California Songs

Album: Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles? (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Thanks to artists like The Beach Boys and a thriving music scene, California has been mythologized in a number of songs, as has New York City. Local H is from Zion, Illinois, which doesn't get mentioned in a lot of songs. In this track, they take aim at the arrogance of the coastal cities in the United States that act like there's nothing going on in the Midwest.
  • Despite the clearly anti-California and New York lyrics, the song is still very well received when the band plays this song in those states.
  • Lead singer Scott Lucas has called this song "the battle cry of the Midwest." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    James - La Crosse, WI, for all above

Comments: 3

  • Joe from Chicago, Ilyea brian (the drummer) actually lived in california and now lives in NY...
  • Grant from Mpls, Mnstrangely no there not. they are from Zion, Illinois.
  • Mindy from Bristol, CtStrangely, the band is from Connecticut.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.