oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh

this girl wore drug rags and baggy sweaters
tight neon tights, t-shirts and big letters

back at her house
was an Irish setter
with a heart shaped tag
hanging off its collar

through half the towns of arizona
i dream the dreams i have when i'm older
near palm springs we were struck by boulders
cause they look like skull and bones

oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh

questions i had
as i went through this
are her parents actually buddhist?
is the pool below me the bluest?
is the tv on?

through half the taquerias y fondas
half the health clubs, half of the saunas
half the barras, half of the rondas
is there something there?

oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh

this girl was smarter than television scripts
this girl wasn't damaged her jeans were just ripped
this girl was the girl that the girls in your world thought about
when the night was cold

how many towns have they've claimed that they know you
how many nations think that they own you
how many simple maps think the same sun don't shine on the sunglasses now

oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh
oh california oh california oh california oh


Lyrics submitted by secondary spine, edited by calc446

California English pt.2 song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

13 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    i can't believe this is a bonus track, it's one of my favorites from vampire weekend. i hope to hear more songs like these in the future.

    if anyone cares to listen to a recording of this song by me check it out.

    purevolume.com/hakarat

    hakaraton March 14, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    how many times they've claimed that they know you (i like people's reference to the paparazzi here, but i think it means how many THINK they know california? people think they will see hollywood stars walking around anywhere. people think that if they visit California they will find someone shooting a movie. people think they can see parazzi in the streets. people think many things and in reality, only a true California resident knows that most of these generalizations aren't true, Most people don't know the REAL kickback feel that california really is)

    how many nations think that they own you (again, when visiting Los Angeles, you will find Little Tokyo, Little Armenia, Chinatown, Little Brazil, and many other ethnic neighborhoods. All these ethnic groups have gangs and groups of people that claim to know the "real california lifestyle". Take, for example, the "Cholo" subculture that believe the real califonia lifestyle is smoking weed, riding lowriders and cruising around with their friends. Or the Long Beach feel that says people should just kickback and relax and not worry about showing up late to work. Or take, as another example, Jeffrey Ross and other Jewish comedians that say "jews run hollywood". EVERYONE WANTS TO OWN CALIFORNIA>>how many nations THINK they own you

    how many simple maps think the same sun don't shine on the sunglasses now (this is referring to the "california sun". although we do have the best weather here, we must remember that the sun shines for everyone! and just because the weather is nice, doesn't mean it's the only place where you can have the same lifestyle. I also think it's talking about how most california residents are really proud and are really spirited about california that sometimes they are blinded by the reality that california is just another place to live.. it's not utopia or anything like that)

    kaleidoscopekidon August 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    if anyone figures anything out, let me know.

    secondary spineon December 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    through half the taquerias y fondas half the health clubs, half of the saunas half the Barbaras, half of the Rhondas <-------- women's names. is there something there?

    lxsdron January 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think he's in a seemingly perfect relationship with this California girl, but all these doubts keep creeping in. He's not just questioning her but the whole situation because it just seems fake. It's all been reduced to names, places and images that don't add up to anything.

    microcastleson January 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the first line of the first verse is:

    This girl's wardrobe's wrapped in baggy sweaters.

    harrytheblurfanon January 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Also I think it's 'Are her parents actually Buddhists?'

    harrytheblurfanon January 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this girl was smarter than television scripts this girl wasn't damaged her jeans were just ripped "this girl was the girl that the girls in your world thought about" when the night was cold

    anyone else hear it that way? makes sense.

    vapuron January 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's "half the health clubs offer the saunas" and its "half of the barbara's, half of the rondas"

    Burton8219on February 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction

    near palm springs we were struck by boulders cause they look like skull in bones -> skull and bones.

    "Skull in bones" doesn't really make sense. Near Palm Springs means in the desert, which probably typically has skulls and bones lying around. Als "Skull and Bones" is a secret society at Yale, so it would fit with VW's Ivy League vibe.

    impairingheardon March 01, 2010   Link

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

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
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/