Negative emotions are often a powerful source of inspiration, and homesickness is far from the last in this regard. In any case, it was thanks to nostalgia that the brilliant song California Dreamin’ appeared, which was presented to the world by The Mamas & the Papas.
California Dreamin’ Song Story
During the stormy winter of 1963, newlyweds Michelle and John Philips returned to New York from a vacation in California. Michelle, who grew up in this sunny state, suffered especially from the cold. Moreover, she did not stock up on warm clothes, and the snow that fell from the sky was a novelty for her.
John felt his wife’s sadness. One night, while they were in a room at the Earl Hotel, he delivered the first verse of a song destined to become one of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
As John himself later claimed, he immediately woke Michelle. Although she did not want to wake up, he convinced her to take a pencil and write down the words. They finished the song together.
The song California Dreamin’ talks about how John and Michelle felt being away from their beloved California. It describes the actual events of the previous few days, including a visit to church during a walk on a winter day. The church mentioned in the second verse is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They really were in it the day before.
Michelle said in an interview that John, who was forced to go to a Catholic school as a child, at first wanted to remove everything related to faith from the song. However, he later agreed that the passage turned out to be successful and left it. However, John unambiguously expressed his attitude towards religion with the line “I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray” (“I got down on my knees and pretended to pray”).
At that time, the bands John and Michelle were members of The New Journeymen, and the new song lay dormant for two years. In 1965, The Mamas & the Papas formed and California Dreamin’ became their second single to hit the big time. They say that this song was especially liked at the first audition by producer Lou Adler, who saw it as a world hit.
Clip California Dreamin’
Let’s watch the video clip and listen to California Dreamin’ online.
The further history of the group was short and very bright. But successful performances, impressive box office receipts, public love, admiring reviews of critics did not keep the musicians together, who were mired in feuds caused by difficult relationships with each other. Already in 1968, The Mamas & the Papas broke up, but the song California Dreamin’ outlived the group and is still one of the most famous compositions in the world.
Performers
There are many cover versions of California Dreamin’. It has been performed by The Beach Boys, REM, The Carpenters and others. The guitar arrangement of the song, which was performed by South Korean guitarist Sungha Jung, is widely known.
Interesting Facts
- The line “You know the preacher likes the cold” is often heard as “You know the preacher lights the coals”.
- California Dreamin’ is one of the few popular songs to feature an alto flute solo. Jazzman Bud Shenk recorded it from the first take.
- The song California Dreamin’ can be heard in various feature films, the most famous of which was, perhaps, “Forrest Gump” (Forrest Gump).
- John Phillips also wrote the hippie anthem “San Francisco”, which was sung by Scott McKenzie.
California Dreaming Lyrics
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I’ve been for a walk
On a winter’s day
I’d be safe and warm
If I was in LA
California dreaming
On such a winter’s day
Stopped in to a church
I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I’m gonna stay
California dreaming
On such a winter’s day
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I’ve been for a walk
On a winter’s day
If I didn’t tell her
I could leave today
California dreaming
On such a winter’s day
California Dreaming Lyrics
All the leaves have dried up
Grey sky
I am walking
On a winter day
I would be cozy and warm
If I were in Los Angeles
Dreams of California
On such a winter day
Looked into the church
that got me on the way
Well, I’m down on my knees
And pretended to pray
You know the priest likes the cold
He’s sure that I’ll stay
Dreams of California
On such a winter day
All the leaves have dried up
Grey sky
I am walking
On a winter day
If I hadn’t told her
I could leave today
Dreams of California
On such a winter day
