Wedding Blog
Two years ago, Mr. Meatball and I drove across the country, from Chicago to Los Angeles, in search of a new home. The road trip was great - America is such a freakin’ beautiful place. Who knew that Utah would win as my favorite state for scenery? And best place for melons - but that’s another story…
Purple mountain majesty above the fruited plains
One of my favorite parts of the trip was that we listened to every California (or Hollywood) themed song we owned (which was like 5), to get us pumped as we approached. And, oh ma ga, it never stopped! For months, every time we drove into Beverly Hills, Mr. Meatball sang the Weezer song! Thank god those days are gone, or possibly I would have throttled him by now. 
When we were brainstorming ideas for items to include in our fabulous Out-of-Town Bags, we thought it would be fun to make a special California themed mix-tape for our guests to enjoy. We’ve been keeping a record of songs that fit the bill, but our brains have dried up and our library is limited, and now we’re stuck.
So I turn to you, dear readers: What are your favorite California, Los Angeles, or Hollywood themed songs of all time? From the uber-trendy, to ridiculously obscure, we need your help!
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Share this post: California Dreamin’
Southern California - Wax (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPT7q825gwI)
California’s Burning - Augustana
California - Phantom Planet
Walkin’ in LA - Missing Persons
Also check out this list on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_California
California Dreamin
California Love by Tupac
“If you’re going…. to San Francisco…. be sure to put some flowers in your hair.”
That song that was the OC Theme Song
California–Joni Mitchell
Going to California–Led Zeppelin
California–Phantom Planet
California Girls–Beach Boys
California Dreaming–Mamas and the Papas
LA Woman–the Doors
Dani California, Californication–RHCP (not sure if that’s really what you’re going for thematically, though)
Hmmm…that’s all I can come up with.
BTW Miss Meatball, I did the same thing when I moved to Cali from the East Coast!
OOH! One more, one of my faves (yes, I love Burt Bacharach): Do You Know the Way to San Jose…Dionne Warwick I think?
Randy Newman’s I Love LA. I’ve been running the l.a. marathon for years now and I always tear up when they play this at the start line.
As an born-and-bred Angeleno, I have a few of my own. One of my favorites is Lucy Pearl’s “Hollywood”. My girls and I used to drive around Hollywood blasting that out the window. Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’”–he’s always singing about Ventura Blvd. Tori Amos’s “A Sorta Fairytale” in which she sings about driving up the 101. 311 mentions a bunch of streets up near Mulholland in the song “Random”, but its a bit of a crazy song.
oooh! Let me ask Mr. Taffy!
His favorite is California Soul by Marlena Shaw. He said there was a song by Luna too.
I drove from Detroit to LA a while back, and I agree about Utah. Colorado was really beautiful too.
hollywood nights -bob seger <3
Gotta have the orginal Beverely Hills 90210 theme song.
Ohh we are doing this too, most of the songs we are inclduing have been posted except…
Ventura Highway - America - A MUST!!!
Free Fallin - tom petty
Californication - red hot chilli peppers
Two things…First, Utah is beautiful! I know becuase I live here. Greatest place on earth if you ask me. I’m glad y’all like it too.
Second…you HAVE to include the California song from the OC. I was (still am) obsessed with the show. I was so so sad when it ended.
The Decemberists - Los Angeles I’m Yours
Loudon Wainwright III - Grey in L.A.
Lee Hazlewood - L.A. Lady
how fun!!!
oh yeah, I also meant to note that miss taffy might have been talking about Luna-Malibu Love Nest (I can’t think of any other LA related Luna songs…)
What a great idea, what about the Fresh Prince theme song. Journey has a lot of California songs, Lights is actually about SF.
And, if you like something a little more folksy, check out Mason Jennings’s “California” (Part I and Part II)…”I’m gonna throw a box of books and my beloved guitar into the back of my truck and try my luck in California. I’m gonna stay away from LA. I’m stayin’ far away from there. I’m going north of San Francisco into the cleaner air….”
Phantom Planet- California
Scott McKenzie- San Francosco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)
Jo Dee Messina- Heads Carolina, Tails California
Beach Boys - California Girls
Sheryl Crow- All I Wanna Do
“california” by josh ritter. seriously. listen to it. sooo beautiful. when we moved from chicago to cali last year i listened to it a LOT.
California Stars by Wilco
Hotel California by the Eagles
Going to California by Led Zeplin
It Never Rains in Southern California by Albert Hammond
Mr T and I listened to “Ventura Highway” about 1,000 times before and during our honeymoon on the CA coast. Great song.
What about the 60’s classic “California Sun”? [I was also going to suggest "It Never Rains in Southern California", but then I remembered it's actually quite depressing!]
I’d also recommend thinking about other songs that might somehow set the mood for how you feel about life there without actually *mentioning* California. Otherwise, no matter how great the songs, over the course of a 60+ minute CD the many references to California might grow a little repetitive….
