Song: “California Dreamin’”

In 1963, Michelle Phillips — the soprano in the Mamas & the Papas who later gained fame as an actress as well — was in New York City one cold winter with her new husband John. She was homesick for warm and sunny California. John would walk around the apartment at night working out tunes, and one morning brought the first verse of this song to Michelle.

The second verse was written after the two visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Michelle liked visiting churches).

• Michelle Phillips wrote the lyrics, “Well, I got down on my knees / And I pretend to pray,” but Cass Elliot had sung “began” on the original recording and continued doing so on tour until corrected by Phillips.

This is a rare pop song that contains a flute solo played with an alto flute, which is larger than a regular flute and plays in a lower register. A jazz player named Bud Shank played the solo for the recording. The Wrecking Crew provided the musicians for the rest of the session.

The single was released in 1965, but it didn’t chart until 1966, thanks to a Boston radio station that put it in heavy rotation as winter settled over the city. Ultimately, the song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for 17 weeks. It was the top single for 1966 according to Billboard. It was certified 3x Platinum in 2023, and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. The song also heralded the arrival of “the California sound,” which infused rock with strong counter-cultural overtones.

Other versions by the Beach Boys and America have also proven to be hits.

Enjoy!

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