Caleb's ( lead vocals, rhythm guitar) answer when he was asked why he had w… Read Full Bio ↴Caleb's ( lead vocals, rhythm guitar) answer when he was asked why he had written a song about arizona..."I hold that place close to my heart. I love the desert and always have. But the story behind that song is kind of bad. I can't really get into it. It's about when Nathan and I went to Arizona, and...well, we had quite a few different substances in us, and we decided to go to this brothel. I guess I am telling you now, aren't I? This really is a heartbreaker. We walked in and I looked around and there was this one girl who was so beautiful that all I could think was, ''What happened in her life that could bring her here?'' as opposed to me thinking, ''Yeah! I'll take that one!''"

Arizona
Kings of Leon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

That taste
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Just too dumb to surrender
She shakes Like a mornin railway checking me out
Someone on her shoulder
The lamp
Flickers in the bedroom

She must feel it's awkward
Or it's Arizona
Now go
Stand up to a giant
Say that I'm a fighter
Too drunk to surrender
To drunk to remember
Shake hands
My face
Is layin' on the pavement
Tastin' something awful I hate when that happens
She'll wave
Bein' then that it's sexy,
She must be plum crazy

I kinda think I like her
I kinda think I do

Overall Meaning

In the song "Arizona," Kings of Leon sings about a relationship that has led to self-destruction due to their inability to surrender. The lyrics suggest that the taste of something is what they have always wanted and needed. However, they are too foolish to surrender to the consequences that come with it. The second line of the song, "All I ever wanted, All I ever needed, Just too dumb to surrender," shows that the singer knows that what they are seeking is not worth the pain and destruction it causes to their life. The following lines mention a woman who is checking him out, but it becomes evident that she is not alone because there is someone on her shoulder. This suggests that she might have a partner, but the singer is still drawn to her.

The verse that mentions the lamp flickering in the bedroom is symbolic of the troubled relationship between the two. The lamp flickering represents the unstable nature of their relationship. Additionally, the lines, "She must feel it's awkward, Or it's Arizona," suggests that the woman might be feeling awkward about their relationship or she might be from Arizona, which is known for being a hot and dry state. The chorus of the song tells a story about standing up to a giant and being a fighter, but their drunken state means they are too drunk to surrender, and they cannot remember the night's events. The final verse indicates that the singer's face is on the pavement, and they are tasting something awful, which they hate when that happens. The woman is waving and being sexy, and the singer is drawn to her insane behavior. Overall, the song is a testament to the destructive power of forbidden love and self-sabotage.

Line by Line Meaning

That taste
Refers to the longing desire for something that is yet to be fulfilled.

All I ever wanted
Expressing a strong desire or need for something specific.

All I ever needed
Referring to something that is essential or absolutely necessary.

Just too dumb to surrender
Despite the difficulties, one is still willing to continue and fight for what they believe in.

She shakes like a mornin railway checking me out
Describing the way someone is observing or examining another individual.

Someone on her shoulder
Referring to the presence of a person or situation that is causing concern or distraction.

The lamp flickers in the bedroom
Describing an uncertain or unstable environment.

She must feel it's awkward
Sensing that the current situation is uncomfortable or uneasy.

Or it's Arizona
Questioning if the uncertainty is caused by the environment, specifically Arizona.

Now go
Encouraging or prompting action.

Stand up to a giant
Defying an opposing force or influence that seems insurmountable.

Say that I'm a fighter
Asserting one's strength and willingness to endure challenges.

Too drunk to surrender
Incapable of giving up on something despite physical or mental limitations.

Too drunk to remember
Incapable of recollection due to a state of intoxication.

Shake hands
Symbolic action to establish trust or agreement in a situation between two or more parties.

My face is layin' on the pavement
Describing a state of vulnerability or defeat.

Tastin' something awful I hate when that happens
Experiencing negative consequences from an undesirable outcome.

She'll wave bein' then that it's sexy,
Acknowledging a flirtatious or suggestive gesture from someone.

She must be plum crazy
Referring to someone who seems irrational or unusual.

I kinda think I like her
Acknowledging a potential attraction or interest towards someone.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CALEB FOLLOWILL, JARED FOLLOWILL, MATTHEW FOLLOWILL, NATHAN FOLLOWILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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