Shores Of California
The Dresden Dolls Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

He's been trying with limited success
To get this girl to let him get into her dress
But every time he thinks he's getting close
She threatens death before he gets a chance

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California

And she's been trying with limited success
To get him to turn out the lights and dance
Cause like any girl all she really wants is
That fickle little bitch romance
That fickle little bitch romance

And that is why the girl is called a tease
And that is why the guy is called a sleaze
And that's why God made escort agencies
"One Life to Live" and mace and GHB

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma-homa
That's the way since the animals and Noah
First climbed onto the shores of California

Must not be too kind
Stop thinking love is blind
Clench your fists, yeah, write
"She's just not my type"

Why all these conflicting specifications
Maybe to prevent overpopulation
All I know is that all around the nation
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma-homa
That's the way Aristophanes and Homer
Wrote the Iliad and Lysistrata

That's the way it is in Minnesota
That's the way it is in Oklahoma-homa




That's the way since the anti-protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Dresden Dolls' song "Shores of California" convey two different but related stories of two people trying to pursue each other for physical intimacy, but constantly facing obstacles. The first few verses describe a guy who has been attempting to get with a girl, but she keeps resisting his advances by threatening him with violence. The following verses change perspective, with the girl now attempting to convince the guy to dance with her in the dark, seeking "fickle little bitch romance." However, the guy seems uninterested, and the song shifts to addressing the reasons behind such attitudes in dating. The lyrics suggest that girls are "teases" and guys are "sleazes" and that both parties are essentially performing roles ordained by society.


The song's final verse throws a curveball as it speculates on the reasons behind such sexual interactions, citing a need for conflict and contradiction to prevent overpopulation. Throughout the song, the recurring theme is that there is a constant struggle between men and women to attain physical pleasure and explore romantic relationships. The song's title, "Shores of California," refers to the origin story of how life began on Earth, as protozoa first emerged on the shores of what is now California.


Line by Line Meaning

He's been trying with limited success
The man has been attempting to have sex with a girl, but has not been very successful


To get this girl to let him get into her pants
He has been trying to convince the girl to have sex with him


But every time he thinks he's getting close
Even though he thinks he's making progress, he ultimately fails


She threatens death before he gets a chance
The girl threatens to harm him if he tries to have sex with her


And that's the way it is in Minnesota
This kind of situation is not unique to California, but is common in other states like Minnesota


And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
This kind of situation is not unique to California, but is common in other states like Oklahoma


That's the way it's been since protozoa
This kind of sexual dynamic has been present since the earliest forms of life


First climbed onto the shores of California
This behavior has been present in California since the beginning of recorded history


And she's been trying with limited success
The girl has been attempting to get the man to dance with her, but has not had much success


To get him to turn out the lights and dance
She wants him to turn off the lights and dance with her


Cause like any girl all she really wants
The girl just wants a romantic relationship, like many other girls


That fickle little bitch romance
Romance is important to her, even though it can be unpredictable and difficult


And that is why a girl is called a tease
When a girl does not want to have sex, some people call her a tease


And that is why a guy is called a sleaze
When a guy tries to have sex with a girl who doesn't want to, some people call him a sleaze


And that's why god made escort agencies
Escort agencies exist because some people are not able to find partners through traditional means


One life to live and mace and GHB
People need to be careful and protect themselves in sexual situations, because there are risks involved


Must not be too kind
People need to be cautious and not be too trusting in sexual situations


Stop thinking love is blind
People need to stop believing that love can solve all problems


Clench your fists yeah write
People need to stand up for themselves when it comes to sexual situations


"She's just not my type"
It's okay to not be attracted to someone, and people should be honest about that


Why all these conflicting specifications
There are many conflicting expectations when it comes to sex and relationships


Maybe to prevent overpopulation
These conflicting expectations may exist to prevent overpopulation and ensure survival of the species


All I know is that all around the nation
These kinds of sexual dynamics are present all over the country


The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating
Sex can be a source of frustration and disappointment for both men and women


That's the way Aristophanes and homer
Even in ancient times, there were stories and plays about sexual dynamics


Wrote the Iliad and Lysistrata (not in that order)
Two famous works of literature, the Iliad and Lysistrata, dealt with sexual themes




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amanda Palmer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@purrai3435

He's been trying with limited success
To get this girl to let him get into her pants
But every time he thinks he's getting close
She threatens death before he gets a chance

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California

And she's been trying with limited success
To get him to turn out the lights and dance
Cause like any girl all she really wants
That fickle little bitch romance
That fickle little bitch romance

And that is why a girl is called a tease
And that is why a guy is called a sleaze
And that's why god made escort agencies
One life to live and mace and GHB

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way since the animals and Noah
First climbed onto the shores of California

Must not be too kind
Stop thinking love is blind
Clench your fists yeah write
"She's just not my type"

Why all these conflicting specifications
Maybe to prevent overpopulation
All I know is that all around the nation
The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way Aristophanes and homer
Wrote the Iliad and Lysistrata (not in that order)

And that's the way it is in Minnesota
And that's the way it is in Oklahoma
That's the way it's been since protozoa
First climbed onto the shores of California



All comments from YouTube:

@luckyowl10

Shores of California is one of the best song I heard in some time, Amanda Palmer, you are a complete artist, unique singer, awesome songwritter and mesmerizing actress! ✌

@JBBost

and her husband is quite the looker, too

@melanieventuri947

Dresden Dolls and Kitchens of Distinction are criminally underrated. Play them at my funeral, please ❤

@VeridisQuoLive

I love the fact that she gives tissues to girls and boys haha. Well done Amanda !

@whoareyou1332

Hahaha...every time I see this video it makes me wonder what Roadrunner must have thought! I can just imagine their scared little faces going "what the hell have we just bought?!" LMAO!

@magneto44

I just discovered this band today, noticed all the Roadrunner channels posting the videos and thought the exact same thing lol

@stephybear4

2022 and I'm still here!!

@griddlethekids

2023 now!!!

@fantastischee

Love the piano, smooth

@vanzetti1927

David J, in a white suit, at the beach is the most Goth thing I have ever seen in my whole life!

More Comments