Reflection 4: California, Here I Come—Songs of the Golden State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1965, The Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'" famously pined for a warm Los Angeles day while stuck in miserable New York winter:

All the leaves are brown
    (All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray.
    (And the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk
    (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day.
    (On a winter's day).

I'd be safe and warm
    (I'd be safe and warm)
if I was in LA
    (If I was in LA)
California dreamin'
    (California dreamin') on such a winter's day.

The Mamas & the Papas were not alone in their longing to be in California. For decades, thousands of musical artists have drawn inspiration from California, and the resulting songs are as diverse as the state itself. For this reflection, examine three of the following songs about California—one each from the "California," "Northern California," and "Southern California" sections. In your examination, consider how the state is portrayed through all aspects of the song (e.g. melody, lyrics). What images are used? What emotions are evoked? Is it a realistic portrayal or a fantasy? Finally, what of songs from artists who are California natives (e.g. The Beach Boys, Chris Isaak) versus those from someplace else (e.g. New York City's Lana Del Rey, Ireland's The Thrills)—is there a difference? 

California:

1. The Mamas & the Papas, "California Dreamin'"
2. Marlena Shaw, "California Soul"
3. The Beach Boys, "California Girls"
4. Billy Bragg and Wilco, "California Stars"
5. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, "City of Stars"
6. Lana Del Rey, "West Coast"
7. Belinda Carlisle, "California"
8. Lesley Gore, "California Nights" 
9. Merle Haggard, "A Friend in California"
   
10. The Rivieras, "California Sun"
    
11. Katy Perry, "California Gurls" 
12. Albert Hammond, "It Never Rains in Southern California"
    
13. Led Zeppelin, "Going to California"
14. LL Cool J, "Going Back to Cali" 
15. Dennis Wilson, "Pacific Ocean Blues"
    
16. Al Jolson, "California, Here I Come"
17. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Californication"
18. 2Pac (Ft. Dr. Dre), "California Love"
19. Joni Mitchell, "California"
20. Best Coast, "The Only Place"
21. The Beach Boys, "Surfin' USA"
22. The Decemberists, "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade"
23. Phantom Planet, "California"
24. Eagles, "Hotel California"
25. Carole King, "Back to California"

Northern California:

1. Tony Bennett,  "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
2. Judy Garland, "San Francisco"
3. Dionne Warwick, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" 
4. Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Lodi" 
5. Conor Oberst, "Sausalito"
   
6. Death Cab for Cutie, "Bixby Canyon Bridge"
7. Too $hort, "Oakland"
   
8. The Thrills, "Big Sur"
9. Linda Ronstadt, "Talk to Me of Mendocino" 
10. Johnny Cash, "Folsom Prison Blues" 
11. Ashe, "San Jose" 
    
12. Radiohead, "Palo Alto"
13. Otis Redding, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
14. Journey, "Lights" 
15. Chris Isaak, "San Francisco Days"
16. Big Tone, "Northern California"
17. Eric Burdon and The Animals, "Monterey"
18. The Thrills, "Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)"
    
19. The Doobie Brothers, "Ukiah"
    
20. Scott McKenzie, "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"

Southern California:

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Under the Bridge"
2. Sheryl Crow, "All I Wanna Do"
3. Missing Persons, "Walking in LA"
4. America, "Ventura Highway"
   
5. Tom Waits, "San Diego Serenade" 
6. Freddie Cannon, "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" 
7. Hole, "Malibu"
   
8. Frank Sinatra, "LA is My Lady"
9. Tom Petty, "Free Fallin'"
10. Everclear, "Santa Monica" 
11. Mel Torme, "They Go to San Diego"
    
12. George Strait, "Marina del Rey"
13. "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses
14. Ruthie Collins, "Joshua Tree" 
    
15. The Doors, "LA Woman"
16. Johnnie Davis and Frances Langford, "Hooray for Hollywood"
17. Randy Newman, "I Love LA"
18. Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens, "Streets of Bakersfield"
19. Jan and Dean, "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena"
20. Weezer, "Beverly Hills"

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including works cited
• ≈ 500 words (2 pages)
  

Due: Fri 5.2 (via Canvas)