Why he sung it for me

Out of the six serious relationships that I have been a part of over the past twenty years, all but the very first have been with male musicians who dwelt in California. They were all singers, some additionally guitarists, some also lyricists, and some pianists as well. I also seem to have a trend in male drummers being my best friend; the last three best friends I have had have all been drummers. It was neither a love interest nor a best friend who sung the song California Girls to me personally on one occasion though, but it was nevertheless an American male musician and my partner was in attendance.

It was at a New Year's party during my thirties when the song was sung especially for me. I had been invited to a group of Americans celebrating the new year in Australia. We spent three entire days partying together, the women taking turns to mind the youngsters - of which there were four needing attention. I had just finished my shift of supervising a mealtime and story reading session for the kids in the lounge, and then rejoined the party. The host was somewhat sloshed and still drinking. He was refusing to let anyone else near his precious hi-fi system, and was therefore fully in control of the music, if not himself.

My partner fixed me a drink. Whilst doing so, the host had to change discs by walking past me and selecting new choices from his ample collection. On passing me, he registered that I always hung out with a bunch of Californian musicians, but that I was an English woman that lived in Australia. He mumbled something unintelligible from within his drunken state. I am not sure what he said, but it seemed he was complimenting me on fitting in with the Californian music scene and all his mates, also that he wanted me to listen to something. It turned out that he had a guitar nearby and wanted to sing a song for me.

He chose to sing California Girls. This somewhat mystified me, seeing as I was not one, until he afterwards explained that he thought I might feel good to be included as if one. It was a surprisingly good performance considering his state of inebriation. The song now resurrects the memory of being included, albeit by a drunken man. Additionally, I have happy memories of my last 'major' New Year's party and of one of just a few occasions when a song was specifically sung for me.