#SongLyricSunday : Santa Monica
Time again for Song Lyric Sunday!
The Idea was formed by Helen @ This Thing Called Life One Word At A Time. Jim @ A Unique Title For Me has stepped up as Guest Host for this fun weekly post.
This week our word prompt is “Ocean/Sea/Lake/Bay”.
I’ve had a bit of brain fog as I’ve been so very busy as of late, so I’m going with the first song that popped into my head. I’m writing this post a few days early, so hopefully there won’t be too much of an overlap in using this song.
Bloggerpedia™ tells us this about the song:
"Santa Monica (Watch The World Die)" is a rock song by the band Everclear, from their 1995 album Sparkle and Fade. The song was written by the band's lead singer, Art Alexakis.
Though it was not officially released as a single in the United States, American radio stations played "Santa Monica" enough for the song to reach #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart in 1996. The song also spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song also hit #35 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart.
In an October 2003 interview with Songfacts, Alexakis explained the song:
I'm using a place where I grew up and palm trees as iconic references. It's what I grew up with. I grew up in a seaside town called Santa Monica, which is like L.A. but on the coast. I've lived in cold places and been in bad relationships, and I think everybody has a place in their mind that is like a safe haven. It's also about getting away from bad times ... the ending of something is also the beginning of something new, whether it's with someone or getting out of a bad job, a bad way of life or an abusive relationship.
When Alexakis was a teenager, his girlfriend committed suicide; shortly thereafter, Alexakis attempted the same by jumping off the Santa Monica Pier in southern California. One theory as to the meaning of this song is that Alexakis was drawing on this experience from earlier in his life.
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the song was placed on the list of post-9/11 inappropriate titles distributed by Clear Channel Communications.
The Lyrics:
Did you enjoy today’s post? Be sure to check back next week for more Song Lyric Sunday fun! And if you haven't voted in the most recent battle of the bands, I'd love for you to do so! Battle voting ends Feb 7, so don't delay!
OK, MMQE, I'll bite...
ReplyDeleteI also grew up in Santa Monica (aka "Dogtown").
Do you see [Link> THAT LIFEGUARD STATION IN THE DISTANCE? That's Lifeguard Station #26, and I spent many Summers in its shadow. Well, to be more precise, my beach towel spent many Summers in its shadow. I spent most of those Summers body-surfing the waves that broke in front of Lifeguard Station #26 (i.e., I was in the water much more than I was on my beach towel).
I recorded this [Link> SANTA MONICA BEACH REPORT in September, 1985.
Now here's what I find almost hysterically funny...
>>... ...shortly thereafter, Alexakis attempted the same [committing suicide] by jumping off the Santa Monica Pier in southern California.
HA!-HA!-HALARIOUS!
Unless a person can't even dog-paddle, it's not possible to commit suicide by jumping off the Santa Monica Pier. For one thing, when people commit suicide by jumping into water, it's the hypothermia that kills them (unless they literally can't swim or even dog-paddle, and so they drown).
If this guy grew up in Santa Monica, then he could swim. Dogtown is all about the beach! And the water is simply not cold enough to kill ya! Therefore, this goofball, limelight-seeker was simply trying to get some attention by jumping off the pier and pretending it was a suicide attempt. Hell, my Dad also grew up in Santa Monica and he told me many times that when he was young, he and his buddies often jumped off the end of the Santa Monica Pier. In fact, the ever-popular neighborhood dog,"Hector", used to do it WITH them!! Then my Pa and his friends would swim back to shore, and Hector would literally dog-paddle back to shore behind them!
This guy from Everclear is just another attention-seeking sicko! I'd like to meet him someday, face-to-face, and call him out on his pseudo-"suicide" attempt. All these people in the Entertainment industry are fakes, goofballs, and weirdos! (I got kicked out of Hollywood in 1985 for being a normal human being. And, surely, Mary, you know how "normal" I am, right?! What does that tell you about "them"?!?!) [;-D}
~ Stephen
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteI just went to Wackypedia and read how Art filled his pockets with sand and lead weights before jumping off the Santa Monica Pier, but the vision and voice of his dead brother compelled him to... I guess... empty his pockets and swim to the surface. How convenient!
OK, I won't say that's impossible, but... I'll believe it at the same time I go back to believing that American astro"nuts" walked on the Moon and returned to yak about it. (I suspect that story is about as "real" as Art's hair color.)
Maybe it was really the ghost of Hector, barking at Art, which compelled him to save his own life. But deep under the dark water, the ghost of Hector looked and sounded a lot like Art's brother. (Just speculatin' on alternative explanations.)
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Ha Ha! You always make me laugh with your comments, dude!
DeleteSo, now that you've visited Bloggerpedia, you know that Art is alive and well. He lived in the West Hills of Portland for quite a while (might still live there, I don't know - I thought I had heard he moved back to California).
Coinkidinkly, I lived on the west side of Portland as well. I used to commute to downtown via lightrail, and this dude and his ladyfriend would get on the train every morning at the same place. They caught my attention because they dressed as though they were from the late 80's - While everyone else in Portland dressed much differently. I am not positive, but I highly suspect this was Art. Having had my fill of 'well-known' people while living in Sun Valley, I try not to notice too many of them. Most (like Clint Eastwood and Jamie Lee Curtis) would try their best to blend in with the locals - but there were those such as Erik Estrada who wanted the world to see and recognize them.
Now I think I might be blathering on and not making much sense. Must be running low on caffeine. I'd better fix that!
~Mary
Almost forgot -
DeleteI have listened to your Beach Report. It just makes me smile. That was such a great period of time.
Chat at ya later - working on my next battle post! It should be a good one.
~M
Excellent choice!! Got me singing along first thing this morning. Wishing you a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad I could brighten your day!
DeleteMary this was an enjoyable song especially since I never heard of Everclear before. I also enjoyed reading the fake suicide comments at the end of your post. I also like the badges that you have for SLS.
ReplyDeleteJim
Thanks, Jim!
DeleteArt Alexakis used to host a radio show in Portland. I liked listening to his show because he would take the time to share new music and encourage new bands to stick with their passion.
I enjoy making the badges each week for each of my posts. I would typically use just one badge but since I like to post the badges on my instagram, doing one for each week makes it interesting and fun.
~Mary
Good song I've heard a lot, but had no idea of the background to it. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Sometimes it's interesting to learn the back story.
DeleteI have always liked this song. Unfortunate that written with a base of suicide, completed and attempted. You picked a good one for SLS, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jade!
DeleteSometimes it's the hard times in life that inspire our music.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThis is a new song. How sad this dude's girlfriend killed herself and then he did tried. Maybe it was all for attention like Stephen mentioned but isn't that a sign that the kid needs help? It's sad regardless because he had/has issues. Life is hard but caving is worse for the person and his/her loved ones. This is sad!
My personal thoughts on this are that he was influenced by drugs. From what I know of his background, his life wasnt very easy. His dad walked out on them when he was young. Coupled with his girlfriend's suicide, he probably just wanted to not feel any more pain. But that's just my guess.
DeleteI hadn't heard this one, but it was great! thanks for sharing Mary 🙂
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine!
Delete