i've dreamed about it. i've planned for it. anticipation, frustration, and finally...
i'm going to california!! i'm headed to san diego and also planning a day in los angeles. it's my own little west coast adventure and i can. not. wait!
of course i had to create the perfect playlist for my trip. here are a few songs i chose to set the california mood:
1.) California Dreamin' - The Mamas and the Papas
the mamas and the papas were easily one of the best california-based groups in the 1960s. their sound was just as laid back as the state they were dreamin' about.
2.) Hotel California - Eagles
when i picked this song, my daddy said "now THAT'S real music." indeed. i love the darkness of this song...a reminder that california looks great from the outside, but the dreamland may not be all it seems. let's hope i haven't built it up so much that i'm disappointed! fat chance, i know.
3.) California Love - 2Pac
gimme that bomb beat from dre!! you know i had to chose this song. it's a classic across the nation! i get so fired up when the horns start. California Love is featured on 2Pac's All Eyez On Me: the last album released before his untimely death.
4.) Surfer Girl - The Beach Boys
ahhh the beach boys. the incredible vocal harmonies like this you can't help but imagine being near the waves! with songs like Surfin Safari, California Girls and Surfin' USA, the beach boys easily became THE surf band of the 60s. i hope i have a chance to try and surf while i'm out there.
5.) It Never Rains in Southern California - Tony! Toni! Tone!
it has been raining so much in oklahoma lately that i had to include this song. i'm ready for constant sunshine! and because they are from Oakland, Tony! Toni! Tone! can be my official vacation weathermen. and yes, i know the last Tone deserves an accent mark. i just can't figure out how to add it. just because i have a blog doesn't mean i know how to use it.
6.) Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers
now i could have chosen Dani California. but Guitar Hero has worn that song so far into the ground that if i hear it while i'm there i may puke. Californication is much better anyway. it gives me the same vibe as Hotel California. soul-searching is on my to-do list, so i made sure to add songs that reminded me that being in paradise doesn't make everything perfect.
7.) California Waiting - Kings of Leon
CONCERT ALERT! Kings of Leon at the OKC Ford Center October 3. i'm so excited. almost as excited as i am to finally be visiting california.
8.) Unwritten - Natasha Beddingfield
this is my guilty pleasure on the list, dedicated to Jenna and our monday night hills dates. even though we won't be watching the hills anymore (L.C. is gone. what's the point?) i still plan on blasting this tune as i roll in to L.A. don't judge me.
9.) California - Phantom Planet
all of you know you would have felt like something was missing if i didn't have this song on my playlist. once when i saw them live they sang 'oklahoma' in place of 'california,' which led me to create the list of four syllabled states for your enjoyment: oklahoma, california, north dakota, south dakota, west virginia, massachusetts, colorado, mississippi, indiana, and-if you're from there-louisiana. did i get them all?
10.) Goin Back to Cali - LL Cool J
classic! this song beat out fellow NY rapper Jay-Z's song Hollywood for my playlist. i just love the jazzy sample on this song, but ultimately it made the list because of the title. i know i'll be back to california. hell, i may not leave!
indie bonus) LA. LA. - Danny Chaimson
found this little number on my DFest 2009 album, researched Danny's album Danny Chaimson and the 11th Hour and it's a cali-idie-groove-fest. check him out, it's good times: http://www.myspace.com/dannychaimson. unfortunately, he's not headed back this way anytime soon. who caught him at DFest?
please feel free to share what songs you think i should add to the playlist. and if you have any suggestions for things i should do while i'm there, send those my way too. much (california) luv!!
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