Synopsis
A loose, photo-led montage accompanies The Coronas' upbeat account of a summer spent in California. Images of Danny O'Reilly, Dave McPhillips, Graham Knox and Conor Egan are mixed with the carefree atmosphere suggested by the song: travel, friends, nightlife and the restless energy of being young and away from home. Rather than presenting a conventional narrative, the video works as a simple visual snapshot of the band and the California experience that inspired one of their best-known early songs.
Factoids & Trivia
- The song was written during a summer in America, when the band members were students living on instant noodles and cheap alcohol. Danny O'Reilly later described the song as deliberately tongue-in-cheek.
- The band initially thought "San Diego Song" might work best as a B-side. Its immediate reaction when played live changed their minds before it had even been released.
- Dublin radio station FM104 played an important role in bringing the song to a wider audience. O'Reilly said that the track helped give the group a foothold in radio and touring.
- "San Diego Song" reached No. 26 on the Irish singles chart and appeared on the band's 2007 debut album, "Heroes or Ghosts."
- The song became closely associated with The Coronas' early student following. At one point, the group was still playing as audience members danced along to the track in Dublin's Copper Faced Jacks.
- The band later recalled that the song divided opinion within the group. Guitarist Dave McPhillips wanted the lyrics made deeper and less focused on drinking, but O'Reilly insisted that the carefree subject was the point.
- The track remained a regular part of The Coronas' live shows years after its release and became one of the songs most strongly linked with the band's early identity.