She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy. Two of her more famous songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys" and "Bald Headed Men".
The Santa Monica Pier
Christine Lavin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sizing up each other's worth.
Neither one'll do me any good here,
I throw them into the surf.
The palm trees all look a little bit like Tina Turner looks,
From behind.
The boys on their skateboards have strategically tousled hair,
The Bon Jovi kind.
I am a stranger here,
Strollin' down the Santa Monica Pier.
Picnic baskets and fishing gear,
Ice cream cones,
And souvenirs.
Oh there's a fine warm western breeze
A-stirrin' up the Tina Turner trees.
I have dreamed of days like these
All of my life.
Roller skaters with their headphones on,
They sway to the private beat.
I drop into the Crown and Anchor,
Time to eat, time to eat.
No matter what it is I order,
I know there's an avocado hidden on this plate.
I don't like them, but I still eat them.
I'm not tempting fate.
I am a stranger here,
Strollin' down the Santa Monica Pier.
Picnic baskets and fishing gear,
Ice cream cones, souvenirs, souvenirs.
Oh there's a fine warm western breeze
A-stirring up the Tina Turner trees.
I have dreamed of days like these
All of my life.
Back home, I hear the stock market's boomin', boomin'.
The bears and the bulls say they're taking it all in stride.
Out here, they're hot air balloonin'.
Yeah, they go zoomin'
Up into the sky-ay-ay.
Yeah, I'm a stranger here,
Santa Monica Pier.
Fishing gear,
Souvenirs, get your souvenirs here.
Oh, feel that breeze,
Ah, shake you trees, shake it up.
Days like these.
Look at that beautiful Mexican boy,
Holding tight to his papa's hand.
"Mira, mira," he cries,
As he points to
The papaya juice stand.
Look at that old lady dozing off,
I wonder what she's dreamin' of?
What could be better than this,
Except for maybe bein' in love?
I am a stranger here,
Strollin' down the Santa Monica Pier.
Picnic baskets and fishing gear,
Ice cream cones,
Souvenirs, get your souvenirs here.
Oh, now feel that breeze.
C'mon and shake you trees, shake it up.
I have dreamed of days like these
All of my life.
Yeah, I have dreamed of days like these.
Oh, I have dreamed
of days like these all of my life.
In Christine Lavin's "The Santa Monica Pier," the singer is taking a leisurely stroll down the iconic Santa Monica Pier in California. She describes the items she's carrying in her pocket – beach glass and tokens – and how they hold no value here. She throws them into the ocean, emphasizing how insignificant material possessions are in this beautiful place. The singer likens the palm trees to Tina Turner and the skateboarders' hair to Bon Jovi's, highlighting the pier's quintessential Californian vibe.
The lyrics capture the singer's awe and appreciation for the sights and sounds of the pier. From picnic baskets and fishing gear to ice cream cones and souvenirs, the pier is bustling with activity. The roller skaters are lost in their own worlds as they move and groove to their private beats. The singer ends up at the Crown and Anchor to eat, marveling at how even her food has an avocado hidden on the plate, a testament to California's love for the fruit. Despite not being a fan of avocados, the singer still eats them, showing how even the small things hold value in this idyllic setting.
Lavin's lyrics highlight the idea of being a stranger in a new place but still feeling an immense sense of belonging. She celebrates the diversity of people she encounters, like the Mexican boy clutching his papa's hand and the old lady dozing off. The singer wonders what the old lady may be dreaming of, but ultimately decides that nothing could be better than being exactly where she is in that moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got beach glass and tokens in my pocket,
I have useless objects in my pocket that serve as a reminder of the place I am visiting.
Sizing up each other's worth.
Observing people around me and evaluating their perceived value based on my own biases.
Neither one'll do me any good here,
Realizing that my possessions do not have any practical use in this setting.
I throw them into the surf.
Disposing of my belongings to detach myself from their perceived value and embrace the present moment.
The palm trees all look a little bit like Tina Turner looks,
Noticing that the palm trees have a distinct appearance and comparing it to that of a famous personality.
