Meaning of "Back to California" by Carole King

"Back to California" by Carole King reveals a deep sense of homesickness and displacement, as the narrator expresses a strong desire to return to their roots in California. Each location mentioned in the lyrics symbolizes a place where the narrator feels out of place and longs for the familiarity and comfort of home. The contrast between the cities and towns they mention, such as Atlanta, Alabama, Philadelphia, and the reference to red clay and pine trees in Georgia and Virginia, highlights the deep yearning for the West Coast and a sense of belonging. The repetitiveness of the chorus "won’t you carry me back to California, I’ve been on the road too long" emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of being disconnected and lost. Ultimately, the lyrics evoke a powerful sentiment of longing for home and a place of solace amidst the restlessness and unease of being in unfamiliar surroundings.