# Songs about California **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 22, 2013, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440 "2013-04-22T23:03:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/81 "2013-04-23T17:05:48Z")
Girls, Girls, Girls by Mötley Crüe ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/82 "2013-04-23T17:48:40Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > It’s a wiki, you can edit it if you find it’s missing one. That’s the new game. And something to brag about if you do. > > A bit more challenging than the current one of not reading the thread and repeating the same songs over and over. 😛 I contribute to these types of threads because it’s a mental recall exercise, which is enjoyable to me and to others. Anybody can go to Wiki and be bored. Added benefit: one also gets to mock people who have posted things already mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/83 "2013-04-23T19:03:25Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > The song is about the [clashes between police and hippies on the Sunset Strip](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Strip_curfew_riots), but there’s nothing in the lyrics that makes that explicit. This is worth a word or two as it also applies to _Sunset Grill._ And to the flip side of simply listing songs that have CA in their name. It has to do with the rather common misunderstandings I see on this site between the literal, left-brain dominated folks and the metaphorical, right-brain dominated folks. Left brain: Hey. No specific naming of CA. Doesn’t belong! Right brain: Don’tcha see a metaphor when it’s right in front of your face? As in _The Last Resort_ and _Hotel California_, in _Sunset Grill_ Mr. Henley is using places in California which once represented glamor and desirability and their subsequent decay to illustrate what he sees as a gradual decay in society in general. Sunset Boulevard was one of the places my generation took a stand to, um, get to stay out late without supervision and smoke dope. Now, down at the metaphorical Sunset Grill all you see is the working girls going by, the basket cases mumbling. But we’re all still down there so who knows if we’ll ever get out. Not written in stone so it’s just my interpretation. But I think it’s a little more interesting than a list and provides a good historical argument for my case. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/84 "2013-04-23T19:11:13Z")
I think I’m too late to edit but I meant to preface my last post with a reminder of the OP’s request for songs with historical references to CA. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/85 "2013-04-23T19:21:40Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [ > > _Oh! Susanna_, Stephen Foster (I’m bound for California with my banjo on my knee) The ever-popular nitpick: every version I see says “I’m bound for Alabama…” ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/86 "2013-04-23T19:35:21Z")
This one is somewhat obscure: [California Earthquake](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ijEjc2WRfw) performed by Mama Cass on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (and written by John Hartford). ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/87 "2013-04-23T19:56:58Z")
Even the Beatles got in on the action: [Blue Jay Way](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HNgIqKDC4Q) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/88 "2013-04-23T20:03:49Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > The ever-popular nitpick: every version I see says “I’m bound for Alabama…” Gah! You’re right, of course. The syllables got me. Perhaps I can make up for it: _Breakfast in America_, Supertramp ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/89 "2013-04-23T20:11:17Z")
[“California” by Phantom Planet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq-S8CIU7VA). Most well known as the theme song for “The O.C.” but another fun fact about Phantom Planet is that Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore”) was their drummer when this song was recorded but left the band when his acting career began really taking off. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/90 "2013-04-23T20:17:15Z")
[“Coming into Los Angeles”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRpj9mCl0qg)- **Arlo Guthrie** [“Time Spent in Los Angeles”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vnSXDNkUR0) - **Dawes** “California Gurls” - **Katy Perry** “California Love” - **2Pac w/ Dr. Dre** ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/91 "2013-04-23T20:36:23Z")
Tom Waits, especially from his early period [San Diego Serenade](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hbC-_79p7I) [29 Dollars](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zus00TIPUJg) [Heartattack & Vine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfXSef8FOAg) also, several songs on “[Nighthawks at the Diner](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXYyeUz5Fw8)” namecheck very specific locations in Los Angeles: Sunset & Alvarado, Ivar Theater, Burrito King, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/92 "2013-04-23T20:45:41Z")
One more and I’ll stop posting… (sorry) [Walking in Los Angeles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLZKPiTpY0k) by Kate Micucci (highly recommended) [LA River](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok2E4eWW1Tc) by HoneyHoney [(Don’t Ya Go to) Goleta](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stYvXv7vqMk) by Camper Van Beethoven [California Soul](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MMflNf-ocg) by Marlena Shaw [Sausalito Summernight](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfrkWDAQpzI)by Diesel [Hollywood](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA3jHa0cxpk) by Codeine Velvet Club _ **You know, someone should really make a Wikipedia page with all these songs about California.** _ ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/93 "2013-04-23T20:51:52Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > This one is somewhat obscure: [California Earthquake](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ijEjc2WRfw) performed by Mama Cass on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (and written by John Hartford). A California earthquake is also mentioned in Black Oak Arkansas’s “The Big One’s Still Coming” (not on the Wikipedia list, so _nyah nyah_ **Moriah** ). ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/94 "2013-04-23T21:11:24Z")
Just thought of another: [MacArthur Park](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WHx0B90FUc) ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/95 "2013-04-23T21:12:41Z")
Argh. one more and I’m done for real this time. [Kalifornia](http://vimeo.com/42591503) by Fatboy Slim, _(it’s a superficial namecheck, but I think it lives up/down to a lot of folks’ perception of the state (Los Angeles, at least) — especially with this video_ ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/96 "2013-04-23T21:22:20Z")
Kudos to Revolution Blues mentioned above. Neil mentions California a lot. Here’s Neil’s L.A. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AB9pf_paEZg/hqdefault.jpg "Neil Young - LA - Time Fades Away-original") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB9pf_paEZg) ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/97 "2013-04-23T23:35:49Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > There’s “California Lady” > by the [Band that Played California Lady](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CZeipx-4u0). I don’t even have to click on it, but I will anyway, just as soon as I submit this. (insert applause here) ---
**Author:** ![Kaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Kaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaf)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/98 "2013-04-24T01:59:00Z")
Strictly it’s not really about California, but on the “Encores” album Jimmy Buffett talks about cruising down the 101 north of Ventura with his daughter as he is strumming before he starts the lyrics. Makes me miss my hometown every time I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/99 "2013-04-24T02:05:45Z")
I don’t know how I forgot [Los Angeles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HymVbqTlL58) by Frank Black ---
**Author:** ![ctywkr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@ctywkr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctywkr)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/100 "2013-04-24T03:01:23Z")
Warren Zevon [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z0J3ossUzhU/hqdefault.jpg "Warren Zevon - Desperados Under The Eaves") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0J3ossUzhU) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440.md?page=6)