Hate New York City
It's cold and it's damp
And all the people dressed like monkeys
Let's leave Chicago to the Eskimos
That town's a little too rugged
For you and me, you bad girl

Rollin' down the Imperial Highway
With a big nasty redhead at my side
Santa Ana wind blowin' hot from the north
And we was born to ride

Roll down the window, put down the top
Crank up the Beach Boys, baby
Don't let the music stop
We're gonna ride it till we just can't ride it no more

From the South Bay to the Valley
From the West Side to the East Side
Everybody's very happy
'Cause the sun is shining all the time
Looks like another perfect day

I love L.A. (We love it)
I love L.A. (We love it)

Look at that mountain
Look at that tree
Look at that bum over there, man
He's down on his knees
Look at these women
There ain't nothin' like em nowhere

Century Boulevard (We love it)
Victory Boulevard (We love it)
Santa Monica Boulevard (We love it)
Sixth Street (We love it, we love it)

I love L.A.
I love L.A.
(We love it)
ETC.


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

I Love L.A. song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

7 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    My quick theory is this. No doubt it will need revision and more thought, but the main character of the song seems to be some sort of L.A. Yuppie (maybe) who is living in a serious bubble and wearing a dark pair of rose tinted glasses. For example, he seems ecstatic that he saw a bum down on his knees and he is also thrilled by the fact that he has a big nasty redhead by his side. He seems to believe that every person in the city of L.A. is happy 24/7. I've loved and listened to Randy Newman for years and this was a song that never really put a good conclusion together about its meaning. Now that I've thought about it a bit and wrote some stuff out, I'm going to have to go with the theory that this guy is an ass. Just like the ass in "Rednecks", "Memo to my Son", "Short People", "Birmingham", "Guilty", "I Just Want You to Hurt Like I Do" and several others. That's one of the things I love about Randy is he uses some of his songs to call out and expose unpleasant folks. He even, at least for me, has given me cause to reevaluate my approach and/or attitude towards a few issues in my life. Newman can be very brash and also quite blatant at times, but you can always count on him to present the truth.

    NateFairbankson April 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Everyone says this is a sort of attack on the city, but I don't really see it

    pumkinhedon April 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The best song LA ever had - equivalent to New York, New York, Chicago etc - totally captures the great buzz.

    Only idiots could say that!

    vasnmoGoon March 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I expected about at least 15 comments. But anyways, I hear this song on alot of films. It's good song, one of my favorites.

    Pink_Floyd_fanon July 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The 'bum on his knees' line is quoted in the novel 'American Psycho'.

    pconlon September 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song may be a parody of Los Angeles, but, WE LOVE IT!!!!

    packy packpaon August 19, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    From what I've heard, outside of Beverly Hills and environs, L.A. is kind of a shithole.

    pumkinhedon April 17, 2008   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
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Album art
Another Love
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.