California Nights
Best Coast Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I stay high all the time
Just to get by
I climb into the sky
And my eyes, they cry

California nights
Make me feel so happy I could die
But I try to stay alive

I never wanna get so high
That I can't come back down to real life
And look you in the eyes and say
Baby, you're mine

Fading back and forth
I fly through my mind
I take the way I've known
But have I really grown?

California nights
Make me feel so happy I could die
But I try to stay alive

I never wanna get so high
That I can't come back down to real life
And look you in the eyes and say
Baby, you're mine

I never wanna get so high
That I can't come back down to real life




And look you in the eyes and say
Baby you, oh baby, you're mine

Overall Meaning

The song "California Nights" by Best Coast talks about self-medication through drugs to escape from the difficulties of life, as mentioned in the lines "I stay high all the time, Just to get by, I climb into the sky, And my eyes, they cry." The singer tries to find comfort in the happy and dreamy nights of California, but acknowledges the risk of losing touch with reality, as mentioned in the lines "California nights, Make me feel so happy I could die, But I try to stay alive, I never wanna get so high, That I can't come back down to real life." In doing so, she wants to hold on to her love interest and not let drugs come in between them, as mentioned in the lines "And look you in the eyes and say, Baby you, oh baby, you're mine."


Line by Line Meaning

I stay high all the time
I use drugs and alcohol to cope with my struggles


Just to get by
It's the only way I can survive emotionally


I climb into the sky
The high makes me feel like I'm above my problems


And my eyes, they cry
Despite the temporary escape, my problems still affect me and bring me to tears


California nights
The relaxing atmosphere of California's nights


Make me feel so happy I could die
The experience is so positive and joyful it feels overwhelming


But I try to stay alive
I know I can't rely on just the high to survive, so I have to try harder


I never wanna get so high
I understand the risks of drug and alcohol abuse and don't want to take it too far


That I can't come back down to real life
I don't want to become addicted and lose touch with reality


And look you in the eyes and say
I want to maintain healthy relationships and be able to have honest conversations with my loved ones


Baby, you're mine
I care deeply for the person I'm addressing and want to maintain a strong connection with them


Fading back and forth
My mental state is unstable and fluctuating


I fly through my mind
My thoughts and emotions are constantly changing and taking me in many directions


I take the way I've known
I rely on familiar patterns and habits to cope with my struggles


But have I really grown?
I question whether relying on these coping mechanisms has allowed me to truly grow and face my problems


Baby you, oh baby, you're mine
I value the person I'm addressing and want to maintain a strong relationship with them despite my struggles




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BETHANY COSENTINO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

German Tool Girl

Lyrics:

I stay high
All the time
Just to get by
I climb
Into the sky
And my eyes
They cry

California nights
Make me feel so happy I could die
But I try to stay alive

I never wanna get so high
That I can't come back down to real life
And look you in the eyes and say
"Baby, you are mine"

Fading back and forth
I fly through my mind
I take the way I've known
But have I really grown?

California nights
Make me feel so happy I could die
But I try to stay alive

I never wanna get so high
That I can't come back down to real life
And look you in the eyes and say
"Baby, you are mine"

I never wanna get so high
That I can't come back down to real life
And look you in the eyes and say
"Baby you, oh baby you, you are mine“



All comments from YouTube:

Lucy Torres

If you're in California, I highly suggest that you go out at night (preferably your yard, porch or rooftop), sit somewhere that's nice, calm and quiet and listen to this song. It's fucking magical, I can't even put it into words. I miss California so much, best state of them all <3

Glenn Barnette

Wanna know how I knew this comment was dated?

Myron Miller

Not anymore

No1Guy

cruisin through the Hudson Valley, this song has the effect of being in one kind of heaven, but knowing there's another one a world away....the rolling hills, mountains and massive sky allow you to see for miles and thus visualize the insane distances across the earth, and, in this case, the country. You'd think New York State is mostly shit, but, much of it is just green hills and plains with some lakes throughout. And of course, it's on the opposite coast....we often dwell on the rest of the states, especially the west, out here. The forests and woodlands and mountain lakes give us those starlit firefly nights, especially in the mountains....perfect for this song.

Pat Petersen

west coast is the best cost.

Harry Toeface

Doubtful assessment considering the high amount of homelessness and in turn massive drug use...it's a mess

8 More Replies...

ghost land wild man

The restaurant I worked at played this on their soundtrack and for years I’ve wondered who sings this. Literally four years of trying to shazam this song but every time it came on I’d have a new table to greet. One day after a long day after driving home I was about to park and exit the car when it came on the radio. I sat in the dark late at night, shazamed it and felt finally at peace. So happy I could die..

Pete Finch

Some of my favorite memories came from working at Hollister in the early/mid 2010s with all the friends I made/great times we had. This song was on the last soundtrack before I quit to leave for dental school, and now I'd give anything to go back to those days. Doubly true when I listen to this song

Matthew Milko

Very early 90's shoegaze sound which I absolutely love. Reminds me of Slowdive

matilda

Also Desire Lines by Lush vibes, this is just more powerful in my opinion. Both great songs <3

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