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.
Out on the edge of an empty highway
Howling at the blood on the moon
Big diesel Mack truck rolling down my way
I can't hit that border too soon
Running hard out of Muskrat Flats
It was sixty days or double life
Hail on my back like a shotgun blast
High wind chimes in the night
Oh oh, the pride of Cucamonga
Oh oh, bitter olives in the sun
Oh oh, I had me some lovin'
And I done some time
Since I came down from Oregon
There's a lesson or two I've learned
By standing in the road alone
Standing watching the fires burn
The northern sky it stinks with greed
You could smell it for miles around
The good ole boys in the Greystone Hotel
Sitting doing that git on down
Oh oh, the pride of Cucamonga
Oh oh, silver apples in the sun
Oh oh, I had me some lovin'
And I done some time
I see your silver shining town
But I know I can't go there
Your streets run deep with poisoned wine
Your doorways crawl with fear
So I think I'll drift for ol' where it's at
Where the weed grows green and fine
And wrap myself around a bush of that bright
Whoa, on Oaxaca vine
Yes, it's me, I'm the pride of Cucamonga
I can see golden forests in the sun
Oh oh, I had me some lovin'
And I done some time
And I done some time
And I done some time
Howling at the blood on the moon
Big diesel Mack truck rolling down my way
I can't hit that border too soon
Running hard out of Muskrat Flats
It was sixty days or double life
Hail on my back like a shotgun blast
High wind chimes in the night
Oh oh, the pride of Cucamonga
Oh oh, bitter olives in the sun
Oh oh, I had me some lovin'
And I done some time
Since I came down from Oregon
There's a lesson or two I've learned
By standing in the road alone
Standing watching the fires burn
The northern sky it stinks with greed
You could smell it for miles around
The good ole boys in the Greystone Hotel
Sitting doing that git on down
Oh oh, the pride of Cucamonga
Oh oh, silver apples in the sun
Oh oh, I had me some lovin'
And I done some time
I see your silver shining town
But I know I can't go there
Your streets run deep with poisoned wine
Your doorways crawl with fear
So I think I'll drift for ol' where it's at
Where the weed grows green and fine
And wrap myself around a bush of that bright
Whoa, on Oaxaca vine
Yes, it's me, I'm the pride of Cucamonga
I can see golden forests in the sun
Oh oh, I had me some lovin'
And I done some time
And I done some time
And I done some time
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Pride of Cucamonga Lyrics as written by Robert M. Peterson Philip Lesh
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
The lyrics are a quasi-autobiographical retelling of lyricist Robert Petersen's leaving home (Klamath Falls, Oregon) to go to California. Probably.