California
Low Lyrics


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See your reflection in the mire
You keep your revelations wide
They knew just where to draw the line
You let them cut you every time

Though it breaks your heart
You had to sell the farm
Back to California where it's warm

It fell around you like the stars
You picked up everything they dropped
And though it breaks you like a song (?)
You had some secrets of your own

And though it breaks your heart
You had to sell the farm
Back to California where it's warm
It's warm
It's warm

And though it breaks your heart
You had to sell the farm
Nights were just too long
With all your children gone
Would it keep you strong




If I said it with a song?
Back to California where it's warm

Overall Meaning

The song California by Low seems to be about someone who has faced disappointment and betrayal but is looking for a new beginning in a place that is warm and welcoming - California. The opening lines "See your reflection in the mire, You keep your revelations wide" imply that the person has been through a tough time, perhaps faced with negativity and criticism, and is trying to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves. The line "They knew just where to draw the line, You let them cut you every time" suggests that the person was repeatedly hurt by others who knew exactly how to push their buttons.


The chorus suggests that the person is making a difficult decision to leave their current situation and move back to California, perhaps it is their home or a place where they believe they will find comfort and familiarity. The line "Though it breaks your heart, You had to sell the farm, Back to California where it's warm" shows that the person is leaving behind something dear to them, but they are willing to give it up for the hope of a better future.


The second verse talks about the person's resilience despite the challenges they have faced. "It fell around you like the stars, You picked up everything they dropped" implies that the person has dealt with problems one after another, but they have managed to handle everything that came their way. The line "And though it breaks you like a song, You had some secrets of your own" suggests that there is more to the person than what meets the eye, and they have their own secrets that have contributed to their struggles.


Overall, the song is a tale of someone leaving behind a difficult past and moving towards a new hopeful future, despite the pain and heartbreak that they have faced. The chorus repeats the lines that show their determination to move forward and find warmth and comfort in California.


Line by Line Meaning

See your reflection in the mire
You're looking at yourself through a dirty, unpleasant situation


You keep your revelations wide
You avoid being too open about your thoughts or feelings


They knew just where to draw the line
Others knew how far they could push you before causing harm


You let them cut you every time
You allow others to hurt you repeatedly


Though it breaks your heart
Although it hurts you deeply


You had to sell the farm
You had to let go of something that meant a lot to you


Back to California where it's warm
You returned to a place where you feel comfortable and safe


It fell around you like the stars
Something positive surrounded and supported you


You picked up everything they dropped
You took on responsibilities that others didn't want


And though it breaks you like a song (?)
Although it hurts you deeply or emotionally


You had some secrets of your own
You had personal information that you didn't share with others


Nights were just too long
You had trouble being alone at night


With all your children gone
Your children moved out of the house and left you feeling lonely


Would it keep you strong
Would it help you stay emotionally stable


If I said it with a song?
If I expressed my message through music


Back to California where it's warm
You found comfort returning to California




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin Nichols

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Andrew Jenkins

Mimi will be missed.
Love to all of you.

Jake Daley

Low’s Mimi Parker has died. The band announced the news on its official Twitter account this morning (November 6). “Friends, it’s hard to put the universe into language and into a short message, but she passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours,”

A R

I see that you've just recently uploaded this video. I will take this opportunity, then, to let you know that this song was put on a mix CD that my ex gave to me, and it has meant so much to me for well over a decade. I think of her every day, and wonder about her life in California. Thank you for marking me indelibly with her through this song. I hope you realize just how powerfully your music can anchor someone to a place, or a moment in time, or another person, and how, at moments, that anchor is the thing that prevents us from slipping out to sea.

Candidly, I know very little else of your discography. But this song? I know every nanosecond. That has to count for something, right?

Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

CodA bOi

Awee I love this song, I catch myself humming it all the time out of nowhere xD

paul elliott

Nice to see these videos
More excellence from Low ... nice location for the shoot too
Love the way Alan and Miami’s voices blend

FootjobWithTheTimbsOn

Great song and video, love you guys!

Frank N. Stein

Thank you so much! I can't await to see you again live on stage! Alles gute, bleibt gesund und kommt so bald wie möglich wieder nach österreich! Martin/Austria

fajar malik

Love it bois 🙌🏽

Kyle Morman

Foundation Skate promos got me into Low in the early 2000's. It's been 15 years; thank you for this.

I'm Nobody.

Is it just me or is the audio really low on this tune? Sounds great but quite low... =)

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