I Remember California
R.E.M. Lyrics


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I remember redwood trees, bumper cars and wolverines
The ocean's Trident submarines
Lemons, limes and tangerines
I remember this

I remember traffic jams
Motor boys and girls with tans
Nearly-was and almost-rans
I remember this
History is made
History is made to seem unfair

I recall that you were there
Golden smile and shining hair
I recall it wasn't fair
Recollect it wasn't fair
Remembering it wasn't fair outside

Low ebb, high tide
The lowest ebb and highest tide
A symbol wave I must confide
I guess we took us for a ride
I guess it's just a gesture

I remember this defense
Progress fails pacific sense
All those sweet conspiracies
I remember all these things

I remember traffic jams
Motor boys and girls with tans
Nearly-was and almost-rans
I remember this, this

Low ebb, high tide
The lowest ebb and highest tide
I guess we took us for a ride
I guess it's just a gesture

At the end of the continent
At the edge of the continent




At the end of the continent
At the edge of the continent

Overall Meaning

The song "I Remember California" by R.E.M. captures a sense of nostalgia and loss for a time and place that is no longer accessible. The first verse is a list of memories, with a mix of positive and negative ones, ranging from redwood trees and ocean waves to traffic jams and failed progress. This is followed by a shift to a personal memory, with the singer remembering someone who was there with a "golden smile and shining hair," but also acknowledging that "it wasn't fair." The chorus repeats the phrase "low ebb, high tide," which can be interpreted as a symbol of the highs and lows of life or a metaphor for the changing tides of history. The song ends with a repetition of the line "at the end of the continent," emphasizing a sense of being on the edge and the inevitable passage of time.


The lyrics of "I Remember California" are open to interpretation, but there are a few clues that suggest a specific meaning. The song was released in 1986, during a time when R.E.M. was gaining popularity and the music industry was changing rapidly. The references to failed progress and sweet conspiracies could be seen as a commentary on the political and social climate of the time. The line "history is made to seem unfair" also suggests a disillusionment with the way history is written and recorded. Overall, the song captures a sense of longing for a simpler time before the complexities of the modern world took hold.


Line by Line Meaning

I remember redwood trees, bumper cars and wolverines
I have memories of the natural beauty of California, along with the fun rides of amusement parks and the powerful animals of the wildlife.


The ocean's Trident submarines, lemons, limes and tangerines
While admiring California's ocean, I also have memories of the military and the various citrus fruits grown in the state.


I remember this
I remember all of these things about California, this is a personal recollection.


I remember traffic jams, motor boys and girls with tans, nearly-was and almost-rans
I almost remember the less enticing parts of California, like the heavy congestion on the roads, the young drivers with sun-kissed skin, and the people who almost made it big.


History is made, history is made to seem unfair
California, like everywhere else, has a past full of events, some of which may seem unjust or unbalanced in retrospect.


I recall that you were there, golden smile and shining hair, I recall it wasn't fair, recollect it wasn't fair, remembering it wasn't fair outside
I remember an individual in California who had an enviable appearance, but still faced unfair treatment based on external factors.


Low ebb, high tide, the lowest ebb and highest tide, a symbol wave I must confide, I guess we took us for a ride, I guess it's just a gesture
The fluctuation of the tides of the California coast is a symbol of the ups and downs of life, as well as a gesture of the unpredictability of the state.


This defense, progress fails pacific sense, all those sweet conspiracies, I remember all these things
I also recall some negative aspects of California, like a misplaced sense of defense, progress not being logical, and various secretive schemes.


At the end of the continent, at the edge of the continent
California lies at the end and edge of the North American continent, which makes it distinct from other regions in many ways.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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