101 of the Best Songs About California

Feb 1, 2022
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With its dreamy landscapes and close to year-round sunshine, California is the sort of place you can write songs about — and so many individuals have.

Immediately we’re unveiling our (extremely unscientific) record of the 101 finest songs in regards to the Golden State. This can be a playlist that my colleague Jill Cowan created in 2019 and that I’ve just lately begun including to primarily based in your options.

The music showcased within the present iteration stretches throughout a long time, genres and geographies. On the record are the Seashore Boys’ “Good Vibrations” from 1966, LL Cool J’s “Goin Again to Cali” and Haim’s 2020 bop “Los Angeles.”

As with all playlist, the California Soundtrack is a piece in progress that we’ll proceed modifying and constructing. You may electronic mail your suggestions to me at CAtoday@nytimes.com.

Under I’m sharing among the tracks that made the newest lower in addition to your arguments for inclusion. I’ll publish extra of your submissions within the e-newsletter within the coming weeks.

You may peruse the complete record of 101 California songs right here or hear right here.

However earlier than we proceed, my choose: Rilo Kiley’s “Let Me Again In,” from 2013. It’s an ode to Los Angeles that facilities what I’ve all the time beloved about this metropolis — that just about anybody can really feel at residence right here.

Comfortable listening.

“Lights” by Journey (1978)

“Journey is a Bay Space staple. ‘Lights’ is a love music to the town of San Francisco. The Giants will play ‘Lights’ in between the seventh and eighth innings (if the Giants are profitable) and the entire ballpark sings and sways to the music. It’s fantastic!” — Robin Blair, Palo Alto

“California Gurls” by Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg (2010)

“I’m 64 years younger, born and raised in Southern California, and if there’s one other music that so aptly describes life throughout my youthful years, I don’t know what it’s. I’ve retired to Arizona however Southern California will all the time be residence!!” — Cheryl Brown, Shock, Ariz.

“The place the Streets Have No Title” by U2 (1987)

“This can be a music that anybody who has been out to the Mojave and has skilled the heaviness of the universe and fragility of their mortality would agree is in regards to the non secular progress that happens there. To not point out the album known as ‘Joshua Tree.’” — Ana Macías-Serpa, Arundel, Maine

“Pacheco / The Crimson Tailed Hawk” by Kate Wolf (1983)

“Once we are driving residence, heading north on Route 5 on our option to Santa Cruz, the music describes our experience, and the climb up over Pacheco Move, completely. We all the time play it as we head up the cross.” — Joyce Smith, Santa Cruz

“How Massive, How Blue, How Stunning” by Florence and the Machine (2015)

“Once I noticed her in live performance, she stated she was impressed to jot down that music as she was coming in to land at LAX.

On a private observe, my girlfriend and I have been listening to this album on a visit alongside Freeway 1 in Marin County in 2015 once we got here round a decent flip to a panoramic view of the ocean simply as that music began to play. It was an ethereal, excellent second and I might urge anybody on a Freeway 1 journey so as to add it to their playlist.” — Holly Ober, Riverside

“Ventura Freeway” by America (1972)

“At any time when driving from my place in San Francisco to go to my daughter in Southern California, I bear in mind to placed on America’s 1972 launch of ‘Ventura Freeway’ because the ocean comes into view on the suitable of Freeway 101 and the blue Pacific Ocean seemingly goes on perpetually till it melds into an equally blue sky. It’s mesmerizing and so California.” — Kathleen Richter, San Francisco

  • Single-payer: A invoice that might have created the nation’s solely government-funded common well being care system died within the State Meeting on Monday, The Related Press stories.

  • The top of dying row: After putting a moratorium on executions in 2019, California is shifting to dismantle the nation’s largest dying row solely, The Related Press stories.

  • Quick-food protections: A invoice authorised by the Meeting may set a number of new employment requirements for fast-food staff, The Related Press stories.

  • Police weapons: A brand new invoice would require cops to holster their handguns and stun weapons on separate sides of their tools belts to forestall unintended shootings, The Related Press stories.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

  • L.A. homeless neighborhood: In an deserted constructing in Koreatown, homeless Angelenos reside collectively in an area to name their very own, The Los Angeles Occasions stories.

  • Unlikely fishermen: A photojournalist takes us to a spot the place fishing appears nearly defiant: city Los Angeles.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA


For $1.9 million in California.


Immediately’s journey tip comes from Michael Hamilton, who recommends La Cumbre Peak, the tallest mountain overlooking Santa Barbara:

“At 3,900 ft it gives a surprising 360-degree view — to the south is beautiful Santa Barbara and the ocean past it, with views of 5 Channel Islands on a transparent day. The view to the north is completely completely different: the Coastal Vary backcountry, surprisingly rugged and delightful. There are some quick simple walks for individuals who, like us, drove to the height. However for 2 guys we met on the prime, getting there was the top of a six-hour stroll up winding roads from the seashore!”

Inform us about your favourite locations to go to in California. Electronic mail your options to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We’ll be sharing extra in upcoming editions of the e-newsletter.


With Valentine’s Day arising, we’re asking about love: not who you’re keen on, however what you’re keen on about your nook of California.

Electronic mail us a love letter to your California metropolis, neighborhood or area — or to the Golden State as a complete — and we could share it in an upcoming e-newsletter. You may attain the group at CAtoday@nytimes.com.


Immediately is the Lunar New Yr, which implies the moon is getting into a brand new section, the Yr of the Tiger is starting and plenty of Asian households can be celebrating with lower fruit.

Consuming or giving fruit is a beloved Lunar New Yr custom, with completely different fruits carrying completely different meanings.

Apples are alleged to deliver peace, and so are pomelos. Golden-hued fruits like oranges, tangerines and kumquats are believed to deliver wealth to those that eat them, as their gold colours are paying homage to cash.


Thanks for studying. I’ll be again tomorrow. — Soumya

P.S. Right here’s immediately’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Coin toss name (5 letters).

Mariel Wamsley and Jonah Candelario contributed to California Immediately. You may attain the group at CAtoday@nytimes.com.

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