California Dreams was about a multi-ethnic group of teens and their band. The show's plots combined real-life issues with zany adventures. It covered a range of topics such as fear, using drugs for a competitive edge, falling for scams, letting greed overtake friendship, accepting a divorced parent dating, forgiving others for past wrongs, and dealing with general teen social problems.
Original format and character history
California Dreams was originally intended to be a family sitcom, mainly centering on the Garrison family. In the first season, the main characters of the show were Matt Garrison (the teenage son and leader of the band) and Jenny Garrison (the vocalist/pianist in the band who was also Matt's younger sister) along with the rest of the Garrison family, Richard (the dad), Melody (the mom), and Dennis (the eight year old younger brother).
The other three main characters would be the only three characters to have appeared throughout the show's entirety. They are Tiffani Smith (the bass player), Tony Wicks (the drummer) and Sly Winkle (the teenage manager of the band).
Season 2
NBC executives, however, did not like the show's original format. By Season 2, the focus of the show changed from the Garrison family, to the teens who formed the California Dreams band.
In Season 2, a fifth member of the California Dreams band was introduced. Jake Sommers became the band's second guitarist. Jenny's character was the first to leave the show very early into Season 2 (for a music school opportunity in Italy). In the following episode, the show brought in its first replacement character, Samantha "Sam" Woo, a foreign exchange student from Hong Kong whom the Garrisons take into their home. When Sam's singing voice is noticed by the band she becomes the band's new vocalist in Jenny's old place.
Season 3
By Season 3, the band (and the show's) original premise ended when Matt left the show (signaling the idea that the entire Garrison family left the show). In Matt's place in the band was Mark Winkle, Sly's shy cousin from New York. Another character added to the cast was Lorena Costa, a band groupie from a rich family who takes Sam into their home after the Garrisons' departure.
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2) California Dreams was the name of an acid techno project by Ferry Salee (DJ Gizmo) and Lex van Coeverden (founder of Dance International Records). They released three eponymous EPs in the early 1990s on Dance International Records.
This Time
California Dreams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me why
I'm always waiting
I don't know why
Don't know why
It's always the same
Baby, I'm holding on
But still I try
'Cause it's not really over
And some things are worth saving
This time
This time
I think there's a way
And this time
Don't know why
I think things will change
This time
This time
I think there's a way
This time I won't run away
Tell me why
Tell me why
I'm always staying
It hurts inside
Don't know why
Or who is to blame
Sometimes your dreams
Shatter and fall
Down to the ground
But it's not really over
Not even when it's raining
This time
This time
I think there's a way
And this time
Don't know why
I think things will change
This time
This time
I think there's a way
This time I won't run away
Sometimes I wanna wake up
Before my dreams slip away
But it's not really over
And there's got to be a way in
Even when it's raining
This time
This time
I think there's a way
And this time
Don't know why
I think things will change
This time
This time
I think there's a way
This time I won't run away...
The lyrics to California Dreams' song "This Time" speak about the struggle of waiting and staying in a situation, despite it being difficult. The singer doesn't know why they are always waiting and staying, but they believe that there is a way to make things better this time around. They know that sometimes dreams shatter and fall, but they have hope that there is still a way to make things right.
The chorus of the song suggests that things can change and this time, the singer won't run away. They are willing to hold on and try because they believe that some things are worth saving. The lyrics also mention how sometimes, they want to wake up before their dreams slip away, which could mean that they are afraid of losing something important to them.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of waiting and hoping for something better. It encourages listeners to have faith that things can improve, even when it seems like everything is falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why
Request for an explanation or reason
Tell me why
Request for an explanation or reason
I'm always waiting
Frequently anticipating something without any apparent motive
I don't know why
Lack of comprehension for a regular habit
Don't know why
Lack of comprehension for a regular habit
It's always the same
The experience is expected and regular
Baby, I'm holding on
Remaining attached to something or someone
When I could let go
Choosing to retain one's attachment
But still I try
Persisting with an attempt
'Cause it's not really over
A situation holds some possibilities of resolution
And some things are worth saving
Some situations have intrinsic value to the singer
This time
During this occurrence
This time
During this occurrence
I think there's a way
Hopeful about a path for a circumstance
And this time
During this occurrence
Don't know why
Hesitant or unsure about beneficial change
I think things will change
Hopeful about change occurring
This time
During this occurrence
This time
During this occurrence
I think there's a way
Hopeful about a path for a circumstance
This time I won't run away
The artist is more committed to staying engaged
Tell me why
Request for an explanation or reason
Tell me why
Request for an explanation or reason
I'm always staying
Continually remaining in a circumstance
It hurts inside
The experience is emotionally challenging to the singer
Don't know why
Lack of comprehension for a regular habit
Or who is to blame
Uncertainty towards causality of the challenge
Sometimes your dreams
Frequent the possibility of success or aspiration
Shatter and fall
Failure occurs
Down to the ground
The extent of the failure is complete
But it's not really over
A situation holds some possibilities of resolution
Not even when it's raining
The circumstances remain during challenging moments
Sometimes I wanna wake up
Frequent a desire to remove oneself from the circumstances
Before my dreams slip away
Prioritizing the assurance of success or aspiration
This time
During this occurrence
This time
During this occurrence
I think there's a way
Hopeful about a path for a circumstance
And this time
During this occurrence
Don't know why
Hesitant or unsure about beneficial change
I think things will change
Hopeful about change occurring
This time
During this occurrence
This time
During this occurrence
I think there's a way
Hopeful about a path for a circumstance
This time I won't run away
The artist is more committed to staying engaged
Contributed by Levi T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Amydali86
This song is my favorite from that show
Ariel692769
Amydali86 Totally agree.
loco30520
Love this song love the lyrics miss the 90s
Ariel692769
The original "Cali Dream," song from Jenny and "This time," are the best songs.
45
Ur so right
jen ran
2018.. I’m still listening to this 😊❤️
Alexandria Nicole Moses
I Can't Pick One Song I Like From California Dreams, I Like Them All.
drmjr78
For me, this song was sad enough anyway, but double sad because when I first saw this episode, I knew Jenny would be leaving at the beginning of the 2nd season.
45
@Ariel692769 Heidi was so good she could have been on the radio back then.
Ariel692769
coltonphillips725 Yea but she already had money so she didn't care. Heidi wanted to do her own thing but she still was the best singer.