California
James Blunt Lyrics


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High heels, no clouds
Sun, kiss, tan, cloud
Can't stop, slow down
I want you, I want you

No call, no ring
One kiss, no pain
Tell me again
I want you, I want you

You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
Then you wanna tell me or not and to move along
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done 'cause I need your love, I need your love

California, Hallelujah
You and me are gonna live for today, girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

Stole my heart, but California
All I know is I'm with you today, girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

Lies you don't keep
Hurt and I'll bleed
But you're so sweet
And I want you, I want you, yeah

You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
Then you wanna tell me or not and to move along
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done 'cause I need your love, I need your love

You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
Then you wanna tell me or not and to move along
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done 'cause I need your love, I need your love, yeah

California, Hallelujah
You and me are gonna live for today, girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

Stole my heart, but California
All I know is I'm with you today, girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

C'mon, c'mon, I see it in your eyes
C'mon, c'mon, just love me for one night
C'mon, c'mon, I see it in your eyes
C'mon, c'mon, just love me for one night

California, Hallelujah
You and me are gonna live for today, girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

Stole my heart, but California
All I know is I'm with you today, girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

California, Hallelujah
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done 'cause I need your love, I need your love

Stole my heart, but California




Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done 'cause I need your love, I need your love

Overall Meaning

In "California," James Blunt sings about a tumultuous relationship with a woman he's infatuated with. The song opens with a description of the idyllic setting of California with high heels, sun, and tan but then quickly shifts to the tumultuous relationship with the woman he loves. He's unsure of her feelings towards him as she oscillates between wanting to talk and then not wanting to, leaving him feeling confused and hurt. Despite this, he still craves her love and affection, unable to resist her sweetness.


Blunt uses powerful and evocative language to describe his emotional state, likening the woman's return to his heart to a "bitter song," signifying the pain he feels when she leaves him. However, he cannot resist her and needs her love. The chorus expresses his gratitude for being with her despite the ups and downs of their relationship. He feels lucky to be with her, even though she "stole his heart."


Overall, "California" is a song about a complex and difficult love, where one person is unsure of the other's feelings, but cannot resist their pull.


Line by Line Meaning

High heels, no clouds
The sunny, pleasant weather and relaxed California vibe is highlighted with the image of women confidently walking in high heels without any clouds in sight.


Sun, kiss, tan, cloud
This line is a simple list of enjoyable things that one can experience in California, such as the sun, the perfect temperature for tanning and the occasional cloud for some relief from the heat.


Can't stop, slow down
The fast-paced, hard-to-get culture in California is captured in these words. The state is known for its fast lifestyle, always on the move, never slowing down.


I want you, I want you
These verses feature the singer's love interest who he just can't get enough of, as he confesses his desire for her once again.


No call, no ring
This line is about communication, or rather, the lack of it. The singer is indicating that his love interest has not been in touch which creates a sense of distance and unease in their relationship.


One kiss, no pain
This line refers to the singer's most treasured moments with his love, where everything seems to be perfect and they find solace in each other's company. There are no worries or pain, just a quiet harmony.


Tell me again
The singer wants his love interest to reinforce their love for each other, which has been affected by the lack of communication and distance.


You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
The singer is confused by his love interest's constant change in behavior, as she alternates between wanting to talk and then withdrawing without warning.


Then you wanna tell me or not and to move along
The repeated inconsistency in his love interest's communication is causing the singer to feel frustrated and pushed away, but he still yearns to know what's happening in her life.


Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
This line suggests a complex relationship of constant back and forth, where the singer's love interest comes back into his life as if it was a sad reminder of what they once had.


And we're never done 'cause I need your love, I need your love
The singer acknowledges that despite everything that has happened and how much it seems that they are over, he will always need her love and will never truly be done with her.


California, Hallelujah
This line is an ode to the California life the singer has come to cherish, highlighting both the positive aspects like the amazing weather and the negatives such as the push-and-pull aspect of his relationship with his love interest. In some way, it feels like a prayer for strength and guidance.


You and me are gonna live for today, girl
Despite the conflicts in their relationship, the singer still believes that they will be together and live in the moment without worrying about the future or the past.


I'm the luckiest man in the whole world
The singer is grateful for the love in his life, no matter how tumultuous it may be, and claims to be the luckiest man in the world for it.


Stole my heart, but California
This line is a play on words where the singer's love interest 'stole his heart,' but so did California with its warm climate and laid-back vibe.


All I know is I'm with you today, girl
This line is a reassurance that the singer will live in the present and cherish the time they have together, regardless of where their relationship may lead.


Lies you don't keep
These words hint at a breakdown in communication or trust, with the singer's love interest potentially breaking their promises or not following through with what they say.


Hurt and I'll bleed
The singer is so emotionally invested in their relationship that any pain caused by his love interest would make him suffer greatly.


But you're so sweet
Despite any issues or mistakes, the singer still finds his love interest sweet and caring, which makes it hard for him to let go of their relationship.


C'mon, c'mon, I see it in your eyes
These lines express the singer's frustration at his love interest's mixed signals, as he can see the love and desire in her eyes but still feels she is distant and withdrawn.


Just love me for one night
The singer is desperate for his love interest's attention and affection, even if it's only for one night. His desire to be wanted and loved by her overshadows any mistakes they might have made.




Writer(s): Maureen Anne Mcdonald, Stephan Moccio, James Blunt

Contributed by Layla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Joaquin Cochas

High heels, no clouds
Sun-kissed in crowd
Can't stop, slow down
I want ya, I want ya
No cold, no rain
One kiss, no pain
Tell me again
I want ya, I want ya

You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
Then you wanna tell me I'm wrong and to move along
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done cause I need your love, I need your love

California, Hallelujah
You and me gonna live for today girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world
Stole my heart but can't afford ya
All I know is I'm with you today girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

Lies you don't keep
Hurt and I bleed
But you're so sweet
And I want ya, I want ya
Yeah

You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
Then you wanna tell me I'm wrong and to move along
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done cause I need your love, I need your love

You don't wanna talk, then you wanna talk
Then you wanna tell me I'm wrong and to move along
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done cause I need your love, I need your love, yeah

California, Hallelujah
You and me gonna live for today girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world
Stole my heart but can't afford ya
All I know is I'm with you today girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

Come on, come on, I see it in your eyes
Come on, come on, just love me for one night
Come on, come on, I see it in your eyes
Come on, come on, just love me for one night

California, Hallelujah
You and me gonna live for today girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world
Stole my heart but can't afford ya
All I know is I'm with you today girl
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world

California, Hallelujah
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done cause I need your love, I need your love
Stole my heart but can't afford ya
Then you wander back in my heart like a bitter song
And we're never done cause I need your love, I need your love



All comments from YouTube:

Simon Wiggin

It's impossible for James to release a bad song. Your an amazing artist!!

MyLifeAsanchez The Alphabet Lore AUTTP

WOW COOL

Philo Hisham

His voice is just enthralling, there is something to it...❤ He could sing about potatoes and I'd still find it beautiful

aldisi olive

Philo Hisham. I agree with you. I'm in love too ❤

kapilposwal

aldisi olive mighty guy..Wssup😂

Thir- teen

Same fam.

M

Potatoes are delicious, so it would be a beautiful song.

Stillstrayz

POTATOES!! HJALLELUYA!! YOU AND ME FOREVER UNTIL I EAT YOU, IM THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE WORLD, SALTED MY HEART GOOD, AND I CAN AFORD YOU!!! I LOVE POTATOES!!!😍😍😍👌👌😂😂💗💗💓💓🍟🍟🍠🍠🍟🍟🍴
edit: yeah srry.. But atlest i did good on the potatoes lyrics... I think..
😐😐

9 More Replies...

Aline Rocha

Meu cantor preferido de todos os tempos!
Love you James!😍😍🇧🇷
04/02/20

aspirant01

Love this song❤️🎧🎶👌👌👌

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