The Best LA Songs: #9 "Santa Monica" Everclear (1995)
By John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109857)
Los Angeles, California
July 2, 2016 11:28am CST
Everclear is a grunge band from Portland founded by lead vocalist and guitarist and principle songwriter Art Alexakis. From the "Sparkle and Fade" CD, "Santa Monica" was Everclear's most successful single charting at Billboard Hot 100 #29. Santa Monica is an independent city on the beach adjacent to Los Angeles and its pier the most famous on the West Coast. Alexakis had attempted suicide by jumping off that pier because he was despondent over his girlfriend's suicide. That is the dark place where grunge songs are born.
"I am still living with your ghost
Living and dreaming of the west coast"
The song is about his longing to be with her and it is apparent suicide was to be his means. He sings of finding a new place which is in the ocean where they can swim past the breakers and watch the world go by. "Santa Monica" was banned by some radio stations after 9/11 for some reason.
7 people like this
8 responses
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Jul 16
Yep, good old Santa Monica. Dogtown. Too bad the song is a bit of a downer.
3 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
2 Jul 16
Really cool guys Everclear John.
I loved this song and do remember it.
1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
2 Jul 16
I'd never heard of them, but the songs quite good.
@DeborahDiane (40065)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jul 16
I remember this song. I cannot imagine why it was banned. They play almost everything else on the radio ... at least here in California!
