This collaboration with Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy, with whom Slash … Read Full Bio ↴This collaboration with Alter Bridge singer Myles Kennedy, with whom Slash had already collaborated with on "Starlight," was a late addition to the guitar legend's self-titled debut album. Slash explained to Musicradar.com: "When we were thinking about getting a single I was thinking of writing another song and getting Myles to sing it. Then it dawned on me that I had another killer piece or music that I had demoed up for this record but couldn't think of anybody to sing it so I'd been resigned to the idea of not doing it. So I put an arrangement together and sent it to him and he wrote this killer part for it. We flew him out to LA, recorded the song and squeezed it onto the record at the very last minute. Before we even recorded the song we had to get the album artwork done and had to put the name of the song in there before it was recorded. I knew it was going to be a good song, but it was by the seat of our pants. It's different to anything else on the record. It's a heavy, slow AC/DC kind of deal with really, really great vocals."

Kennedy is the only vocalist to be featured on more than one song on the album's standard track listing.

Back From Cali
Slash Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The lights are faded
And I can't deny this place ain't got no heart

Oh, you can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight

You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I'm tired and broken and I lost my way
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I don't want money
I don't need the fame
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong

I got to leave this angel city
I can't do it by myself
So if you please
Mama, can you save me
Before I blow this life to hell

Oh, love
Mama drag me by the feet
And just drag me home

You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I don't care if you think I'm to blame
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
The angel city where the devils play
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong

Yeah, you can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight

I've lost my way

I'm so alone
And all I want to do is come home

Overall Meaning

The song Back From Cali by Slash feat. Myles Kennedy is a heartfelt plea for help from a man who has found himself lost and alone in Los Angeles. The opening lines suggest that the singer has woken to find himself abandoned and suffering from a severe headache. He is struggling to cope with his situation, having been left for dead by someone he thought he could trust. The repeated refrain "you'll have to carry me back from Cali" is a desperate cry for help.

The melancholic tone of the song reflects the sense of hopelessness felt by the singer, who knows that he is in a place that has "no heart." The use of the word "faded" suggests that the city has lost its shine and glamour. The reference to the "angel city where the devils play" reflects the dark underbelly of LA and the dangers that lurk there.

The song is ultimately a plea for help from someone who has lost their way and needs rescuing. It highlights the loneliness and despair that can be experienced by those who find themselves alone in a big city, struggling to cope with the pressures of modern life.

Line by Line Meaning

Woke up this morning all alone
I started my day alone

I got a ringin' in my head
I have a persistent noise in my head

I couldn't take it anymore today
I reached my limit today

She left me here for dead
The person I loved dumped me without a care

And it don't come as no surprise
This situation was expected

I should have known if from the start
I should have predicted it from the beginning

The lights are faded
The vibrant environment is now dull

And I can't deny this place ain't got no heart
I can't ignore the fact that this place lacks passion

Oh, you can hear me tonight
I hope someone can hear me tonight

You'll have to carry me Back from Cali I'm tired and broken and I lost my way
I need someone's assistance to bring me back from the troubles of California

You'll have to carry me Back to where I belong
I need someone's help to return to my rightful place

I don't want money I don't need fame
Money and fame are not important to me

I got to leave this angel city I can't do it by myself
I have to leave this heaven-like city and I can't do it alone

So if you please Mama, can you save me Before I blow this life to hell
So if possible, can you save me from ruining my life completely, Mama?

Oh, love Mama drag me by the feet And just drag me home
Mama, please bring me back home as I have lost my way

I don't care if you think I'm to blame
I don't mind taking the blame

The angel city where the devils play
A town where things look great on the outside but are worse inside

Yeah, you can hear me tonight
I hope someone hears me tonight

I've lost my way I'm so alone And all I want to do is come home
I'm lost and lonely, and I want to return to my home

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAUL HUDSON, MYLES KENNEDY, MYLES R KENNEDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@BonutLike

6y↑12

Woke up this morning all alone
I got a ringin' in my head
I couldn't take it anymore today
She left me here for dead
Oh, I (echoed)
And it don't come as no surprise
I should have known if from the start
The lights are faded
And I can't deny this place ain't got no heart
Oh, you can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I'm tired and broken and I lost my way
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I don't want money
I don't need the fame
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
I got to leave this angel city
I can't do it by myself
So if you please
Mama, can you save me
Before I blow this life to hell
Oh, love
Mama drag me by the feet
And just drag me home
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I don't care if you think I'm to blame
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
The angel city where the devils play
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
Yeah, you can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
I've lost my way
I'm so alone
And all I want to do is come home

