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California

from Unbroken by Ally Cribb

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about

I love songs that tell stories. I have deep admiration for songwriters who use narrative to introduce you to places and people you feel you actually know. I wrote California in the middle of the night when I was visiting my grandma’s home. Lying awake, I kept thinking about this young, small town couple and the challenges of growing up. In my own mind, California represented this distant promise of opportunity seen through very different perspectives of these two characters. Ultimately, looking at the same thing through two different lenses separates them, both physically and emotionally. This song is told through the girl’s perspective. Maybe someday there will be a sequel telling this story through his eyes.

lyrics

I whisper your name through the phone
I beg you to come back home
Unfamiliar laughter drowns out your voice
I promise I’m fine on my own

I wake in the night just to see
If you’re in my room fast asleep
The feeling hits me as I open my eyes
And see the empty space between you and me

Cus’ when a small town boy
Loves a small town girl
He’s gotta choose between her and his dreams
And when a small town boy
Leaves a small town girl
She’s gotta heart forever ripped at the seams
California Oooh
Took you from me

I gathered your things and I called up your mom
I broke down and cried when she told me I’m strong
She always said she hoped you’d end up with me
But now she says that I should try to move on

Cus’ when a small town boy
Loves a small town girl
He’s gotta choose between her and his dreams
And when a small town boy
Leaves a small town girl
She’s gotta heart forever ripped at the seams
California took you away

From your life back here in the shadows
From our childhood memories
When we ran hand in hand
Through these streets
We swore we’d never leave

I still remember the day it all went dark
You were throwing your bags in the back of your car
And I stood on the steps just to see if you’d turn around
But you kept the car in drive and headed straight out of that town

Cus’ when a small town boy
Loves a small town girl
He’s gotta choose between her and his dreams
And when a small town boy
Leaves a small town girl
She’s gotta heart forever ripped at the seams
California, ohh

I whisper your name through the phone
I promise I’m fine on my own

credits

from Unbroken, released July 15, 2022
Written by: Ally Cribb
Performed by: Ally Cribb
Engineers: Urmas Soomet, Josh Kelly
Produced by: Robert Cribb
Guitar: Stan Czajkowsky, Kevin White

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Ally Cribb Toronto, Ontario

Ally Cribb has been on this earth before. Her voice is heavy with a soul that defies her sixteen years. While her home city of Toronto, Canada has exposed her to a rich and diverse musical scene, for Ally, “What I do is all about creativity and imagination: two things that can be found and fostered anywhere.” ... more

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