Back To California
The Wallflowers Lyrics


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Feels like a ghost here in this room
Well not the kind that rides a saddle in a costume
All around me, all around you
In from the window for a drag of your perfume

Let's move back to California
Let's make a promise, baby
let's both be there
Put our feet deep in the sand
This garden's only got four corners
Back to your trenches back to California

The days keep coming and the years overlap
Been crawling all over each other like wet cats
Hear the rebels yelling out in the dunes
I don't think it's half as a funny as I used to

Lets move back to CA
Lets make a promise, baby
let's both be there
Put our feet deep in the sand
Let's leave behind these maps and handguns
We're on our way back to California
We've got California in our eyes
Come on catch us if you can
with California in our eyes

Passing down through a valley full of lost sheep
Straight is the gate, narrow is the walkway
Mercury rising and poppies in bloom
This is the kind of thing that I can get used to

Lets move back to California
Lets make a promise, baby
let's both be there
Put our feet deep in the sand
There's still no shortage in creating bad blood
We're on our way back to California
We've got California in our eyes
Come on and catch us if you can
with California in our eyes
As fast as we can
Back to California,
Come on catch us if you can,
back to California




fast as we can
Back to California

Overall Meaning

The song "Back to California" by The Wallflowers is a reflection on longing for a place you call home. The lead singer, Jakob Dylan, sings "Feels like a ghost here in this room, well not the kind that rides a saddle in a costume," which suggests that he is feeling isolated and disconnected from his surroundings. He further expresses this feeling in the line "All around me, all around you, in from the window for a drag of your perfume," which might suggest that he feels like he is lost in the scenery, and that he is trying to escape from it.


The chorus ("Let's move back to California, let's make a promise, baby, let's both be there, put our feet deep in the sand") highlights the comfort and nostalgia that California represents to him. California is a place where he feels like he can put his feet up and relax. The lyrics "We've got California in our eyes, come on catch us if you can" highlight the idea that California is not just a physical place, but also a state of mind.


Overall, "Back to California" is about the longing for a simpler life, where one can put their feet up and not worry about the stresses of everyday life.


Line by Line Meaning

Feels like a ghost here in this room
I feel a sense of emptiness and lack of presence in this space


Well not the kind that rides a saddle in a costume
I don't mean a literal ghost in a physical outfit


All around me, all around you
This feeling is pervasive and affects everyone here


In from the window for a drag of your perfume
I catch a whiff of your scent when the breeze comes through the window


Let's move back to California
I want to return to California


Let's make a promise, baby let's both be there
Let's commit to going together


Put our feet deep in the sand
Let's enjoy the beach and feel the sand between our toes


This garden's only got four corners
This current situation is limiting and we need to escape it


Back to your trenches back to California
Let's leave behind our current struggles and go back to where we feel comfortable


The days keep coming and the years overlap
Time passes regardless of what we do and the years blend together


Been crawling all over each other like wet cats
We've been getting in each other's way like cats in close quarters


Hear the rebels yelling out in the dunes
We hear people who are standing up against something in the distance


I don't think it's half as funny as I used to
I don't find it as amusing as I used to when hearing people rebel


Let's leave behind these maps and handguns
We need to let go of the things that hold us back or cause harm


We're on our way back to California
We are heading back to California already


We've got California in our eyes
Our minds are set on California and our thoughts are consumed by it


Come on catch us if you can with California in our eyes
It would be hard to catch up to us because we are so focused on California


Passing down through a valley full of lost sheep
We are traveling through a place that seems lost or aimless


Straight is the gate, narrow is the walkway
Our path is not broad and easy, but difficult and narrow


Mercury rising and poppies in bloom
It is hot out and the flowers are in full bloom


This is the kind of thing that I can get used to
I enjoy being in this environment and could see myself adapting to it


There's still no shortage in creating bad blood
There are still disagreements that could cause conflict


As fast as we can Back to California,
We will go as quickly as possible to return to California


Come on catch us if you can, back to California
If you want to join us, you'll have to keep up as we head back to California


fast as we can Back to California
We are moving quickly to get back to California




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAKOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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