Annotations for We Dont Need Another Song About California

Lyric: Well, anywhere
 Where the city lights are hopeless for you
 We don’t care or need another song for California
Annotation:
Danger Days focuses on a group called the Killjoys, many of whom who have run away from the oppressive ‘Battery City,’ all of which is set in California. “Anywhere where the city lights are hopeless for you” is referencing the killjoys, who live outside of Battery City, or the ‘city lights’. They themselves are the place and/or are living in a place where it would not matter what goes on in the city/are ‘hopeless’, without meaning. This is basically saying: anywhere killjoys live, they no longer care about or want to hear about Battery City.

Lyric: Hopeless for you
Annotation:
Reference to boy division’s chorus, which also rhymes hopeless for you with california.

Lyric: We don’t dare to sing another song for California
Annotation:
This is probably referring to the fact that the whole narrative within the album takes place in 2019 California.

Lyric: And all the city fires
Annotation:
Could be a reference to the fact that fires are a common thing in California.

Lyric: On the station, everybody hears but no one needs to try
Annotation:
This line could mean that the radio stations broadcast all the disasters and tragedies that happen, so everyone hears about them, but no one does anything. We just hear it, feel bad, and then continue on with our lives.

Lyric: Before the errant scars and the dying stars
Annotation:
errant means either “guilty” or “traveling in search of adventure”. i prefer the seconds because i feel it links this song to the whole “we’re tryin' to get outta here” vibe.

Lyric: Shut up and give me a shot
Annotation:
Could mean “give me a shot at fame” or “give me a shot of vodka”. Both seem to be synonymous with the level of depression in celebrities.

Lyric: Stop and stare
 At the accidents and stars that bore you
Annotation:
In California everything is made into a news story to the point that you get accustomed to it and it doesnt shock you anymore.

Lyric: And the way it is when money’s all you got
Annotation:
When you are famous you have lots of money, but fame could also mean losing family and friends. What is more important; money or family and friends?

Lyric: Dedication, to the places that you never need to hide
 Occupations, the opportunity to see yourself in a light
Annotation:
In California (mainly L.A) you are always in the lime light. Within the idea of the american dream is the idea that going to L.A means that you have made it already (or that you have a greater opportunity to)

Lyric: And the tabloid lies
Annotation:
The newspapers often blow things out of proportion or try to make stories where there really isn’t any. This is yet another reference to the Daily Mail  accusing the band of being a “death cult” after a teenager killed herself during the  Black Parade era. MCR repeated “Fuck the Daily Mail!” at every venue they performed at in the UK, and reiterated the truth — that they don’t want people to harm themselves, unlike the Daily Mail’s lie-filled claims.

