Los Angeles

Album: Just Kids (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The second verse of this song is about Mat Kearney and his college friend Shawn McDonald going on their first tour ever together and all the stuff they went through. Kearney told New Release Tuesday: "I hadn't seen Shawn in a while and he came over to my house and I'd literally just written 'Los Angeles.' I was like, 'This is crazy. You've got to hear this.' It was fun to reconnect with him over that song."

Comments: 1

  • Anonymous from Los AngelesI attended two of Mat's shows on his West In November Tour back in 2003. One was at a coffee cafe on Monterey Rd. in Morgan Hill, CA. The other show was referenced in his song "Los Angeles". The venue was off Highway 68 and as described in Mat's verse, it had capacity for 1,000 people. There was heavy rainfall that night and only 8 of us showed up for the concert. I was one of five people on the guest list along with Ian and 3 other friends. It was an acoustic show, so Mat was only joined by his drummer Rick. Shawn also played that night, so in all there were about 13 people in the building including the musicians, sound guy, concert promoter and fans. It was a building block for Mat's musical career and makes for a great story!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?