Sep 11, 2009
I have virtually no familiarity with California, but I have a favorite California song. Don’t you?
Since we landed at LAX, I’ve been humming/badly singing Lyle Lovett’s oddly uplifting ballad “L.A. County.”
What’s your favorite California song?
* * * * *
An oldie but goodie, “California Dreamin” by the Mamas and the Papas…
Chris Robinson (of the Black Crowes) has a nice one called “If You See California“.
Phantom Planet’s “California” – no contest.
same for me! blasted OC tried to ruin it for me..
Ditto!
I love it even more because I am huge fan of drummer Jason Schwartzmans acting chops and the lead singers turn in Donnie Darko as the bully.
Agreed
The part of California I frequent is Merle Haggard territory.
Ventura Highway by America
Semisonic – California. No idea what it’s about though.
“Not California” by Hem
http://lala.com/z03S
mine too. incidentally, they also play my favorite songs of michigan (“half acre”) and mississippi (“jackson”).
Free Fallin’…lots of LA streets/areas mentioned.
Especially the John Mayer version.
here here!
Also, the Sheryl Crow song, “All I wanna Do”
“If you know the way to San Jose” (sorry but true) and the classic “I left my heart in San Francisco” by Tony Bennett.
I’m a Nor Cal Girl at heart. 94602 represent!
Yeah, last time we were in LA I was laughing about how many streets were passing in order that they’re mentioned in that song. Made me wonder if he wrote it while driving down the highway? :-)
California Stars – Billy Brag and Wilco
Me too!
Though I too represent PA and not CA.
mmm…I really like Death Cab’s “Why You’d Want to Live Here.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etNliFACipw&feature=related
I love this song too. I find it funny that Ben Gibbard was born in Bremerton WA, about 30 minutes from where I grew up in a little town called Belfair. This is my opinion of course but I find it funny because Bremerton, though on the mend, is largely a dilapidated old seaside town with used car lots, taverns, and an immensely ugly eye-sore of a Naval Shipyard.
Granted, compared to Los Angeles, or anywhere for that matter, IMHO, Washington is God’s masterpiece of creation.
MxPx is from Bremerton! like the song “Move to Bremerton.” hee.
I will agree that DCFC’s “Why You’d Want to Live Here?” is the best California song. Sums up my feelings about California very nicely. Also, the tie in with the first stanza of the next track on the album, “Blacking Out the Friction” sums up my feelings about living here in the north west just as nicely.
Love Potent #9. When we moved to Silicon Valley, my husband made a CD of all CA songs on it. Lots of Beach Boys, but I disagree with their thinking about CA girls being the cutest in the world-go PA!
I *hope* Abraham would agree, Jen!
led zeppelin – goin to california
-and-
eagles – hotel california
How about “Out On The Weekend”!
I think I’ll pack it in and buy a pickup,
Take it down to L.A.
Here’s a great video
of Bill Mallonee (Vigilantes of Love) doing it.
I love these posts, Abraham. Thanks.
Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” … because I do. :)
Do-Re-Mi by Woody Guthrie
“California Brown and Blue” by Denison Witmer.
i love that song.
“Hotel California” by The Eagles or California One by The Decemeberists.
Your unfamiliarity is understandable. We are notorious for not venturing out of our own state.
Welcome to our sprawling metropolis. Enjoy some good food while you’re here.
I have two:
El Cajon, Stan Getz
Streets of Bakersfield, Dwight Yoakam
The whole of The Thrills’ first album (So Much For The City) is wonderfully California-ish. ‘Big Sur’ and ‘Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far)’ especially. It was the soundtrack to my trip there a few years ago. The Beach Boys meets Neil Young. Love it.
I heart Lyle.
“California Girl” by the Beach Boys is my favorite; especially since I’m married to one!
I like the Counting Crows, “Long December“:
“If you think you might come to California, I think you should . . .”
Yes I do! Thank you for asking.
It’s “California” by Joni Mitchell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMc_Q0bBRjg
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q4foLKDlcE
Can Route 66 count? love that song
Love the Semisonic, Paul. Great song.
How ’bout a double-shot of Everclear’s “Santa Monica” with a handful of “Nevada, California” by the Jayhawks and a Soundgarden “Outshined” chaser?
(Wow, must be a bad day–indulging some maudlin 90′s nostalgia…)
KP
yes! definitely the decemberists’ “california one”! and scott mckenzie’s “san francisco”
“Beverly Hills” By Weezer.
That’s where I wanna be.
CCR’s “Lodi” because I spent a summer living in Lodi
Mason Jennings’ “California” and “California [Part II]” are both solid.
I love Part II! Especially when played on the guitar by my husband, who sometimes changes the lyrics to “Montana” since that’s where I’m from!
California Town by Fernando Ortega
Echo “Freefallin” for capturing the Southern California ethos.
And CCR’s “Lodi” is pretty sweet(if indeed it is about that Lodi, I never could tell).
But a big nod to Merle Haggard for “Kern River”, my favorite part of California, and for for capturing the dust bowl refugees of the Central Valley in “Daddy Frank.” (Though not explicitly about CA it reflects the ethos into which I feel I was born in Modesto, CA.
You Probably Shouldn’t Move Here by Five Iron Frenzy…I can’t believe no one said this one yet. :)
Here is the track on Imeem:
http://www.imeem.com/artists/five_iron_frenzy/music/ryIbiqwL/five-iron-frenzy-you-probably-shouldnt-move-here/
been a Californian for 40 years now. I make up my own and sing them to myself while gardening : ) I do like the Eagle’s one and The Beach boys too.
Hotel California
Gotta say California Raisins “Heard it through the Grapevine”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOQO5lq6bNk&feature=related
hmmm….Hellogoodbye’s Two Weeks in Hawaii. Not necessarily about California, but it has an air of CA about it. and they’re from there so I guess that counts too.
Yes I do. Thank you for asking.
“California” by Joni Mitchell
She performed on a BBC show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMc_Q0bBRjg
and on the Johnny Cash Show:
(I didn’t know he had a show.Did you?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMc_Q0bBRjg
Probably going against the grain here. But I’m going with ‘California love’ by 2pac.
However, Bill Mallonee tune comes in a close second.
“California Girls” by the Beach Boys!
What, no love for “California” by Rufus Wainwright? I like it if only for the line “And my new grandma Bea Arthur.”
If you knew how uncool I am this would be really funny – but I always think of “California Love” by Tupac Shakur
Being an Orange County native I have to say anything by the Beach Boys or, as Ryan said, “California Love” by Tupac.
California
Joey Ryan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS4ceXqjvy4
i like some of Elliott Smith’s songs, “Alameda,” “Angeles,” and “Rose Parade.” they’re not all that happy, even though i love California and LA, but i just do.
Joni Mitchell’s California from her Blue Album—I love the narrative pictures— but her overall influence on me as a young teenage girl(I was obsessed) was far from good.
Sublime – April 26, 1992
If you were there you would understand.
put me down also for California Stars by Billy Bragg/Wilco.
“California” by Josh Ritter
Since “Ventura Highway” is already mentioned, I’ll vote for “Lights” by Journey, back in the day when Steve Perry could sing without a rasp.