Toby Beau is a Texas band formed in the early 1970s, best known for the hit… Read Full Bio ↴Toby Beau is a Texas band formed in the early 1970s, best known for the hit single "My Angel Baby" in 1978. Though little is known around the world about this band past this top fifteen single, the band is still in existence today, and continues to perform in the club circuit.

Formed in the Rio Grande Valley, the original members included guitarists Danny McKenna, Balde Silva, Art Mendoza, bassist Steve Zipper and drummer Rob Young. After numerous club performances around South Texas, the band moved to San Antonio, Texas and received a major record deal from RCA (now BMG). This deal would recruit the production talents of Sean Delaney, who at the time was also producing KISS. In addition, guitarist Mendoza was replaced with guitarist and banjoist extraordinaire Ron Rose, who added a country flavor to the band.

Their self-titled debut LP appeared on RCA in 1978, with the single "My Angel Baby" topping the easy-listening charts and falling just shy of the pop Top Ten; 1979's More than a Love Song failed to recapture its predecessor's success, however, and after issuing If You Believe a year later, Toby Beau was dropped from their contract. The band continued playing the Texas club circuit during the decades that followed, however, still with Silva at the helm.

California
Toby Beau Lyrics

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At the strangest times
Dreams and me just somehow seem to find
A thought about her

I heard her name
Made me think about her once again
They call her California

Bridges burning just like the tide I′m turning
We're both on different sides so damn hard to decide
Where home is anymore
Where my home is anymore

Something inside
Makes me feel a pain that I can′t hide
I tell you California

I tried and tried
Just can't seem to make you realize
I don't want you any longer

Bridges burning just like the tide I′m turning
We′re both on different sides so damn hard to decide
Where home is anymore
Where my home is anymore

At the strangest times
Dreams and me just somehow seem to find
A thought about her (California)

I heard her name
Made me think about her once again
They call her California

Where the sun is shining
Must be the silver lining
I've been looking for so long

Bridges burning just like the tide I′m turning
We're both on different sides so damn hard to decide
Where home is anymore

Where my home is anymore
Where my home is anymore

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Toby Beau's song "California" tell a story of longing and nostalgia for a person and a place. The singer finds that thoughts about this person, referred to as "her," keep coming back at the most unexpected and peculiar times. The mention of California in the title and throughout the song suggests that this person is strongly associated with the state.

The singer hears her name and it triggers memories and emotions once again. The repetition of "They call her California" emphasizes the significance of this person's connection to the state. Despite the longing and pain felt inside, the singer admits to having tried and tried but cannot make her realize that he no longer wants her. There is a sense of struggle, as both the singer and this person are on different sides, making it difficult to decide where home truly is.

The chorus suggests the turmoil and inner conflict the singer is experiencing. The "bridges burning" symbolize the breakdown of a connection or relationship, mirroring the turning tide that signifies change. The repetition of the line "Where my home is anymore" highlights the sense of displacement and uncertainty, as the singer is no longer sure where they belong.

Overall, "California" paints a picture of longing, nostalgia, and conflicting emotions tied to a person and a place. It explores the difficulties of letting go and finding a sense of home amidst the turmoil.

Line by Line Meaning

At the strangest times
In unexpected moments

Dreams and me just somehow seem to find
My dreams always lead me back

A thought about her
A memory of her

I heard her name
Her name reached my ears

Made me think about her once again
Prompted me to reminisce about her

They call her California
She is known as California

Bridges burning just like the tide I′m turning
Relationships are deteriorating as I struggle with indecision

We're both on different sides so damn hard to decide
We are in conflict and it's difficult to determine the right path

Where home is anymore
Where I truly belong now

Something inside
A feeling within me

Makes me feel a pain that I can′t hide
Causes an unhideable emotional pain