Lyrics
I am taking a plane to California
I am traveling by plane to California
If you want to love me find me there
If you wish to love me, find me there
I don’t think you know about the ocean
I doubt you have knowledge about the ocean
This Lone Star state’s a cowboy’s affair
This Lone Star state (Texas) is associated with cowboy culture
We served half this town from behind the counter
We, presumably the speaker and others, served customers from behind the counter
With half the rest we’d break bread on Sunday morn
We shared meals on Sunday mornings with some of the remaining people
After work stay up until the sunrise
After work, we stayed awake until sunrise
At the diner you passed out on my shoulder
You, possibly the person being addressed, passed out at the diner on my shoulder
I want to love you and keep you
The speaker expresses a desire to love and keep the person being addressed
I want to take you west
The speaker wants to take the person west (to California)
Big Sur for sunset, Redwoods with good hearts
Specifically mentions Big Sur for sunset and Redwoods with good hearts as potential destinations
But I don’t think I’ll ever see you there
The speaker doubts they will ever see the person in California
On smoke breaks I’d tell stories of the West Coast
During smoke breaks, the speaker shared stories of the West Coast
I got family, mountains calling, Pacific dreams
Mentions family, mountains, and Pacific dreams related to the West Coast
You’d nod along while singing with the jukebox
The person being addressed nods along while singing with the jukebox
You knew all the words, but were you hearing me?
Questions if the person was truly listening despite knowing all the words
I want to love you and keep you
Reiterates the desire to love and keep the person
I want to take you west
Expresses the wish to take the person west again
Big Sur for sunset, Redwoods with good hearts
Repeats the desire to visit Big Sur and Redwoods, emphasizing the theme of love
Oh it’s longing that sticks
States that it's the longing that remains, suggesting unfulfilled desires
But I don’t think I’ll ever see you there
Expresses doubt about ever meeting the person in California
I’ll hold you tonight
The speaker will hold the person tonight
We’ll slow down time
Suggests slowing down time during the intimate moment
In the morning I’ll go
In the morning, the speaker will leave swiftly by the first light
Flying by first light
The departure is described as flying
But don’t say goodbye
Urges not to say goodbye, indicating a temporary departure
I’m just heading home
The speaker is just heading home
And if you ever come to your senses
If the person ever realizes or understands, they should find the speaker where mountains meet the sea
Find me where the mountains meet the sea
Reiterates the location where the speaker can be found if the person comes to their senses
But if you never drop you suitcase on my doorstep
If the person never brings their suitcase to the speaker's doorstep, it won't change anything for the speaker
It won’t change anything for me
Emphasizes that the speaker's stance remains unchanged if the person doesn't take action
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