@timetracker8503

Lyrics..
Woke up this morning all alone
I got a ringin' in my head
I couldn't take it anymore today
She left me here for dead
Oh, I (echoed)
And it don't come as no surprise
I should have known if from the start
The lights are faded
And I can't deny this place ain't got no heart
Oh, you can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I'm tired and broken and I lost my way
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I don't want money
I don't need the fame
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
I got to leave this angel city
I can't do it by myself
So if you please
Mama, can you save me
Before I blow this life to hell
Oh, love
Mama drag me by the feet
And just drag me home
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
I don't care if you think I'm to blame
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
You'll have to carry me
Back from Cali
The angel city where the devils play
You'll have to carry me
Back to where I belong
Yeah, you can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
You can hear me tonight
I've lost my way
I'm so alone
And all I want to do is come home

All comments from YouTube:

@JACOBVANKNOWEMUSIC

25w↑2

One of their best! 🤘🔥🎶 this has become one of my all time favorite rock songs

@lifesgreat9951

8y↑56

This band is awesome. Slash picked the perfect people for it. Excellent!

@williamboger4128

💕💕💕💕💕💕"You know it daddy" An old drinking buddy of mine used to say that whenever he heard a song he liked on the JB. Haven't seen him since 1986. I hope he's okay.

@ADDIDASSSSSSSSSSSSSS

13y↑15

Myles and Slash are a great combination. Slash put together, yet another band that kicks ass.

@MakFake

6y↑6

Sensacional.Espetacular. Guitarra do Slash e a voz escandolsamente linda do Miles Kennedy

@juniormendes49

Fato!

@mumusjackson98

7y↑127

it's been 6 years that i'm listening this song every day and still not bored

@thegamer8810

4y↑2

is it 9 now?

@Kaustubh3024

2y↑2

@The Gamer I win. I still listen to it.

@Kaustubh3024

2y↑2

11 years here. I win :P

@shuffy-cv4fr

1y↑12

This is such an underrated song

@rocknaveiafunknacadeia2.055

1y↑1

Verdade

@TheMidnightGetaway

11y↑5

What an awesome awesome song. Best rock sound of recent years!

@TheMatiegos

11y↑3

Mi się ta piosenka kojarzy ze słońcem, latem, wakacjami. Wstaję rano i widzę słońce to do razu mi się przypomina. To jest zajebiste!

@bereniceneri9212

3y↑3

Que musicão !!😎👏

@rainbowpuker0369

9y↑21

love the song, I could listen to it 24/7

@TheMalileo3

11y↑15

no song slash and myles make is bad. They're all awesome!!! :DDD

@teamzfg6553

4y↑2

Got slash’s solo album as a present for my very first Father’s Day! Killer album but reminds me of some pretty sweet times watching my sons grow up too!

@rebellemoermin6128

1y↑3

1:48 bluesy melody that makes me want to hear it over and over again!

@rosanaguilera

9y↑3

muito bom....

@rosanaguilera

13y↑3

toca pra caralho..mto bom...

@ericclapton3594

Rosana Aguilera I want to specially appreciate you.Thanks for your nice comments on my posts, it mean alot to me. I want you to send me direct message via hangout using my personal email that will be indicated below.Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don't reply unnecessary messages.
Hangout mail: lifeofslash00@gmail.com

@lenningora

8y↑108

Rock is still alive❤️❤️

@franmc8311

8y↑4

Thank fuck \m/

@kosjeyr

5y↑3

But it's on life support due to the old ones dying... the new shit bands from the 90s on suck.

@HattieJosh

Of course it is. It will always be as long as guys like Slash, Stone Temple Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins still release albums

@naxx1140

2y↑1

@HattieJosh There's more

@kellypavese7110

...And always will be...👍🤘💖

2 More Replies...

@BigfootPreston

5y↑7

who the f..k can dislike this????? seriously... so good, still kickin ass after 8 years.

@MsPatty009

13y↑4

viciei nessa musica

@juniormendes49

Fez bem

@suzierose9585

8y↑12

♡ Love these two. My guys! Awesome Live!! ♡

@ericclapton3594

Suzie Rose I want to specially appreciate you.Thanks for your nice comments on my posts, it mean alot to me. I want you to send me direct message via hangout using my personal email that will be indicated below.Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don't reply unnecessary messages.
Hangout mail: lifeofslash00@gmail.com

@annabaldwin147

2y↑1

this will forever kicks ass 🤘🏼😈

@EduardoManhani

6y↑1

2018 e ainda ouvindo essa música!

