We love making themed playlists and they’ve been some of the more popular posts on this blog.
But this week’s one about California is going to be an enduring favorite for me.
So many songs about CA to pick from.
I made this list of things that actually mention California or its cities; it wasn’t enough just to have a California vibe.
If it was, Marvin Gaye’s mid-to-late 1970’s stuff would have been all over this.
Additionally, songs just about film and television industry don’t belong here, they can have their own list.
Celluloid Heroes only appears because it’s so literally about the street of Hollywood Blvd.
What’s Missing
Apologies to fans of theirs but I feel like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sublime are two of the most overrated and secretly mediocre bands of any era.
And I don’t think I’m alone in that opinion.
Not a ton of hip-hop here either.
"Straight Outta Compton" is a little meh for me but I’m not made of stone so Ice Cube "It Was a Good Day" needed to make the cut.
Also I feel like I’m a little disrespectful to The Beach Boys, no songs here except for going with David Lee Roth’s version of "California Girls"; when it comes to rock and roll assholes I’ll take Diamond Dave over Mike Love any day of the week.
Lastly, Tom Petty.
I love him and the band but "Free Fallin" leaves me cold and "Peace In L.A." is the worst song he ever released.
Full Disclosure
Yes, I put two original songs I’m involved with here.
The Bigfellas’ "California King" is something I’m proud of - and even if it’s not your cup of tea musically, it’s more about more aspects of California than any other song here.
And then "Museums" with Spud and my Leaders In The Clubhouse album is a little defensive about people saying New York is culturally superior to Los Angeles.
Albert Hammond - It Never Rains In Southern California
Billy Joel - Los Angelenos
Jellyfish - Russian Hill
The Bigfellas - California King
Rufus Wainwright - California
World Party - Santa Barbara
Don Henley - Sunset Grill
Randy Newman - I Love L.A.
Robert Bradley - California
R.E.M. - I Remember California
Leaders In The Clubhouse - Museums
Warren Zevon - The French Inhaler
Soul Coughing - Screenwriter’s Blues
Delta Spirit - California
Jerry Jeff Walker - L.A. Freeway
Matthew Sweet - Come To California
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Lodi
Katy Perry - California Gurls
Steely Dan - Babylon Sisters
The Eagles - The Last Resort
Phantom Planet - California
Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin’
Journey - Lights
Billy Joel - Say Goodbye To Hollywood
David Lee Roth - California Girls
Eagles - Hotel California
Bruce Springsteen - Sinaloa Cowboys
Missing Persons - Walking In L.A.
Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Cracker - Big Dipper
Led Zeppelin Going to California
Dionne Warwick - Do You Know The Way To San Jose
Beck - Hollywood Freaks
Elliott Smith - Angeles
Vampire Weekend - California English
Goose - California Magic
Bob Seger - Hollywood Nights
Wang Chung - To Live And Die In L.A.
Joni Mitchell - California
The Doors - L.A. Woman
Philosopher Kings - All Dressed Up For San Francisco
John Mayer - Queen Of California
Bran Van 3000 - Drinking In L.A.
Jose Feliciano - California Dreamin
Linda Ronstadt - Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Tom Waits - Medley: Jack & Neal/California, Here I Come
Grateful Dead - West L.A. Fadeaway
Cracker -
King of Bakersfield
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging
Frank Black - Los Angeles
The Kinks - Celluloid Heroes
Warren Zevon - Carmelita
Childish Gambino - Telegraph Ave
Merle Haggard - Okie from Muskogee
Shawn Mullins - Lullaby
Tom Waits - Intro To Eggs And Sausage
Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
Ben Folds - Landed
X - Los Angeles
Warren Zevon - Join Me In L.A.
Gladys Knight - Midnight Train To Georgia
Cracker - Waiting For You Girl
Guns N’ Roses Song - Paradise City
Vulfpeck - Christmas in L.A.
Sheryl Crow - All I Wanna Do
Scott McKenzie - San Francisco
10,000 Maniacs - City of Angels
A Tribe Called Quest - I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
Neil Diamond - I Am ... I Said
Lucinda Williams - West
Weezer - Beverly Hills
Tom Waits - San Diego Serenade
Harry Chapin - Taxi
Cracker - El Cerrito
Bing Crosby - Where The Surf Meets The Turf
2Pac - California Love
Dead Kennedys - California Uber Alles
Pearl Jam - Santa Cruz
Frank Ocean - Sweet Life
Not Available
David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven is one of the great rock chroniclers of all parts of California.
Camper Van Beethoven’s "Northern California Girls" would have been #2 on this list but Lowery is pretty cagey about not letting Spotify near lots of his/their music.
