"California Christmas" is a holiday single written and recorded by In Real Life, that they first performed at Citadel Outlets. Released on November 29, 2019 through their independent label, Broke Hero Records, it is their final song as a band. It also credits Matt Ziggers and Zac White, who wrote and produced the record along with Adam Halliday.[1] The accompanying music video was released to their YouTube channel on December 1, 2019.
Background[]
Brady Tutton commented to 102.7 KIIS FM of them wanting to drop a single after tour, since being independent, and decided the timing was appropriate for a seasonal song.[2] In an interview, Chance Perez told Digital Journal that the band went to the studio "last July," and "wanted to show what Christmas would be like in California," from their perspective. Conor Michael Smith stated that they penned the single in July, with help of people from Mirrorball Entertainment, whom Sergio Calderon added also worked on their other single, "Loveless." In another interview, it was contradicted by saying they wrote it in August.[3] They revealed that they were initially going to do a Christmas breakup song, though changed it.
Regarding the message, Perez explained, "It talks about all the things that really mean something to you. Not the materialistic things that you buy for Christmas but the things like family and wanting to get home to them for the holidays and be with your loved ones and I think that's something we talk about in California Christmas that would mean a lot to a lot of different people."[4]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Chance Perez]
Can I be honest?
Girl, you look beautiful tonight
And by the time the fire's died, I hope I'm still alright
Can I be honest? I don't wanna spend a new year if I'm all alone
You gotta know
[Verse 2: Conor Michael Smith]
California Christmas, but it feel like July
Under the Hollywood sun, and not a flake in the sky
I'm observing all the different people passing me by
And I can see a different type of trees takin' 'em high
'Cause out in Cali you ain't seeing no evergreens
And out here all the presents are expensive as wedding rings
If you want a presence then you better be evident
'Cause family isn't there and new friends are your enemies
[Chorus: All, Sergio Calderon]
California Christmas and there's not a cloud in sight
Time away from you has got me feeling cold inside
All those LA girls, I know they couldn't change my mind
This won't be a holiday if I am staying far away
[Verse 3: Conor Michael Smith]
And I try to write my list but I couldn't get very far
How am I supposed to tell Santa I just wanna be a star?
And you can keep the presents and expensive foreign cars
After all, they're just things, they don't make us who we are
I wanna be at the top 'cause I see myself at the bottom
I wanna erase my problems, I'm leaving them back in autumn
Cause honestly I'm a mess looking for an easy fix
When I should celebrate my life and try to see it as a gift
[Chorus: All, Sergio Calderon]
California Christmas and there's not a cloud in sight
Time away from you has got me feeling cold inside (Cold inside)
All those LA girls, I know they couldn't change my mind
This won't be a holiday if I am staying far away from you
Imma be there, Imma be there (Imma be there)
Imma be there by morning
Imma be there, Imma be there
Be there for Christmas morning
Imma be there, Imma be there (Oh)
Imma be there by morning
Imma be there, Imma be there
Be there for Christmas morning
[Bridge: Drew Ramos]
Can I be honest?
Girl, you look beautiful tonight
And by the time the fire's died
I hope I'm still alright
Can I be honest?
I don't wanna spend a new year
If I'm alone, you gotta know
I'm coming home
[Outro: In Real Life, Sergio Calderon]
Imma be there, Imma be there
Imma be there by morning
Imma be there, Imma be there
Be there for Christmas morning (Christmas morning)
Imma be there, Imma be there
Imma be there by morning
Imma be there, Imma be there
Be there for Christmas morning
California Christmas and there's not a cloud in sight
Time away from you has got me feeling cold inside (Cold inside)
All those LA girls, I know they couldn't change my mind
This won't be a holiday if I am staying far away from you
References[]
- ↑ "Mirrorball Entertainment (@mirrorball_entertainment)". Instagram. November 19, 2019.
- ↑ "In Real Life Talks California Christmas and More with JoJo Wright!". YouTube. November 27, 2019.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW WITH IN REAL LIFE | "California Christmas," Biggest Accomplishments, & More!". YouTube. November 11, 2019.
- ↑ Papadatos, Markos (December 19, 2019). "In Real Life Talks Holiday Single, Digital Age, and Dream Duets (Includes Interview)". Digital Journal. Retrieved September 21, 2021.