He left Auburn University after his second year to pursue a musical career. After three years playing guitar for Roy Orbison, he set out on a solo career in 1964. He soon had a Top Ten hit with his own composition "See the Funny Little Clown."
Other Top 40 hits from the 1960s include:
* "Whenever He Holds You"
* "Little Things"
* "Voodoo Woman"
* "It's Too Late"
* "Blue Autumn"
* "Me Japanese Boy I Love You"
* "Honey"
* "Autumn of My Life"
* "The Straight Life"
"Honey" was a Number One hit in 1968. In the early 1970s he had two more hits, "Watching Scotty Grow," and "Summer (The First Time)." From 1973 to 1975 he hosted the syndicated television variety series The Bobby Goldsboro Show. In the mid-1980's he retired from performing to produce children's entertainment.
California Wine
Bobby Goldsboro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw her on the highway
I said I'm headed west.
She said your going my way.
Then she got in with me.
Somewhere in Tennessee.
She snuggled up close to me.
She kissed me and then she said.
I want you to take me to my California Wine.
She said I got to get back where the bright sunshine.
And then she turned my head around like California wine.
And then she smiled at me and put her hand in mine.
And poured me a cup of wine, sweet California wine.
She said she thumbed all day.
Been in West Virginia.
She said I'll make a trade.
For all the love that's in ya.
I can sit and talk to you.
Share a cup of wine or two.
And I could be good to you.
She kissed me and then she said
I want you to take me to my California Wine.
She said I got to get back where the bright sunshine.
And then she turned my head around like California wine.
Then she smiled at me and put her hand in mine.
And poured another cup of wine, sweet California wine.
We chased a fading sun.
And watched the shadows falling.
And as we sipped the wine.
I heard California calling.
And she was good my dear.
And it became very clear.
I shifted into second gear.
I kissed her and then I said
I'm gonna take you to the California wine
I said we got to get back where the bright sunshine.
And then she turned my head around like California wine.
And then she smiled at me and put her hand in mine.
And poured another cup of wine, sweet California wine.
The song "California Wine" by Bobby Goldsboro tells the story of a man traveling alone on a cold December day who meets a woman hitchhiking on the highway. She asks him to take her to her "California Wine" and explains that she needs to get back to where the bright sunshine is. A romance begins to blossom between the two as they travel together through several states, stopping to share a cup of wine or two along the way. The lyrics are a celebration of life's simple pleasures and the unexpected joys that come from taking chances and following one's heart.
On one level, the song can be interpreted as a straightforward love story, with the characters' journey serving as a metaphor for the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. However, the lyrics also contain a deeper theme about the search for happiness and fulfillment in life. The woman's desire to return to California and the sunshine can be seen as a symbol of the universal human longing for a better life, and the idea of "California Wine" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the good things that come from following one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
A cold December day.
On a chilly December day.
I saw her on the highway
I saw a woman hitchhiking on the road.
I said I'm headed west.
I told her I was driving in the direction of the West.
She said your going my way.
She asked if I was headed towards the same destination as her.
Then she got in with me.
She entered my car.
Somewhere in Tennessee.
At some point during our journey, we were in Tennessee.
She snuggled up close to me.
She nestled herself closely to me.
She kissed me and then she said.
After kissing me, she uttered.
I want you to take me to my California Wine.
I desire for you to drive me to where I can find and taste California wine.
She said I got to get back where the bright sunshine.
She expressed her need to return where there's sunny weather.
And then she turned my head around like California wine.
She captivated my attention like the experience of tasting California wine.
And then she smiled at me and put her hand in mine.
She grinned at me and held my hand.
And poured me a cup of wine, sweet California wine.
She served me a glass of sweet California wine.
She said she thumbed all day.
She mentioned she had been hitchhiking all day long.
Been in West Virginia.
She had traveled through West Virginia.
She said I'll make a trade.
She offered something in exchange.
For all the love that's in ya.
In return for all the affection you have.
I can sit and talk to you.
I can keep you company and converse with you.
Share a cup of wine or two.
I can enjoy a glass or two of wine with you.
And I could be good to you.
I could treat you well and be good company.
She kissed me and then she said.
After kissing me, she uttered.
I want you to take me to my California Wine.
I desire for you to take me where I can find and taste California wine.
She said I got to get back where the bright sunshine.
She repeated that she needed to return where there's sunny weather.
And then she turned my head around like California wine.
She impressed me just like tasting California wine would.
Then she smiled at me and put her hand in mine.
She smiled once again and held my hand.
And poured another cup of wine, sweet California wine.
She poured me another glass of delightful California wine.
We chased a fading sun.
We pursued the setting sun.
And watched the shadows falling.
We observed shadows growing longer.
And as we sipped the wine.
As we drank our wine.
I heard California calling.
I felt an urge to go to California.
And she was good my dear.
She was a wonderful companion.
And it became very clear.
It was evident.
I shifted into second gear.
I shifted to the next gear while driving.
I kissed her and then I said.
After kissing her, I spoke.
I'm gonna take you to the California wine.
I am going to take you to experience California wine.
I said we got to get back where the bright sunshine.
I reminded her of our need to return to a place where there's sunny weather.
And then she turned my head around like California wine.
Once again, she fascinated me like experiencing California wine would.
And then she smiled at me and put her hand in mine.
She smiled and held my hand yet again.
And poured another cup of wine, sweet California wine.
She served me once again with a glass of delightful California wine.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY GOLDSBORO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind