California English pt.2

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

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)

if anyone figures anything out, let me know.

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?

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.

I think the first line of the first verse is:

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

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

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.

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

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.