The song appears to be a love song about a person who is struggling and the singer offering them comfort and support. The first verse implies that the singer is there to offer emotional support, and the listener doesn't need to be stronger than they really are when they are in the singer's arms.
In the pre-chorus, the singer mentions that they read a letter that the person wrote to a friend saying they wish they were doing better. The singer admits that they wanted to reach out and offer help but didn't say anything. The chorus is a promise that if the person comes back to California, the singer will be there for them, do whatever they want, and throw a party all night long.
The second verse suggests that the person is afraid to win or lose and that they're changing like the weather, but the Santa Ana wind from California moves them. The chorus repeats the same sentiment as before, with the singer reassuring the person that they will be there for them.
It is the ninth track from Lana Del Rey's sixth studio album, Norman Fucking Rockwell!
It is not to be confused with "California", which is a studio outtake from the Honeymoon sessions that shares the same title as the NFR track.
California
Lana Del Rey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't ever have to be stronger than you really are
When you're lying in my arms, baby
You don't ever have to go faster than your fastest pace
Or faster than my fastest cars
I shouldn't have done it, but I read it in your letter
I wanted to reach out, but I never said a thing
I shouldn't have done it, but I read it in your letter
You said to a friend that you wish you were doing better
I wanted to call you, but I didn't say a thing
Two, three, four
Oh, I'll pick you up
If you come back to America, just hit me up
'Cause this is crazy love, I'll catch you on the flip side
If you come back to California, you should just hit me up
We'll do whatever you want, travel wherever how far
We'll hit up all the old places
We'll have a party, we'll dance 'til dawn
I'll pick up all of your Vogues and all of your Rolling Stones
Your favorite liquor off the top shelf
I'll throw a party all night long
You don't ever have to be stronger than you really are
When you're lying in my arms, and, honey
You don't ever have to act cooler than you think you should
You're brighter than the brightest stars
You're scared to win, scared to lose
I've heard the war was over if you really choose
The one in and around you
You hate the heat, you got the blues
Changing like the weather, oh, that's so like you
The Santa Ana moves you (two, three, four)
Oh, I'll pick you up
If you come back to America, just hit me up
'Cause this is crazy love, I'll catch you on the flip side
If you come back to California, you should just hit me up
We'll do whatever you want, travel wherever how far
We'll hit up all the old places
We'll have a party, we'll dance 'til dawn
I'll pick up all of your Vogues and all of your Rolling Stones
Your favorite liquor off the top shelf
I'll throw a party all night long
Oh, I'll pick you up
If you come back to America, just hit me up
'Cause this is crazy love, I'll catch you on the flip side
If you come back to California, you should just hit me up
Lana Del Rey's "California" is a song that talks about the warmth of the west coast state, and how it's a perfect getaway spot for anyone who needs to escape. The first stanza is about how the person he's talking with doesn't need to be anyone but themselves when they're together. It's a reassurance that they don't have to fake anything, and they can be themselves. The second stanza, however, is different as she talks about reading someone's letter and they're not doing as well as they seem. She wanted to reach out, but she never did, and that's something that's been bothering her. The chorus brings back the positivity, and she talks about how the person can always come back to California and that they'll have a good time.
The third stanza is about a person who's scared of winning or losing, and they're constantly changing. It's an acknowledgment that the person is going through a lot, and she says that if they really choose, they can overcome the war inside them. She compares the person to the Santa Ana, which is a reference to the winds that blow through Southern California, and how they influence moods. The song ends on a positive note, with Lana once again reassuring the person that if they ever need a break or just a good time, they can always hit her up.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't ever have to be stronger than you really are
You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not when you're with me.
When you're lying in my arms, baby
When you're with me, you can be vulnerable and let your guard down.
You don't ever have to go faster than your fastest pace
You don't have to rush and push yourself beyond your limits when you're with me.
Or faster than my fastest cars
You don't have to keep up with my lifestyle or try to compete with me.
I shouldn't have done it, but I read it in your letter
I invaded your privacy and read something that was meant to be private.
You said to a friend that you wish you were doing better
You confided in a friend that you're struggling and wish things were different.
I wanted to reach out, but I never said a thing
I wanted to comfort you and offer my support, but I didn't.
Oh, I'll pick you up
If you need me, I'll be there for you.
If you come back to America, just hit me up
If you ever return to America, don't hesitate to contact me.
'Cause this is crazy love, I'll catch you on the flip side
Our love may be unconventional, but I'll still be here for you.
We'll do whatever you want, travel wherever how far
We can do anything you want and go anywhere you desire.
We'll hit up all the old places
We can revisit all the places that hold special memories for you.
We'll have a party, we'll dance 'til dawn
We can celebrate life and enjoy each other's company all night long.
I'll pick up all of your Vogues and all of your Rolling Stones
I'll make sure you have all your favorite magazines and music.
Your favorite liquor off the top shelf
I'll get your preferred alcoholic beverage, the best of the best.
You're brighter than the brightest stars
You're special and shine brighter than anyone else.
You're scared to win, scared to lose
You're hesitant and afraid to take a risk or make a choice.
I've heard the war was over if you really choose
If you make a decision and commit to it, your struggles may come to an end.
The one in and around you
The solution to your problems may be within yourself or your immediate surroundings.
You hate the heat, you got the blues
You dislike discomfort and may be feeling down or sad.
Changing like the weather, oh, that's so like you
You're unpredictable and your emotions fluctuate frequently.
The Santa Ana moves you (two, three, four)
The wind in Southern California, known as the Santa Ana, affects you and your mood.
If you come back to California, you should just hit me up
If you're ever back in California, don't forget that I'm here for you.
I'll throw a party all night long
I'll make sure you have a good time and forget your worries for a while.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, Zach Dawes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on West Coast
Amazing how the film maker lifted the filming of this video directly from the Chet Baker documentary Let's Get Lost - black & white hanging at the beach and cruising in the backs of convertables
ciggywater
on National Anthem
such a goddess
Abygail Fernandez Smith
on West Coast
ganda
Inside Bilderberg
on Cruel World
Love this song.
Romatizzalid Bozin Veda Loca
on West Coast
barcelona akhawa
Dawit Dawit
on Ultraviolence
nice
Dawit Dawit
on West Coast
best