Meaning of “California and Me” by Laufey (ft. Philharmonia Orchestra)
“California and Me” is a song of heartbreak. More specifically, we find the vocalist lamenting the fact that the addressee has left her for another woman. And the reason the track is titled “California and Me” is because upon bouncing on Laufey, said addressee left her out on the West Coast to go and be with his new sweetheart “back (in) New York”.
So coupled with romantic lamentations, what listeners are met with are references to California, i.e. mentions of “the mountains of L.A.” and the “the ocean”. But more important is the sentiment behind the song, not its setting. And that is Laufey having to deal with the hard realization that her significant other “didn’t love” her.
She put him to the test, i.e. deciding not to quarrel with him concerning his ambition to go, and gone he has. What’s further implied is that the two of them built a meaningful life together in California which, although the vocalist is taking a mature approach to the matter at hand, is making her more sentimental, i.e. still being in the surroundings where they established themselves as a couple.
“Left me and the ocean for your old flame
Holding back my tears, I couldn’t make you stay
Can’t quit this, so damn wicked to leave
California and me”
Credits
“California and Me” was written exclusively by Laufey who, by the way, actually hails from Iceland, a country that is closer to the east coast of the United States.
Laufey also produced this track, in that regard working alongside Spencer Stewart.
Release Date of “California and Me”
This song was released through AWAL on 24 August 2023, apparently being the fourth single from Laufey’s upcoming album Bewitched.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is an ensemble from London. This is actually the second time they collaborated with Laufey. The first time both parties worked together was on the 2021 track “Let You Break My Heart Again”.
