[Mark Hoppus:]
Beige little boxes in a row
Neighbors and friends that you don’t know
Here’s a form, go wait in line, can’t you see I’m doing fine?
It’s what I’ve always wanted
Two little kids out on the lawn
Once we had love, now it’s gone
Good things haven’t happened yet, I’m empty as a movie set
It’s what I’ve always wanted
[Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba:]
Hey, here’s to you, California
Beautiful haze of suburbia
Living in the perfect weather, spending time inside together
Hey, here’s to you, California
[Mark Hoppus:]
Wearing all black out on the beach
Faces I’ve seen in magazines
Let’s take a walk out on the pier, watch the shoreline disappear
It’s what I’ve always wanted
[Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba:]
Hey, here’s to you, California
Beautiful haze of suburbia
Living in the perfect weather, spending time inside together
Hey, here’s to you, California
Na, na na, na na, na na, na na (whoa oh)
Na, na na, na na, na na, na na (whoa oh)
Na, na na, na na, na na, na na (whoa oh)
Na, na na, na na, na na, na na (whoa oh)
Hey, here’s to you, California
Beautiful haze of suburbia
Living in the perfect weather, spending time inside together
Hey, here’s to you, California!
Suburban Dreams and Disillusionment
“California” by Blink-182 encapsulates the bittersweet allure of the Golden State. Through vivid imagery, the lyrics paint a picture of suburban life—”beige little boxes in a row”—that is both familiar and strangely isolating. The song contrasts the surface-level perfection of California’s weather and lifestyle with a sense of emptiness and longing. While the chorus toasts to “the beautiful haze of suburbia,” the verses reveal a deeper yearning for connection and meaning, underscored by the refrain “It’s what I’ve always wanted”—a phrase that grows increasingly hollow with each repetition.
Embracing Nostalgia and Melancholy
The collaboration of Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba adds emotional depth, blending their voices to echo both celebration and melancholy. Their harmonies reflect a nostalgia for what California represents and a subtle critique of its reality. Ultimately, “California” serves as both a love letter and a lament, capturing the complexities of chasing dreams in a place known for them.
Song Credits
- Artists: Blink-182
- Songwriters: Mark Hoppus, Matt Skiba, Travis Barker, John Feldmann
- Release Year: 2016
- Label: BMG, Viking Wizard Eyes LLC