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 knows how to party, California knows how to party
In the city of L.A, in the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west
A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness
The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest
Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat
The state where ya never find a dance floor empty
And pimps be on a mission for them greens
Lean mean money makin' machines, servin' fiends
I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes
Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon
Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
Diamonds shinin' lookin' like I robbed Liberace
It's all good, from Diego to tha Bay
Your city is tha bomb if your city makin' pay
Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way
Dre puttin' it down for California
California knows how to party, California knows how to party
In the city of L.A, in the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
Shake it, shake it baby, shake it shake it baby
Shake it, shake it mama
Shake it Cali, shake it shake it baby
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it
Out on bail fresh outta jail, California dreamin'
Soon as I stepped on the scene, I'm hearin' hooches screamin'
Fiendin' for money and alcohol
The life of a west side playa where cowards die
Only in Cali where we riot not rally to live and die
In L.A. we wearin' Chucks not Ballies
(That's right)
Dressed in Locs and khaki suits and ride is what we do
Flossin' but have caution we collide with other crews
Famous 'cause we program worldwide
Let 'em recognize from Long Beach to Rose Grands
Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam, it's west side
So you know the row won't bow down to no man
Say what you say but give me that bomb beat from Dre
Let me serenade the streets of L.A. from Oakland to Sack town
The Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down, give me love
California knows how to party, California knows how to party
In the city of L.A, in the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
Now make it shake
Shake it, shake it baby, shake it, shake it baby
Shake it, shake it mama
Shake it Cali, shake it, shake it baby
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it
Uh, yeah, uh, long beach in tha house, uh yeah
Oak town, Oakland definitely in tha house, ha ha ha
Frisco, Frisco, hey, you know L.A. is up in this
Pasadena, where you at
Yeah, Inglewood, Inglewood always up to no good
Even Hollywood tryin' to get a piece baby
Sacramento, Sacramento where ya at? Yeah
Throw it up y'all, throw it up, throw it up
Let's show these fools how we do this on that west side
'Cause you and I know it's tha best side
Yeah, that's right
West coast, west coast
Uh, California love
California love
In the city of L.A, in the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west
A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness
The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest
Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat
The state where ya never find a dance floor empty
And pimps be on a mission for them greens
Lean mean money makin' machines, servin' fiends
I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes
Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon
Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
Diamonds shinin' lookin' like I robbed Liberace
It's all good, from Diego to tha Bay
Your city is tha bomb if your city makin' pay
Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way
Dre puttin' it down for California
California knows how to party, California knows how to party
In the city of L.A, in the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
Shake it, shake it baby, shake it shake it baby
Shake it, shake it mama
Shake it Cali, shake it shake it baby
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it
Out on bail fresh outta jail, California dreamin'
Soon as I stepped on the scene, I'm hearin' hooches screamin'
Fiendin' for money and alcohol
The life of a west side playa where cowards die
Only in Cali where we riot not rally to live and die
In L.A. we wearin' Chucks not Ballies
(That's right)
Dressed in Locs and khaki suits and ride is what we do
Flossin' but have caution we collide with other crews
Famous 'cause we program worldwide
Let 'em recognize from Long Beach to Rose Grands
Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam, it's west side
So you know the row won't bow down to no man
Say what you say but give me that bomb beat from Dre
Let me serenade the streets of L.A. from Oakland to Sack town
The Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down, give me love
California knows how to party, California knows how to party
In the city of L.A, in the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
Now make it shake
Shake it, shake it baby, shake it, shake it baby
Shake it, shake it mama
Shake it Cali, shake it, shake it baby
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it
Uh, yeah, uh, long beach in tha house, uh yeah
Oak town, Oakland definitely in tha house, ha ha ha
Frisco, Frisco, hey, you know L.A. is up in this
Pasadena, where you at
Yeah, Inglewood, Inglewood always up to no good
Even Hollywood tryin' to get a piece baby
Sacramento, Sacramento where ya at? Yeah
Throw it up y'all, throw it up, throw it up
Let's show these fools how we do this on that west side
'Cause you and I know it's tha best side
Yeah, that's right
West coast, west coast
Uh, California love
California love
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
California Love Lyrics as written by Roger Troutman Andre Romell Young
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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