California Dreamin'

"California Dreamin'" is a song written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips and was first recorded by Barry McGuire.[3] However, the best-known version is by the Mamas and the Papas, who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in 1965. The song is No. 89 in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[4] The lyrics of the song express the narrator's longing for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold winter in New York City.

"California Dreaming" redirects here. For other uses, see California Dreamin' (disambiguation).

"California Dreamin'"
Single by The Mamas and the Papas
from the album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
B-side"Somebody Groovy"
ReleasedDecember 8, 1965
RecordedNovember 4, 1965, Western Recorders, Hollywood
Genre
Length2:38
LabelDunhill Records
Songwriter(s)John Phillips, Michelle Phillips
Producer(s)Lou Adler
The Mamas and the Papas singles chronology
"Go Where You Wanna Go"
(1965)		 "California Dreamin'"
(1965)		 "Monday, Monday"
(1966)

The song became a signpost of the California sound,[5] heralding the arrival of the nascent counterculture era.[6][7]

"California Dreamin'" was certified as a Gold Record (single) by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 1966[8] and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.[9]

History

The song was written in 1963 while John Phillips and Michelle Phillips were living in New York City during a particularly cold winter, and she was missing sunny California. He would work on tunes late at night and one morning brought her the first verse.[10] At the time, John and Michelle Phillips were members of the folk group the New Journeymen, which evolved into the Mamas and the Papas.

They earned their first record contract after being introduced to Lou Adler, the head of Dunhill Records, by Barry McGuire. In thanks to Adler, they sang the backing vocals to "California Dreamin'" with members of the session band The Wrecking Crew[11] on McGuire's album This Precious Time. The Mamas and the Papas then recorded their own version using the same instrumental and backing vocal tracks, to which they added new vocals featuring Denny Doherty singing lead[12] and an alto flute solo by Bud Shank. The guitar introduction was performed by P. F. Sloan.[13] McGuire's original vocal can be briefly heard on the left channel at the beginning of the record, having not been completely erased.[14]

The single was released in late 1965 but was not an immediate breakthrough. After gaining little attention in Los Angeles upon its release, a radio station in Boston was the catalyst to break the song nationwide.[15] After making its chart debut in January 1966,[16] the song peaked at No. 4 in March on both the Billboard Hot 100, lasting 17 weeks, and Cashbox, lasting 20 weeks.[17] "California Dreamin'" also reached number 23 on the UK charts upon its original release, and re-charted after its use in a Carling Premier commercial in 1997, peaking at number nine there.[18]

The song is repeatedly used in the 1994 Hong Kong film Chungking Express as a central plot point.[19]

Michelle Phillips wrote the lyrics, "Well, I got down on my knees, and I pretend to pray," but Cass Elliot had been singing "I began to pray" until corrected by Phillips when they were touring. She sang "began" on the original recording.[20]

Chart history

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[28] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[29] Gold 1,000,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Other versions

America version
"California Dreamin'"
Single by America
from the album
California Dreaming soundtrack
B-side"See It My Way" (by F.D.R.)
ReleasedMarch 1979
RecordedStudio 55 (Hollywood) 1978
Genresoft rock
Length2:44
LabelAmerican International
Songwriter(s)John Phillips, Michelle Phillips
Producer(s)Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley
America singles chronology
"Don't Cry Baby"
(1977)		 "California Dreamin'"
(1979)		 "Only Game in Town"
(1979)

In the spring of 1979, the band America reached No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their remake of "California Dreamin'" which was the first studio recording by America as the duo of Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell without third founding member Dan Peek, who had departed the group in 1977. Bunnell – who sang lead – and Beckley – who sang background – self-produced the track which featured America's touring musicians: David Dickey, drummer Willie Leacox, guitarist Michael Woods, percussionist Tom Walsh, and Jim Calire who played keyboards and also saxophone.[30][31]

