CALIFORNIA BOUND | The Memory Brothers

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writer: Kevin Conner
album: Waiting for your Love (BOF-67) 1990
artists: the Memory Brothers
publishing: Blue Baker Music BMI

• lead vocal: Kevin Conner
• background vocals: Kevin Conner and Doug Koempel
• keyboards (Korg M-1 and Young Chang grand piano): Doug
• drum programming and sequencing: Doug (Alesis HR-16)
• acoustic and electric guitar: Kevin Conner (Martin D-35)
• recorded at: Bird-On-Fire Recording Studio / West Union, Iowa

Doug's notes:

Hi friends,

Kevin hit it out of the ballpark with this one. From its Eagles-like harmonies to its multi-layered lyric, this is a classic example of what Kevin does so well.

"California Bound" is a clever allegory. A casual listen suggests a story of a young man uprooting and making a move to California. But upon closer scrutiny, this lyric is infused with metaphors and symbolism - this is not so much a story of a geographic move but rather that of an emotional journey - specifically the start of a new relationship:

   "Said 'good-bye' to my brown-eyed baby . . ."

   "California how I love you, we can be friends if you don't lead me on . . . "

   "Said 'hello" to a blue-eyed baby, she's the lady I've been waiting for . . ." 

Shortly after its release in early 1990, "California Bound" garnered considerable airplay in - of all places - California. Thanks to the diligent promotion of Memory Brothers' superfan Lois Rute (then a resident of Ridgecrest, California), this gem of a song was a staple on the airwaves in the Golden State for nearly a year.