Coming Into Los Angeles

Arlo Guthrie's song 'Coming Into Los Angeles' is a vivid and somewhat surreal narrative that captures the essence of a journey filled with quirky characters and illicit activities. The song opens with the protagonist flying into Los Angeles from London, humorously noting the chaos of chickens flying around the plane. This sets a whimsical tone, but the underlying theme quickly becomes apparent: the protagonist is smuggling drugs, specifically 'a couple of ki's' (kilos), into the United States. The refrain, 'Don't touch my bags if you please, Mister customs man,' underscores the tension and anxiety of this illegal act, juxtaposed with a casual, almost carefree attitude.

The song introduces a series of eccentric characters, each adding to the surreal atmosphere. There's a man with a ticket to Mexico who looks like the Lone Ranger, a famous fictional character known for his mask and cowboy persona. This character's oddity and the protagonist's casual interaction with him highlight the bizarre and unpredictable nature of the journey. Another character, a 'hip woman' tripping on the escalator, further adds to the chaotic and whimsical scene. Her interaction with a man in line, who is 'blowin' his mind' thinking he's already won her over, adds a layer of social commentary on the superficial and fleeting connections people make.

Arlo Guthrie, known for his folk music and storytelling, uses 'Coming Into Los Angeles' to paint a picture of a world where the mundane and the extraordinary collide. The song reflects the countercultural spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when drug use and rebellion against authority were prevalent themes in music and society. Guthrie's playful yet pointed lyrics invite listeners to question the absurdity of societal norms and the characters who navigate them, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging narrative.