Amy Farris (1969-2009) was a fiddler and singer/songwriter who recently ros… Read Full Bio ↴Amy Farris (1969-2009) was a fiddler and singer/songwriter who recently rose to prominence as the fiddle player for Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women. She released one solo album, 2004's 'Anyway,' and recently played fiddle, sang, and co-wrote a variety of tracks on Exene Cervenka's 'Somewhere Gone.'

She died in her home in Los Angeles in 2009 at the age of 40.

California Sun
Amy Farris Lyrics

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Well I'm going out west where I belong
Where the days are short and the nights are long

Where I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy

And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun

Well, I'm going out west
Out on the coast
Where the California girls
Are really the most

And I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun

Well, the girls are frisky
In old 'Frisco
A pretty little chick
Wherever you go

And I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun

Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun

Overall Meaning

Amy Farris's song California Sun is a playful tribute to the Californian lifestyle that emphasizes the carefree and vibrant nature of the people living in the region. The song's opening lines are Farris's announcement of her intention to move to California, which she describes as the place she belongs. She goes ahead to describe the place as having short days and long nights, which are perfect for thriving.

Throughout the song, Farris highlights various activities that are common in California, such as walking, twisting, shimmying, and flying. These activities serve as a metaphor for the people's free-spirited nature, as they go about their day-to-day lives in a carefree and adventurous manner. Farris emphasizes this by pointing out that they have fun in the warm California sun, an indication of the region's favorable climate.

The chorus of the song highlights the attractive nature of California girls, with Farris emphasizing that they are the most beautiful on the coast. She further states that the girls are frisky in Old Frisco, which is an indication that they are fun-loving and outgoing individuals. The song's lyrics are an encapsulation of the Californian lifestyle, which has a reputation for being laid back, relaxed, and free-spirited.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm going out west where I belong
I feel like I fit in better on the West Coast

Where the days are short and the nights are long
The days feel shorter, but the nights feel longer in California

Where I'll walk
I plan to walk around and explore

And they walk
Others are also walking around enjoying themselves

I'll twist
I will dance the twist dance

And they twist
Others are also dancing the twist dance

And I'll shimmy
I will dance the shimmy dance

And they shimmy
Others are also dancing the shimmy dance

And I'll fly
I will feel free and alive

And they fly
Others are also feeling free and alive

Where they're out there having fun
Everyone is out having a good time