Songs Against California

I admit it: I'm not a California fan--especially Southern California. I lived there for a year. I had a headache the whole time from the smog, was followed in stores because my casual clothes weren't nice enough for the Beautiful People, and even the perfect weather couldn't tempt me by the time the year was up. The whole place seems like one big city, and getting back to my southern roots was a huge relief.

Seems I'm not the only one with severe issues towards our movie capitol. Also not surprisingly, a lot of the artists that dislike California are either from the country or have made their home there. Here's a quick list of songs for the West-Coast impaired:

I was so glad I never needed to drive in California. Guy Clark feels the same.
1. LA Freeway: Guy Clark (the picture is actually Steve Earle, but hey, it's all Texas writin'.)

"Brown LA Haze". . .I'll take the occasional Richmond smog any day.
2. Come Monday: Jimmy Buffet

 I know exactly what this song is talking about--if you aren't "in," you're out--and that's that.
3. Beverly Hills: Weezer

4. California's its own little prison. And when you're talkin' California and prison, there's only one song that will do:
Folsom Prison Blues: Johnny Cash

This song reminds me of several trips to Hollywood. I learned Hollywood is the land where people urinate in the streets, "ladies of the evening" work during the day, and being nutty is part of the place (and not in a good way).
5. I Sang Dixie: Dwight Yoakam