San Diego
blink-182 (USA) Lyrics
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They question who we used to be
Sometimes I feel like I'm the oxygen between
The cigarette and gasoline
I can't sleep 'cause what if I dream
Of going back to San Diego
We bought a one way ticket
And listen to our favorite songs in the parking lot
And think of every person I ever lost in San Diego (to San Diego)
Can't go back to San Diego (can't go back to San Diego)
Abandoned houses with the lights on (oh, oh, oh)
Late at night I call your name (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Abandoned love songs smashed across the hardwood floors
I read the sadness on your face
I can't sleep 'cause what if I dream
Of going back to San Diego
We bought a one way ticket
So we could go see the Cure
And listen to our favorite songs in the parking lot
And think of every person I ever lost in San Diego (to San Diego)
Can't go back to San Diego (can't go back to San Diego)
I never needed to hear
All of the pain and the fear
Your secrets filled up my ears
Like the ocean blue
I never wanted to know
How deep these cuts on you go
And like a river they flow
To the ocean blue
Going back to San Diego
We bought a one way ticket
So we could go see the Cure
And listen to our favorite songs in the parking lot
And think of every person I ever lost at San Diego (San Diego) (to San Diego)
Can't go back to San Diego (San Diego) (can't go back to San Diego)
The song "San Diego" by blink-182 touches on themes of nostalgia, loss, and regret. The singer struggles with moving forward in life and the memories of their past in San Diego, which they can't seem to shake off. The lyrics "sometimes I wonder where our lives go, they question who we used to be" suggest the singer's feeling of being lost, questioning the direction their life has taken. The line "sometimes I feel like I'm the oxygen between the cigarette and gasoline" hints at the singer's vulnerability, stuck between two volatile elements.
The refrain "I can't sleep, 'cause what if I dream" shows the singer's obsession with going back to San Diego, where they once shared fond memories with loved ones, including listening to their favorite songs in the parking lot. The line "and think of every person I ever lost in San Diego" highlights the pain and loss that the singer has experienced in this place, echoing their inability to let go of the past.
The chorus "going back to San Diego, we bought a one-way ticket so we could go see the Cure" underlines the singer's desire to escape their current life and go back to a time and place where they were happier. However, the conclusion "can't go back to San Diego" shows that the singer has come to accept that they need to confront their past and find a way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I wonder where our lives go
Reflecting on our lives, questioning where they are headed.
They question who we used to be
Others are curious about our past selves.
Sometimes I feel like I'm the oxygen between
The cigarette and gasoline
Feeling like a crucial factor in a potentially explosive or dangerous situation.
I can't sleep 'cause what if I dream
Of going back to San Diego
Anxiety over the possibility of reliving past experiences, good or bad.
We bought a one way ticket
So we could go see the Cure
Making a one-way trip with a specific purpose in mind.
And listen to our favorite songs in the parking lot
Enjoyming simple pleasures with loved ones in a familiar place.
And think of every person I ever lost in San Diego (to San Diego)
Can't go back to San Diego (can't go back to San Diego)
Remembering those who have left or passed away in San Diego and coming to terms with being unable to return.
Abandoned houses with the lights on (oh, oh, oh)
Late at night I call your name (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Feeling nostalgic and maybe even regretful about a past love or relationship.
Abandoned love songs smashed across the hardwood floors
I read the sadness on your face
Being able to see the hurt and pain experienced by a loved one through visual and emotional cues.
I never needed to hear
All of the pain and the fear
Your secrets filled up my ears
Like the ocean blue
Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of someone else's troubles and secrets.
I never wanted to know
How deep these cuts on you go
And like a river they flow
To the ocean blue
Being confronted with the depth and extent of someone's emotional suffering.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John William Feldmann, Mark Hoppus, Matthew Thomas Skiba, Patrick Martin Stumph, Travis L. Barker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wbs
The meaning of this song was discussed in an interview. Posted below.
Matt Skiba said:
There were songs that were left off the record, not because they weren’t great, but because they would change the temperature of the record and what kind of record it would be. It’s just a taste thing. And ‘San Diego’, I don’t know why, but I was concerned it was going to get cut. I’m really glad it didn’t. I think it’s such a great song. There’s some mixed feelings about San Diego within the band. I won’t go into specifics, but I think it expresses those feelings without – obviously the band originates from San Diego, and the fans there are just amazing. So, it’s not a diss to the city, but it’s sort of, if I can say so, similar to me having memories of Chicago. That’s where I’m from. Coming into Blink, and having a song that’s sort of a past-life type of tune, that’s so anthemic but also kind of melancholic and adds this new turquoise flavor to the record that I’m a big fan of. I love that song."
Mark Hoppus, surprised, added:
Turquoise flavor?"
To which Matt explained further:
Yeah, like, kind of dirty ocean flavour."
Mark: “Cool.”
Corey Mccoy
Forever respect for Matt Skiba from the Blink community ✊🏼
George Sherwood
The chorus to this song could be my favourite chorus of all time
Rich man
mine too!! so catchy
Jahn Sandy
same
Johnny Dramna
I just want to go to San Diego so bad right now!
Garklan
catchiest song!
Giselle Delgadillo
SAAAAME
Jon Sandy
I can’t believe that this song still hits me just as hard 5 years later
Julian
Not a big Blink-182 fan, but I was a big Chargers fan. For those not familiar, the San Diego Chargers played in San Diego from 1961 until last year. Their departure hit me hard, and this song has been a great coping mechanism. You can hear the emotion behind the lyrics, something you don't normally hear in top 40 songs. Great song..... thank you Blink-182
Patrice Odom
Feeling a bit better tonight?
(I do know how you feel about the Charg e rs)