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.
It's good to see a song other than "Hotel California" and "Dani California" on this blog. You said that this song seems to be depressing and sad, but at the same time, it is much more realistic and artistic than songs by, for example, the Beach Boys. What is interesting is how the singer seems to give up, telling Los Angeles, although it is terrible, that he is here to stay. On second thought, I believe that he is using an ironic, or sarcastic tone while singing those words.
ReplyDeleteDid you incorporate your idea of a "Nor-Cal" dream in the dissection of this song? I think it would add depth to talk about this when analyzing a song that presents Los Angeles so poorly.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else find it interesting that when songs go in the direction of defaming California they usually focus on Los Angeles and Hollywood. Like Californication and Beverly Hills which talk about the lies produced by media and the bigotry of wealthy people in Beverly hills. It's kinda sad that when people think of California they mostly envision the city of L.A.
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