[Verse 1]
I met you off the freeway glow
Palm trees shook when the wind got low
You got that smile, then you got that bite
Took my whole week in a Friday night
Cruisin' past the cuts and the chrome
You said "stay close, but don't call this home"
Golden haze on a tired face
I loved the heat, I hated the place
[Pre-Chorus]
You pull me in, then you push me out
Sweet on my tongue, then a mouthful of doubt
I want the rush, but I feel the strain
California love got a little bit of pain
[Chorus]
I love California, I hate California
You taste like summer and storm water
Hold me close, then you let me fall
California, you take it all
I love California, I hate California
Can't leave you, baby, but I wanna
Burning my heart on your blacktop line
California, you're a sweet damn lie
[Verse 2]
Late-night drive by the taco stand
Your hand in mine like a loaded plan
Venice on one side, smoke on the other
Every good day got a bad-day brother
You dress in gold, but you talk in scars
Broken dreams parked under borrowed stars
I keep on saying I should run away
Then you call my name and I stay
[Pre-Chorus]
You pull me in, then you push me out
Sweet on my tongue, then a mouthful of doubt
I want the rush, but I feel the strain
California love got a little bit of pain
[Chorus]
I love California, I hate California
You taste like summer and storm water
Hold me close, then you let me fall
California, you take it all
I love California, I hate California
Can't leave you, baby, but I wanna
Burning my heart on your blacktop line
California, you're a sweet damn lie
[Bridge]
Maybe I'm cursed by the view
Maybe I'm addicted to you
Every warm day comes with a bruise
Still I come back when I hear your name used
[Chorus]
I love California, I hate California
You taste like summer and storm water
Hold me close, then you let me fall
California, you take it all
I love California, I hate California
Can't leave you, baby, but I wanna
Burning my heart on your blacktop line
California, you're a sweet damn lie