America had performed "California Dreamin'" at least on occasion in concert as early as 1974,[32] "California Dreamin'" being a sentimental favorite of the band's members having been a setlist staple of the cover band in which all three had performed while London Central High School students in the late 1960s.[33][34][35][36] The recording of "California Dreamin'" by America was specifically made to play under the closing credits of the American International Pictures (AIP) movie release California Dreaming[37] which had been shot in the final months of 1977 for release in the summer of 1978 although the movie would in fact be held back from wide release until 16 March 1979[38] with America recording the song "California Dreamin'" in the autumn of 1978:[39] Beckley and Bunnell agreed to record the song after being (at least partially) shown the movie – (Gerry Beckley quote:) "We liked what we saw"[31] – and the track was recorded at Studio 55 (Hollywood): (Gerry Beckley quote:)"We did it more as a rock thing [compared to the original], [with] a full sound but reliant on the harmonies."[31]

The track was originally scheduled for a 15 January 1979 release[39] which was delayed until after AIP's February 1979 pacting with Casablanca Records to distribute the California Dreaming soundtrack, Casablanca having recently managed to bolster the modest success of the film Thank God It's Friday through a hit soundtrack album:[40][41] the recording of "California Dreamin'" by America was therefore given parallel release with the movie, another soundtrack item: "See It My Way" by session group F.D.R., serving as B-side. Both the America single and (in April 1978) the soundtrack album were issued by AIP on its own label (distributed by Casablanca): outside the US and Canada, Casablanca acted as label of release.

By the spring of 1979, America were involved in sessions for their Capitol Records debut album Silent Letter[42] and were either unable or uninterested in promoting their version of "California Dreamin'" which single proved unable to buoy its parent film's faltering box office take. However the publicity inherent in the film's release was evidently enough to afford minor hit status to America's soundtrack item (heard in the film's trailer, America's "California Dreamin'" was also cited in the movie's poster), and despite its lowly chart peak America's "California Dreamin'" remake would be more successful than any of their first five Capitol single releases none of which ranked in the Hot 100 (the band's sixth Capitol single release: "You Can Do Magic", would in 1982 afford the band a sole latterday Top Ten hit).[43][44]

"California Dreamin'" continued to be featured in America's live gigs eventually being established as a mandatory America concert title.[45] A live performance of the song by America is featured on In Concert the band's 1996 album release of a 1982 live gig.[46] The band's 1978 recording has been included on the 2000 America retrospective box set Highway: 30 Years Of America[47] also being featured in 2001 on The Complete Greatest Hits.[48]

Beach Boys version
"California Dreamin'"
Single by The Beach Boys
from the album Made in U.S.A.
B-side"Lady Liberty"
Released1986
RecordedMay 1986
GenreRock
Length3:10
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)John Phillips, Michelle Phillips
Producer(s)Terry Melcher
The Beach Boys singles chronology
"Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue"
(1986)		 "California Dreamin'"
(1986)		 "Happy Endings"
(1987)

Background

The Beach Boys recorded "California Dreamin'" in 1986 for their greatest hits compilation Made in U.S.A.. It was produced by Terry Melcher and featured Roger McGuinn of The Byrds on 12-string guitar. Denny Doherty was on the East coast and declined; Cass Elliot had died in 1974. This version of the song was referenced in the lyrics of the Dead Milkmen's 1988 novelty hit "Punk Rock Girl".

Although the song only charted at a modest number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary.[49] and it was supported by a music video that saw heavy rotation on MTV. The video featured the Beach Boys along with John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Roger McGuinn.

Personnel

Credits sourced from Craig Slowinski and Andrew G. Doe.[50]

The Beach Boys

Additional musicians and production staff

unknown – bass, drums, acoustic lead guitar, saxophone, synthesizer

Freischwimmer version

A tropical house version by German DJ/remixer Freischwimmer was released in 2015. This version reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in its February 13, 2016 issue.[51][52] "Dreamin" had never before hit No. 1 on any ranking, making this version the first in its nearly 50-year history to reach the top spot on a Billboard chart.[53]

Other notable versions

Bobby Womack recorded a version of the song for his debut album Fly Me to the Moon in 1968. Released as a single on Minit Records, the 1968 Jose Feliciano arrangement reached number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues Singles chart.