California Love - Dr Dre
Goin back to cali - LLCoolJ
I left my heart in San Fransisco - Tony Bennet
California Promises - Jimmy Buffett
Come Monday -Jimmy Buffet
Heads Carolina, Tails California - Jo Dee Messina
Back to California - Sugarcult
Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard
Thats whats in my itunes - but for an ENTIRE LIST
check wikipedia!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_California
my favorite is “come back from San Francisco” by The Magnetic Fields but thats b/c I’m a new yorker
California Way by Tim Bluhm. Live version here: http://www.seeqpod.com/search/?plid=0b73d30ff9
The album version is great, definitely my favorite California song ever (and I’m a native Californian, if that counts for anything).
More Bounce In California- Soul kid #1… looooove the lyrics
and durrr HOTEL CALIFORNIA!
I love cross country drives! I’ve driven from MN to the west coast and from MN to the east coast but never from one coast to the other. Hopefully it will happen some day!
“99 Miles From LA” by Art Garfunkel!!! THE best!
California Stars by Wilco . . . Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty . . . and yes, the original 90210 theme song for the win!
This is such an awesome idea — if I have time, I am totally going to steal this idea from you (if that’s ok?!)! My votes:
“It’s Grey in L.A.” by Loudon Wainwright
“A Sorta Fairytale” by Tori Amos
“Freefalling” (I’m kind of partial to the Axl Rose version, but I’m cool with Tom Petty)
Definitely the Phantom Planet song from The OC. When I lived in San Francisco, my friends and I would sing it to each other all the time.
“More Bounce in California”!!!
To Live and Die in L.A….Tupac
Hotel California….The Eagles
California by Rufus Wainwright! I love that song 
This is L.A. by The Briggs–they play it at all the Ducks and Kings games!
Long December- (”if you think you might come to California… I think you should”)- Counting Crows
Come Monday- (”California has worn me quite thin”)- Jimmy Buffett
Like A California King- Everclear
California Sun - Unwritten Law
All alone in California - Dan Hill
California-Copeland
Holly Wood Died-Yellowcard
Los Angeles-Sugarcult
What a fun post. I was reminded of a lot of songs I love.
I am a huge fan of Copeland and Rufus, but I see that others have sung their praises. Give “Hollywood Babylon” by the Misfits a listen. I cringe a little to suggest a track for a wedding CD with the lyric “Its heaven cumming on your chest, Hollywood babylon!” but I am anyway…
Also, check out “The Vast Spoils of America” by Saves the Day. It is about a road trip across several states, including CA.
“Oh, I’ll always have those mornings in California where the mountains climb so tall and waves crash blue around you.
When everyone’s passed out in the van and I’m the one driving through the land alone in open roading…Who ever made up open skies and two of the bluest eyes Must be some young phenom Sometimes taking off can open up your eyes to everything that lies in your heart ‘Cause that’s when you miss your home”
Will you let us know what you end up including? I am very curious
This is so fun! Your guests are going to love it. I love reading everyone’s suggestions! I love Wilco!
@Mrs. Pinot Noir: I’ve done the same, but from Detroit. Detroit to CT, Detroit to CA, but different trips. Mr. Taffy loves to drive, so we take lots of road trips. His brother lives in Minneapolis, we have taken two road trips there. It is lovely!
My husband and I did the same thing when we were on our California road trip honeymoon last month. Flew into LA and drove up the coast. Here are a few of our choices:
California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade - The Decemberists
California Stars - Wilco and Billy Bragg
California - Rogue Wave
California - Rufus Wainwright
California Dreamin - Fleming and John
so many good ideas I have nothing to add- but I do love California! Every time we visit I don’t want to leave.
Goin’ Back to Cali - LL Cool J. Oh yes.
“Hollywood” by the Alternate Routes
“This is how we do it” by Montell Jordan
so it’s sort of a depressing song, but no one has mentioned rockabye by shawn mullins I don’t think. . .
most everything i can think of has been mentioned, but i also love the magnetic fields, so i have to add “california girls”. perhaps not the most pro-cali, but it’s fun and clever.
So, my fiance is playing his iPod on shuffle right now and this song “California Love” by Tupac and Dr Dre just came on and I totally thought of you! My fiance thinks I’m nuts but I immediately had to log on to wedding bee to tell you about this song! He says its from a soundtrack to some movie, not sure which one, but I’m sure you could find it on iTunes. It’s produced by Dre. It’s a great song!
Also, my fi says Goin Back to Cali is Notorious BIG, although maybe there is a version by LL Cool J too. Either way, beware it’s a dirty song - maybe not for grandmas or little kids!
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Mrs. Meatball, Hollywood
Age and Occupation: 30, Actor/Writer/Office Maven
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Actor/Writer
Engagement Date: October 7, 2007
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Blogging Since: September 16, 2008
Venue: Private Garden/The Bungalow Club
About Me: I love melty cheese and diet coke almost as much as I love my man. I'm from Chicago, he's from NYC, and we both miss public transit and great pizza. We have an adorable muppet dog called Paco. I'm part hippie with a healthy dash of hip hop superstar, have excessive empathy for animals, and have not one, but two bionic eyes (long story). We're broke and it ain't no joke. It can't stop us from planning the bold and whimsical wedding of our dreams, but we've had to get pretty creative to make it work, yo!
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