The song is full of common California vibes such as weed, girls, and beaches.
As explored in this Genius article, Gambino seems to be channeling “Express Yourself” by Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.
california
Childish Gambino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She must've fucking lost her mind
She want to move to California
That's how they get you every time
She make a movie with her friends
Put it up in a minute
Everybody say it now ain't no loop at the minute
I'ma show you what it done, but enough for a finish
Pay attention, you listen
You keep losing your mind
How you want to loop this shit but looking like a Vine?
But they no pay for no privilege, now she broke in Korea Town
In the condo you rented, better get your percentage
In California, oh
She must've fucking lost her mind, yeah
He want to move to California
He want to hang with DC Fly
All the people all around and the follower people
I go watching "ha ha" make girlfriend giggle
Make her feel so official, make it Serena Vista
Supernova, new residual, making money a little
Make smoker illegal, make living illegal
Make laughing illegal, make it snap for a people
When you make a movie now, know you making no difference
It's a tickle on the mind 'fore me finish the sentence
So go pimp a like on Vine, but don't pay for the privilege
Now you broke in Korea Town, in the condo you rented
Better get your percentage
Oh, you broke in Korea Town in that condo you rented
Better get your percentage
In California
She must've fucking lost her mind, yeah
He want to move to California
He want to hang with DC Fly
The lyrics to Childish Gambino’s song “California” speak about the dream of moving to the West Coast, specifically California, from the perspective of someone who is skeptical of this idea. The first verse begins with the singer’s disbelief that someone would want to move to California, suggesting that their brain must have been “lost” to romanticize the idea of go west. The singer believes that people are drawn to California because of its glamorized appearances, but warns that it's a trap that preys on people’s perceptions.
The second verse of the song references the rise of social media and how it has normalized the notion of fame for the masses. It describes a girl creating a video with her friends, which garners many likes and comments. The singer warns that there is no substance to social media, and you make money off the backs of other people’s content. The singer also warns about the need to profit from these social media-created trends, hinting that they are exploitative.
The chorus is repeated frequently throughout the song, which expresses the idea that California is a destination that can “lose” people’s minds. The listener can infer the singer's cynicism and disapproving attitude towards this overrated notion of “making it” in Cali. Overall, the song has a message of being cautious and prudent, warning of the darker side of the California dream.
Line by Line Meaning
She want to move to California
She desires to move to California
She must've fucking lost her mind
It seems like a foolish decision to move to California
She want to move to California
Her decision to move to California is reiterated
That's how they get you every time
Moving to California can lure one in and lead to trouble
She make a movie with her friends
She produces a film with her peers
Put it up in a minute
The film is posted online in a short time
Everybody say it now ain't no loop at the minute
People are impressed at how quickly the film was made
Everybody saying, "How, how you do it, you did it?"
People are amazed and curious about how she produced the film
I'ma show you what it done, but enough for a finish
She can demonstrate the method, but not fully complete the task
Pay attention, you listen
She wants the listeners to focus and learn
You keep losing your mind
The listener is having trouble understanding or comprehending the concept
How you want to loop this shit but looking like a Vine?
She questions why people want to repeat the same thing over and over again like a Vine video
But they no pay for no privilege, now she broke in Korea Town
She did not receive payment but is now financially struggling in Korea Town
In the condo you rented, better get your percentage
She should still receive compensation for the rental property
He want to move to California
This person wants to move to California
He want to hang with DC Fly
This person wants to spend time with DC Fly in California
All the people all around and the follower people
People are constantly watching and following others
I go watching "ha ha" make girlfriend giggle
She observes humor making her friend laugh
Make her feel so official, make it Serena Vista
Make her feel important, like she's at the highest level
Supernova, new residual, making money a little
There are opportunities to make money, but only a small amount
Make smoker illegal, make living illegal
This person is suggesting making smoking and living illegal
Make laughing illegal, make it snap for a people
This person is suggesting making laughing and posting snaps illegal
When you make a movie now, know you making no difference
Creating a film does not create a significant change or impact
It's a tickle on the mind 'fore me finish the sentence
She has an idea but cannot fully articulate it yet
So go pimp a like on Vine, but don't pay for the privilege
One can post on Vine and gain likes, but should not expect payment
Now you broke in Korea Town, in the condo you rented
The person is financially struggling in a rented property in Korea Town
Better get your percentage
Compensation is still owed even if the person is struggling financially
In California
The subject is still located in California
She must've fucking lost her mind, yeah
The foolish decision to move to California is reiterated again
He want to move to California
The desire to move to California is reiterated again but with a different person
He want to hang with DC Fly
This person wants to spend time with DC Fly in California
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Donald Mckinley Ii Glover, Ludwig Emil Tomas Goransson, Raymond Liang Suen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ertinpasai5381
[Hook 1]
She want to move to California
She must've fucking lost her mind
She want to move to California
That's how they get you every time
[Verse 1]
She make a movie with her friends
Put it up in a minute
Everybody say it now
Ain't no loop at the minute
Everybody saying
"How, how you do it, you did it?"
I'ma show you what it done
But enough for a finish
Pay attention, you listen
You keep losing your mind
How you want to loop this shit
But looking like a Vine?
[Pre-Hook]
But they no pay for no privilege
Now she broke in Koreatown
In the condo you rented
Better get your percentage
[Hook 2]
In California, oh
She must've fucking lost her mind, yeah
He want to move to California
He want to hang with DC Fly
[Verse 2]
All the people all around and the follower people
I go watching a "haha," make a girlfriend giggle
Make her feel so official, make it Serena Vista
Supernova, new residual, making money a little
Make the smoker illegal
Make the living illegal
Make the laughing illegal
Make it snap for a people
When you make a movie now
Know you making no difference
It's a tickle on the mind
'Fore me finish your sentence
So go pimp a like on Vine,
[Pre-Hook]
But don't pay for the privilege
Now you broke in Koreatown
In the condo you rented
Better get your percentage
Oh, you broke in Koreatown
In that condo you rented
Better get your percentage
[Hook 2]
In California
She must've fucking lost her mind, yeah
I want to move to California
I want to hang with DC Fly
@officialjosha
The album catches you off guard but after you listen to it a couple times you can really start to see the absolute genius of it. Excellent album by Gambino. Hoping he does some rap in the future, but I'm still satisfied either way!
@SethDay789
Josh A well I mean to be honest he has rapped enough for now
@officialjosha
Seth Day It's been over 2 years since he's rapped lol what
@kingkai18
I think this is actually Donald's last project as Bino
@prakharjay
@Xavier McLachlan Whaaaaaat where'd you hear that? So what's he gonna do next then?
@thefattyfatty1
he says that every project haha
@AllStar
he needa get future on this track lmao
@acerulez7424
Bro is a Californian 💀
@flwrchldent3410
No
@l-boi8173
Watch this track be played on repeat at Coachella.