The song concerns the struggles of a singer who moves out to California to pursue a career in Hollywood but does not have any success and deteriorates in the process. In the chorus, Hammond sings, "It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya. It pours, man it pours."
It Never Rains in Southern California
Albert Hammond Lyrics
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Didn't think before deciding what to do
Oh, that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies
Rang true, sure rang true
Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
It pours, man, it pours
Out of work, I'm out of my head
Out of self respect, I'm out of bread
I'm underloved, I'm underfed
I wanna go home
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya?
It pours, man, it pours
Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it?
Had offers but don't know which one to take
Please don't tell 'em how you found me
Don't tell 'em how you found me
Gimme a break, give me a break
Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya?
It pours, man, it pours
The lyrics of Albert Hammond's song "It Never Rains in Southern California" describe the experiences of a man who moves to California with hopes of success, only to end up homeless and desperate. The singer of the song initially seems optimistic and excited about his move, boarding a westbound 747 without thinking twice. The promises of opportunities, TV breaks, and movies that he had heard about seemed to be true. However, his optimism is quickly shattered by the harsh reality of life in California.
The chorus of the song, "It never rains in southern California," is a play on words that suggests that life in California is always sunny and full of promise. However, the line "But girl, don't they warn ya? It pours, man, it pours" indicates that this is not the case, and that life in California can be just as tumultuous as anywhere else. The man is out of work and out of his head, lacking self-respect and bread. He is underloved and underfed, and he longs to go back home.
The song highlights the stark contrast between the promises of California and the reality of life there. The singer is unable to return home a success, which would have made his struggles in California worthwhile. This song can, therefore, be interpreted as a warning to those who seek their fortunes in California without fully understanding the risks and costs involved.
Line by Line Meaning
Got on board a westbound 747
I decided to leave my current situation and board a plane going west.
Didn't think before deciding what to do
I didn't consider the consequences of my decision to leave.
Oh, that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies
I was excited by the idea of new opportunities in California, like being discovered for TV or movies.
Rang true, sure rang true
Those ideas seemed realistic and promising.
Seems it never rains in southern California
I've heard people say that California always has good weather.
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
I've heard these kinds of promises of success before and they often don't come true.
It never rains in California
People often believe that California has perfect weather all the time.
But girl, don't they warn ya?
People warn you that things may not always be as great as they seem in California.
It pours, man, it pours
Actually, sometimes it rains very hard in California.
Out of work, I'm out of my head
I don't have a job and it's driving me crazy.
Out of self respect, I'm out of bread
I don't have any money and it's making me lose my self-respect.
I'm underloved, I'm underfed
I'm feeling unloved and hungry.
I wanna go home
I regret coming to California and I want to go back to where I came from.
Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it?
Can you let my family and friends know that I was close to achieving my dreams?
Had offers but don't know which one to take
I had job offers but I wasn't sure which one to accept.
Please don't tell 'em how you found me
I don't want people to know that I'm struggling in California.
Gimme a break, give me a break
Please have mercy on me and don't judge me too harshly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pataprin
Got on board a westbound 747
Didn't think before deciding what to do
Oh, that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies
Rang true, sure rang true
Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya?
It pours, man, it pours
Out of work, I'm out of my head
Out of self respect, I'm out of bread
I'm underloved, I'm underfed
I wanna go home
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya?
It pours, man, it pours
Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it?
Had offers but don't know which one to take
Please don't tell 'em how you found me
Don't tell 'em how you found me
Gimme a break, give me a break
Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya?
It pours, man, it pours
@joemaxwell1044
I'm in High school again listening to this on the radio. Through some kind of time warp I am in 2024. Please God take me back.
@tbailey6382
Today, 3/1/24 is my mom's birthday. She would be 52 years old, but she passed 36 days ago on 1/25/24. To celebrate her, I drove up the CA coast and stopped at El Matador Beach to write a happy bday message to her in the sand. It started sprinkling and there was a gentlemen playing this song nearby. I had never heard it before this moment.
@pfl387
So sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful way to celebrate your mom and so cool that this was being played in that moment (and that it was the first time you heard it!). I live in Chicago, but lived in LA for a short time years ago and El Matador was my favorite beach and this song was always on heavy rotation. :)
@frankiefrazer2988
I'm listening to this as it is raining in Southern California 😌
@quintonmaxfield5757
I have been cheated and lied to...
@watchandpray8918
What part?
@frankiefrazer2988
@@watchandpray8918 well when I first left the comment it was in orange county 🍊
@watchandpray8918
@@frankiefrazer2988 I lived in OC for many years. I miss it but I won't return to Commiefornia.
@Theoraclealaynalove
Me too! 😁
@LunchNLauren
It is currently HEAVILY raining in southern cali but this song is hitting the spot!