San Francisco
Darius & Finlay feat. Tom Borijn Lyrics

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if you're going
to san francisco
be sure to wear
some flowers in your hair
if you're going
to san francisco
you're gonna meet
some gentle people there

...
san francisco
...
if you're going
to san francisco
be sure to wear
some flowers in your hair
if you're going
to san francisco
you're gonna meet
some gentle people there
...

san francisco
...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Darius & Finlay feat. Tom Borijn's song San Francisco are a reference to the famous pop culture phrase "If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair" which was first coined in 1967 by social activist, Allen Cohen, to promote the flower power movement. The song describes the beauty of the Californian city and the peaceful and loving nature of the people there, encouraging listeners to embrace this atmosphere by wearing flowers in their hair, a symbol of the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960s. The reference to gentle people in the lyrics suggests that San Francisco was a haven for outcasts seeking a community who valued love, peace, and harmony - seen as alternative values at the time compared to the mainstream American culture of the era.
San Francisco was a beacon for young people who were disillusioned by the social norms of the time and who were looking for a more open and loving community. The lyrics could also be interpreted as a call to return to a simpler way of life and a reminder that love, peace, and harmony are possible, even in big cities. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody reflect the optimism and free spirit of the counterculture movement and illustrate how music was used as a powerful tool for social change in the 1960s.

Line by Line Meaning

if you're going
In the event that you are making a trip to a certain place

to San Francisco
The specific destination being referred to is San Francisco, California

be sure to wear
It is recommended that you dress in a particular way

some flowers in your hair
One specific suggestion for how to dress is to include flowers in your hair

if you're going
In the event that you are making a trip to a certain place

to San Francisco
The specific destination being referred to is San Francisco, California

you're gonna meet
It is highly likely that you will encounter

some gentle people there
Some of the individuals that you meet in San Francisco are likely to be kind and friendly

San Francisco
The city name is repeated, possibly to indicate its importance or allure

if you're going
In the event that you are making a trip to a certain place

to San Francisco
The specific destination being referred to is San Francisco, California