Paul Conrad is a member of Mexican Jazz outfit La Petra (sometimes just called Petra). He contributes with saxophone and tuba on Lila Downs' album La Cantina as well as on some albums by Mexican (Blues-)Rockers El Tri.
California
Paul Conrad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wasted when I try to be sober
Feeling down so you try to get fucked up
You're up but you're still down on your luck
Met a girl on the 4th of July,
Celebrations only lasted one night
She OD'd in back of my car
Turns out she likes to see stars
That's the life of a rockstar baby
Coming with me, don't say maybe
We'll fuck around for a few years later
Then buy a house in the ‘burbs with neighbors
Four kids sitting happy by the poolside
All the memories tattooed on my mind
Even though this all ends someday
I hope the music never dies
California what a way to die
When the stars are falling and you don't know why
California what a way to die
What a way to die
In the motel gun to your head
Who the hell is this lying in bed
You blacked out when the sky was still blue
People say what happened to you.
You went away when the new guy moved in
To your head, no you're living in sin
All the girls left draped in the flag
Strung out and high on hashtags
That's the life of a rockstar baby
Coming with me, don't say maybe
We'll fuck around for a few years later
Then buy a house in the ‘burbs with neighbors
Four kids sitting happy by the poolside
All the memories tattooed on my mind
Even though this all ends someday
I hope the music never dies
California what a way to die
When the stars are falling and you don't know why
California what a way to die
What a way to die
The song "California" by Paul Conrad is a reflection on the tumultuous lifestyle of a rock star in California. The first verse talks about a young person who is almost 24 and has been wasting his life trying to get high. He meets a girl on 4th of July, and they get high together but end up overdosing in the back of his car. The chorus talks about how one can live life like a rock star in California, but it comes with its dangers and pitfalls. The second verse shifts the perspective to a person living in a motel with a gun to his head. He is wondering who is lying on his bed, and he has blacked out. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the dangers of living in California.
Conrad uses vivid language and images to paint a picture of the dangers of living a rock star lifestyle in California. The song expresses the fleeting nature of life, particularly for those living in California, where the culture of celebrity and excess can lead to destruction. It's a warning to those who aspire to live like a rock star in California and a reflection on the sacrifices that come with such a lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
24 and I'm almost over
I'm feeling lost and uncertain as I approach my mid-twenties.
Wasted when I try to be sober
Drinking and drugs are my escape from reality, but they also make me feel worse in the end.
Feeling down so you try to get fucked up
I'm trying to numb my emotional pain by getting high or drunk.
You're up but you're still down on your luck
Even when I have moments of happiness or success, I still feel unlucky in life overall.
Met a girl on the 4th of July,
I had a fleeting romantic encounter with someone new and exciting.
Celebrations only lasted one night
Our connection was short-lived and didn't lead to anything substantial.
She OD'd in back of my car
The girl I met had a drug problem that ultimately led to her overdose.
Turns out she likes to see stars
The girl's addiction caused her to seek out a high that made her see stars, which ultimately led to her death.
That's the life of a rockstar baby
Living recklessly and destructively is glamorized in our culture, especially in the music industry.
Coming with me, don't say maybe
Join me on this wild ride, no hesitation or uncertainty allowed.
We'll fuck around for a few years later
Let's enjoy our youth and freedom while we can, consequences be damned.
Then buy a house in the ‘burbs with neighbors
Once the partying dies down, we'll settle down and conform to societal norms in a suburban neighborhood.
Four kids sitting happy by the poolside
We'll have a picture-perfect family with lots of children and a luxurious home, living the American dream.
All the memories tattooed on my mind
Even though this lifestyle won't last forever, the experiences and memories will stay with me forever.
Even though this all ends someday
I know that eventually I'll have to give up this lifestyle and settle down in a more conventional way.
I hope the music never dies
Despite everything, I hope that the music and creativity that comes with being a rockstar will endure, even as I grow older and change.
California what a way to die
Living in California and being part of the music scene is both thrilling and dangerous.
When the stars are falling and you don't know why
Sometimes things fall apart, you lose your way, and you can't explain why.
In the motel gun to your head
Even in the midst of all this excitement, there's always the risk of danger and violence.
Who the hell is this lying in bed
At times, life can be confusing and disorienting, and we don't know how we got where we are.
You blacked out when the sky was still blue
Things can happen to us without our conscious awareness, and we might not remember what happened until it's too late.
People say what happened to you.
When we start living recklessly and dangerously, people might question our choices and our wellbeing.
You went away when the new guy moved in
We can easily be replaced in this lifestyle, and the people we thought we were close to can quickly move on without us.
To your head, no you're living in sin
The consequences of our actions can catch up to us, and we might end up feeling like we're living in a state of sin or moral decay.
All the girls left draped in the flag
Women are often objectified and used in this culture, and they might be left with nothing after being with someone in the rockstar lifestyle.
Strung out and high on hashtags
Social media and technology play a big role in this culture, and people might end up addicted to these things as well as drugs or alcohol.
What a way to die
Dying before we've truly lived, or dying tragically or pointlessly, is a common theme in this lifestyle and in our culture overall.
Contributed by Jonathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AdvanceDaily
Such a shame this has such low views. I feel like everyone needs to listen to this masterpiece.
@me2uptj
i cannot thank spotify enough for bringing me to this beautiful song!
@tressly6991
Was going through old playlists and came across this song again. Awesome sound!
@blink4073
This guy is just an amazing artist. In a way thnk god this isnt mainstream!! But we need more songs
@Joostinonline
I never understood what's wrong with mainstream. More stuff, and fewer hipsters
@blink4073
+Justin Hannay once they go mainstream they become corporate sellouts. It becomes more about the money and less about the music.
@Joostinonline
Filip Spataru
Some of my favorite bands are mainstream. Don't you like alt-J?
@blink4073
+Justin Hannay i think i heard some alt j songs before. Listen in the end its a matter of what you like. Im talking in general, artists who go mainstream change their original sounds,their fans used to love, to something more likable to a larger audience. For example nicky minaj was an awesome artist when she was underground. Now shes just shit.
@ogmisspie6842
this is one of my favorite songs how is this not popular as fuck
@warneverchanges709
This is an amazing song! An instant favorite!