San Francisco
Michael Marshall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mmmmhmmm...
Uuuu.huu uuuuuuuu.huu
If you're going to San Fransisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Fransisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there
Summer time will be a love in there
In the streets of San Fransisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair
All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion (People in motion)
For those who come to San Fransisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your head
If you come to San Fransisco
Summer time will be a love in there
If you come to San Fransisco
Summer time will be a love in there
The song San Francisco by Michael Marshall is a classic anthem calling out to the insatiable free spirit in everyone, inviting them to come to San Francisco with flowers in their hair. The song creates a warm and welcoming feeling of a city of love, full of gentle people with flowers in their hair. The lyrics seem to exude a deep sense of wanting to live life in a different way, with people who understand and will support you. It's a song that encourages one to embrace the beauty of the moment and the world around them, to let go of the fear, and dive in head-first full of optimism and wonder.
Throughout the song, the lyrics repeat the idea of the "summer of love," which references a specific time (the summer of 1967) when thousands of young people converged on San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district seeking to "do their own thing," free from social judgment and constraints. The song speaks of a strange and powerful vibration that took hold of the whole nation, creating "motion" that transformed lives and minds. The song calls to its listeners to be a part of this free-spirited movement and to let the gentle people of San Francisco touch your life forever.
Overall, the song San Francisco is a universal call to arms about the freedom of spirit, encouraging people to let their hair down, embrace change, and live life in the moment. The lyrics offer a snapshot of how the world should be, a place of love and acceptance, a place where people can be free to express themselves, and make unforgettable memories.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're going to San Fransisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you plan to visit San Francisco, it's highly recommended to wear flowers in your hair as it's a common symbol of peace, love, and movement.
If you're going to San Fransisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there
The people in San Francisco are very kind-hearted and welcoming. You're going to meet some really gentle and helpful individuals there.
For those who come to San Fransisco
Summer time will be a love in there
Those who visit San Francisco during summer are going to experience love and peace that is in the air. You'll feel the vibe of people embracing each other with kindness and compassion.
In the streets of San Fransisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair
When you walk around San Francisco, you'll find people wearing flowers in their hair and exuding gentleness towards each other. It's going to be a unique and memorable experience.
All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a strange feeling and movement all across the nation among the young generation. It's an unexplainable but exciting time for these individuals.
There's a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion (People in motion)
This new generation has got a new perspective on things which are moving forward. They're full of energy and enthusiasm, always trying to bring about change, and looking for new ideas to make this world a better place for everyone.
If you come to San Fransisco
Summer time will be a love in there
If you happen to visit the beautiful city of San Francisco, especially during summers, you'll feel the love and compassion among the people. You'll go back with memories and positive vibes that stay with you for a lifetime.
Writer(s): John Edmund Andrew Phillips
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@naneek2
Hearing this song and reading these comments today was like getting a breath of fresh air. Nothing but love and understanding.
Before I was forced out by gentrification I was frequently harassed in my neighborhood by the new wealthy residents and police, profiled because of my young age, my clothing, my speech, my beat up red car, my long hair, and my physical disabilities.
My family had lived in an Edwardian house in Noe Valley since it was an irish / italian working class neighborhood. When I was a kid, my block was mostly elderly irish and italian who owned houses, and spanish speaking latino families who rented. I remember when the first google executive moved in a block away from my house. That became the epicenter of gentrification in my neighborhood. Because an executive bought property there, all the lower ranking google employees started to compete for houses close to his, driving up prices of real estate and cost of living in the neighborhood. Small business like "Herb's Fine Food - Since 1904" and other long standing family run businesses were replaced with boutiques and overpriced restaurants. the affordable "bell market" was replaced with a whole foods.
Soon, it became very common for the new wealthy residents to tell me to "go home" and get out of their neighborhood.
It got really bad around 2012. When I would walk home from work at night I was frequently harassed by Mark Zuckerburg's private guards outside of his house in Noe Valley, who would jump out of a silver GMC acadia with flaslights. At first they would ask me what I was doing walking on that street late at night, and I would never answer them. This seemed to anger them. It escalated further when they saw me with a friend who was afro-brazilian. After that it got to the point that they would shine flashlights in my eyes, try to grab me as I quickly walked by, and threatened to call the police.
Just for walking home to the house I grew up in late at night. The Last Black Man in San Francisco really spoke to me, these are experiences shared by San Franciscans of all races.
Needless to say, we were tired of getting fucked with by rich neighbors, and couldn't afford the living expenses. We eventually had to sell the house, and we were lowballed because it was an original Edwardian with no modern luxury features -- even though it had inherent historical value and a desirable location.
I want to thank all of you for making the city what it was and is, for supporting each other, and giving me some hope that the spirit of the city will endure.
@naneek2
Right before I left the city we had a really bad incident with the police in a park in Noe Valley. After that, I don't think I can ever go back. It was a group of very young cops, who heard a gunshot, and then saw a group of my friends standing in the park. One of my friends was latino, one afro brazilian, one ethiopian, and one dark skinned italian. The police rushed on them, guns drawn, without a second thought. Obvious racial profiling. A witness across the street and saw the real shooter run away. The police were shaky, afraid, young, and had guns drawn on my friends, ready to kill them if anything startled them. The bystander was afraid to approach or call out, afraid that if he startled the cops they would kill my friends.
