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California Lyrics

This, this music makes me cry
It sounds just like my soul
But I'm not ready to win
Oh lord, 'cause I don't wanna know what they say
'Cause I get carried away
Commodifying all the pain

The things they see in me, I cannot see myself
When you get bored of me, I'll be back on the shelf
And when the ocean rises up above the ground
Baby, I'll drown in

California
You only like me when you think I'm looking sad
California
I didn't think you'd end up treating me so bad

Oh, I, I, I
Come Monday, it's a dream
I, I, I
Broken my own heart again
Chasing something beautiful
Oh lord, but I don't understand what they say
'Cause I get carried away
Commodifying all the pain

The things they see in me, I cannot see myself
When you get bored of me, I'll be back on the shelf
And when the ocean rises up above the ground
Baby I'll drown in

California
You only like me when you think I'm looking sad
California
I didn't think you'd end up treating me so bad
California
You only like me when you think I'm looking sad
California
I didn't think you'd end up treating me so bad
Song Info
Submitted by
pseudowood On Nov 05, 2015
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1 Meaning

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Cover art for California lyrics by Grimes

I think it's about the public perception of her and her music, how the press treats her, how she's been so scrutinized. Not sure about California, maybe it's a reference to its music industry? "Commodifying all the pain" is her self-expression being sold to the public. She's hurt by the things people say about her, but realizes its the trade-off for pursuing her dreams of being an artist/musician.