@theotherguy7145

14y

I like! Always good to have an element of live performance in videos.

@sagoh._

excelente video, votaría para que llegue a ser el original 💯💯

@MrZombifanPL

11y

NAJLEPSZE WSPOMNIENIA z tą piosenką i katowickim Spodkiem. Kto był, ten wie o co chodzi!! :D

@blurry11bloomlisa

12y↑1

Awesome video and the song so amazing!!!

@christopherramirez2638

6y↑1

This song really does brings me back to those sunset strip days. So many memories. Back when music was still good unlike nowadays.

@harrisonzareski4547

5y↑2

One of the best videos put together !!!

@bianmercado4006

I love it ❤

@ericclapton3594

Bian I want to specially appreciate you.Thanks for your nice comments on my posts, it mean alot to me. I want you to send me direct message via hangout using my personal email that will be indicated below.Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don't reply unnecessary messages.
Hangout mail: lifeofslash00@gmail.com

@souradeepbhattacharya5503

3y↑1

11 years and still very energizing.. What happened to this kinda music?

@kosjeyr

Didn't get to see G'n'R with the original lineup but I got to see Slash in 2013 when he was touring with his new album and that was awesome. Out of all of Slash, Slither had got to be his best song.

@harrisonzareski4547

6y↑2

They are back together in 2018 and on tour later this year ... Sweeeeeeeeet !!!

@ulicruz6684

nadamas el Rock alivia mis penas❤❤😓😓

@rocknrollboise

14y↑1

Myles Kennedy is so freaking awesome! cool video!

@leavrebac3308

7y↑2

I just can't stop listening...

@ericclapton3594

Lea Vrebac I want to specially appreciate you.Thanks for your nice comments on my posts, it mean alot to me. I want you to send me direct message via hangout using my personal email that will be indicated below.Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don't reply unnecessary messages.
Hangout mail: lifeofslash00@gmail.com

@bknife

14y↑1

Myles is too magical. Can't wait for Alter Bridge III.

@BonutLike

6y↑12

@rippermalone959

8y↑18

Awesome rock song...

@timetracker8503

@hmdave

3y↑1

Slash/Myles = Brilliance

@user-yh4ne8nm3r

33w

A good one🤘

@davidilina9309

Bringing this much of old school rr'n'r' after these years is unprcedented n AMAZING-ZENO

@SamsonKiRA

2y↑3

Man this song still sounds so Fuking awesome in 2022.

@edwardwolford8796

Amazing!

@joeldomingos163

8y↑7

Foda!

@woo_ever092

HEHE UM BR KK!!

@CanalKcm

Joel Domingos brs kkkkkkk

@geo6519

Outstanding.... :)

@gustavorock6416

Being gunner I really adore this masterpiece.

@dudedinkli8058

5y↑2

Just fffucking great song and album 😎😆✌🤘🖒👌✌🤘🎩🔊🎛🕪🐍😆

@yuvaan2124

2y↑1

amazing

@manjeetbhati7581

6y↑1

Rock TILL WE DIE...🤘🏿

@veroniquesalvador6905

44w

👌⚡⚡⚡💜

@YoAmAGangster

5y↑2

That riff sweet mother

@annabenetti9191

11y↑2

canzone stupenda

@juniormendes49

Vero italiana. Brasilee

@steampunkray

13y

epic music

@gustavorock6416

6y↑1

Idol Slash and awesome Myles !!

@Tyrant175

8y↑14

Man, time sure flies by...

@johnfisher4193

ya man im goin from cali for 3 years so fat and still going((

@madape47

Sat, Apr 30th 2022.
And here I am watching and listening to this azamizing composition by legendary musicians.
Death to all but #RockNRoll
\; )'

@adityokusnadi

Back From Cali.
Aku suka lagu ini, mengingatkan aku semasa kuliah.
Sekarang tahun 2019, ternyata sudah 9 tahun lalu.

@spcreloaddd570

Owh...ternyata ada orang indo jga di sini 😊😊😊

@katiareyesmorales5425

9y↑2

genial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@dennisempey4442

Aug 16th , 2021. Still love this song . Cheers from Saskatchewan

@lucila8704

6y↑1

What a song

@marioallard1305

real pure bluezy rock wow 10

@SezmoistheWorstatPoetry

6y↑1

this song only needed one thing. axel rose. i mean i get it slash and axel have there differences, and myles kennedy does allright, but no one sings protests songs better than the orginal g and r. what wouldnt what i give to hear duff mckagan, slash, axel, izzy, and steven perform this song.

