What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
#1
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Thread Starter
What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. The lyrics to "California Girls" is essentially a list of girls from different spots in the US, and an individual characteristic about each of them. Then they sing "I wish they all could be California Girls". Does that mean that they'd prefer the Midwest farmer's daughters to girls in California? Do they wish that all the girls were moved to California, leaving the rest of the country as an infertile sausage-fest wasteland? Are they aware that most of the West Coast girls ARE California Girls? What's their point? Also the song end by saying "I've been all round this great big world and I've seen all kinds of girls, but I couldn't wait to get back to the states, back to the cutest girls in the world", when every girl they talk about is already in the States. I really don't understand what they're getting at. Any thoughts?
#3
Moderator
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. The lyrics to "California Girls" is essentially a list of girls from different spots in the US, and an individual characteristic about each of them. Then they sing "I wish they all could be California Girls". Does that mean that they'd prefer the Midwest farmer's daughters to girls in California? Do they wish that all the girls were moved to California, leaving the rest of the country as an infertile sausage-fest wasteland? Are they aware that most of the West Coast girls ARE California Girls? What's their point? Also the song end by saying "I've been all round this great big world and I've seen all kinds of girls, but I couldn't wait to get back to the states, back to the cutest girls in the world", when every girl they talk about is already in the States. I really don't understand what they're getting at. Any thoughts?
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LiquidSky (10-10-20)
#4
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I thought it was pretty simple:
While the girls around the globe have some great features, they don't compare to the tanned girls in bikinis of California.
Well East coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there
The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
I dig a french bikini on Hawaii island
Dolls by a palm tree in the sand
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there
The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
I dig a french bikini on Hawaii island
Dolls by a palm tree in the sand
#5
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Thread Starter
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
And I guess I must retract the statement about all the girls listed already being from the States. Sarah Mclachlan has taught me for two straight weeks that British Columbia is as West Coast as it gets.
#6
Suspended
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
You can infer what Michael Corvin said ... and everyone else but you who has heard the song over the past 45 years has done so.
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I thought it was obvious: they love girls all around the world, but wish they could be California girls because that's where the band lives.
#11
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Thread Starter
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
It would have been different if they sang "I've been all round the USA and I've seen all kinds of girls, but I couldn't wait to get back to CA, back to the cutest girls in the world" -- that would clearly show a preference to the California girls over the others. And I still don't know if the West Coast girls are the same or different than the California Girls.
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blueberrythe4th (10-08-20)
#12
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Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
girls around the world < Other US girls < California girls
and they wish they could have the whole lot of them living in their back yard to party with them.
Or it's just a catchy tune and shouldn't be analyzed to such a degree.
I seriously had to double check the OP.
Last edited by Duh Vuh Duh; 03-04-10 at 10:31 AM.
#16
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
"Now Pluto girls are neat but you know they'll
eat you up alive
Although they're nice to know when it's a thousand below
it isn't easy to survive
And Neptune girls are great for dancing
with a dozen arms and legs
They really hold you tight and they can boogie all night
but it's so hard to kiss three heads
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls
Now Martian girls are really pretty
with complexions bright and green
But nothing can surpass an andromeda lass
I think their pointed heads are keen
And Saturn girls are really funny they can
make you laugh to death
With methane clouds alas combined with hydrogen gas
why it's a chore to take a breath
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls"
"California Girls" by Oingo Boingo
eat you up alive
Although they're nice to know when it's a thousand below
it isn't easy to survive
And Neptune girls are great for dancing
with a dozen arms and legs
They really hold you tight and they can boogie all night
but it's so hard to kiss three heads
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls
Now Martian girls are really pretty
with complexions bright and green
But nothing can surpass an andromeda lass
I think their pointed heads are keen
And Saturn girls are really funny they can
make you laugh to death
With methane clouds alas combined with hydrogen gas
why it's a chore to take a breath
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California girls"
"California Girls" by Oingo Boingo
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blueberrythe4th (10-08-20),
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#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
He likes girls from all over the United States, but the girls in California are his favorites.
#19
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Thread Starter
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I like the graph. I think it helps.
#20
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I'm more curious to what the Beach Boys were trying to say with Little Deuce Coupe. "She's my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got." Didn't you just tell me it was your girl friend, Miss Little Deuce Coupe? Frankly, the names of these broads in the 60s...whew. And the fact that she told her father about her pink slip...isn't that a little risque for the times? Boy, that Brian Wilson...even more far out than Dennis.
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JeremyM (10-13-20)
#22
New Member
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I wish I could answer your query, however I cannot abide the song because to me its clearly upsetting, embarassing and somewhat rather outdated as women have become much stronger over the centuries ( such as getting the vote, thanks to the Suffragettes) I can't stand the videos of them singing this song either, they always had dancers and cheerleaders prancing about on the stage, its to my mind a bit cheap and tacky ( that's my opinion). The lyrics are also to my mind very outdated,perhaps they might like to change the song to California People then everyone would be happy!!
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#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
Several songs from the 60s are outdated and/or inappropriate. Look at the lyrics for Young Girl by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap.
Lyrics:
Lyrics:
Spoiler:
#25
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What Are The Beach Boys Trying To Say With "California Girls"?
I've never listened to the words of Young Girl, but those lyrics doesn't seem dated to me.
A guy in a band is approached by a hot girl with a come-on look in her eye. She says that she's of age, and she sure looks it, and he's interested. He learns that she's underage, and he's still tempted . . . even though he knows he shouldn't. So he tells her to get out while he's still thinking with his big head instead of his little head.
A guy in a band is approached by a hot girl with a come-on look in her eye. She says that she's of age, and she sure looks it, and he's interested. He learns that she's underage, and he's still tempted . . . even though he knows he shouldn't. So he tells her to get out while he's still thinking with his big head instead of his little head.