The Mamas & The Papa’s Monterey “California Dreamin” Performance Will Make You Miss Summer

Dreamin’ of California…

Following Jimi’s iconic, fire- starting (literally) performance at Monterey’s Pop Festival in 1967, The Mamas & The Papas came on to close the 3 day show with 60’s classic “California Dreamin.” Unfortunately for us and the band, Michelle’s mic was turned off so we can’t really hear the beautiful combination of her higher pitched  tones against Mama Cass’s signature low vocals…

“All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey , I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day…”

Inspired by Michelle’s homesick feelings of the California sun during New York’s harsh winter, John Phillips, Michelle’s husband, wrote the memories she missed about the great state and it’s beautiful and incomparable summer experiences. 

Interesting Fact: Michelle enjoyed visiting churches, and a few days before, she and John visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which inspired the second verse (“Stopped into a church…”). John hated the verse, as he was turned off to churches by unpleasant memories of parochial school, but he couldn’t think of anything better so he left it in.

Being huge fans of California summer ourselves, we definitely cannot help but miss the sunshine on our backs and the cool waves crashing against soft, sandy shore when we listen to this legendary performance… we miss you summer!

+ California Dreamin’ Lyrics +

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)
On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)
I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)

California dreaming (California dreaming)
On such a winter’s day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I’m gonna stay (knows I’m gonna stay)

California dreaming (California dreaming)
On such a winter’s day

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)
On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)
If I didn’t tell her (if I didn’t tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)

California dreaming (California dreaming)
On such a winter’s day (California dreaming)
On such a winter’s day (California dreaming)
On such a winter’s day