California
Iron & Wine Lyrics


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The postman passed me twice now, I have waited an hour
Blue sky churning black now, needled rain with the power
Of magnified abandon, soaking through to my moving
And vivid truth I'm doubting all the while that it's proven
Have you thought you might should be in California
Your tactile look of honesty, I know they'd love you, oh-oh-oh
A hundred thousand choices, words are stronger inside me
And wrote on angry voices spoken even and calmly
Do you pretend I'm docile, played it hard for to badger
Or disregard me futile, even for to remember




Have you thought you might should be in California
An actress of your quality, I know they'd love you, oh-oh-oh

Overall Meaning

In Iron & Wine's song "California," the singer is waiting for the postman amidst a storm. The rain is coming down heavily and painfully, and the sky churns from blue to black. The singer's truth is in flux, and he is unsure of what he knows. The words written down are evidence of angry voices that have spoken even and calmly.


Amidst all this uncertainty, the singer suggests that the person they are addressing should be in California. They describe this person as having a "tactile look of honesty" that the people of California would love. The singer then begins to question their own docility and whether they were badgered into silence. Finally, the singer closes with a reminder that this person would be a successful actress in the state of California.


The lyrics of "California" are open to interpretation, as are many of Iron & Wine's songs. However, it seems that the stormy weather reflects the emotions of the singer, who is questioning their truth and their role in the situation. They long for the person they are addressing to be somewhere else, where they would be more appreciated and successful.


Line by Line Meaning

The postman passed me twice now, I have waited an hour
I have been waiting for the postman for an hour, and he has already passed me by twice.


Blue sky churning black now, needled rain with the power
The sky has turned dark and it is raining heavily with a force that feels like needles.


Of magnified abandon, soaking through to my moving
The intensity of the situation is causing me to feel abandoned and it is affecting me deeply.


And vivid truth I'm doubting all the while that it's proven
I am doubting the truth that I thought was proven, and it seems more vivid than before.


Have you thought you might should be in California
Have you ever considered that you should be in California?


Your tactile look of honesty, I know they'd love you, oh-oh-oh
The honest looks you give are so genuine that people in California would surely love you!


A hundred thousand choices, words are stronger inside me
I have so many choices in front of me, but the words inside me are stronger and more powerful than any of them.


And wrote on angry voices spoken even and calmly
Despite the anger in my voice, I am trying to remain calm and composed as I write these words.


Do you pretend I'm docile, played it hard for to badger
Are you acting as if I'm easygoing and trying to make me give in to your demands?


Or disregard me futile, even for to remember
Are you not caring about me at all, as if I am not worth remembering?


Have you thought you might should be in California
Have you ever thought that you would fit in well in California?


An actress of your quality, I know they'd love you, oh-oh-oh
You have such a great quality as an actress that I am certain that people in California would love you!




Contributed by Wyatt S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@vincentbosso4364

Good stuff

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