The elaborate string version of "California Dreamin'" by Jose Feliciano serves as the opening track on his 1968 album Feliciano!, and it was heard in a key sequence in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

In 1978, a disco version proved popular in European clubs for the Italian project Colorado, reaching 45 on the British charts,[54][55] and house cover versions have been released by DJ Sammy and Royal Gigolos.

The Liverpool folk quartet River City People recorded a version of "California Dreamin'" as a double A-sided single with "Carry the Blame" in 1990, reaching number 13 on the official UK top 40 singles chart. The single also charted in Ireland, at number 16.

In 2004, German punk techno group, Royal Gigolos, sampled the song on a track by the same name on their Musique Deluxe album. The song reached number 2 on the French charts.[56]

Sia recorded the song for the disaster film San Andreas. The song came out in May 2015 and was featured in the movie's trailers. The song reached the top 20 in Lebanon, peaking at No. 14 and becoming a big airplay gainer there, position no. 92 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 44 on the Scottish Singles Chart,[57] No. 87 on the chart SNEP Singles Chart.[58]

Jazz artist Aubrey Logan and former American Idol contestant Casey Abrams recorded a new version in 2017, featured on Logan's album "Impossible."[59]

⚠️ (non-exhaustive list)

1966 :

  • Jazz musician Bud Shank covered the song in his album "California Dreamin'".[60]
  • The Fenmen covered the song only in a single format, as the A-Side of the single "California Dreamin'" / "Is This Your Way" [63]

1967 :

  • The Ray Charles Singers covered the song on their album "A Special Something...".[67]

1968 :

1969 :

  • Cass Elliot, who was a member of The Mamas and The Papas sung the song "live"[70] on her first television special "The Mama Cass Television Program". She was accompanied by The Blossoms.[71]
  • Enoch Light And The Brass Menagerie covered the song for their album "Enoch Light And The Brass Menagerie" on the Project 3 Total Sound label. [72]
  • Bill Black's Combo covered the song on their album Black With Sugar;[73] the song also has been issued on single, with "The Funky Train" as the B-Side[74]
  • The Mystic Moods Orchestra covered the song in their album "Extensions".[75]

1970 :

  • The Czech orchestra "The Václav Zahradník Orchestra" covered the song on their album Jazz Goes To Beat[76]
  • Canadian band Cane And Able covered the song, only in a single format; It is the A-Side of the single "California Dreamin" / "Girl You Move Me".[77]

1971 :

  • Moira Kerr covered the song in her album "Shadows Of My Childhood"[79]

1972 :

1973 :

  • David Johnson And His Orchestra recorded the song on their album "Drummer Man / Drum Drum Best 10" [82]

1974 :

  • Japanese idol trio Candies covered the song on their album "危ない土曜日／キャンディーズの世界".[83]

1975 :

  • The French band "The Sweepers" covered the song on their eponymous album from the same year. The song has also been released as the A-Side of the single "California Dreamin'" / "Get It Home".

1976 :

  • The group The Vast Majority covered the song in their album "Mindblowers!"

1977 :

  • The group Grand Tour recorded a disco version of the song on their album "On Such A Winter's Day.
  • Eddie Hazel covered the song in his album Game, Dames And Guitar Thangs.

1978 :

  • Melanie covered the song in her album Phonogenic - Not Just Another Pretty Face
  • Tapani Kansa recorded a Finnish version entitled "Kalajoen Hiekat" from the album "Rokkivaari Hotanen". [84]

1979 :

  • Cynthia Woodard covered the song which appears on the A-Side of the single "California Dreamin' / "Disco Roller".

