SUNSET PIG

Posted by Bruce Kahl on April 12, 2001

In Reply to: SUNSET PIG posted by Colin on April 12, 2001

: Joni Mitchell sings in her classic 'California'

: "I'd even kiss a sunset pig."

: What is she on about?

Just a guess:

California I'm coming home
I'm going to see the folks I dig
I'll even kiss a Sunset pig
California I'm coming home

From "California" on the album "Blue"

Back in the 1960s, Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood was THE place where everyone wanted to hang out and was where most of the music was happening (The Whisky, Gazzari's, The Doors, Byrds, CSN, etc.) Because this is where the Southern California "wild hippie" youth congregated in droves, there was always a corresponding presence of hardnosed police officers, who were commonly and colloquially referred to as "the pigs" in those days. So Joni wanted to get back home so bad she'd even kiss the "enemy" so to speak.

• SUNSET PIG Colin 04/12/01