In 1976, he achieved a national breakout with the studio album Night Moves. On his studio albums, he also worked extensively with the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, which appeared on several of Seger's best-selling singles and albums.
Seger's first marriage in 1968 lasted for "one day short of a year". He had a long-term relationship with Jan Dinsdale from 1972 until 1983. In 1987, he married actress Annette Sinclair and they divorced one year later. He married Juanita Dorricott in 1993, in a small private setting at The Village Club, in Bloomfield Hills; they have two children. Seger lives mainly at his home in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He owns a condo in Naples, Florida.
Politically, Seger has characterized himself as a centrist: "[I'm] right down the middle", he remarked. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. He tackled antiestablishment themes in early songs such as "2+2=?" (1968) and "U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)" (1974), according to Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press. On his 2014 album Ride Out, he addressed topics such as gun violence, and wrote "It's Your World" about climate change. On the subject, he said, "There are a lot of culprits in climate change, and everybody's responsible, myself included. Nobody gets a free pass on this one. We've got to change our ways and change them fast.
A roots rocker with a classic raspy, shouting voice, Seger wrote and recorded songs that deal with love, women and blue-collar themes and is an example of heartland rock. Seger has recorded many hits, including "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Night Moves", "Turn the Page", "Still the Same", "We've Got Tonight", "Against the Wind", "You'll Accomp'ny Me", "Shame on the Moon", "Like a Rock", and "Shakedown", which was written for Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). Seger also co-wrote the Eagles' number-one hit "Heartache Tonight", and his iconic recording of "Old Time Rock and Roll" was named one of the Songs of the Century in 2001.
With a career spanning six decades, Seger continues to perform and record today. Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Seger was named Billboard's 2015 Legend of Live honoree at the 12th annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, held November 18–19 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.
Seger was known as one of the last holdouts regarding making his catalog available for digital download and streaming. However, as of 2017, much of his work is available.
California Stars
Bob Seger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my star bed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
Yes I'd give this world just to dream a dream of you
On our bed of California stars
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my star bed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream of you
On our bed of California stars
The song "California Stars" by Bob Seger expresses the desire to escape from the hardships of life and rest on a bed of California stars with a loved one. Seger's heavy head and weary bones symbolize his exhaustion from the difficulties he is facing in life. He longs for the comfort of a warm bed of California stars and the touch of a loved one's hand to help him understand why he must keep working on. This yearning for an escape from everyday realities is further emphasized in the second verse, where Seger wants to dream his troubles all away on a bed of California stars. He wants to rise up from the bed of stars and feel rejuvenated for another day.
The imagery of the California stars hanging like grapes on vines that shine, and warm the lovers' glass like friendly wine depicts the beauty and warmth of California's starry nights. Seger's romanticism is vividly expressed through the song, with him willing to give his life just to lay his head on a bed of California stars and dream a dream of the one he loves. In essence, the song portrays a sense of yearning and love, while simultaneously expressing the desire to escape from reality to a place of warmth and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
Bob Seger wants to take a break from his tiring life.
On a bed of California stars
Bob Seger would like to rest on a bed of stars found in California.
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
Bob Seger is so tired and wants to relax now.
And tell me why I must keep working on
Bob Seger wants to know the reason for continuing with this lifelong labor.
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
Bob Seger desires to feel the warmth of a loving touch and company.
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
Bob Seger is willing to sacrifice anything to get a good rest tonight.
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
Bob Seger wants to escape from his problems through sleep.
Jump up from my star bed and make another day
Bob Seger aims to wake up feeling refreshed and energized to take on another day.
Underneath my California stars
Bob Seger wants to rest and wake up under the beautiful sky and stars of California.
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
Bob Seger is likening the stars in the sky to grapes hanging on vines and shining brightly.
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
Bob Seger is visualizing how the stars create a warm, romantic atmosphere, similar to a friendly wine that brings people together.
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream of you
Bob Seger dreams of being with a loved one and would do anything to make it happen.
On our bed of California stars
Bob Seger wants to be with his loved one under the beautiful sky and stars of California.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jeff Tweedy, Woody Guthrie, Jay Bennett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pamelalovejoy5341
Seen him twice in concert. Once as a teenager. And with my oldest son. He surprised me with concert tickets. When he told me. Mom l know how much you like Bob Seger. I got us tickets. I was jumping up and down with happiness. Rock on Bob !!
@charlottecooper4603
Oh i still love him bob seger.
@davidphillips5961
Bobby psalms 139 allways
@nocturnalmadness9517
I had the opportunity to see Bob Seger play six times in Philly, four at the Spectrum and two at the Wells Fargo Center. Always awesome, Bob and the band left me with some fine memories.
@margaretloring3492
I have seen bob 8 times and love him more and more each time I wish I could see him one more time wheelchair and all
@JohnHWelch63
I never got to see Bob Seger. Do you mind if I live vicariously through you? 😂👍🤘✌️
@jrodroddam
So cool to see what this song has become. From some lyrics written by woodie Guthrie, set to music by billy Bragg, executed perfectly by Wilco, and now covered by the likes of segar. One of the coolest lifetimes of a song there’s ever been.
@Express-420
great song please check out Bob Seger - Beautiful Loser Album Review on my channel
@ScoDiddley
The music to this one was all Jay Bennett from Wilco. Billy Bragg had absolutely nothing to do with this song.
@rogerkeime2862
supposedly jeff tweety wrote the music