1980 :

  • Frankie Gearing covered the song in her album "Just Frankie" [86]

1981 :

  • Magazine 60 included the song on their "60s hit medley" album Magazine 60.

1982 :

  • Denial recorded a cover version, only in a single format ; It appears as the A-Side of the single "California Dreamin" / "The Weatherman".[87]

1983 :

  • Heinz & Young covered the song, only in a single format; it is the B-Side of the single "No Matter At All" / "California Dreamin"[88]

1984 :

  • Sydne Rome covered the song, only in a single format; the position of the track varies by releases[89][90]

1988 :

  • Jozef Zsapka recorded the song for his album "Golden Era".[91]

1995 :

1997 :

  • High Jinx covered the song, only in single format on Rumour Records.[92] [93]

2001 :

2012 :

See also

References
  1. Dictionnaire des Musiciens: (Les Dictionnaires d'Universalis). Encyclopaedia Universalis. October 27, 2015. p. 3635. ISBN 978-2-85229-140-9.
  2. Fontenot, Robert (October 29, 2015). "What is Folk-Rock Music?". ThoughtCo. About.com. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  3. Southern California Public Radio. "Take Two". Southern California Public Radio.
  4. "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  5. Bisbort, Alan; Puterbaugh, Parke (2009). California Beaches: The Best Places to Swim, Play, Eat, and Stay. Avalon Travel. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-56691-614-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  6. "Eagles, Fleetwood Mac Selected for Hall of Fame | Music News". Rolling Stone. October 28, 1997. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  7. Stamberg, Susan (July 8, 2002). "'California Dreamin,' Present at the Creation (Archived Radio Program)". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  8. "California Dreamin'". RIAA.com. The Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 11, 2014. The RIAA Database may require user input
  9. "California Dreamin'". grammy.org. The Recording Academy. Retrieved July 11, 2014. CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' The Mamas And The Papas Dunhill (1966) (Single) Inducted 2001
  10. "California Dreamin' by The Mamas & the Papas Songfacts".
  11. Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
  12. "Show 33 - Revolt of the Fat Angel: American musicians respond to the British invaders. [Part 1]". The University of North Texas Digital Library. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  13. Daily, Dan (July 1, 2004). "Classic Tracks: The Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'"". Mix Magazine. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  14. Rock Family Trees, BBC, interview with McGuire, 1999. McGuire's original harmonica solo can also just be made out under the flute solo.
  15. "California Dreamin'". npr.org. July 8, 2002. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  16. Sullivan, Steve (October 4, 2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. Scarecrow Press. pp. 483–. ISBN 978-0-8108-8296-6.
  17. Bronson, Fred (1988). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Paperback ed.). New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 195. ISBN 0-8230-7545-1.
  18. Pringle, Hamish (2004). Celebrity Sells. Chichester UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. p. 36. ISBN 0-470-86850-3.
  19. Song And Vision No. 5: "California Dreamin'" and Chungking Express, Steven Hyden
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZVay1RYazI
  21. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. February 28, 1966. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  22. [ Flavour of New Zealand, ]
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  24. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  25. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 26, 1966
  26. Musicoutfitters.com
  27. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 24, 1966
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  29. "American single certifications – The Mamas & The Papas – California Dreamin'". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 12, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  30. "La Bible de la Westcoast Music - Cool Night -". labibledelawestcoast.blogspot.ca.
