Beyond the Sunshine of California Dreamin’
The song that gave the Mamas & the Papas that California sound
The Mamas & the Papas’ 1965 recording of “California Dreamin’” ushered in the counterculture era and helped flute solos gain acceptance in the popular music scene.
Newlywed singer-songwriters, John and Michelle Phillips, wrote “California Dreamin’” in 1963. Their song is about longing for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold New York winter.
The Phillips’ group, the Mamas & the Papas, released “California Dreamin’” in December 1965. The song is widely recognised for changing the direction of 1960s music from a “yeah-yeah-yeah” sound to “hippie” music.
Folk rocker Barry McGuire recorded the first version of “California Dreamin’” earlier that year. The Mamas & the Papas sang backups for McGuire’s original version.
I find “California Dreamin’” highly relatable. That’s because I detest the cold and am constantly dreaming of someplace warm. Even now, as I sit here writing on a steamy Barcelona evening in July, I’m worrying about what I’ll do when December comes around.
Inspired by cold weather and churches
In the early 1960s, John and Michelle Phillips lived in New York City during a…