From behind.
Specifically referring to the view of the palm trees from a particular angle.
The boys on their skateboards have strategically tousled hair,
Observing the appearance of the boys on skateboards and noting the way they style their hair.
The Bon Jovi kind.
Comparing the boys' fashion sense to that of a popular rock band.
I am a stranger here,
Acknowledging that I am an outsider in this environment.
Strollin' down the Santa Monica Pier.
Walking leisurely along the pier while taking in the surroundings.
Picnic baskets and fishing gear,
Observing the various items people carry around as they engage in different activities at the pier.
Ice cream cones,
Noticing that many people are enjoying ice cream at the pier.
And souvenirs.
Noticing the abundance of souvenir shops at the pier.
Oh there's a fine warm western breeze
Appreciating the pleasant weather at the pier and noticing the direction from which the wind is blowing.
A-stirrin' up the Tina Turner trees.
Observing the palm trees swaying in the breeze and comparing their movement to that of Tina Turner's dance moves.
I have dreamed of days like these
Feeling a sense of fulfillment and contentment at being in this place, as it has been a dream or aspiration for some time.
Roller skaters with their headphones on,
Noticing people roller skating while listening to music through their headphones.
They sway to the private beat.
Observing how the roller skaters move in sync to their own music.
I drop into the Crown and Anchor,
Going to a specific restaurant or pub on the pier.
Time to eat, time to eat.
Indicating that I am hungry and ready to order food.
No matter what it is I order,
Regardless of what I decide to order from the menu.
I know there's an avocado hidden on this plate.
Anticipating that there will be avocado in the dish, even if it is not specifically listed on the menu.
I don't like them, but I still eat them.
Acknowledging that I have a dislike for avocados but am willing to eat them anyway.
I'm not tempting fate.
Choosing to play it safe and avoiding any possible negative consequences associated with turning down the avocado.
Back home, I hear the stock market's boomin', boomin'.
Mentally contrasting the current setting with my home environment and recalling what I heard or know about current events there.
The bears and the bulls say they're taking it all in stride.
Referring to a common saying in the world of finance and business, indicating that people are dealing with the ups and downs of the stock market calmly and efficiently.
Out here, they're hot air balloonin'.
Comparing the leisurely activities at the pier with the high-intensity world of finance and business, and finding the former to be more relaxed and enjoyable.
Yeah, they go zoomin'.
Taking a moment to appreciate the sight of hot air balloons floating in the sky.
Up into the sky-ay-ay.
Using a playful and expressive way of portraying the balloons' ascent into the sky.
Fishing gear, souvenirs, get your souvenirs here.
Repeating an earlier observation about the various items on sale at the pier, possibly indicating that this is a common vendor slogan or announcement.
Oh, feel that breeze,
Enjoying the sensation of the wind blowing against my skin.
Ah, shake you trees, shake it up.
Using a playful and expressive way of calling attention to the swaying palm trees.
Look at that beautiful Mexican boy,
Noticing and appreciating the appearance of a particular child at the pier, and emphasizing their ethnicity.
Holding tight to his papa's hand.
Observing the boy's relationship with his father and the care that is being taken to ensure his safety and security.
"Mira, mira," he cries,
Noticing the boy's excitement and enthusiasm, as he points out something of interest to his father.
As he points to the papaya juice stand.
Observing what the boy is looking at and appreciating his apparent enjoyment of something as simple as a juice stand.
Look at that old lady dozing off,
Noticing an elderly woman who appears to be sleeping or resting.
I wonder what she's dreamin' of?
Expressing curiosity about what the woman might be thinking about or experiencing while she rests.
What could be better than this,
Reflecting on the joy and contentment that can be found in simple pleasures and experiences.
Except for maybe bein' in love?
Suggesting that falling in love might be the only thing that could top the current experience of being at the pier.
Yeah, I have dreamed of days like these.
Repeating a sentiment expressed earlier, indicating the depth of fulfillment and contentment being experienced in this moment.
Writer(s): CHRISTINE LAVIN
Contributed by Vivian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.