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"California Dreamin'" is a song by The Mamas & the Papas, first released in the 1960s.
The song was written in 1963 by John and Michelle Phillips while they were living in New York, inspired by Michelle's home sickness for California. At the time, the Phillipses were members of the folk group 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 the singer Barry McGuire. In thanks to Adler, they sang the backing vocals to "California Dreamin'" on McGuire's album This Precious Time. The Mamas and the Papas recorded their own version which was released in 1965. It never made it to number one, but stayed on the charts for 17 weeks.
"California Dreamin'" was the first single and first big hit for The Mamas & the Papas and is, in fact, their impetus for being. If not for the song, and the group's talent, they may have never emerged as the important band they became. It is often incorrectly considered to be a "summer" song, even though the lyrics unambiguously state that the events it describes occur "on such a winter's day".
Use and covers
- The song was used extensively in the Hong Kong movie Chungking Express (1994), and is often referred to as the theme song to that film.
- John Phillips recorded an acoustic version with background vocals sung in Spanish.
- Was covered by the group America in the 1980's and used in their live set. Dewey Bunnell handled the lead vocals and Gerry Beckley did the backgrounds. This sound was part of the soundtrack to the movie California Dreaming.
- Multiple techno artists, such as Royal Gigolos, have sampled the song and created remixes that have experienced much popularity within clubs and radio stations.
- The Beach Boys have also released two cover versions. One was released on a Radio Shack sampler cassette and a re-recorded version appeared on the CD Made in The USA.
- An R&B remake by Bobby Womack met with success in 1968.
- It was covered by José Feliciano on his 1968 album Feliciano!, and also by The Flashbulb in the album Kirlian Selections.
- "California Dreamin'" was also sampled by techno artist DJ Sammy in a remix.
- Also done in 2004 by Queen Latifah on her The Dana Owens Album.
- Was the theme song for the 2001 Japanese drama Yume no California (California Dreams).
- Is played amongst other California-themed songs in the Golden State section of Disney's California Adventure theme park.
- The song was covered by guitarist Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic on his only solo album Games, Dames & Guitar Thangs as a jam.
- The song was also covered by Southern Californian Heavy Metal band Mower (band), on their 2006 album Not For You.
- Also covered by Japanese punk band Hi-Standard (Fat Wreckords) on the 1997 EP Californian Dreamin'. Also found on compilation album Survival Of The Fattest.
- Was covered by River City People in 1990
- The Carpenters recorded a rough demo version early in their career and appears on their Gold compilation.
Trivia
- The song is mentioned to be playing in a jukebox in the Dead Milkmen's song "Punk Rock Girl"
- In the movie After the Sunset, a crimelord played by Don Cheadle has built a life philosophy around songs by The Mamas & the Papas and plays "California Dreamin'" for his guest, played by Pierce Brosnan
- This song is one of many classic 60s hits played in the movie Forrest Gump
- The song was sampled on Current 93's album Dawn on the track "Great Black Time".
- This song is played in the 2006 remake of the classic horror movie The Hills Have Eyes.
- The song is ranked as the 89th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.
External links
- NPR California dreamin' article
- Technical article describing how California Dreamin' was originally mixed
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