Rockin’ Thursday XLI

I have been thinking lately about the song California Dreamin’. Maybe it’s because the weather is changing and getting a little colder, so thoughts of sunny places come to mind. California Dreamin’ was written in 1963 while John Phillips and Michelle Phillips were living in New York City during a particularly cold winter, and Michelle was missing sunny California. The Mamas & the Papas, an American folk rock vocal group, released the song in 1965, and it became a hit, reaching the number 4 spot on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1966.1

Well, maybe like me, you’re asking yourself: what is folk rock? According to a MasterClass article, “Folk rock is a subgenre of rock music that draws heavily on English and American folk music. It emerged in the mid-1960s when folk singers like Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn picked up electric guitars, and when rock bands like the Animals turned to traditional folk for inspiration.”2

I love seeing young people perform classics, so today I’m sharing a version performed by the School of Rock students. They performed the song beautifully, and the young lady singing has an incredible voice.

Enjoy the video, stay warm, and have a wonderful, Rockin’ Thursday!

California Dreamin’ – School of Rock Students

You can access the lyrics here.

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Dreamin%27 ↩︎
  2. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/folk-rock-music-guide ↩︎

42 thoughts on “Rockin’ Thursday XLI”

  1. I’ve never been a big Mamas & the Papas fan. But that song is pretty darn good. As far as folk rock is concerned, I love Steeleye Span and the Incredible String Band, which actually is an extension of what you’re referring to. But it’s a return to English medieval troubadour music, electrified. Oh, and Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention! Another band I care much for (Lol) is Alice In Chains. but they have this one song I actually like that has a similar theme to California Dreaming. It’s called “Check My Brain”.

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  7. Great Pick for Rockin’ Thursday. One of my favorite classics and a favorite of the Mama’s and Papa’s. This video you shared was awesome, I never seen this performance. The back ground singers were perfect and sounded so good. Thanks for Sharing Brother.

    Peace, Love, and Where’s the Heat !!!

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  11. One of my all-time faves, Edward. The harmonies of the Mamas and Papas were simple, yet compelling. Folk and rock from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s are the genres I listen most to. Thanks for the info and the trip down memory lane!

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          1. So here’s a bit of a list of my fave fifties artists/tunes: For Folk: Rooftop Singers – Walk Right In; Kingston Trio: Tom Dooley; The Hilltoppers – Marianne; Lonnie Donnegan – Rock Island Line; Harry Belafonte – Jamaican Farewell; The Weavers – Kisses Sweeter Than Wine; Anything by Pete Seeger or Arlene Guthrie.
            Now, for Rock n Roll … Early Elvis, of course. In my opinion, the 50’s were when he was raw and at his best. The 50’s were known as the birth of rock n roll and Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper were my faves from that genre.
            There were so many others, Edward, and depending on your fave genre … the 50’s pretty much had it all (with the exception of rap, hip-hop, and acid or hard rock, of course)
            What I love most about the era is the simplicity of both the music and the lyrics.

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            1. Thank you so much for the list, Terry. I checked out Lonnie Donegan’s Rock Island Line because the name reminded me of Rock Island here in Illinois, even though the song is about a railroad in New Orleans, and it was very nice—with a lot of energy towards the end. Elvis is, of course, a classic, and I like Ritchie Valens’ Come On, Let’s Go and La Bamba. I’ll be listening to the rest of your list this weekend. Again, thank you for sending it.

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