"California" is a song by Lorde from her third studio album, Solar Power. It is is the third track from the album and was written by Lorde and Jack Antonoff.
About the song[]
In California, Lorde reflects on her achievements and denies the "California love" that comes and goes in the blink of an eye, like teenagers who look forward to the ultimate, the female artist who will be at the top of the charts but who will let her go as soon as a new one emerges.
The song is Lorde’s ambivalent ode to the place that has given her powerful, grandiose memories alongside an unsettling peek into celebrity scrutiny. She opens the song recalling the exact moment she felt herself ascend into the upper echelon of celebrity;[1] then she resolutely expresses her decision to forsake the Golden State and all its glitz in exchange for a more peaceful, profound, and authentic life spent outside (and especially beachside) in New Zealand.
Chart performance[]
In New Zealand, the song peaked at number 6 on the Top 20 NZ Singles chart (Songs by New Zealand artists) and number 27 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
Lyrics[]
Once upon a time in Hollywood
When Carol called my name
I stood up the room, exploded and I
Knew that’s it, I’ll never be the same
That’s when the doors swang open
And the voice said, “We’re glad you came”
Now I’ve spent thousands on you, darling
Oh, the hotels and the jets and I’ve paid all I can
To have your golden body back in my bed
But I don’t miss the poison arrows aimed directly at my head
Goodbye to all the bottles, all the models
Back to the clouds in the skies in a whole new way
Don’t want that California love
Don’t want that California love
Don’t want that California-
Oh, once upon a time in the Canyon store
Was where my world began
All that mystery and beauty gleam from desert flowers and gifted children
But it got hard to grow up with your cool hand around my neck
Now at my hometown, sunbathing
My girlfriends and my baby
But everytime I smell tequila
God, it goes up in my mind again
Goodbye to all the bottles, all the models
Back to the kids in the lines for the new supreme
Don’t want that California love
Don’t want that California love
Don’t want that California love
Don’t want that California love
Don’t want that California love
(Hmm) It’s just a dream
(Hmm) It’s just a dream
(Hmm) Said it’s just a dream
(Hmm) I wanna wake up, I wanna wake up
Trivia[]
- On July, 2021, the full song leaked.
- Lorde said that "California" is the track on 'Solar Power' she is most excited to dancing on the tour.
- Lorde said her favorite album compositions [from Solar Power] are "The Path", "California" and "Oceanic Feeling".