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.
Live your life
Die a little everyday
Pretend you've got something to say
Nobody here is listening
Your cancer California
Pack your things to find your 15 minute fame
I hear it happens everyday
In the obituary
Simple dream to a hooker on the street
Kept alive by her apathy
Started with good intentions
Your cancer California
Burn up, burn out, burn away
You burn away, you burn away, you burn away
Live your life
Die a little everyday
I thought you had something to say
Your cancer California
Trust me darling, my next victim
Don't believe in me
I'm your savior and destruction
I'll take everything
Die a little everyday
Pretend you've got something to say
Nobody here is listening
Your cancer California
Pack your things to find your 15 minute fame
I hear it happens everyday
In the obituary
Simple dream to a hooker on the street
Kept alive by her apathy
Started with good intentions
Your cancer California
Burn up, burn out, burn away
You burn away, you burn away, you burn away
Live your life
Die a little everyday
I thought you had something to say
Your cancer California
Trust me darling, my next victim
Don't believe in me
I'm your savior and destruction
I'll take everything
Lyrics submitted by JessDayBlitz
Cancer California Lyrics as written by Jack Tankersley Brent Michael Clawson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Sort of...
I think it's more about the people who come to California looking to be famous. They come here all bright and cheery and thinking they will become famous and everything will be perfect but then something happens and they end up selling themselves and selling out just to get what they think they want even though they never get it because everyone in CA is here to do the same thing and no one gives a shit about what they have to say. It's like a cancer that attacks them (great analogy btw) and brings them down into the gutter and breaks them into nothing.