their heart. Its a very sad song.
"All the leaves are brown, and the skies are grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day, on a winters day
If I didn't tell her
I could leave today.
All the leaves are brown
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
Ive been for a walk
Ive been for a walk
On a winters day
On a winters day
Id be safe and warm
Id be safe and warm
If I was in l.a.
If I was in l.a.
California dreamin
California dreamin
On such a winters day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
Got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
Preacher likes the cold
He knows Im gonna stay
Knows Im gonna stay
California dreamin
California dreamin
On such a winters day
All the leaves are brown
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
Ive been for a walk
Ive been for a walk
On a winters day
On a winters day
If I didnt tell her
If I didnt tell her
I could leave today
I could leave today
California dreamin
California dreamin
On such a winters day
California dreaming
On such a winters day
California dreaming
On such a winters day
SSC: Hmm... work related. He desperately wants to leave, but can't because of some other commitment that's holding him there. It's not necessarily homesickness, but rather something pulling him toward L.A. (Not exactly Orange County, but L.A. I guess he's landing at LAX, huh?) That's a take on the song I hadn't considered.
Gamophobia. How depressingly clinical.
Post a Comment
<< Home