California Girls
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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See them on their big bright screen
tan and blonde and seventeen
Eating nonfood keeps them mean
but they're young forever
If they must grow up
they marry dukes and earls
I hate California girls
They ain't broke, so they put on airs,
the faux folks sans derrières
They breathe coke and have affairs
with each passing rock star
They come on like squares
then get off like squirrels
I hate California girls

Looking down their perfect noses
at me and my kind
do they think we won't
well, never mind

Laughing through their perfect teeth
at everyone I know
do they think we wont
Get up an go?

So
I have planned my grand attacks
I will stand behind their backs
with my brand-new battle ax
Then they will they taste my wrath
They will hear me say




as the pavement whirls
"I hate California girls..."

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields's song "California Girls" is a sarcastic commentary on the glamorous and artificial lifestyle of young women in California. The song's lyrics describe these girls as being obsessed with their appearance and maintaining a youthful image, which they do through unhealthy practices such as eating nonfood and using drugs. The singer of the song, who is likely a resident of California, despises these girls for their superficiality and arrogance.


The second verse of the song highlights the girls' social status and their preference for dating wealthy and famous men, which the singer sees as evidence of their materialism and lack of genuine interests. The song's final verse suggests that the singer has had enough of the girls' attitudes and is planning to take violent revenge on them, although it is unclear whether this is meant to be taken literally or as a fantasy.


Overall, the message of the song is one of critique of the image-obsessed culture of California, which often elevates youth and beauty over substance and character. The singer's hatred of California girls is not only a reflection of his or her own feelings of alienation and frustration but also a commentary on the negative effects of media and society on young people.


Line by Line Meaning

See them on their big bright screen
The singer is identifying the object of their criticism – a group of California girls – and notes their omnipresence on popular media.


tan and blonde and seventeen
The singer describes the physical features that many California girls are lauded for, stereotyping their appearances as tan and blonde at a young age.


Eating nonfood keeps them mean
The singer accuses these girls of starving themselves to maintain their appearances, leading to a nasty behavior.


but they're young forever
The girls *may* maintain their youthful appearances, but their personalities and values are frozen in time as well.


If they must grow up
The artist suggests that growing up appears to be an undesirable prospect for these girls.


they marry dukes and earls
The singer implies that their aspirations are low and predictable.


I hate California girls
The singer hates a certain subset of individuals who reside in California, possibly skewing towards their behavior and ways of life.


They ain't broke, so they put on airs,
These girls have enough money to put on pretense and facade, but still seem to be lacking tact and authenticity for the artist's taste.


the faux folks sans derrières
The girls' authenticity is called into question, making them out to be phonies who put on overdone acts lacking genuine personality.


They breathe coke and have affairs
Drug use and promiscuity is suggested to be a common occurrence with these California girls.


with each passing rock star
The singer associates these girls with a lifestyle that frequently involves being around popular, successful musicians.


They come on like squares
The girls can appear straight-laced or conservative, but in reality, are anything but.


then get off like squirrels
Once they let loose, they are hedonistic and impulsive.


I hate California girls
The singer reiterates an intense disliking for this group of people.


Looking down their perfect noses
The girls are described as thinking they are superior to others.


at me and my kind
The artist feels they are being directly targeted for judgement due to some form of deviation from this group of individuals.


do they think we won't
The artist wonders if these girls underestimate them or their capability to respond.


well, never mind
Whatever distinction that the singer has from these California girls, it likely isn't worth entertaining any further.


Laughing through their perfect teeth
The girls are depicted as mocking others, perhaps even relishing in their lower status.


at everyone I know
Those who are being laughed at are acquaintances of the artist, possibly indicating that the artist isn't a direct target themselves.


do they think we wont
The artist again questions their judgment and believes these girls are underestimating those they're targeting.


Get up an go?
The artist wonders if they are attempting to provoke a response that goes beyond verbal retaliation.


So
The following serves as the singer's plan of action.


I have planned my grand attacks
The artist has carefully plotted ways to strike back at the California girls.


I will stand behind their backs
The singer won't confront the girls directly, but rather, act against them secretly or covertly.


with my brand-new battle ax
The singer has acquired a new tool to help them carry out these attacks, but this is purely metaphorical and should not be taken literally.


Then they will they taste my wrath
The singer wants to cause damage to these girls as a form of revenge for the judgment and mockery they've faced.


They will hear me say
The artist intends to make the California girls aware that they were responsible for these actions.


as the pavement whirls
The emotional intensity and physical movement become overwhelming to the point where it appears things are spinning.


"I hate California girls..."
The singer repeats their hatred to end the song, cementing their animosity towards those they perceive as Californian girls.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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