Los Angeles, I'm Yours

I have selected the song "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" by The Decemberists. Lyrics to the song can be found here.

I chose this song primarily because it has a tone unlike most songs about California. When I think of California songs, my mind instantly jumps to the Beach Boys, or songs like "California Love," even "California Gurls". These songs consistently tell of attractive women, beautiful beaches, nice weather, and glamorous living. The Decemberists, however, give a drastically different take on life in southern California. The song's lyrics contain consistently negative words such as "hollowness," "empty," and "decay" that together create an image of a bleak Los Angeles. This song's music intrigues me by using a slow and grim acoustic guitar whereas it is commonplace (among California themed songs) to have upbeat electric guitar or cheerful dance beats. Listening to this song is somewhat depressing, but that is exactly why it interests me-because I am so used to hearing songs that get me excited about California or tell me how great it is to live here. But "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" is unique in that not only does it fail to hype California, but it actually goes in the opposite direction to describe how bad L.A. is.

California Dream(s)

The California dream is an extended and more specific form of the American dream. While both are characterized by new beginnings and opportunity, I believe the California dream lends itself to the individual, whereas the American dream is stereotyped by a happy family. Living the California dream, or an attempt to do so, brings about questions regarding "how can I make it big?" This dream is most clearly defined by an aspiration towards fame, wealth, and glory. However, I do believe that this image of the California dream is tainted a bit by what could be called the LA or Hollywood dream. I believe in an entirely different 'Norcal' dream, defined by free living, health, and even nature. It is impossible for me to synthesize these two ideas into a single coherent dream representative of the entirety of California.