Sedaka wrote his 1959 hit "Oh! Carol" about his then-girlfriend, Carol Klein, later to become Carole King. In 1963, King released a humorous answer entitled "Oh Neil".
The Laughter In the Rain Songfacts says Sedaka's hits dried up when The Beatles arrived, but then he teamed up with the lyricist Philip Cody and had a a number 1 hit with "Laughter In The Rain." It re-ignited Sedaka's career and he had 6 more Top-40 hits in America by 1977.
Sedaka's voice is in the tenor range.
Cardboard California
Neil Sedaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just waking up brings you down
One lousy deal is cardboard California
You just can't survive in a make believe town
Lost in a city of little tin gods
Cold plastic people with phony facades
How can you win when you look at the odds
You're running down a one way street
Nobody cares if you survive
Sometimes you beg or you don't eat
You gotta fight to stay alive
Hey, you're never gonna get away
Where 's the world you used to know
Where did all the good times go
Look around your hopes and dreams are gone
But like a fool you still keep hanging on
Come and be a movie star
Come and drive a fancy car
Come and see, what you really are
Look in the mirror, mirrors don't lie
You're getting older, your time's past you by
You lost your shot to some younger guy
You're running down a one way street
Nobody cares if you survive
Sometimes you beg or you don't eat
You gotta fight to stay alive
Hey, you're never gonna get away
Nothing is real in cardboard California
Just waking up brings you down
One lousy deal is cardboard California
You just can't survive in a make believe town
Neil Sedaka's song "Cardboard California" is a sad reflection on the illusory nature of the American Dream. The song tells the story of a person who has come to Hollywood seeking fame and fortune but has found only superficiality and heartache.
The central motif of the song is the idea of "cardboard California," a make-believe world populated by "little tin gods" and "cold plastic people with phony facades." The phrase "cardboard California" suggests a place that's not only superficial and fake but that's also lacking in substance or solidity. The singer's disillusionment is palpable as he sings, "nothing is real in cardboard California," and "you just can’t survive in a make-believe town."
The song's message is one of caution, warning the listener not to be seduced by the images of glamour and success that are projected by the entertainment industry. Instead, Sedaka suggests that the pursuit of fame and fortune can be a path to disappointment and even despair. The song's powerful imagery and evocative lyrics remind us that the so-called American Dream is often a hollow promise, and that we should be careful about where we place our faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing is real in cardboard California
The state of California is depicted as an unreal place where nothing is what it seems.
Just waking up brings you down
Waking up to the harsh realities of life in California can be depressing.
One lousy deal is cardboard California
Opportunities for success in California are scarce and difficult to come by.
You just can't survive in a make believe town
California is portrayed as an illusory place where survival is challenging.
Lost in a city of little tin gods
In California, people are self-absorbed and act like they are superior to others.
Cold plastic people with phony facades
People in California are fake and present themselves in ways that are not genuine.
How can you win when you look at the odds
When the odds are stacked against you in California, how can you possibly succeed?
You're running down a one way street
Life in California can feel like an unending journey in one direction with no chance of escape.
Nobody cares if you survive
In California, people are focused on their own survival and do not care about others.
Sometimes you beg or you don't eat
The harsh reality of living in California is that sometimes you have no choice but to beg for money or food.
You gotta fight to stay alive
Surviving in California requires constant struggle and determination.
Hey, you're never gonna get away
Once you are caught up in the illusion of California, it is difficult to escape its grasp.
Where 's the world you used to know
The familiar world that once existed before coming to California is now a distant memory.
Where did all the good times go
The good times seem to have vanished in California, leaving only hardship and struggle.
Look around your hopes and dreams are gone
Living in California can make you lose hope and give up on your dreams.
But like a fool you still keep hanging on
Despite the difficulties of living in California, some people still cling to the illusion of success and happiness.
Come and be a movie star
The lure of becoming a movie star in California is used to attract people to the state.
Come and drive a fancy car
The promise of owning a luxurious car is another way California entices people to move there.
Come and see, what you really are
Living in California will reveal your true self and test your resilience.
Look in the mirror, mirrors don't lie
You cannot fool yourself in California, the harsh reality is reflected back at you.
You're getting older, your time's past you by
In California, the competition is always younger and fresher, making it difficult for aging people to succeed.
You lost your shot to some younger guy
Opportunities in California often go to younger, more attractive candidates, leaving older people with few options.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karen Patton
I'm a late-comer to a lot of Neil Sedaka's work. Just discovered this song. Wow. And holy sh!t. As a refugee of southern California, I can vouch for the lyrics being 100% spot on. I could feel the "hamster on a wheel" futility in the arrangement. He knows what it's like to live in California. Except, as the lyrics tell us...it ain't living.
KT CLM06
Not heard this for years.....been on eBay and bought a copy. Thank you for reminding me!
yasiru jayasuriya
I have this album on cassette, it's a shame I thought it was only on cassette.
Belajar Inggris untuk pemula AK
For me, this is Sadakas’ Bohemium Rhapsody
David32
What about going nowhere.