There’s something about California that seems to inspire songwriters like no other state.
Maybe that’s because it provides so much dramatic inspiration as it stretches from the gorgeous sandy beaches of San Diego to the majestic redwood forests in the far north – and oh-so much in between.
There’s simply no other place like it. That’s why taking a road trip through the Golden State is so much fun, even more so with the right tunes.
Here are 25 great songs that sparkle with the magic of California. It’s a multigenerational, multigenre list, ranging from The Mamas & The Papas to Katy Perry. Also, we decided to pick no more than one song per artist – otherwise this whole list could have easily just been Beach Boys songs.
1. “Good Vibrations”: Let’s kick off the road trip with the ultimate California band – The Beach Boys – and possibly the most amazing pop song of all time.
2. “California Love”: Now, it’s time to drop the top (if you’re in a convertible), crank up this priceless party anthem and sing along with the legendary Tupac Shakur.
3. “California Dreamin”’: How many people moved to California in the ‘60s due to this perfect piece of sonic sunshine? In other words, you can thank The Mamas & the Papas for the congested freeways.
4. “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)”: Talk about a tune that evokes a proper ‘60s vibe — here’s one of the Grateful Dead’s best-known early offerings, still groovy after all these years.
5. “What Is Hip?”: Time to cross over the Bay Bridge for a big dish of “East Bay Grease,” courtesy of the one-and-only Tower of Power and its fabled horn section.
6. “All I Wanna Do”: If, indeed, all you “wanna” do is have some fun, then we recommend you turn up Sheryl Crow’s breakthrough hit, which radiates with a warm California glow from start to finish.
7. “California Girls”: No, this absolutely does not count as a second Beach Boys song on our list, because, um, we are going with the David Lee Roth cover version here. Yeah, that’s what we’re doing. Honest.
8. “California Gurls”: We just love the juxtaposition of Katy Perry’s super dance number with The Beach Boys – uh, we mean David Lee Roth – favorite.
9. “I Love L.A.”: Giants fans might not appreciate this one, which is played each time the home team wins at Dodger Stadium. But we just can’t imagine a proper California playlist without including Randy Newman’s amazing ode to the great city of Los Angeles.
10. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”: As legend has it, Otis Redding began writing this beauty while on a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito. The result would be, for our money, the greatest song ever written about the Bay Area.
11. “Pacific Ocean Blue”: This memorable cut also does not count as a Beach Boys tune, since it hails from Dennis Wilson’s one – and, sadly, only – solo album.
12. “Rockin’ Down the Highway”: Is San Jose in the house? You bet, thanks to this fantastic Doobie Brothers offering. Just do your best to obey posted speed limits as the Doobies propel you on your road trip with “Got those highway blues, can’t you hear my motor runnin’/Flyin’ down the road with my foot on the floor.”
13. “Tell Me When to Go”: Time for a big dose of the East Bay’s hyphy sound, courtesy of rappers E-40 and Keak da Sneak. Enjoy responsibly and please resist the urge to “ghost ride the whip.”
14. “It Was a Good Day”: Ice Cube delivers a tuneful travelogue through a day in the life of one young man living in Southern California. We’ve always thought of this song as a kind of hip-hop equivalent of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” But, then again, maybe we think too much (or not enough?).
15. “Malibu”: A lot of people forget just how fantastic Courtney Love and Hole were in back in the day. Let this shiny rocker serve as a reminder.
16. “L.A. Woman”: This Doors classic kicks off a three-song adrenaline rush. So, watch your speedometer, because we know the foot can get a little heavy on the pedal whenever Jim Morrison comes on.
17. “Still In Hollywood”: L.A. alt-rock outfit Concrete Blonde was at the top of its game when it recorded this blistering rocker, propelled by Johnette Napolitano’s soaring vocals and bass work, James Mankey’s muscular guitar leads and Harry Rushakoff’s explosive drumming.
18. “Hollywood Nights”: Leave it to the Midwest’s greatest rocker – Bob Seger – to come up with the ultimate song about Hollywood.
19. “The Only Place”:It’s a shimmering slice of indie-pop magic, delivered by one of the best California bands of recent years — Best Coast.
20. “Streets of Bakersfield”: You didn’t think we’d forget the country music fans, did you? Here’s a honky-tonker from Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam, followed by an offering by one of the genre’s all-time greats.
21. “A Friend in California”: Merle Haggard was the man.
22. “California Uber Alles”: Just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention, and not getting sleepy. This jolt of the Bay Area’s Dead Kennedys will wake you right up.
23. “Back in San Francisco”: Yet another amazing pop song from South Bay songwriter Allen Clapp and his terrific Orange Peels.
24. “Electrolite”: Granted, we’ll look for pretty much any excuse to put R.E.M. on pretty much any list. But this gorgeous piano ballad for L.A. is nothing less than breathtaking.
25.“Talk to Me of Mendocino”: Put it in cruise control and enjoy Linda Ronstadt’s version of this lovely tune, written byKate and Anna McGarrigle.
Bonus track–“Surfer Girl”: OK, we lied. We couldn’t bear to only put one Beach Boys cut on the list. So, please accept our apology and enjoy this remarkably romantic treasure.
