California Dreamin'
|
|
"California Dreamin'" is a song by The Mamas & the Papas, first released in the 1960s and then re-popularized by a cover version by DJ Sammy in 2002.
The song was written in 1963 by John and Michelle Phillips while they were living in New York, inspired by Michelle's home sickness for California. At the time, the Phillips were members of the folk group New Journeymen which evolved into The Mamas and the Papas.
They earned their first record contract after being introduced to Lou Adler, the head of Dunhill Records, by the singer Barry McGuire. In thanks to Adler, they sang the backing vocals to California Dreamin' on McGuire's album 'This Precious Time'. The Mamas and the Papas recorded their own version which was released in 1965. It never made it to number one, but stayed on the charts for 17 weeks.
"California Dreamin'" was the first single and first big hit for The Mamas & the Papas and is, in fact, their impetus for being. If not for the song, and the group's talent, they may have never emerged as the important band they became.
"California Dreamin'" is often incorrectly considered to be a "summer" song, even though the lyric unambiguously states that the events it describes occur "on a winter's day".
External links
- NPR California dreamin' article (http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/californiadreamin/)