I was on my way to meet them, but one of my friends somehow managed to text me "stay home stay home stay home stay home." I knew something really bad had happened, and they were trying to keep me safe. I still get choked up thinking about it, honestly I'm crying a little bit right now. He probably reached into his pocket to text me, knowing that he could have been shot for it.
The police forced my friends to the ground and searched them (invasively and cruelly) for an agonizing 25 minutes.
Eventually another car with more experienced older officers showed up and they were able to tell them that the real shooter had fled on foot half an hour ago. The newly arrived cops made vague half hearted attempts to diffuse the situation, but they clearly didn't give a shit. The young officers never holstered their weapons. My afro brazilian and ethiopian friends were both placed on a gang taskforce watch list. They were told the watch list was permanent, and that if they were ever caught committing a crime they would face increased fines or sentences.
After that they all came over to my place, they were really shaken, and we all just sat in silence passing a joint around, trying to calm down.
@CAnative64
Everything about this song and this video is just beautiful. My Great-Great Grandfather came to San Francisco in the 1840s. Everyone in my family is from here. - My heart aches for the people, the communities that made San Francisco what it is, who no longer have a place at the table of inclusion - those whose value has never fully been recognized and rewarded. My heart and mind know who they are, and I respect the hell out of every one of them. - Just saw The Last Black Man in San Francisco, where I heard Michael Marshall's voice sing this perfect anthem. The film; the screenplay, the direction, the score, the performances; all perfect. The only negative being that one would need to see 10 more films like it just to touch on the myriad stories and history of people of color in our fair city, and the brilliance and grace that they all have in common. - Peace.
@Yunglk
Just visited SF, and this song still rings true. Beautiful voice!
@MarcelLWalker
When the trailer with this song first dropped, I found myself looping it over and over just so I could hear that glorious chorus. I still can't listen to it just once. It's a transcendent rendition of a popular standard. Thanks so much for this.
@AloRose
As a kid I loved the original version. I still do. It's just crazy how the same song evokes two totally different feelings. Scott McKenzie's version always makes me want to go to a festival while Michael Marshall's version makes me reflective and gives me a sense of loss. Beautiful masterpiece.
@TheMikeMeezy
Thx for noticing. I too, loved the original as a kid. Blessed I got my chance to express my take on the song
@phillismitchell5008
This is a Beautiful song. It resonate with my Soul & 🖤🙏🏾❣🖤💚💛 🙏🏾💐🌷⚘🌼🌻🌺🌹🏵🥀 Thank U Mr. MICHAEL MARSHALL 🎤 🎙
@sfsean13
Just cried. Thank you for such a beauty,, Mike.
@naneek2
Hearing this song and reading these comments today was like getting a breath of fresh air. Nothing but love and understanding.
Before I was forced out by gentrification I was frequently harassed in my neighborhood by the new wealthy residents and police, profiled because of my young age, my clothing, my speech, my beat up red car, my long hair, and my physical disabilities.
My family had lived in an Edwardian house in Noe Valley since it was an irish / italian working class neighborhood. When I was a kid, my block was mostly elderly irish and italian who owned houses, and spanish speaking latino families who rented. I remember when the first google executive moved in a block away from my house. That became the epicenter of gentrification in my neighborhood. Because an executive bought property there, all the lower ranking google employees started to compete for houses close to his, driving up prices of real estate and cost of living in the neighborhood. Small business like "Herb's Fine Food - Since 1904" and other long standing family run businesses were replaced with boutiques and overpriced restaurants. the affordable "bell market" was replaced with a whole foods.
Soon, it became very common for the new wealthy residents to tell me to "go home" and get out of their neighborhood.
It got really bad around 2012. When I would walk home from work at night I was frequently harassed by Mark Zuckerburg's private guards outside of his house in Noe Valley, who would jump out of a silver GMC acadia with flaslights. At first they would ask me what I was doing walking on that street late at night, and I would never answer them. This seemed to anger them. It escalated further when they saw me with a friend who was afro-brazilian. After that it got to the point that they would shine flashlights in my eyes, try to grab me as I quickly walked by, and threatened to call the police.
Just for walking home to the house I grew up in late at night. The Last Black Man in San Francisco really spoke to me, these are experiences shared by San Franciscans of all races.
Needless to say, we were tired of getting fucked with by rich neighbors, and couldn't afford the living expenses. We eventually had to sell the house, and we were lowballed because it was an original Edwardian with no modern luxury features -- even though it had inherent historical value and a desirable location.
I want to thank all of you for making the city what it was and is, for supporting each other, and giving me some hope that the spirit of the city will endure.
@MarcelLWalker
God bless you, friend. Thanks for staying strong through it all.
@frash38
One of the Greatest and soulful voices of ALL TIME!