# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/121 "2013-04-25T01:59:03Z")
Perhaps some of the confusion about _Oh Susanna_ stems from a song from _Paint Your Wagon_? [QUOTE=Whoop-Ti-Ay (Shivaree)] Mr. Rumson bought a bride Out in Californee He’d of saved alot of money Staying drunk and horny Oh, Susanna, he’s happy as can be For he’s got him something Better than a banjo on his knee [/QUOTE] Did Journey ever do any songs about California? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/122 "2013-04-25T04:16:50Z")
[26 Miles Across the Sea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9mOhLltjFU) ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/123 "2013-04-27T03:35:41Z")
Susan Raye, “L.A. International Airport” Terry Cashman wrote and performed a song called “Talkin’ Baseball”, then did specific versions for each Major League team, including the [Angels](http://www.baseball-almanac.com/poetry/talkin_baseball_california.shtml), [Dodgers](http://www.amazon.com/Baseball-Forever-Angeles-Dodgers-Version/dp/B0011ZTGM6), [Giants](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc1J4XNGxfY), [Padres](http://www.amazon.com/Talkin-Baseball-Padres-Diego-Version/dp/B0011ZV0MK), and [A’s](http://metro-webstore.real.com/portal/portal/web/music/product?albumid=12056703&id=12057490&noajax=true&type=TRACK). ---
**Author:** ![bink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@bink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bink)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/124 "2013-04-27T05:15:51Z")
Moon Over Marin by the Dead Kennedys Sunset Boulevard by Todd Rundgren ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/125 "2013-04-27T05:22:59Z")
> [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](#): > > Dead Kennedys _California Uber Alles_ I read somewhere that Jerry Brown had a copy of this. It was released back when he was governor the first time; a Bay-area punk musician saw him at a sidewalk cafe, went to a record store in the neighborhood, purchased a copy, and gave it to him. 😛 He added, “He’s probably the kind of guy who would take it home and play it, too.” Back in the Clinton era, there were lots of stories about cocaine parties at the Arkansas governor’s mansion. I don’t believe them, and nobody I’ve ever discussed it with did either. I HAVE heard the same thing about Jerry Brown in the 1970s, and I do believe that and so has EVERYONE with whom I’ve discussed it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/126 "2013-04-27T05:24:01Z")
> [@For You](#): > > Perhaps some of the confusion about _Oh Susanna_ stems from a song from _Paint Your Wagon_? > > Did Journey ever do any songs about California? You bet! My favorite song by them, “Lights”. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/127 "2013-04-27T05:25:34Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > [Sauslito Summernight](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebDZvy7WKTg) Can’t believe I remember and actually kind of like this '80’s tune (don’t tell anyone.) Ah, yes, a classic by the band Diesel! It was a hit around the time that I graduated from high school. Now you all know how old I am. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/128 "2013-04-27T05:28:38Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > I just remembered this one, which got a lot of airplay when it came out in 1970 and has pretty much been forgotten since (deservedly, in my opinion): > > [Mill Valley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-YaWE0zu-c) Don’t think I ever heard this before. It sounds like an extended commercial made by a tourism bureau. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/129 "2013-04-27T06:00:59Z")
“Tania”-Camper Van Beethoven _Oh, my beloved Tania How I long to see your face Photographed in fifteen second intervals In a bank in San Leandro A Polaroid of you, Cinque With a seven-headed dragon In a house in Daly City_ ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/130 "2013-04-27T11:23:50Z")
Christine Lavin, [Santa Monica Pier](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCm8oOb19v4) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/131 "2013-04-27T16:03:56Z")
[_Earthquake Song_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_mvejvEdKc), The Little Girls ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/132 "2013-04-27T21:39:13Z")
Jayhawks, _Nevada California_ From the album _Hollywood Town Hall_ that is _NOT_ about the city in California. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/133 "2013-04-27T22:00:31Z")
[City of Angels](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Zg-Dz0aWw) - 10,000 Maniacs. It doesn’t mention L.A. by name in the song, but Los Angeles is the city of Angels. In the same vein as REM’s “I Remember California” it’s basically a diss that it’s an over-rated city. And while “Come With the Gentle People” (from “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls”) isn’t specifically about California, the [rappin’ prologue](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5axALm-5Qw) is all about the pros & cons of L.A. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/134 "2013-04-27T22:50:52Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Jayhawks, _Nevada California_ > > From the album _Hollywood Town Hall_ that is _NOT_ about the city in California. Utah Phillips (w/Ani Difranco) has a song called “Nevada City, California.” ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/135 "2013-05-03T02:46:07Z")
Concrete Blonde-“Roses Grow” ---
**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:** [May 3, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/136 "2013-05-03T03:04:29Z")
How did I forget Weezer’s [Beverly Hills](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL_WvOly7mY)? ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/137 "2013-05-03T03:29:09Z")
[“LA Woman”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHQtbalbYMc) - The Doors [“Southern California”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPhBgRSj6YQ) - Wax ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/138 "2013-05-03T04:03:31Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > You bet! My favorite song by them, “Lights”. Journey also did “City of the Angels”. Never got any airplay that I can recall. “Save me San Francisco” - Train ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/139 "2013-05-03T04:13:22Z")
Kate Wolf’s are some of this California Girl’s favorites: Pacheco/Redtail Hawk - ["Pacheco" by Kate Wolf - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfaZHTbK4VU) actually two separate ‘California’ songs that her band usually played with a seamless transition in their live shows. The Ballad Of Weaverville - [The Ballad of Weaverville - Kate Wolf - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWc3H28t3uQ) (I like to play a little lesbian-themed remix of this one on my guitar) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440/140 "2013-05-04T03:59:13Z")
[L.A. Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RDtalMEy7A)? (I guess I am the only person in the US who likes Beth Hart.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-california/656440.md?page=8)