"Picture Postcards From L.A." is a song by Joshua Kadison that tells the story of two individuals, the narrator (the piano player) and Rachel (the waitress), who have dreams of making it big. The narrator works at Eddie's bar as a pianist, while Rachel works as a waitress. Rachel aspires to pursue a career in entertainment and believes that she will become a star one day. She shares her dreams with the narrator and expresses her determination to achieve success. She promises to send him picture postcards from Los Angeles, where she hopes to embark on her journey to stardom. The narrator supports Rachel's aspirations and listens to her dreams while playing the piano. After closing time, they spend intimate moments together, and Rachel seeks validation from the narrator regarding her appearance and singing abilities. The narrator, unable to provide a definitive answer, reassures her with a smile and encourages her to send him postcards from L.A. The song continues with Rachel occasionally performing scenes from movies in the bar, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation for her future success. However, despite her plans to leave and pursue her dreams, something always hinders Rachel from taking that step. The lyrics suggest that the bar regulars are aware of her unfulfilled dreams but pretend to believe in her plans anyway. Throughout the song, the narrator eagerly awaits the promised picture postcards from L.A., envisioning them as a tangible connection to Rachel's progress and a representation of her success. However, despite the repeated promises and anticipation, Rachel never fulfills her commitment. The song ends with the unresolved desire for the postcards from L.A. and a specific mention of wanting a photo capturing the essence of the California sun. "Picture Postcards From L.A." captures the notion of unfulfilled dreams and the complexities of relationships fueled by hopes and aspirations. It explores themes of longing, unrequited desires, and the human tendency to hold on to dreams despite the realities that may hinder their achievement.
