Scott McKenzie – San Francisco

About the song

“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” is more than just a catchy pop tune. Released in 1967, it became an anthem for a generation, capturing the essence of the counterculture movement, the hippie spirit, and the iconic “Summer of Love.”

Written by John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas and sung by Scott McKenzie, the song’s origins are surprisingly practical. It was created to promote the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, with Phillips reportedly composing it in a mere 20 minutes. Despite its quick creation, the song’s impact was undeniable.

The song’s cheerful melody and inviting lyrics, particularly the now-famous line “If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear flowers in your hair,” resonated with a youth yearning for peace, love, and social change. It became a rallying cry for those drawn to the burgeoning hippie scene in San Francisco, symbolizing a rejection of war and a desire for a more peaceful, harmonious world.

“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” transcended national boundaries. It topped charts not only in the US but also in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Germany. McKenzie’s version earned the title of “unofficial anthem” for the counterculture movement and the Summer of Love, standing alongside the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” as a defining soundtrack of the era.

The song’s influence extended beyond the charts. It has been featured in numerous films and covered by artists as diverse as Led Zeppelin and U2. “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” remains a powerful reminder of a pivotal time in history, a time when music and a simple act like wearing flowers became symbols for a generation’s hope for a brighter future.

Video

Lyrics

If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion

There’s a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there