Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “In San Francisco” by Told Slant
“In San Francisco” by Told Slant is a melancholic and introspective look at dreams of a different life than the one currently occupied. The artist ponders a move from the familiar small town to the city of San Francisco. In the song, the artist longs for the unknown city to provide them a better life, a sanctuary from the “monsters” of their life.
The song opens with the lyrics, “I’m dreaming of San Francisco” which sets up the theme of longing for something better, yet realistically acknowledging its possibility is within the realm of a dream. By dreaming of San Francisco, the artist is setting up expectation of a perfect and utopic escape from the struggles of their life. However, this is balanced against the acknowledgment of the false promise of the city: “I hear that the crowds are always screaming but I can’t know the difference.” This contrast between the idealized fantasy and the inevitable reality presents a barrier to the dream being fully embraced or acted upon.
The narrator’s ambivalence towards their current life and the dream of life in a larger city is further highlighted in the chorus. The artist considers fleeing to the city to have a new life, as “Everything’s over, I’m done here.”. This sentiment is repeated throughout the chorus, suggesting a recurring theme of wanting to escape one’s current life and start anew. However, fear and anxiety also accompany this dream, as consequences and repercussions of potentially taking a risk are considered.
Ultimately, the artist leaves the listener pondering if this fantasy of running away will be fully embraced and acted upon, or if it will remain as just a fleeting dream.