Growing up in Los Angeles, I felt like an outsider. As a fat, queer teenager, the city’s obsession with superficiality was overwhelming. Cruising down San Fernando Valley streets in my mom’s old Honda, the sprawling mansions and focus on image felt suffocating. At 16, all I wanted was to escape. I applied only to East Coast colleges, dreaming of a life far removed from palm trees and what I perceived as plastic smiles. Vowing never to return, I left LA behind, convinced I was destined for something more authentic.
Driving through LA in a Honda Accord, reflecting teenage angst and the desire to escape, symbolizing the initial disconnect with the city.
New York City became my haven, a stark contrast to my Valley upbringing. Life felt richer, more meaningful, everything LA was not. For four years, I avoided Los Angeles, except for spring breaks when I’d bring college friends back to California. During one senior year spring break, I found myself driving friends around in that familiar ’94 Accord, trying to show them the hidden gems of a city I outwardly rejected – indie movie theaters and sushi spots.
Erin and Rob at Disneyland in 2009, showcasing youthful friendship and a pivotal moment of song discovery during a trip to LA.
The Anthem of Unexpected Joy: Discovering “I Love L.A.”
That’s when Rob introduced me to Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” Initially, the song seemed ridiculous. Newman’s voice, booming through the car speakers, felt almost satirical. But as I listened to the lyrics about cruising around the city – something I secretly loved as a teen – something shifted. The chorus, “I love L.A.,” repeated emphatically, resonated unexpectedly. Then came the iconic backing vocals, shouted with unrestrained enthusiasm by Christine McVie and Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac: “WE LOVE IT!!”
Suddenly, “I Love L.A.” became our anthem. Every fun moment was punctuated by someone singing “I love LA,” followed by the rest of us screaming “WE LOVE IT!!!!!!!” at volumes inappropriate for public spaces. Back in New York, chance encounters on campus turned into bursts of “WE LOVE IT!!!!!!!” leaving bewildered onlookers in our wake.
This seemingly silly song began to change my perception of Los Angeles. Its lightheartedness allowed me to see the city not as superficial, but as simply…silly and beautiful in its own way. The infectious chorus burrowed into my mind and heart, a joyful refrain I couldn’t shake.
Erin and her dad at Zuma Beach in 1993, a nostalgic beach scene representing childhood memories and the evolving relationship with Los Angeles.
Returning Home: Embracing Los Angeles on My Own Terms
Post-graduation, I stayed in New York, navigating adulthood with an unpaid internship and mounting credit card debt. The city’s romantic allure faded, replaced by the harsh realities of recession-era living. New York, the city I’d idealized, felt indifferent to my struggles. Meanwhile, the lyrics of “I Love L.A.” echoed in my mind: “Everybody’s very happy.” And in New York, I wasn’t.
A decade after my teenage escape, I did the unthinkable: I moved back to Los Angeles. This time, I embraced it wholeheartedly. I discovered a city that aligned with my values – a place where nature, art, food, and diverse cultures thrived. The superficial veneer I remembered dissolved, revealing vibrant communities and a depth I had previously missed. Los Angeles became the backdrop for meeting my partner, for truly becoming myself.
Erin and her husband outside their first LA apartment in 2019, symbolizing a return to LA, love, and a newfound appreciation for the city as home.
“I Love L.A.”: An Anthem for Longing and Belonging
When we eventually left LA in 2021, climate change and wildfire risks were stark realities. Driving away, towards San Bernardino, we blasted “I Love L.A.” Screaming “WE LOVE IT!!!!” out the windows, the song was no longer ironic. It was a genuine expression of love and bittersweet farewell to the city that had shaped me.
Even now, miles away, with news of fires threatening Los Angeles, Randy Newman’s song becomes a heartfelt tribute. Shouting “I love LA” into the universe feels like a declaration of enduring love. Los Angeles will always be home, a place redefined by a simple, catchy, and surprisingly profound song. “I Love L.A.” isn’t just a city anthem; it’s a reminder that perspective can shift, and home is often where you least expect to find it.
