California Dreamin’ “Monterey Pop Festival” by DA Pennebaker


California Dreamin’ was written by John Phillips in 1963 when they form part of the group “The New Journeymen”. John Phillips done it “on a frigid winter night in Manhattan when his young wife, Michelle, was homesick for Southern California, "California Dreamin'" [Appears on: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (MCA)]

Michelle remembers waking up to John asking for her help. He didn't like writing alone. In this case, her homesickness had provided the initial inspiration, and after they put their heads together, life in the city informed more of the lyrics. A few days earlier, Michelle says, she had wanted to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral. "I just loved going into churches. And that's where we got the lyric for the second verse." [California Dreamin' Susan Stamberg] :

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 liked the cold, he knows I'm going to stay
California dreamin', on such a winter's day.

In 1965 the track has been recorded by The Mamas and the Papas and will be one their great hits. By early 1966, the song peaked at # 4 and it stayed on the charts for 17 weeks.

The Mamas and the Papas then recorded their own version, using the same instrumental backing track to which they added new vocals and a flute solo by Bud Schank, Hal Blaine on drums, bassist Joe Osborn, pianist Larry Knechtel and acoustic guitarist P.F. Sloan, who created and played the wonderful picked guitar intro that so perfectly sets up the mid-tempo track. All members of the famed group Wrecking Crew.

Thrilled over the opportunity to record, the group offered "California Dreamin'" to Barry McGuire as thanks for connection to Lou Adler. The song went onto his album his Precious Time, with the Mamas and the Papas singing background vocals.

With its lush harmonies that practically begged listeners to sing along, “California Dreamin'” was a pleasing slice of folk-rock in a time when other top groups of the day were slowly starting to turn toward psychedelia. It was followed by a string of hits from the album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears.

In early 1966, “California Dreamin'” was the first of a string of sparks — the group's first six singles, including “Monday, Monday,” “Words of Love” and “Dedicated to the One I Love,” would all go Top 10 — that helped keep vocal harmony alive, well and hip in the stoned-out fuzzbox of the 1960's.

This song has been covered numerous times due to enduring popularity. High artists like Jose Feliciano –in “Light My Fire”- as well as, America, The Beach Boys , The Carpenters, The Four Tops, Bobby Womack, Queen Latifah, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Eddie Hazel and John Phillips without The Mamas & the Papas sang it with great exit. House versions are also covered by Royal Gigolos, Benny Benassi and DJ Sammy.

California Dreamin was also a BSO of a list of many movies and TV series like:

# "Californication" (1 episode, 2008)
- Slip of the Tongue (2008) TV episode (performer: "California Dreamin'")
# California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit) (2007) (performer: "California Dreamin'")
... aka California Dreamin' (UK) (USA)
# Aliens Fall in Love (2007) (music: "California Dreamin'") (lyrics: "California Dreamin'")
# "Ha-Shminiya" (1 episode, 2006)
... aka "The Eight" (International: English title)
- Hard Day (2006) TV episode (performer: "Califoirnia Dreamin'")
# California Dreamin': The Songs of 'The Mamas & the Papas' (2005) (TV) (performer: "I Call Your Name', "Dancing in the Street", "Do You Believe in Magic", "Somebody Groovy", "Words of Love", "Creeque Alley", "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)", "I Saw Her Again", "Dancing Bear", "Once Was a Time I Thought", "Dedicated to the One I Love", "Monday, Monday", "Straight Shooter", "My Heart Stood Still", "California Dreamin'", "Nowhere Man')
# After the Sunset (2004) (performer: "California Dreamin'", "Go Where You Wanna Go")
# He Died with a Felafel in His Hand (2001) (performer: "California Dreaming")
# Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998) (performer: "California Dreamin'")
# There Goes My Baby (1994) (performer: "California Dreamin'")
... aka The Last Days of Paradise (USA)
# Chung Hing sam lam (1994) ("California Dreamin'")
... aka Chungking Express (UK) (USA)
# Forrest Gump (1994) (performer: "California Dreamin'")
# Stella (1990) (performer: "Carliforna Dreamin'")
# She's Out of Control (1989) (performer: " California Dreamin'")
# Quiet Cool (1986) (performer: "California Dreamin'")
# American Pop (1981) (performer: "California Dreamin'")
# The Hollywood Knights (1980) (performer: "California Dreamin')

Sources:

- Classic Tracks: The Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin' (Mixonline.com)

- California Dreaming (Rollignstone.com)

- California Dreamin' (Npr.org)

- California Dreamin' (Wikipedia)