San Francisco
Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
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San Francisco San Francisco
Her lover's arms were open wide
Where the gates of golden
Waits with charms unfoldin'
Hold that cable car up there with pride
I gotta ride (ride ride)
San Francisco San Francisco
Where love is true as time and tide
She was seventeen though
When I left from Reno
Like some Valentino
With my bride there by my side
I can't go from cisco down to frisco
How I'm missin' those days of yore (El Dorado)
Miss those frisky women raw rye whiskey with each kissin' we would
Explore
El Dorado
For this desperado
Was gold in the dust
Like many a man in god do I trust
Gave up on El Dorado
So lost in my lust
Where love is not for sale
Out on the end of the
Trail
Time to giddy up doo wah diddy up
San Francisco San Francisco
Hope just like a candlestick in flame
Sportin' life did change her
Shore life rearranger
Brought her misfortune and shame
Roll on down the California flyway the highway I have known
I have known
Old mystery sunsets down on water
The soul of man unfold
Time to giddy up doo wah diddy up
San Francisco San Francisco
Hope there you'll find love is not for sale
Out at the end of
The trail
Gonna ride
Ride ride ride gonna ride
Gonna
Ride
The lyrics of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks's song "San Francisco" tell the story of a man who is reminiscing about his trip to San Francisco with his young bride. He longs for the days when they were young and carefree, exploring the city and taking in all of its charms. The song speaks to the romanticism of San Francisco and its reputation as a place of freedom and love. The lyrics describe the city's famous landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the cable cars, and evoke the feeling of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.
The song was written in the late 1960s, during the peak of the counterculture movement in San Francisco. It reflects the city's reputation as a hub of creativity, freedom, and social change. The song's lyrics also touch on themes of love and loss, and the desire to recapture youth and innocence.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to giddy-up doo wah diddy-up
It's time to get going and ride off into the sunset
San Francisco San Francisco
The destination is the city of San Francisco
Her lover's arms were open wide
A welcoming embrace from a loved one awaited upon arrival
Where the gates of golden
A place of wealth and opportunity lies ahead
Waits with charms unfoldin'
The city has many delights and surprises to offer
Hold that cable car up there with pride
The cable cars are an iconic symbol of the city and should be appreciated with respect
I gotta ride (ride ride)
The singer feels compelled to experience everything that the city has to offer
Where love is true as time and tide
San Francisco is a place where genuine love and affection can be found
She was seventeen though
The artist refers to a past memory of his youth
When I left from Reno
The artist departed from Reno to start his adventure
Like some Valentino
The singer felt like a romantic hero like Rudolph Valentino
With my bride there by my side
The artist had a partner to share in the journey
I can't go from cisco down to frisco
The singer struggles with the proper terminology for San Francisco
How I'm missin' those days of yore (El Dorado)
The singer reminisces about the past and the idea of striking it rich in El Dorado
Miss those frisky women raw rye whiskey with each kissin' we would
The singer longs for the excitement and passion of youthful experiences
Explore
The artist desires to explore and experience more of life
For this desperado
The artist portrays himself as a desperate adventurer searching for his fortune
Was gold in the dust
The promise of wealth and riches could be found anywhere
Like many a man in god do I trust
The singer seeks guidance and protection on his journey
Gave up on El Dorado
The artist had to abandon his dreams of riches
So lost in my lust
The artist's desires and passions consumed him
Where love is not for sale
The artist hopes to find a place where love is not commodified
Out on the end of the
The singer looks for love in unexpected places
Trail
The journey of life and adventure
Hope just like a candlestick in flame
The singer expresses a hopeful attitude despite previous disappointments
Sportin' life did change her
The city has undergone transformations throughout the years
Shore life rearranger
The city has influenced and impacted the lives of those who live there
Brought her misfortune and shame
The artist acknowledges that the city has its troubles and struggles
Roll on down the California flyway the highway I have known
The artist is familiar with the journey down the California coast
Old mystery sunsets down on water
The singer appreciates the beauty of sunsets over water
The soul of man unfold
The singer reflects on the essence of human nature
Hope there you'll find love is not for sale
The artist still holds onto hope for true, genuine love
Out at the end of
The promise of love is at the end of
The trail
The journey of life
Gonna ride
The singer is ready to continue on his journey
Ride ride ride gonna ride
The artist is determined to take on the challenges and adventures of life
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN DYKE PARKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fuzzalicioous
My favorite on the album, so good.
Ben Culture
Me too! Not really crazy about the whole album, I guess Van Dyke Parks's songwriting doesn't entirely win me over. But this one just blows my mind. Not to damn it with faint prize, but the structure is very sophisticated, without coming off as "pretentious". Some of the harmonic movements remind me of classical-oriented heavy metal (without sounding at all like metal). I have made a lot of people listen to this song, and nobody got it. Just flew right over their heads. I guess it's hard for some people to take a song seriously when it begins with "Time to giddy-up / Doo-wah diddy-up" But it's awesome -- you can enjoy it deeply, or just cruise on down the highway grooving on it! That piano riff got me right away, especially with the drums playing only half the speed I expected. Great arrangement!
Another nice thing is that Brian doesn't necessarily have to sound like Brian Wilson on this album. I'm sure he arranged the harmonies (which are mostly him with a few others), so of course they sound great. He doesn't sound like his old self, he just sounds GOOD.
terrypussypower
This tune always reminds me of Todd Rundgren, especially "Magic Dragon Theatre" on Utopia's "Ra" album!
Dave McLaughlin
Still AWESOME! X
Alex Torres
Time to giddy-up doo wah diddy-up
San Francisco San Francisco
Her lover's arms were open wide
Where the gates of golden
Waits with charms unfoldin'
Hold that cable car up there with pride
I gotta ride (ride ride)
Giddy up down to
San Francisco San Francisco
Where love is true as time and tide
She was seventeen though
When I left from Reno
Like some Valentino
With my bride there by my side
I can't go from cisco down to frisco
How I'm missin' those days of yore (El Dorado)
Miss those frisky women raw rye whiskey with each kissin' we would
Explore
El Dorado
For this desperado
Was gold in the dust
Like many a man in god do I trust
Gave up on El Dorado
So lost in my lust
Where love is not for sale
Out on the end of the
Trail
Time to giddy up doo wah diddy up
San Francisco San Francisco
Hope just like a candlestick in flame
Sportin' life did change her
Shore life rearranger
Brought her misfortune and shame
Roll on down the California flyway the highway I have known
I have known
Old mystery sunsets down on water
The soul of man unfold
Time to giddy up doo wah diddy up
San Francisco San Francisco
Hope there you'll find love is not for sale
Out at the end of
The trail
Gonna ride
Ride ride ride gonna ride
Gonna
Ride
fata morgana
I always picture Sutro Point when they sing "out at the end of the trail".