Life as a rural American leaves the mind plenty of room to wander. Existing in a sheltered world defined by corn fields, relatively homogenous populations, and limited access to clothing outlets can leave you wondering what exists beyond the confines of your city, county, and even state. As a born and raised Yooper who did not travel past Wisconsin until they were 13, I can attest to this sense of isolation from the more exciting happenings of American life and culture.

This isolation was only exacerbated by increased media consumption as a young adult. Since I can remember, I have been bombarded by the imagery of palm trees and skyscrapers, teenagers hanging out on sandy beaches and buzzing about how extraordinary their lives were. I was envious of their way of being, surrounded by the vibrant colors of life and culture accompanying a big city.

The California lifestyle, particularly the city of Los Angeles, was always at the forefront of my mind. From what I have seen on Instagram and heard on the radio, that is where everyone goes if they want to “make it” in this world. La-La Land is a city of dreams in popular culture, where creativity and innovation are encouraged, not frowned upon.

Do the fantasies of my early teenage years sound familiar?

While I continued to dream about life in California, I also grew more attached to music. I fell in love with analyzing the meaning of words and trying to identify the central message of a tune. While some songs continue to stump me today (“A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum and “Reelin’ in the Years” by Steely Dan are incredibly frustrating to me), I have identified a common concept in popular music over the past several decades, spanning across genres, demographics, and musical eras.

Musicians often use California (and its major cities) as a symbol of allure and deception, describing the state’s fast-paced lifestyle as the main culprit in destroying those obsessed with making a name for themselves. According to a 2019 article by Forbes, California, Los Angeles, and Hollywood rank in the world’s top five most sung-about places. The number of songs written about each place reaches a combined total of 221 – a rough estimate that likely favors the lower end.

This list only included songs that explicitly mention these three locations, meaning it excluded tracks like “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, which most definitely discusses the insidious nature of life that accompanies stardom in the Golden State. After all, Elton John did make his U.S. debut at the Troubadour nightclub, an iconic West Hollywood live music venue, in 1970.

However, one song in particular has stuck with me because it describes the California experience from a unique perspective. British rock band Supertramp released “Breakfast in America” in 1979, which included several tracks related to stardom in the United States. While “Take the Long Way Home” discusses the delusions of those seeking stardom, and “Gone Hollywood” describes the utter disappointment of life in the Los Angeles neighborhood, I have always been fascinated by the album’s namesake track:

What are these British rockers talking about in “Breakfast in America”?

Despite the song’s short length (only 15 phrases), it perfectly encapsulates the excitement of traveling to California and the anticipation of experiencing its glory. With beautiful women and the opportunity to earn millions of dollars at the front of their minds, the band repeatedly mentions their “hope” that the fantasies of life in LA will come true.

The song’s first half is relatively chipper, emulating the good vibes expected upon touchdown at LAX. However, after being deceived by a proverbial “joker” about the potential for riches, the singer’s attitude takes a dark shift. As our protagonist finishes with the line, “I’m hoping it’s going to come true, but there’s not a lot I can do,” the song fades out with a hypnotic cacophony of wordless vocables.

While “Breakfast in America” brilliantly outlines the allure of California’s bright and flashy nature, it has undoubtedly altered my perception of life in the state. While I would love to visit iconic waypoints like Ventura Boulevard and the Santa Monica Pier, life in such a densely populated area that prioritizes materialistic gains over interpersonal relationships does not seem as fulfilling as life in more rural areas. While I wish to live in a diverse population full of social and cultural variety, I believe several alternative locations better achieve a healthy balance between individual and communal well-being outside major cities.

So, I will heed the warning of those who have made it in popular culture. I will enjoy the attraction, glamour, and excitement of life in Los Angeles and other major California cities without developing an irreversible attachment to an unsustainable lifestyle. I will continue to applaud the innovative minds and beautiful music that flows from the state as I relax in the comfort of my home – located in a densely wooded area in rural America.

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Andie Balenger is a native of Gladstone and is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Her column addresses topics from the perspective of a young adult and runs Thursdays in the Daily Press.