Their first studio album, Horse of a Different Color, was released in 2004. This album produced four straight Top 40 country hits, including the number 11 "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)", plus collaborations with Cowboy Troy, Gretchen Wilson, and Martina McBride. Comin' to Your City was released in November 2005 followed by another Top 20 single the Vietnam War-inspired "8th of November", and two more Top 40 hits. Joining the duo on this album were Cowboy Troy, Wilson, and Kris Kristofferson. Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace, released in 2007, produced their only No. 1 single, "Lost in This Moment". Both before and during the duo's hiatus, Rich has worked as a producer and songwriter for several other artists.
After this album, both members went on hiatus and released solo albums in 2009 — Big Kenny's The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy and Rich's Son of a Preacher Man. These also produced the duo's first Top 40 solo entries — Big Kenny with "Long After I'm Gone" and Rich with "Shuttin' Detroit Down". In 2010, Big Kenny released his second solo country album, Big Kenny's Love Everybody Traveling Musical Medicine Show Mix Tape, Vol. 1 and in 2011, Rich released the extended plays For the Kids and Rich Rocks, the latter of which included the Top 40 country single "Country Done Come to Town". Big & Rich reunited in May 2011 to release "Fake ID", a cut from the soundtrack to the 2011 film Footloose. A year later, the duo released their fourth album, Hillbilly Jedi, which produced the Top 20 hit "That's Why I Pray. In July 2013, Rich announced that the duo had begun work on their fifth studio album, Gravity, which was released independently. Another independent album, Did it For the Party, was announced in 2017 for release in September, led by the single "California.
California
Big & Rich Lyrics
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Says she's leavin' at the crack of dawn
Well, she might still be lyin' here with me
But in her heart she's already gone
Already packed-up, the Altima's gassed-up
She's done put the map up there on the dash
And I'm all tore-up just tryin' to man-up
Dammin' these tears up but can't hold 'em back
'Cause she's in love with California
And that West-Coast sunshine dream
These ain't no Holly Woods
And these hills ain't Beverly
Ain't no beaches on these backroads
No sunset on the boulevard
She's in love with California
And breakin' my heart
Got a waitress job waitin' in an Ihop
Throw a rock and hit Universal City
Got a glamour shot in her hip pocket
Hopin' somebody'll think she's pretty
By this time tomorrow she'll hit Colorado
I'll be drownin' my sorrow in a bottle of Beam
Before she hits Flagstaff, maybe she'll backtrack
But I wouldn't bet that if I was me
'Cause she's in love with California
And that West-Coast sunshine dream
These ain't no Holly Woods
And these hills ain't Beverly
Ain't no beaches on these backroads
No sunset on the boulevard
She's in love with California
She was all mine
But now it's go-time
'Cause she's in love with California (California)
And that West-Coast sunshine dream (California)
These ain't no Holly Woods
And these hills ain't Beverly
There ain't no beaches on these backroads
No sunset on the boulevard
She's in love with California
And breakin' my heart
She's in love with California
And breakin' my heart
Oh, she's breakin' my heart
In the song "California" by Big & Rich, the lyrics paint a picture of a bittersweet and heartbreaking situation. The singer describes a woman who is about to leave him to pursue her dream in California. Despite the fact that she is physically still with him, her heart and mind are already set on the West Coast. The sense of inevitability and finality is palpable, as she has already packed up her things, fueled up her car, and put the map on the dashboard. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the impending separation, feeling torn up and trying to hold back his tears while realizing that she has already mentally checked out of their relationship.
The mention of California as a symbol of opportunity, freedom, and sunshine dream adds depth to the lyrics, highlighting the allure and magnetism of the West Coast lifestyle. The contrast between their current reality and the image of California as a place of glamour and possibility intensifies the emotional weight of the impending departure. The lyrics suggest that the woman sees California as a place where she can chase her dreams and find a new identity, even though it means breaking the singer's heart in the process.
As the woman prepares to leave, the singer describes her hopeful anticipation of starting a new life in California. The specifics of her plans, such as a waitress job at an IHOP and a potential detour through Colorado, emphasize her determination to embrace change and pursue her aspirations. The singer, on the other hand, anticipates drowning his sorrows in a bottle of Beam, resigned to the fact that their paths are diverging and that he may never see her again.
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the emotional impact of the woman's departure on the singer. The juxtaposition of the romanticized image of California with the harsh reality of their current situation underscores the pain and heartbreak he feels as she chooses to pursue her California dream over their relationship. The final lines, "Oh, she's breakin' my heart," encapsulate the raw emotion and devastation of watching someone you love leave for a new chapter in their life, knowing that you may not be a part of it. Overall, the lyrics of "California" capture the poignant complexity of love, loss, and longing as two paths diverge, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and shattered dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a three-day drive if she drives all night
She's willing to go to great lengths to pursue her dream of moving to California
Says she's leavin' at the crack of dawn
She's determined to leave early in the morning to start her journey
Well, she might still be lyin' here with me
Physically present, but emotionally already gone
But in her heart she's already gone
Her heart and mind are set on California
Already packed-up, the Altima's gassed-up
She's prepared and ready for the trip in her car
She's done put the map up there on the dash
She has her route planned out on the dashboard
And I'm all tore-up just tryin' to man-up
Struggling emotionally while trying to be strong
Dammin' these tears up but can't hold 'em back
Trying to hide his sadness, but unable to
She's in love with California
Her heart belongs to California
And that West-Coast sunshine dream
She dreams of the sunny West Coast lifestyle
These ain't no Holly Woods
She's not seeking fame and fortune like Hollywood
And these hills ain't Beverly
She's not looking for luxury like Beverly Hills
Ain't no beaches on these backroads
The journey isn't glamorous like Hollywood
No sunset on the boulevard
There's no romanticized view of the journey
She's in love with California
Her heart is set on California
And breakin' my heart
Leaving him heartbroken
Got a waitress job waitin' in an Ihop
She has a job opportunity lined up at a restaurant
Throw a rock and hit Universal City
She's moving close to popular tourist destinations
Got a glamour shot in her hip pocket
She's hoping to catch someone's attention with her looks
By this time tomorrow she'll hit Colorado
She'll be well on her way to California by tomorrow
I'll be drownin' my sorrow in a bottle of Beam
He'll be coping with sadness through alcohol
Before she hits Flagstaff, maybe she'll backtrack
He hopes she will change her mind and come back before reaching Flagstaff
But I wouldn't bet that if I was me
He's not optimistic about her returning
She was all mine
She used to be entirely his
But now it's go-time
It's time for her to leave and pursue her dreams
Oh, she's breakin' my heart
Her departure is causing him emotional pain
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Rich, Rodney Clawson, Vicky McGhee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind