At t… Read Full Bio ↴Jamestown Revival is an American rock duo from Magnolia, Texas.
At the heart of Jamestown Revival is a friendship that spans quite some years. Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance grew up together in the small Texas town of Magnolia. From a young age, they shared a love for music as well as the outdoors. About an hour north of Magnolia, Texas, there was some old family land with a dilapidated ranch house where they spent the better part of their adolescence.
At one point or another, music from Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Everly Brothers, to fellow Texans Willie Nelson, Guy Clark and Stevie Ray Vaughan found it’s way through an old pair of speakers that sat on the back porch. The pair spent the day exploring that thousand-acre plot of land, and when the sun went down they took to the records of the songwriters and bands that inspired them. At the age of 22, they moved to Austin and began to craft a sound of their own. Deeply rooted in harmony, they merged the sounds of the South with classic American and Western rock.
Looking for adventure, as well as a change of pace, they eventually made the decision to head west and make the move to Los Angeles, CA.
Throughout the course of the next 12 months, they wrote what is Jamestown Revival’s first full-length album, UTAH. It’s heavily autobiographical, telling the stories of their adventures, their discomforts, and their observations. In order to capture the spirit of the music, the two found a log cabin high within the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. The pair, along with their band and engineer, set out to convert it in to a temporary recording studio. With wild moose right outside the window, and aspen leaves spinning in the wind, they tracked the 11 songs that make up UTAH. Performed live, with no headphones, and entirely to tape, the process captured the moments in the room.
Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance have since moved back to Austin and signed a record deal with Republic Records. Adding to the already soulful album, the band has since re-released UTAH to feature three brand new arrangements of the signature tracks. Through constant touring, the songs took on a life of their own, and these arrangements better reflect the songs as they are today. Teaming up with Republic gave Jonathan and Zach the chance to add to the album without sacrificing what was special about the original UTAH. It was a chance to go back and record the growth that has occurred over the past year, and add to an already strong collection of recordings.
Heading out on the road somewhere… exploring far more than just that thousand-acre plot of land Jonathan and Zach look towards the future with UTAH.
California
Jamestown Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Straight to the top
I kept on climbing
I never stopped to smell a rose
But that's just the way it goes
I made a dollar
I tasted blood
I found a flood oh my
And I almost drank enough to die
Took my John boat out to sea and the waves grew high
SOS now
Can you help me
I'm taking water on just about as fast as I can
Could you lend me your hand
SOS how
Can you help me
I ask myself
How could anybody else understand
This wasn't part of my plan
I do the best that I can
Mayday man
Thought it was easy
I'd seen it done
Thought it would please me
To make it to the other side
But I wasn't ready for the ride
I felt the thunder
Rip through my sail
It took me under
Got swallowed by a whale oh my
I guess he saw that weakness it my eye
Took me right on out to sea and the waves grew high
SOS now
Can you help me
I'm taking water on just about as fast as I can
Could you lend me your hand
SOS how
Can you help me
I ask myself
How could anybody else understand
This wasn't part of my plan
I do the best that I can
Mayday man
The song "California" by Jamestown Revival is a powerful ballad about the struggles that come with ambition and pursuing one's dreams. The lyrics are divided into two parts, both telling the story of a person who sets out to achieve success and finds themselves caught in a storm, both figuratively and literally.
The song opens with the singer describing their journey to the top, never stopping to smell a rose. This imagery sets the stage for the central message of the song, which is that sometimes our ambitions can overshadow the beauty and joy present in everyday life. The chorus then shifts to the singer calling out for help, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges they are facing. The repeated refrain of "SOS now" and "SOS how" create a sense of urgency and desperation.
The second part of the song focuses on the moment where the singer realizes they are not as prepared for the challenges ahead as they thought they were. They are caught in a storm and their boat begins to take on water. The imagery of being swallowed by a whale adds a biblical sense of danger and tragedy. The repeated use of the word "Mayday" emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
Overall, "California" is a powerful metaphor for the ups and downs of pursuing one's dreams. The lyrics remind us that while ambition is important, it's also important to take stock of our surroundings and not lose sight of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I took a stairway
I was determined to succeed and took steps to achieve my goals.
Straight to the top
I focused on reaching the highest level possible.
I kept on climbing
I persisted even when things were difficult.
I never stopped to smell a rose
I was so focused on my goals that I didn't take time to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
But that's just the way it goes
This is a common experience when pursuing success.
I made a dollar
I achieved financial success.
I tasted blood
I faced challenges and hardships in pursuit of my goals.
I needed water
I needed support and help to continue on my journey.
I found a flood oh my
I encountered overwhelming challenges or obstacles.
And I almost drank enough to die
I almost gave up and quit my pursuit of success.
Took my John boat out to sea and the waves grew high
I ventured out into unknown territory and faced unexpected difficulties.
SOS now
I am in trouble and need help.
Can you help me
I am seeking assistance or support.
I'm taking water on just about as fast as I can
I am struggling and overwhelmed.
Could you lend me your hand
I am requesting help or assistance from someone else.
I ask myself
I am questioning my situation.
How could anybody else understand
I feel alone or like no one else can relate to my struggles.
This wasn't part of my plan
I did not anticipate or prepare for these difficulties.
I do the best that I can
I am doing my best to cope with the situation.
Mayday man
This is an urgent call for help.
Thought it was easy
I was overconfident and did not expect things to be as difficult as they are.
I'd seen it done
I had seen others succeed and thought I could do the same.
Thought it would please me
I expected to feel happy and fulfilled by achieving my goals.
To make it to the other side
I wanted to reach my destination or goal.
But I wasn't ready for the ride
I did not anticipate the difficulties or challenges that came with pursuing my goals.
I felt the thunder
I encountered a powerful obstacle.
Rip through my sail
This obstacle caused damage or disruption to my plans.
It took me under
I was overwhelmed or defeated by this obstacle.
Got swallowed by a whale oh my
This obstacle was all-encompassing and seemed impossible to overcome.
I guess he saw that weakness in my eye
This obstacle was able to exploit a vulnerability in my approach or mindset.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Edmund Andrew Phillips, Michelle Gilliam Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aishajuma8764
Lately, I've been low
Things been moving slow
I could not tell you why
Maybe too much paradise
Something came calling and I knew this time I had to go
Three months down the road
I wound up in a land of gold
I was head strong with an open eye
And a wanderer's alibi
Heading towards the canyon I abandon everything I own
California
I don't even know you
You've taken me away from home
Old magnolia I'll never get over you
The feelings running straight to my bones
Someday I'll be coming home
Someday I'll be coming home
With a cast iron soul
It was a winding mountain road
Where the sun shines and the air is cold
Another tired town
Where them old folks hang around.
@asanctifiedlife
This song makes me desperately want to go back to somewhere I’ve never been. 😢❤
@waynedamron8006
I found these guys as an injured vet down in San Antonio. Got a free IPAD and some credits....figured I'd use it on something I never heard....and here come these guys...good shit...give me a lot of memories of my best times.
@wolfman0791
Motorcycling across America brought me here . Love this song
@jenelineferrer7287
Hahaah same
@fatihsyukur2
ure not alone my friend 😁👍
@fatihsyukur2
he has a great taste in music.. omg
@alexroy9455
Same😁
@martinsoria5756
Yeahhh!
@edenhahampour7276
I just heard this song in "Hart of Dixie" and I'm in love. Love from Israel
@olgavr6882
Here from Heart of Dixie too, very beautiful song!