California

Album: Reckless Thoughts (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this stirring country ballad, Maia Sharp sings about leaving her home state of California, which happened around the time she separated from her wife. At first, she didn't know she was singing about both.

    "'California' is ripped from the real-life headlines," she told Songfacts in a 2023 track-by-track interview.

    "In 2019 I left my home state and my wife when, for most of my life, I couldn't imagine leaving either one. It was a dizzying leap of faith that mercifully has proven to be the right move (but I don't think I could say that if my ex and I hadn't stayed as close as we are). About halfway into writing the song, I realized that it was about the place and the person. That was a gut punch and confirmation that I had to record this one."
  • Sharp wrote this with Garrison Starr (her "Old Dreams" co-writer) and Nashville singer-songwriter Peter Groenwald of the duo Hush Kids.
  • Reckless Thoughts is Sharp's ninth studio album and her second Nashville release (the first was Mercy Rising in 2021).

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?