  31. "Lyrics: California Dreamin'". www.accessbackstage.com.
  32. "California Dreamin' by The Mamas & the Papas Song Statistics - setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
  33. Peak, Dan (2004). An American Band: the America Story. Xulon Press. ISBN 1-594679-29-0.
  34. "Fans brave winter weather for America performance".
  35. Gaydos, Kristen. "America brings sounds of summer to casino show".
  36. "America Performs Hit 'A Horse With No Name'". November 14, 2017.
  37. Horn, Hal (August 24, 2011). "The Horn Section: Film Review: CALIFORNIA DREAMING (1979)".
  38. "AFI-Catalog". catalog.afi.com.
  39. Detroit Free Press "Shirlebreties" by Shirley Eder 30 November 1978 p.17B
  40. Billboard Vol 91 #9 (3 Mar 1979) "Soundtrack lp for Casablanca" p. 19
  41. Harris, Larry (2009). And Party Every Day: the inside story of Casablanca Records. Milwaukee WI: Backbeat Books. ISBN 9781617133831.
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  44. "America Discography - USA - 45cat". www.45cat.com.
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  47. "Highway: 30 Years of America - America - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  48. "America - Biography, Albums, Streaming Links - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  49. "AllMusic 'Made in U.S.A' awards". AllMusic.
  50. "quick question..California Dreamin'". smileysmile.net.
  51. "Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart".
  52. Chart history for Freischwimmer from Billboard
  53. "'California Dreamin' Hits No. 1 After 50 Years, Thanks to Dance Remix" from Billboard (February 4, 2016)
  54. "Colorado (2): California Dreaming/Space Lady Love". Discogs. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  55. "Colorado". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  56. "French Charts". lescharts.com. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  57. "Sia | The Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  58. "Lescharts.com – Sia – California Dreamin'". Les classement single (in French). Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkp7bQ8kiqg
  60. "album California Dreamin' by Bud Shank". Discogs.
  61. "Changes by Johnny Rivers". Discogs.
  62. "Paint It Black by The Soulful Strings". Discogs.
  63. "single by the Fenmen ; California dreamin /Is This Your Way". Discogs.
  64. "California Dreaming, album by Wes Montgomery". Discogs.
  65. "Georgy Girl album by The Seekers". Discogs.
  66. "Sounds Of Today by 101 Strings". Discogs.
  67. "À Special Something... By The Ray Charles Singer". Discogs.
  68. "You Could Be Born Again, album by The Free Design". Discogs.
  69. "Šípková Růženka by The Rebels". Discogs.
  70. "Cass Elliot singing California Dreamin' and Monday Monday". YouTube.
  71. "DVD of The Mama Cass Television Program". Discogs.
  72. "Enoch Light And The Brass Menagerie eponymous album". Discogs.
  73. "Bill Black's Combo album "Black With Sugar"". Discogs.
  74. "Single "California Dreamin'" / "The Funky Train" by Bill Black's Combo". Discogs.
  75. "Extensions by The Mystic Moods Orchestra". Discogs.
  76. "The Václav Zahradník Orchestra' s album "Jazz Goes To Beat". Discogs.
  77. "single California Dreamin' / Girl You Move Me by Cane and Able". Discogs.
  78. "album California Dreaming by Winston Francis". Discogs.
  79. "Moira Kerr, Shadows Of My Childhood". Discogs.
  80. "Them Changes (album) by Lionel Hampton". Discogs.
  81. "White Rabbit by George Benson". Discogs.
  82. "Drummer Man / Drum Drum Best 10 by David Johnson and his Orchestra". Discogs.
  83. "危ない土曜日／キャンディーズの世界 by Candies". Discogs.
  84. "Rokkivaari Hotanen by Tapani Kansa". Discogs.
  85. "Neoton Disco by Neonton Familia". Discogs.
  86. "Just Frankie by Frankie Gearing". Discogs.
  87. "California Dreaming / The Weatherman by Denial". Discogs.
  88. "Heinz & Young – No Matter At All / California Dreamin". Discogs.
  89. "Italian release of California Dreamin' by Sydne Rome". Discogs.
  90. "Belgian release of California dreamin by Sydne Rome". Discogs.
  91. "Golden Era by Jozef Zsapka". Discogs.
  92. "Discogs, California Dreamin' by High Jinx". Discogs.
  93. "Rumour Records". Discogs.
  94. "Dedicated by Wilson Phillips". Discogs.
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