Love Found in California by Melissa Rolka

We love the visual: “ I love to dream my troubles all away on our bed of California stars. Of course, Guthrie himself came to California as part of the Dust Bowl migration in the 1930s.

California Stars (Vocals Music by Billy Bragg, Lyrics by Woodie Guthrie)įrom the acclaimed Mermaid Avenue Sessions, where Billy Bragg put to music formerly unpublished lyrics written by Woodie Guthrie. “ Its really such a groove, Puts a brand new kind of thinking in your mind and you can’t go wrong ’cause your happy all day long. To make our list, the song had to touch on a notable role or perspective that shapes the California ideal.Īlthough this song never cracked Billboard’s Top 20 despite covers by the 5th Dimension and Marvin Gay (with Tammy Terrell), the Marlena Shaw cut continues to be used in movies and other places largely (we think) because the funk beat is the perfect score for lyrics that lay bare the golden state’s collective soul.

This is by no means a definitive list-the Golden State is featured in hundreds of songs. In our Spotify Playlist (titled: “California Dream: Our Pix”), we explore songs that exult, explore, and test the California ideal. Our own Joan Didion observed that “the apparent ease of California life is an illusion, and those who believe the illusion real live here in only the most temporary way.” Yet the road to a dream can be deceptive and challenging. Other times, it’s just a warmer version (a beach bungalow and a garden). we wearin' Chucks, not Ballys ( Yeah, that's right) Dressed in Locs and Khaki suits, and ride is what we do Flossin' but have caution: we collide with other crews Famous because we throw grams Worldwide, let them recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam It's Westside, so you know the Row won't bow down to no man Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre Let me serenade the streets of L.Former state librarian (and respected historian) Kevin Starr said that of all the states, “only California has attached to its identity the concept of a dream.” Sometimes that dream is portrayed as the quicker, richer cousin of the American Dream (think gold rush, technology start ups). California knows how to party California knows how to party (Yes, they do) In the city of L.A In the city of good ol' Watts In the city, the city of Compton We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin' Shake, shake it, baby Shake, shake it, mama Shake it, Cali Shake it, shake it, baby Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it Out on bail, fresh out of jail, California dreamin' Soon as I step on the scene, I'm hearin' hoochies screamin' Fiendin' for money and alcohol, the life of a Westside player Where cowards die and the strong ball Only in Cali where we riot, not rally, to live and die In L.A.

Love Found in California by Melissa Rolka