Phantom Planet & Otis Redding

By Reingard Hagemann & Pia Koffinke

Following, we will introduce you to two famous songs that were written by artists who themselves have experienced living in and dreaming of California. We chose these songs because each of them has very different views on California. Whereas ´Phantom Planet` have a rather positive point of view, Otis Redding is wondering whether his long journey to California was worth all the trouble.

Phantom Planet, “California“
We've been on the run
Driving in the sun
Looking out for number one
California here we come
Right back where we started from

Hustlers grab your guns
Your shadow weighs a ton
Driving down the 101
California here we come
Right back where we started from

California!
Here we come!

On the stereo
Listen as we go
Nothing's gonna stop me now
California here we come
Right back where we started from
Pedal to the floor
Thinkin' of the roar
Gotta get us to the show
California here we come
Right back where we started from
California!
Here we come!

“Here we come!“ might have been chosen for being the motto of thousands of people in the 19th century, moving to California for gold digging, farming, or just being there. As much as they had wanted to start a new life in California, the boys from ´Phantom Planet`, the band which sings this song, only want to get back home, as for they come from Los Angeles, California.
Many Germans know this song because of the television series ´O.C., California`, showing the fictitious life of four young people, spending their last year at school, and experiencing all the problems life, parents, and even California can keep them busy.

For anyone who has never visited California, so far, but has seen the pictures on tv, it must be THE place on earth to be…and to stay forever…if you were able to ignore the earthquakes. But, I bet you will, because: “it’s Californiaaaaaa”! This state offers sunshine, jobs, wealth, a lot of free time and, obviously, a lifestyle worth striving for?! ´Phantom Planet` also see California as the “number one”, and you get the impression they are really looking forward to driving back to “where they started from”. It seems like that they can’t wait to arrive - they are full of anticipation.
And who can blame them for hurrying? “Pedal to the floor” doesn’t only mean they are driving home. It means that they are driving as fast as they can to get where they belong. Because in contrary to all the gold diggers, who came to California, their bags filled with hopes and dreams, facing an uncertain future, ´Phantom Planet` know what they can expect from California. They grew up with what California can offer. And for them this American state turned out to be their fortune, in terms of being successful and making a lot of money.

´Phantom Planet` and their song are one example for the way in which California is able to fulfill expectations and to be the centre of  someone`s life. But as much as they long for California, they also mention that going back to CA means to go back “to the show”. They slightly give a hint to what California can also be: superficial, crowded, and false. It is that much a show that it nearly perfectly promises to become a star to everyone who wants to be. That this doesn’t always work we don’t have to tell you! ;)

Otis Redding, “Sitting on the dock of the bay”
Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothin's gonna come my way

So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, yes

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Otis Redding’s song “Sitting on the dock of the bay” portrays the other side of the coin, namely, that sometimes all the expectations and dreams somebody has, of how life in California might be, can turn out to be just an illusion.
The first verse of Redding’s song seems to be about a vacation, spending the time relaxing, ‘sitting in the morning sun, watching the ships roll in and then watch’em roll away again’.

One has the impression, that he traveled from Georgia to San Francisco Bay with his hopes raised high, full of expectations to find something worth living for, that he had not been able to discover at home. Arriving in California he slowly realizes that those dreams and hopes cannot be fulfilled and that moving to a new place doesn’t necessarily lead to a new life: ‘looks like nothing’s gonna change.’

‘I can’t do what ten people tell me to do, so I guess I’ll remain the same.’ Additionally to his unfulfilled ideas he had of living in the state where dreams come true, he is being confronted with too many opportunities, which he could use in order to change his life. It’s such an excessive demand, he cannot handle: ‘So I guess I’ll remain the same.’

On one hand, he seems to be questioning his decision of traveling all the way to California without anything having changed. He is asking himself, whether it was worth all the effort, when he both is still feeling lonely and hasn’t found anything worth living for yet. On the other hand, it doesn’t look like as if he wants to change his current situation, one senses a kind of calmness in his voice, him living from day to day and not carrying too much for the future that will eventually come.

The personal story behind this song is very interesting, because Otis Redding himself is originally from Georgia and came to California to go on tour and to record his music. Besides, he wrote the first verse of this song on a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito, California.

At last we want to mention a song called “We don’t need another song about California”, performed by the band ´My Chemical Romance`. It’s exactly about what it says in the title - it reduces California and uncovers its airy promises, which make California itself unimpressive, and songs about it unnecessary. The most interesting about the link underneath are the comments of some Californians. They totally agree with the content of the song. So, let’s ask ourselves: Why do ´all` people want to go to California, if even Californians don’t want to stay? Because it’s a myth and will always be one!