Forming in 2009, after original band members, Zima, O’Connor, and Michel, realized they needed to cover new ground, Kramer suddenly brought his love of electronic music into an already talented core of musicianship that completed the foursome, and blended all of their influences into one cohesive idea.
Fanning the flames after recording and releasing dance-pop love child, “EL 84” in early 2009, California Wives’ self-recorded 4-track EP No. 8 dropped only a few months later, reinforcing the foursome that they were on the right track with songs such as the bass-grooving “True Blue” and the vibrant pop single “Bibles & Wires.” Later that fall, the group released the synth-tastic “Twenty Three”, which became the band’s hottest single to date. Now on the verge of releasing their much anticipated September 3 EP, Affair, recorded at Gravity Studios, and mixed at Chicago’s famed Engine Music Studios -whose artists include Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Iron and Wine- Affair displays California Wives’ all-around musical dexterity that boasts flanking guitar and glimmering keys, with ever-so-clever lyricism, in tracks “Blood Red Youth”,“Guilt”, Photolights”, “Purple”, and a brand new version of “Twenty Three”.
For booking and other information, contact californiawives@gmail.com
Marianne
California Wives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They wanna be like you, they wanna know how it’s like
I’ll find you out, you know I’d try
I’ll find you out, you know I’d try
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
You’re a professional but where does it go?
You’re singing Marianne when you were young but now you’re old
They will find you out, even though you tried
They will find you out, even though you tried
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
Marianne, your girls are sleeping in, they’re sleeping in
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in, they’re sleeping in
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in, they’re sleeping in
The lyrics to California Wives’ song “Marianne” speak to the concept of appearances versus reality. The titular character, Marianne, represents a person who seems to have it all together and exudes a particular image of perfection that others envy and want to emulate. The first verse establishes this context by describing Marianne as a teenage heartbreaker that others are curious about. However, the chorus reveals that despite this veneer of perfection, Marianne’s girls (presumably her admirers) are sleeping in, perhaps bored or disillusioned with the reality of who she is.
The second verse takes a darker turn, implying that Marianne is a professional musician who sings about her younger self in a wistful way. However, the lyrics suggest that Marianne’s outward image is not reflecting who she truly is, as others will eventually see through her facade despite her efforts to conceal it. The repetition of “they will find you out, even though you tried” drives this point home, implying that Marianne is trying to uphold an image of herself that is not entirely truthful or accurate.
The song seems to be speaking to the pressure that people feel to project a certain image to the world, even if it is not entirely authentic. It implies that this can often be a lonely and isolating experience, as Marianne’s admirers are ultimately left feeling unfulfilled and her masks begin to fall away. The overall tone of the song is melancholic, suggesting that this struggle to be true to ourselves while also projecting a desirable image is a difficult one to navigate.
Line by Line Meaning
You're heartbreak in teenage life
You are the embodiment of heartbreak during one's teenage years.
They wanna be like you, they wanna know how it’s like
People aspire to be like you and want to experience what you have gone through.
I'll find you out, you know I'd try
I will put in the effort to uncover your true self.
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
The girls you have influenced are asleep and unaware of the reality behind your facade.
You’re a professional but where does it go?
You have achieved success, but it seems to have disappeared.
You’re singing Marianne when you were young but now you’re old
You used to sing about Marianne when you were young, but as time has passed, you have aged.
They will find you out, even though you tried
They will eventually uncover the truth about you, no matter how hard you try to conceal it.
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
The girls you have influenced are still unaware of the truth about you.
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in, they’re sleeping in
The girls you have influenced remain ignorant and oblivious.
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in
The repetition of this line emphasizes the idea that the girls are still unaware of the truth.
‘Cause Marianne, your girls are sleeping in, they’re sleeping in
The girls remain sheltered from the reality behind Marianne's facade.
Writer(s): Jayson Frank Kramer, Joseph John O'connor, Daniel Albert Zima Copyright: Vagrant Records Publishing
Contributed by Jayden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
carter bell
SO FREAKIN UNDERRATED. Cant wait for you guys to make it big