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Posted on 04/30/2026 1:33:34 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The quartet were missing the warmth of Los Angeles, but turned that into a gold-certified classic.
By the spring of 1966, the Mamas and the Papas were big news in the United States. They’d gone Top 5 with “California Dreamin’’’, released the previous December 8, and were climbing fast with the follow-up, ‘Monday, Monday.’ That was on its way to a three-week stint at No.1 in the US when, on the chart for April 28, the vocal quartet appeared on a British chart for the first time.
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears LP If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears LP Order Now If You Believe Your Eyes and Ears Limited Edition Green Color LP If You Believe Your Eyes and Ears (Limited Edition Green) 1LP Order Now ‘Soul & Inspiration’ Album: Righteous Brothers Find ‘The Heart Of The Song’ ‘Boy George & Culture Club’ Documentary Set For June Release ‘Dance Away’: Roxy Music Deliver On The Promise Of Their ‘Manifesto’ “California Dreamin’’’ made a tentative first showing in the Top 50 that week at No.49, as Dusty Springfield climbed to the top of the bestsellers with “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.” But it was appropriate for the John and Michelle Phillips composition to be making an impression in the chillier transatlantic climes. The pair wrote it when they were literally feeling the cold of a New York winter and missing the warmth of Los Angeles.
California Dreamin' (Single Version)
Click to load video Gold status back home The song never made quite the same impression in the UK as it did in the States, at least not first time around. It climbed the chart over the next month, 34-29-26, before spending two weeks at its peak position of No.23. “Monday, Monday” would be the real British breakthrough, resting for two weeks at No.3 in June. That month, back home, “Dreamin’’’ was certified gold, and then the Mamas and The Papas album spent nine consecutive weeks in the UK top ten, peaking at No.3.
One of the song’s many charms was its alto flute solo, played by jazz man Bud Shank, also a saxophonist. Earlier in 1966, he’d claimed a piece of Beatles-related notoriety with a minor US hit version of “Michelle.” It reached No.65 for the Dayton, Ohio-born musician.
A ‘magical’ session Fellow Californian scenester P.F. Sloan played guitar on “California Dreamin’”, and later remembered the session in an interview with Songfacts. It was “magical,” he said. “John [Phillips] was very nervous. Nobody particularly liked the song, and to be honest with you, ‘California Dreamin’’ was maybe three or four chords. I added the “Walk Don’t Run” Ventures guitar riffs for that ‘da da da da da da.’ That was all creative work inside the studio when I heard them singing on mic. I had recorded them with Barry McGuire on his second album, so I knew how good they were.”
Listen to the 60s playlist, featuring the Mamas and the Papas alongside Glen Campbell, Cream, Dusty Springfield and many more.
It was another generation before “Dreamin’” finally landed a Top 10 UK placing. In 1997, the song was used in a TV commercial campaign in Britain for Carling Lager. That started a whole new wave of interest in the classic Californian pop sound and propelled the song to No.9.
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Too bad John Phillips was such a sicko in real life.
The story I heard was that the song came to John Phillips as he was waking up in a cheap NYC hotel next to Michelle. It was in the pre-dawn hours. He woke her up, asked her to write down what he sang, and said "this is going to make us rich." I don't think her contribution went beyond transcribing the words, I don't know if she also wrote down the music (I doubt it).
I saw an interview with Paul McCartney in which he was asked "how did you manage to make your songs so catchy?" He answered "we didn't have a tape recorder back then, the songs had to be catchy, or we'd forget them." Maybe that's how Phillips remembered the music.
I liked I Saw Her Again Last Night as much as I liked California Dreamin'. It came out six months later, in June 1966.
Great vocals and harmonies! Lots of good memories.
Thanks for posting.
YW
You think he did that with his daughter? When I was in grade school we sat next to him and the daughter at a restaurant, but I was too young to know who he was.
When I lived in a cold foreign country, it meant a lot to me.
Yeah, I can imagine.
On Gutfield last night they were discussing whether it is OK to like the music of someone who is an awful person. Michael Jackson was one of the names mentioned.
Yes, John and Michelle Phillips had one child together during their marriage, daughter Chynna Phillips, born on February 12, 1968. Chynna later became famous as a singer in the trio Wilson Phillips. They were pretty good too.
Michelle Phillips and the Banana
Got love it
Yes, and it’s reflected in a couple of verses in this song too. In one verse, he sings: “Got down on my knees, and began to pray” and the chorus follows with “I pretend to pray.” That always bugged me a little.
The other problematic verse goes: “If I didn’t tell her, I could leave today…” So I guess he’s contemplating abandoning his girlfriend/wife. For better weather? Really.
Not surprised at all the lyrics were penned by him.
Kudos!! Classic Indeed!!
I’m a Rocker from the beginning but ALWAYS appreciated talent no matter the form!! Cass Elliot truly had a set of pipes on her!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ0PZRYin2s&list=RDZZ0PZRYin2s
I always related that song to the Vietnam war and a soldier thinking of home...
I guess I was way off...
In the 1980 movie “The Hollywood Knights”, there’s a touching scene in which the song is played in the background.
I think that scene is still available on YouTube.
I love that movie and agree it’s the best use of the song ever.
But I am SO sick of hearing it! SXM Sixties Gold must play it every day.
For all these years, I honestly thought the chorus was "I began to pray" ... all of the chorus repeats are fairly direct quotes from what the lead singer has said.
Lets Rock This Joint!!
Strange Brew 1967
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftgytmgQgE&list=RDhftgytmgQgE
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