Stroke 9 formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1989. The band has since r… Read Full Bio ↴Stroke 9 formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1989. The band has since recorded five albums and toured extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe. Fueled by the commercial success of the hit song “Little Black Backpack,” their third album, “Nasty Little Thoughts,” went gold in 2000. The single “Kick Some Ass” from their fourth album “Rip It Off” was featured in the movie “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” The band has also had songs in other movies and TV shows including “Ed TV,” “Scrubs,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” and “West Wing.” They released the album "All In" in 2004 and "Cafe Cuts", an all acoustic album of 11 of their past songs and 1 new song in February of 2006. Their sound is similar to that Third-Eye Blind, Lit, Greenwheel, and many of the other late 90's alternative bands. For more details please check out Stroke9.com
or www.myspace.com/stroke9

California
Stroke 9 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can't change how
The feelings will be shown
Don't blame you
You're nervous on your own
Propose the worst and I'm the first in line
Despite the rest it's not a bad sign

That you mean the world to me

And the city and my soul disagree

Last time 'round fast
I'll see you on the way down
Life's a funny thing
And you can't bring yourself to face
It if you want to
Now I shake here
For your sake dear
I was raised and I was born here
I couldn't leave California if I tried to

Can't say now
Where I'm gonna go
When I figure it out
You'll be the first to know

Do you understand that it's out of these hands of mine
Despite our plans I've got to draw the line

Overall Meaning

In the song "California" by Stroke 9, the lyrics talk about the conflicting emotions that the singer has towards California. The singer is torn between his love for someone and his love for California. He acknowledges that his love for California is so strong that it is almost like his soul is at odds with the city. The lyrics suggest that he is nervous and unsure about what to do, but he can't help but propose even the worst-case scenario.

The singer seems to believe that despite the uncertainty and the odds, there is a chance that their love will work out. He sees it as not a bad sign that he is the first in line to propose the worst, implying that he is willing to weather any storm. However, the lyrics also suggest that life is a "funny thing" and that the future is uncertain. The singer acknowledges that he is nervous and shakes because he doesn't know what the future holds. Despite this, he insists that he couldn't leave California even if he tried to.

The last stanza of the song suggests that the singer still has things to figure out, but he promises to keep the other person in the loop. He acknowledges that there are factors that are beyond his control and that there may come a time when he has to draw the line. Overall, the lyrics are a reflection of the inner turmoil that the singer experiences as he tries to reconcile his love for someone with his love for the place he calls home.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't change how
Unable to change how things will be

The feelings will be shown
My feelings can't be hidden

Don't blame you
I don't hold you responsible

You're nervous on your own
You are anxious by yourself

Propose the worst and I'm the first in line
I am always the first to volunteer for the worst

Despite the rest it's not a bad sign
Despite everything else, it's a positive sign

That you mean the world to me
I hold you in the highest regard

And the city and my soul disagree
The city clashes with my soul

Last time 'round fast
The last time went too quickly

I'll see you on the way down
I'll catch you on your downfall

Life's a funny thing
Life is a peculiar journey