In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
CALIFORNIA SHAKE
Words and Music by Margo Guryan and Richard Bennett
Melon-rising California sun
Drifting in a day not yet begun
Six o'clock and peaceful and serene
Floating in a Technicolor scene
Something nearly peaceful in the sound
Rising from the San Andreas ground
Overground, it starts to feel strange
Underground, it starts to rearrange
You'd better get up
And run for a doorway
No time for thinking
Your life is at stake
Everyone's doing the California Shake
California Shake
Nonbelieving, everybody waits
Shifting on the continental plates
Thunder far below the ocean floor
Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war
Wond'ring if you're going to survive
God, it feels like eight point four or five
Fifteen seconds holding your breath
Living through a microscopic death
You'd better hold on
The worst isn't over
No time for thinking
Your life is at stake
Everyone's doing the California Shake
California Shake
© 1975 (renewed) DARTMOOR MUSIC
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Words and Music by Margo Guryan and Richard Bennett
Melon-rising California sun
Drifting in a day not yet begun
Six o'clock and peaceful and serene
Floating in a Technicolor scene
Something nearly peaceful in the sound
Rising from the San Andreas ground
Overground, it starts to feel strange
Underground, it starts to rearrange
You'd better get up
And run for a doorway
No time for thinking
Your life is at stake
Everyone's doing the California Shake
California Shake
Nonbelieving, everybody waits
Shifting on the continental plates
Thunder far below the ocean floor
Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war
Wond'ring if you're going to survive
God, it feels like eight point four or five
Fifteen seconds holding your breath
Living through a microscopic death
You'd better hold on
The worst isn't over
No time for thinking
Your life is at stake
Everyone's doing the California Shake
California Shake
© 1975 (renewed) DARTMOOR MUSIC
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Lyrics submitted by haripotterhari
California Shake [Unreleased Master; Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Richard Bennett Margo Guryan
Lyrics © DARVILLE MUSIC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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