@Qthetar

6y↑1

Sezmo This is Myles song

@SezmoistheWorstatPoetry

yeah so what, lol. axel rose would still do it better.

@Qthetar

6y↑1

Sezmo no he won’t. Slash was the only reason why I liked GNR not that scratchy Micky mouse voice AXL. His voice ruined songs for me.

@SezmoistheWorstatPoetry

EWwww.

@Qthetar

6y↑1

Sezmo exactly. Axl is horrible.

4 More Replies...

@gabriel3667

Amazing

@nelsonbi2008

14y

why slash only make videos of his worst musics on his album?

@ReborneVampire

11y

tak, od tamtego czasu to tylko kojarzy mi sie z tą flagą i ściskiem pod barierkami :3

@ericclapton3594

I want to specially appreciate you.Thanks for your nice comments on my posts, it mean alot to me. I want you to send me direct message via hangout using my personal email that will be indicated below.Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don't reply unnecessary messages.
Hangout mail: lifeofslash00@gmail.com

@grungrlistener

14y↑1

epic!

@morleydean1

3y↑1

Greatness

@letsdanceoo

Essential Slash☝

@ade.kusuma.mahardhika

rockstar!!

@timroelofsen1563

🎩🎶

@sonjastbogdanovic

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

@kamilstabla4484

7y↑1

Love love love

@seviswitzerland3470

So great and fantastic !! But the song reminds me always to Slave by the Rolling Stones......

@jhosemarcastillo3502

Putos amos viva el "Rock A Roll" lml!

@yuvaan2124

2y↑1

wow my ears turned into titanium

@kirklinedbom8832

2y↑1

AGREED AXL Got Old Never Want to Ever Hear Something done by him.. MYLES IS THE MAN

@Drunkenreichts

13y

0:08-0:10 Wow that looks soooo cool ....it look so Slashly ;D

@nickhernandez2958

just sent to this video to my bro who is heading back to the city of angels where the devils play. Slash rock on

@tkdennis8346

8y↑52

You'll have to carry me back from heartbreak Myles. You married someone else, bummer.

@williamallen2565

4y↑2

He's a cross between Steve Tyler and Axl Rose.

@lindadejongh6389

9y↑67

Oke its Slash time!!!!!! Yeaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!

@lindadejongh6389

9y↑1

***** Hi Dewa!!!! I am fine thank you!! How are you my brother, everything alright??:)

@lindadejongh6389

9y↑1

***** bye Dewa!!!:)

@ViktorKyuzov

9y↑1

Linda De Jongh haha thats what I tell myself every day after work :D

@ericclapton3594

@Linda De Jongh I want to specially appreciate you.Thanks for your nice comments on my posts, it mean alot to me. I want you to send me direct message via hangout using my personal email that will be indicated below.Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don't reply unnecessary messages.
Hangout mail: lifeofslash00@gmail.com

@jukeboxx37

14y↑2

One dislike I see... Axl must have seen the music video

@mtbxcfreak

14y

there should be a like alot button.

@MSA

14y↑4

1:22 cooool beautiful dog nothing to say. awesome song. not the song called nothing to say wich is also awesome. this is awesome too

@daltonriley1548

Gnr velvet revolver sixxx a m chickenfoot and Myles Kennedy man slash can really do it all and do it the best

@williamboger4128

So is Blues🧐

@thunderwave3369

RIP gun & roses

@jordanestano979

12y

axel......must sing this...with slash...

@Qthetar

6y↑1

jordan estano no that’s Myles song not that Micky mouse Axl

@strongkyle2976

pray for us here in 2018. keep us away with this goddamn electronics

@leonlennardsen2141

Does anybody something know about the issue of the lyrics in the song?

@ConstantijnBoeckx

14y

@nelsonbi2008 because they feature myles kennedy. he should do a clip with lemmy for doctor alibi or with mister alice cooper for baby cant drive, maybe he cant afford

@Hunter4877

13y

I've klicked the 200th time the like-button :D

@juniormendes49

Pikaaa

@shantoo10

He totally doesn't sound like Myles :| until yaehaehaehaeh

@MooseTremonti

12y↑1

I just saw a guy on a skateboard with a dog on his arm.

@DASlash100

6y↑2

SMKC starts from here!!!

@NicoEkert

7y↑6

31 axl rose's fans who don't like this

@Adamski_-hk7iv

4y↑1

Now it up to 90 :( such a shame. Its an amazing song but hardcore axl fans wont give slash or duffs solo stuff a chance

@kelleynethercott5150

love you baby

@drewschroeder4233

I lvoe you

@tozseker4280

11y↑3

3 dislike new guns n roses and axl

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