“California Rain” was written mainly in Idaho, rehearsed in Seattle and finished on the final day of recording with lyrics completed at Columbia Studios, now Sony Music. And through that sort of multilayered construction, the song also feels genuinely grounded in motion, you can hear the landscape change as you listen to the notes. “California Rain" is a snapshot of life on the road, the bright lights, unfamiliar cities and weird comfort in always being on your way to somewhere else.
Marriott paints a scathing portrait of America with subtle and emotional detail. He speaks of this country and these shows. You can sense the romance of the open road, but also the practical realities of being away from home, playing show after show. “California Rain" is a bright, hopeful sound that has plenty of room for reflection, just like the rain it describes.
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