Southern California Line
Steve Wynn Lyrics


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Bobby took a ride on a California night
On the 7:35 from Salinas
Didn't hear a sound there was no one else around
He said 'The sky has come between us'.

Are you really sure that now's the time?
Are you ready to be saved
On the Southern California Line?

Bobby made a list of the places he had missed
And the places where he'd been forgotten
Looked upon the list and he tore the list to bits
And he wondered how it turned so rotten

Bobby's last connection was a thought about confession
And a 25-to-life in prison




Took a load of pills, leaned against the windowsill
And waited till his soul had risen

Overall Meaning

The song "Southern California Line" by Steve Wynn is a story about a man named Bobby who takes a train ride through California. Bobby seems to be lost and disconnected from the world around him, as he rides alone on the 7:35 train from Salinas. He feels like the sky has come between him and everyone else, indicating a sense of separation from society as a whole. The chorus asks if he's ready to be saved on the Southern California Line, suggesting that perhaps he's looking for redemption or a way out of his isolation.


As Bobby travels, he makes a list of the places he's missed and the places where he's been forgotten. He tears the list up in frustration, wondering how his life has turned out this way. Finally, he has a thought about confessing his sins, but instead, he chooses to end his life by taking pills and waiting for his soul to rise.


The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who has lost his way and feels disconnected from those around him. The song's haunting melody adds to the sense of sadness and melancholy that permeates the narrative.


Line by Line Meaning

Bobby took a ride on a California night
Bobby took a trip on a dark and gloomy night in California.


On the 7:35 from Salinas
He traveled by train from Salinas at 7:35 pm.


Didn't hear a sound there was no one else around
The place was deserted, and no one was there to make any sound when he traveled.


He said 'The sky has come between us'
The dark and gloomy sky was barricading him in from an external world.


Are you really sure that now's the time?
Is Bobby confident about his decision at that moment?


Are you ready to be saved
Is Bobby ready to let go of the past and start anew?


On the Southern California Line?
Is he willing to take that train to Southern California?


Bobby made a list of the places he had missed
Bobby reminisced the missed opportunities and regrets of the past.


And the places where he'd been forgotten
Bobby remembered the places where he didn't create a permanent moment and faded away from memory.


Looked upon the list and he tore the list to bits
After rethinking, Bobby decided to destroy the list and move on from his regrets.


And he wondered how it turned so rotten
Bobby's thoughts centered upon how his life choices faded away into regrets.


Bobby's last connection was a thought about confession
Bobby's last thought connected him to confess his past transgressions and move on.


And a 25-to-life in prison
Bobby counted on spending most of his life in prison for his past mistakes.


Took a load of pills, leaned against the windowsill
Bobby ingested some pills and leaned on the window pane, anticipating the worst.


And waited till his soul had risen
Ingested pills, Bobby waited to die, hoping his soul would find its solace.




Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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