Please list songs with a connection to California

Cafe Society
61

Three more occurred to me although one I am not sure of one of the artists.

Me and Bobby Magee - Kris Kristoferson and Janis Joplin (at different times, of course) and somebody else covered it more recently.

Coming into Los Angles - Arlo Guthrie (so openly drug oriented may not have gotten air time everywhere).

Theme from “77 Sunset Strip” - Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra (I think). This detective show theme song actually charted in the late 50s and all it was was orchresta music with choral singers periodically coming in with the words, “77 Sunset Strip,” which, of course, is the famous street in L.A.

and doesn’t Please Come to Boston have the singer in San Francisco at some point.

62

I could be wrong, but I don’t believe anyone has posted McArthur Park.

63

Lodi - CCR

64

L. A. Freeway by Guy Clark, performed by Jerry Jeff Walker and others

65

Wait–don’t you mean “Suckin’ on old diaphragms”? :smiley:

66

Oh, and allow me to chime in with some Steely Dan:

Kid Charlemagne:

While the music played you worked by candlelight
Those San Francisco nights
You were the best in towwwwwn…

Bad Sneakers:

I can see the ladies talkin’ how the times were gettin hard
and that fearsome excavation on Magnolia Boulevard…

Babylon Sisters

We’ll jog with the showfolk on the sand
Drink Kirschwasser from a shell
San Francisco show and tell…

Lordy, this is fun!

More as they pop in.

67

NOFX
*EL LAY *
Get out of my way,
can’t you see I’m from L.A.?

*dinosaurs will die *
Prehistoric music industry
Three feet in la brea tar
Extinction never felt so good

  • the Decline *
    Jerry spent some time in Michigan
    A twenty year vacation, after all he had a dime
    A dime is worth a lot more in Detroit
    A dime in California, a twenty dollar fine

dead0man

68

All you guys have all the newer ones but I bet everyone here knows this one:

When the Swallows come back to Capistrano-performed by The Inkspots, Bing Crosby, Bugs Bunny, etc etc from San Juan Capistrano, about 5 minutes away from me.

Surprised this did not get mentioned till now

69

Since a few people took most of what I was going to say (re: Everclear, the Stones, Sheryl Crow, the Eagles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.), I’m only left with one submission…

Wave: California

70

J. Geils Band - Californicatin’
Rancid - Daly City Train
Tenderloin
Journey to the End of the East Bay
Goldfinger - The City With Two Faces, better known as the “F**k L.A.” song
Sublime - Garden Grove
The Ramones covered California Sun

The Offspring gave us LAPD who provoked the events of April 29, 1992 (Sublime), which in turn inspired the ham-fisted Peace in L.A. (Tom Petty) as well as Black Girlfriend (Porno for Pyros).

Most obscure California connection I can come up with right now: Pink Floyd - The Wall. One of the televisions smashed between Don’t Leave Me Now and Another Brick in the Wall Part III is tuned to Chick Hearn broadcasting a Lakers game.

71

Warren Zevon anyone?

Even A Dog Can Shake Hands
Join Me In L.A.
Gorilla, You’re A Desperado
The French Inhaler
Desperadoes Under Eaves

I’m sure he has others, but these are the first to pop to mind.

72

Picture Postcards From LA- Joshua Kadison

73

From New York to L.A.

This was a hit in the seventies by a blonde American girl, the name of whom escapes me right now (and I am too lazy to google).