THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

660-Mamas & the Papas-California Dreamin’

1966-Number 23 single. When it was re-issued in 1997 it peaked at Number 9.

Best Bit-At 0.08. The Mamas & the Papas took their name from ‘The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club,’ whose female associates are known as ‘Mamas.’

The Mamas & the Papas were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1965, by the the husband and wife duo of John Phillips, (1935-2001) and Michelle Phillips, the pair would file for divorce in 1969. Prior to forming the Mamas & the Papas the pair had both been members of the American Folk Music group ‘The Journeymen.’ The other founding member was Denny Doherty, (1940-2007) who had previously been a member of the American Folk/Rock group the ‘Mugwumps.’ The groups fourth member, was Cass Elliot, (1941-1974) (see also best songs 247) who had also been a past member of the ‘Mugwumps,’ and was taken on soon after the groups formation, on the recommendation of Denny Doherty. These four are considered as the classic line up, with the American singer Jill Gibson, spending a brief period of time in 1966, replacing Michelle Phillips as a group member. The Mamas & the Papas would remain active until 1968, but due to contractual reasons with their record label, they ‘unofficially’ reformed in 1971 to release a final studio Album, ‘People Like Us.’

The discography of the Mamas & the Papas, who have sold in excess of 40 million records worldwide, includes five studio Albums released between 1966-1971, and 17 singles issued between 1965-1972, there are also 11 official compilation Albums available. In America on Billboard, their debut studio Album, ‘If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears,’ reached Number 1, with their next three all making the top 15, although their final Album stalled at Number 84. On Billboard, 10 of their singles reached the top 40, with ‘Monday, Monday,’ (1965) going all the way to Number 1, while ‘California Dreamin” peaked at Number 4. In the UK, the Mamas & the Papas have achieved six top 40 hit singles, with ‘Dedicated to the One I Love,’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1967.

‘California Dreamin’ was the second of three singles released from ‘If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears,’ the debut studio Album from the Mamas & the Papas,’ from February 1966. ‘California Dreamin” was co-written by the then newlyweds John, and Michelle Phillips, with the production being by Lou Adler (see also best songs 527.) The song was written with the American singer Barry McGuire in mind, as the follow up to his 1965 Billboard Number 1 hit ‘Eve of Destruction,’ (see also best songs 527) McGuire recorded the song with the Mamas & the Papas providing backing vocals, but after hearing the ‘Mamas’ sing it, the music producer Lou Adler persuaded them to release it themselves instead.

‘California Dreamin” was written by John and Michelle Phillips when they were both living as newlyweds in New York City in 1963. Michelle Phillips was homesick, and finding the winter very cold, compared to what she was used to in California, and the song was inspired by her longing to be in another place. Michelle enjoyed visiting churches, and the songs second verse is inspired from a visit to ‘St. Patrick’s Cathedral,’ a few days previously. It is said that John hated the verse, as he disliked churches because of unpleasant memories of parochial school, but the verse was left in, as he couldn’t think of anything better to replace it with, and the other group members also overruled him.

‘California Dreamin” can boast some of the era’s top session musicians playing on it, including two members of the ‘Wrecking Crew,’ Hal Blaine, (1929-2019) (see also best songs 978-811-672-527-426-202-127-110 and 71)on drums, and Joe Osborn (1937-2018) on bass guitar. Playing guitar on the track was the American singer/songwriter P. F. Sloan, (1945-2015) (see also best songs 527) it was Sloan who also provided the songs guitar intro. ‘California Dreamin” has an unusual instrumental break in the middle of the song. John Phillips was looking for something a little different instead of a guitar break, so asked the American alto saxophonist and flautist Bud Shank, (1926-2009) who in one take improvised, and provided the middle section of the song, with an alto flute solo.

‘California Dreamin” was re-issued in the UK in 1997 after being used in a commercial for ‘Carling Premier Beer,’ and this time it charted at a new high of Number 9. The song was also a UK hit in 1990 for the English ‘Folk/Rock’ group ‘River City People,’ who took their version to Number 13. Other significant recordings of ‘California Dreamin”, include the American group ‘America,’ (1979-Billboard Number 56) the Beach Boys, (1986-Billboard Number 57) Jose Feliciano, (1968-Billboard Number 43) and Bobby Womack (1968-Billboard Number 43.) In 2016 a ‘Tropical House’ version by the German DJ/remixer, ‘Freischwimmer,’ reached Number 1 on the ‘Billboard Dance Club Songs’ chart, making it the first time that ”California Dreamin” had ever reached the Number 1 spot on any Billboard chart.

‘All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey, 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.’