When I'm With You

Album: Crazy For You (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American lo-fi pop combo Best Coast is singer-guitarist Bethany Cosentino, whose father was a professional drummer. She is aided by multi instrumentalist Bobb Bruno. Their bittersweet beach tunes were inspired by Cosentino's longing for California after she moved to New York City to attend Eugene Lang College.
  • This melancholic song was inspired by Cosentino's memories of growing up in Los Angeles. "I listen to a lot of '60s beach music," she explained to Spin Magazine: "It sounds happy and innocent, but it was made during a time that wasn't happy or innocent at all."
  • The song featured in promos for the UK E4 teen drama TV series Skins.
  • The song is a bonus track on the band's debut album, Crazy For You.
  • Cosentino has been criticized for her all-too-simple lyrics. She told About.com they are missing the point: "People just don't get it," she said. "I guess lots of people want to be able to sit down with a song, and come up with something really profound from its deep, inner meaning. But, for me, it's like, yeah, sometimes I listen to music where the lyrics are pretty intricate, too, but that's not the music I make. With Best Coast, the point is to be straightforward. If someone wants to say I'm a bad lyricist because of that, well, great for them. I could easily write weird, metaphorical things, I just choose not to. That's not the vibe I'm going for. I want simple melodies, simple lyrics, simple pop-songs."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."