Anonymous
Post 09/23/2016 21:55     Subject: Re:California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If we're talking about the arrangements and vocal harmonies, nothing can beat this:



yup. lyrics are lovely too.


Paul McCartney said that this is the song he wishes he wrote.
Anonymous
Post 09/23/2016 21:25     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:Baba O'Riley is the perfect song.


I really, really hate that song.
Anonymous
Post 09/23/2016 21:23     Subject: Re:California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:If we're talking about the arrangements and vocal harmonies, nothing can beat this:



yup. lyrics are lovely too.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2016 15:52     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:I live in California actually so in my (prejudiced!) opinion any song that has the word "California" in it is pretty perfect.

And there are many!


Ha! And I'm from Massachusetts. I live the song the Bee Gees sing about going back to Massachusetts.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2016 15:44     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

I live in California actually so in my (prejudiced!) opinion any song that has the word "California" in it is pretty perfect.

And there are many!
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2016 11:23     Subject: Re:California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:If we're talking about the arrangements and vocal harmonies, nothing can beat this:



Agree.

I'm another who finds California Dreamin' to be depressing.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2016 10:43     Subject: Re:California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:The Turtles' "Happy Together" is my perfect song.

https://youtu.be/9ZEURntrQOg


I performed with one of the original band members a few weeks ago! One of the best nights of my life!!!
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2016 10:38     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have always found this song really depressing.


...why/how?

...because you want to get away and can't?


Well, it's in a minor key, for one. And the whole "if I didn't tell her, I could leave today" makes it sound like something is wrong with dude's relationship where he's either hiding something from his girlfriend or not able to communicate properly with her and maybe is dreaming of getting away from her.

This blog does a good job of summing up some of the sadness for me: http://thesonginmyheadtoday.blogspot.com/2007/02/california-dreaming-mamas-and-papas-if.html
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 23:37     Subject: Re:California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

The Turtles' "Happy Together" is my perfect song.

https://youtu.be/9ZEURntrQOg
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 23:09     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great song ruined by a man who raped his daughter.


+1 and I believe the rest of the group knew about it and didn't do anything


Ummm.........they broke up in 1968. Michelle divorced John in 1970. Cass died in 1974. The incident with McKenzie occurred starting in 1979.
So I doubt anyone in the original group knew.


And the entire band did acid daily and then moved to heroin (?) because a doctor told them they were going to end up on a loony bin. They were loaded when they made this song. They were loaded every time they performed it.


Maybe they were on to something?
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 23:06     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:I have always found this song really depressing.


Agree it's kinda depressing.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 22:31     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great song ruined by a man who raped his daughter.


+1 and I believe the rest of the group knew about it and didn't do anything


Ummm.........they broke up in 1968. Michelle divorced John in 1970. Cass died in 1974. The incident with McKenzie occurred starting in 1979.
So I doubt anyone in the original group knew.


And the entire band did acid daily and then moved to heroin (?) because a doctor told them they were going to end up on a loony bin. They were loaded when they made this song. They were loaded every time they performed it.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 22:29     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is any such thing as the perfect song, but this one is guaranteed to give me a slightly emotional reaction. It's very atmospheric.


That and it's only 2min 30seconds. It packs a lot of emotion and punch.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 22:28     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:I have always found this song really depressing.


...why/how?

...because you want to get away and can't?
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2016 22:27     Subject: California Dreamin' by Mamas & The Papas ... perfect song?

Anonymous wrote:No. Africa by Toto is the perfect song.


OMG yikes my soulmate is on DCUM!