words and music by Dino Romanelli
This song was written about a journey I once took. I had grown up in Colorado, but I was pretty much done by the time I was in my early twenties. My mother had recently passed away, and I was pretty much a lost soul. So one day, I took the clothes on my back and my guitar and spent the last of my money on an Amtrak ticket to Los Angeles. It took me some time, but moving there was new life for me. I lived with my sister for awhile, then started the long process of getting my life together. California was magical for me back then. This song is about realizing that I made the right decision for myself. Always a good feeling. When you're free to grow and become the person you've always wanted to be, in the place that your dreams have always resided.
This recording is from a live studio session with my friend Spencer Pyne. We recorded several songs (19 of them), all in one take each. I thought these sessions were lost until a short time ago. I hope you enjoy!
The best thing that I ever did in life I think
Was when I left my pain and hopped a train
To California
Along the way I said I'm pretty sure
I'll fill that empty space and set my life in place
In California
It's the land of the sun and the clear blue sky
It's the sweet smile of a golden child
The spark of love in a pretty girl's eye that says
Welcome home sweet home
To the place where I belong
I've never felt this way before
Welcome home sweet home
I won't be searching anymore
The hardest thing I ever did in life
Was when I set my mind and left it all behind
Oh, California
When I arrived and felt the sun shine down on me
I could have cried and laid right down and died
In California
It's the land of the sun and the clear blue sky
It's the sweet smile of a golden child
The spark of love in a pretty girl's eye that says
Welcome home sweet home
To the place where I belong
I've never felt this way before
Welcome home sweet home
I won't be searching anymore
The smartest thing I ever did in life I think
Was seek the light that shines across the night
From California
I heard the ocean call me from across the sky
It called my name, I'll never be the same
Oh, California
It's the land of the sun and the clear blue sky
It's the sweet smile of a golden child
The spark of love in a pretty girl's eye that says
Welcome home sweet home
To the place where I belong
I've never felt this way before
Welcome home sweet home
I won't be searching anymore
©Affordable Music, BMI
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