The Best LA Songs: #1 "California Dreaming" The Mamas and the Papas (1965)

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"California Dreaming on such a winter's day" This is the iconic signature song of The Mamas and the Papas who blended folk roots with hippie pop rock and rode skilled songwriting and vocal harmonies to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group was comprised of principle songwriter/lead vocals John Phillips, his then wife gorgeous Michelle Gilliam, Dennis Doherty and powerful voiced Cass Elliott. "California Dreaming" is the ultimate love song to LA. The song was written by John and Michelle when they were living in New York and inspired by wanting to escape the cold for warm LA. "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey I've been for a walk on a winter's day I'd be safe and warm if I was in LA" Barry McGuire ("Eve of Destruction") originally recorded the song with The Mamas and the Papas singing backup. The group including the song on the "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears" album. "California Dreaming" was a was a smash gold single making Billboard Hot 100 #4 and overall #1 song of 1966. The song has been covered by The Beach Boys and R.E.M. and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.