Centred drums, lead vocals and bass for a more impactful sound. With this, I tried to emulate the excitement of the original mono single while enhancing the wide, immersive stereo to maintain the atmosphere.
Written in 1963 by one half of the band, John and Michelle Phillips, in a cold New York apartment because Michelle was feeling homesick for the sunny California where she was born.
Originally recorded in 1965 by Barry McGuire with the Mamas and the Papas only as a backing group. The instrumentation provided by the hitmaking ‘Wrecking Crew’ was later reused for their version, but the original harmonica solo was omitted. Instead, jazz musician Bud Shank, also present in the studio, was invited to the session to play the flute. Shank listened to the section he was supposed to fill and nailed it on the first take.
The song went to number 4 in the U.S. in 1966 and was ranked No. 1 on the Billboard year-end charts. California Dreamin' is among the most covered songs of all time, with popular cover versions by The Beach Boys, José Felicano, Bobby Womack, America, R.E.M., and The Carpenters, just to name a few.
Over the years, the song solidified its position as a part of the cultural cannon, being included in various films (Forrest Gump, Chungking Express and Fish Tank) and shows (Stranger Things, Californication) among many others.
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 L.A.
California dreamin' 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 lights the coals
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin' 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 dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
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