"California" is a song written by Joni Mitchell that first appeared on her 1971 album Blue. It was also released as the second single from the album, as a follow-up to "Carey".
"California" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Joni Mitchell | ||||
from the album Blue | ||||
B-side | "A Case of You" | |||
Released | 1971 | |||
Recorded | 1971 | |||
Genre | Folk rock | |||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | Reprise | |||
Songwriter(s) | Joni Mitchell | |||
Producer(s) | Joni Mitchell | |||
Joni Mitchell singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
"California" on YouTube |
Mitchell wrote "California" while living in France, but longing for the creative climate she had experienced in California.[1]
In the song, she expresses the depth of her longing for California despite considering herself a member of the counterculture.[1] Like "Carey", "California" takes the form of a travelogue, and uses a stream of consciousness narrative technique.[2][3] Pitchfork critic Jessica Hopper describes both songs as "how-Joni-got-her-groove-back ditties".[4] The lyrics tell of her time in France, a trip she took to Spain, and an excursion to a Greek island.[2] At the end of each story in each location, she expresses her desire to be back in California.[2] The person that "Carey" was based on also appears in the second verse of "California".[5][6] According to author Larry David Smith, Mitchell uses the descriptions in "California" as a strategy to demonstrate "principles associated with the Earth Mother manifesto."[2]
"California" uses a verse-bridge structure.[5] James Taylor plays guitar,[1][3] Sneaky Pete Kleinow pedal steel guitar, Russ Kunkel drums and percussion.[3] According to singer Estrella Berosini, the recitative phrasing Mitchell uses on "California" was influenced by California singer Laura Allan.[3] According to Rolling Stone critic Timothy Crouse, the song "jumps along in quick bursts", but the refrain is "flowing" with tango elements.[7] Crouse praised the "subtlety" of the production, particularly "James Taylor's twitchy guitar and Russ Kunkel's superb, barely detectable high-hat and bass-pedal work."[7]
Critic Kim Ruehl called "California" one of the highlights of Blue, describing it as "personal and largely sentimental."[8] Cash Box said it was "within the basic framework of most of Joni's previous material except for a most unusual melody."[9] Record World said it was a "beauty" and had Mitchell's "distinctive, personal stamp on it."[10]
"California" was included on Mitchell's 1998 compilation album Hits[11] and on her self-chosen 2004 compilation album Dreamland.[12]
American group Wilson Phillips covered the song as the title track to their 2004 studio album California.
Bob Dylan played Mitchell's recording on the "California" episode of Season 2 of his Theme Time Radio Hour show in 2007.[13]
"California" is quoted in the 2014 film Wild, in which Cheryl Strayed (as played by Reese Witherspoon) writes the line "Will you take me as I am?" in the Pacific Crest Trail register on day 9 of her journey.[14]