California seems to be a popular choice as a song inspiration, but which are the most popular songs about California? We searched for every California song there was and selected the most timeless classics ever created taking a reference from the place.
California is the place where dreams are made. The state has one of the most important cities in the country, from L.A to San Francisco and touching the glamorous streets in Hollywood to the Coats of Long Beach! It is about the glitz and glamour and the melancholy and longing, and the overall charm to make a songwriter out of the best of them! No wonder when we started to look, there were over hundred songs with the name “California” in the title alone.
However, some songs invariably spring to the mind every time we think of the place. And, every time we listen to them we are transported straight under the spotlight of a warm California sun. They have become synonymous to the city’s vibe, and our mission was to hunt down those exact songs.
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So we picked out all the songs about California from Wikipedia, and then ran our litmus test on them! The following was the process – first we rated each song on their Billboard Chart position, assigning 100 points for No.1 position and deducting points accordingly for lower positions. Then we added 10 points each for extra credentials such as RIAA certifications, 20 weeks at the charts and inclusion in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. We also added an extra 50 for songs that had been covered for more than 10 times in history. And thus came to life our most popular songs about California list.
Also be sure to check out our 11 Most Popular Songs About Drugs for more songs with interesting references.
Here, take a look!
11. Welcome to Paradise – Green Day
Insider Monkey Score- 44
Off their studio album “Dookie”, this song might not mention “California” directly, but it’s as California as it gets. It narrates the experience of the band of moving out of their parents’ house to an abandoned house in Oakland, California.
10. Beverly Hills – Weezer
Insider Monkey Score- 80
A song about the most upscale city in the Cali and one that is one of the most commercially successful ones by American Rock Band, Weezer, rightfully deserves a place on the list of most popular songs about California. The song was certified gold and spent months on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
9. Californication – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Insider Monkey Score – 81
Rock lovers will swear by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and this is one of the band’s most popular and most performed songs ever. You can call it Frusciante’s magic chords or Flea’s energy playing but we’d love to call it a great songwriting example too.
8. California Nights – Leslie Gore
Insider Monkey Score- 84
A song about balmy California nights and experiences with Leslie Gore’s vocals laid beautifully to it. The song stayed on the charts for 14 weeks but in our hearts, forever!
7. California Sun – The Rivieras
Insider Monkey Score – 95
The song was written in the sixties by Henry Glover and Morris Levy but the most prominent version was recorded by The Rivieras. While the Ramones version is a favorite too.
6. Paradise City- Guns n Roses
Insider Monkey Score – 95
Paradise City was a song written by Guns N’Roses after a successful gig in San Francisco. The song featured on their debut album and peaked at the 5th position of the charts. The lyrics “Take Me Down to Paradise City/ Where the Grass is Green and the Girls Are Pretty” went out to be the highlight of the song.
5. California Love – 2Pac
Insider Monkey Score – 100
“California Love” by 2 Pac featuring Dr. Dre is a groovy California Party song. The song spent 2 weeks on the No.1 spot of Billboard Hot 100 charts. The chorus goes “California knows how to party”, and we couldn’t agree more.
4. California Gurls – Katy Perry
Insider Monkey Score – 100
Katy Perry sizzles as a California girl! Off her third album “Teenage Dream” that released in 2010, it’s one of her most well-known songs and was also the summer anthem of the year.
3. California Girls – Beach Boys
Insider Monkey Score – 107
Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the song is more California-esque than anything else on the list. Even with so many of the Beach Boys song representing the California atmosphere, this one clearly takes the crown.
2. Hotel California – The Eagles
Insider Monkey Score – 150
Now this is a classic example of a timeless classic. The song has been covered over 30 times. The song might be about an eerie experience but the words “California” have just stuck through.
1. California Dreaming – Mamas and the Papas
Insider Monkey Score – 156
While the Mamas and the Papas version is the most known one, this song has been covered hundreds of times. And, it seems to never go out of vogue. The latest cover being done by none other than powerhouse singer SIA, “California Dreaming” rightfully qualifies as the most popular song about California.
