About the song
In the spring of 1979, the iconic American rock band America released their remake of the classic song “California Dreamin'”, which had been a staple of their live performances for years. The song, originally written and recorded by The Mamas & The Papas in 1965, had become a sentimental favorite of the band’s members, who had performed it while still in high school. The remake, featuring Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell on vocals, was a departure from the original’s folk-rock sound, with a fuller, more rock-oriented arrangement.
The song was recorded specifically for the American International Pictures (AIP) movie release “California Dreaming”, which had been shot in the final months of 1977 and was released in the summer of 1978. The movie’s delay in wide release until March 1979 meant that the song was not initially released as a single, but was instead included on the soundtrack album. The track was eventually released as a single in the spring of 1979, with “See It My Way” by F.D.R. serving as the B-side. Despite not achieving the same level of success as the original, America’s remake of “California Dreamin'” remains a beloved and enduring version of the song, and has been featured in the band’s live performances and various compilation albums over the years.
Video
Lyrics
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I went for a walk
On a winter’s day
I’d be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day
I stopped into a church
(Stopped into a church)
I passed along the way
(Passed along the way)
You know, I got down on my knees
(Got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray
(I pretend to pray)
Oh, the preacher likes the cold
(Preacher likes the cold)
He knows I’m gonna stay
(Knows I’m gonna stay)
Oh, California dreamin’
(California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day
All the leaves are brown
(The leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray
(And the sky is gray)
I went for a walk
(I went 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)
Oh, California dreamin’
(California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day
(California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day
On such a winter’s day
(California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day