California Dreaming
Ellie Drennan Lyrics
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And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
And I pretended to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
Oh oh, I'd be safe, and I'd be safe and warm
Oh oh, I'd be safe, and I'd be safe and warm
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
If I didn't go
I could leave today
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day
On such a winter's day
On such a winter's day
Ellie Drennan's version of the classic song "California Dreaming" adds a fresh, emotionally rich interpretation to the original, imprinting a more youthful vibe on it. The song, composed by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips, was popularized by The Mamas & The Papas. It can be interpreted as an ode to young people who dream of leaving their current situations and moving to the land of the free, the place where anything can happen, California. The lyrics portray an individual strolling on a chilly winter day, dreaming of being in California, where they could feel safe and warm.
The singer acknowledges the dreary world around her/him, with all the leaves being brown and the sky grey, which could be a metaphor for distress or ennui. However, the singer prefers to focus on the idea of a better life that California promises to offer, and how that would help relieve the burden of the daily grind. The lyrics imply that in California, life would be perfect, and the opportunity to create a better future would be readily available. The church is highlighted as a sacred space for peace and sanctuary in the midst of the chaos of the singer's internal and external world, with the preacher being presented as someone who is familiar with the cold and is staying in California, implying that there is a built-in support system waiting for those who move to California.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown
The leaves on the trees have changed color and are now brown due to the winter weather.
And the sky is grey
The sky is grey because of the clouds and cold weather that are typical of winter.
I've been for a walk
I went for a walk to take in the scenery and experience the cold winter day.
On a winter's day
This refers to the current day, which is in the winter season.
I'd be safe and warm
If I were in Los Angeles, I would not have to deal with the cold and would feel much warmer and more comfortable.
If I was in L.A.
This line implies a desire to be in Los Angeles instead of the current cold winter location for the greater comfort.
California dreamin'
The idea of being in the warmth and comfort of California during a cold and dreary day is a fantasy or dream.
Stopped into a church
While out walking, the artist stopped into a church for a moment of reflection and thought.
I passed along the way
The church was encountered by chance while walking and was not a planned destination.
Well, I got down on my knees
The artist knelt in a posture commonly associated with prayer or reverence.
And I pretended to pray
The singer did not actually pray but was instead lost in thought or contemplation while kneeling.
You know the preacher likes the cold
This line implies that the preacher enjoys the cold weather and contrasts with the artist's own desire for warmth and comfort.
He knows I'm gonna stay
The singer intends to stay in the area even though they would prefer to be in California for greater comfort.
Oh oh, I'd be safe, and I'd be safe and warm
This line repeats the idea that being in California would result in greater safety and warmth, which the singer desires.
If I didn't go, I could leave today
If the singer chose not to stay in the area but instead left immediately, they could be on their way to California today.
California dreamin'
The phrase is repeated at the end to reinforce the idea of the dream or fantasy of being in California during the current winter season.
On such a winter's day
The final line of the song refers back to the same winter day that has been described throughout the song.
Contributed by Hudson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.