In "California" by Passenger, a couple’s road trip up the coast survives a rental-car letdown, turning a busted Hyundai into the setting for shared memories of Santa Monica mornings and pelicans over Santa Barbara. Closing his eyes returns him to surf and wind, and for one moment at Big Sur, worry disappears as she becomes his queen and he her California king. Flying home to London rain, the love proves portable, unchanged by place.
California Lyrics by Passenger
Well, we planned to rent us a Mustang
But Avis left us high and dry
So we drove up through California
In a busted old Hyundai
Mornings out on Santa Monica
She said it reminded her of video games
I remember saying the same thing long ago
Sometimes we just seem to see some things the same
Yeah, sometimes we just seem to see some things the same
If I close my eyes I go back there with her
Wind in our hair, shoes in our hands
Threading our toes through the surf
The afternoon in Santa Barbara
Watching pelicans fly round the pier
And I said as we walked round the harbour
I don’t think folk worry ’bout money round here
The folks they don’t worry ’bout money round here
If I close my eyes I go back there with her
Winding our way up on the coast and looking out over Big Sur
And for a moment I didn’t worry about anything
She was my queen and I her California king
Yeah, yeah
We flew out of San Francisco
Back to the driving London rain
I loved her in California
I’d love her anywhere just the same
