California Dreaming
California Dreaming Lyrics
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And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L. A
California Dreamin'
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
And I began to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
If I didn't tell her
I could leave today
California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day
The lyrics of California Dreaming's song California Dreaming are rich in imagery and symbolism. The opening lines, "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey" set the melancholic tone for the entire song. The singer has been for a walk on a winter's day, and longs for the warmth and safety of Los Angeles, as indicated by "I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A." The line "California Dreamin'," itself suggests a yearning for something unattainable, something elusive, yet desirable.
As the song progresses, the singer enters a church, suggesting a need for spiritual solace. He gets down on his knees and begins to pray, but the preacher seems to be unsympathetic to his plight. This contrast between the singer's inner turmoil and the preacher's indifference highlights the sense of isolation and helplessness that he feels.
Towards the end of the song, the singer longs to escape his current predicament. The line "If I didn't tell her, I could leave today" suggests that he is trapped in a situation he cannot escape from, possibly a loveless relationship or a mundane existence. The line "California Dreamin'" is repeated, emphasizing the singer's yearning for a better and more fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown
The leaves have fallen and become brown, indicating that it is the winter season
And the sky is grey
The sky is overcast and dull, matching the gloomy winter weather
I've been for a walk
The singer has taken a stroll outside to enjoy the winter scenery
On a winter's day
The walk took place on a cold, winter day
I'd be safe and warm
The artist feels that they would be comfortable and shielded from the cold if they were in Los Angeles
If I was in L. A
The singer longs to be in Los Angeles during winter, where they would feel warmer
California Dreamin'
The singer is daydreaming of being in California
On such a winter's day
The artist is dreaming of being in California to escape the current cold winter day
Stopped into a church
The artist visits a church building
I passed along the way
The church was on the path of the artist's walk
Well, I got down on my knees
The singer kneels down in prayer at the church
And I began to pray
The artist begins to communicate with a higher power through prayer
You know the preacher likes the cold
The singer suggests that the church's preacher is accustomed to the winter season
He knows I'm gonna stay
The singer will remain in the area, despite the cold weather
If I didn't tell her
The singer considers keeping a secret from someone
I could leave today
The artist could depart to California at any moment, if they kept the secret from the other person
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FolkExperience
Enjoy this vintage Spring music mix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-iksA5NRao 🌻
@GermansRuinedWT
This is one of those rare times where I caught a comment early
@apollo4suns494
@@GermansRuinedWT indeed
@dianebrown6686
Must be smoking to much
@GGJordanFanatic
You should check out Angelina Jordan's cover and arrangement of this song and thank me later.
@fragglepuppies
True stereo
@giorgi222
This song makes me feel so weird, sad, nostalgic and happy at the same time, it’s confusing but I love it
@esmelivin1876
Omg same
@oAldanitao
I swear I feel the same
@Sao_Cheech_79
Same! 🙋🏻♂️✌️