The Mamas & The Papas – California Dreamin’

Introduction

“California Dreamin'” is a song written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips in 1963, initially recorded by Barry McGuire. The Mamas & the Papas, who provided backup vocals on the original version, released the best-known version as a single in December 1965. The lyrics convey the narrator’s yearning for the warmth of Los Angeles during a cold New York City winter.

The song became a hallmark of the California sound, symbolizing the emerging counterculture era. The Mamas & the Papas’ rendition achieved three-times platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 2023 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 420 on its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.

Written during a cold winter in New York City, John and Michelle Phillips, members of the New Journeymen folk group, expressed their longing for sunny California. The Mamas & the Papas earned their first record contract after singing backup on McGuire’s version. Lou Adler, head of Dunhill Records, had Denny Doherty re-record the lead vocals for their version. The single gained national attention after initially receiving little notice in Los Angeles and became a chart-topping hit in 1966.

“California Dreamin'” also reached number 23 on the UK charts upon its original release and experienced a resurgence in 1997 after its use in a Carling Premier commercial, peaking at number nine. The song has been featured in films like “Chungking Express” and covered by artists such as the Beach Boys. Michelle Phillips corrected Cass Elliot’s lyrics during a performance, emphasizing the enduring impact of the song.

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Lyrics

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)
On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)
I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)

California dreamin’ (California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I’m gonna stay (knows I’m gonna stay)

California dreamin’ (California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)
On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)
If I didn’t tell her (if I didn’t tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)

California dreamin’ (California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day (California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day (California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day