Meaning of "The Late Great Golden State" by Dwight Yoakam

"The Late Great Golden State" by Dwight Yoakam paints a picture of California's changing landscape and cultural identity. Through references to palominos, cowboys, purple sage, and canyons burning, the lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of the American West. The singer's feelings of being out of date in a state that he once cherished highlight the disconnect between the past and the present. The mention of leaving expectations at the gate suggests that California, once a land of dreams and opportunities, has become a place where reality falls short. The final lines about being packed up and sent home in a crate further emphasize the idea of California losing its luster and becoming a place where dreams are shattered. Overall, the song mourns the loss of the California dream and the changing landscape of a once-great state.