The fifth installment of our American Musical Tour looks at the beautiful state of California. Also known as The Golden State, California was the 31st state admitted into the Union in September 1850. Every time I've visited California I have absolutely loved it, plus my husband's family is from there. Let's check out our fact dump:
-Capital City: Sacramento
-Area: 163,696 square miles (America's 3rd largest state)
-Population: 38,940,231 as of 2023 (America's most populated stated)
-Big 4 Major League Professional Sports Teams (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey): 15/4 (Ducks, Kings, and Sharks for hockey; Angels, Dodgers, Athletics, Padres, and Giants for baseball; Chargers, Rams, and 49ers for football; Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, and Kings for basketball)
-Named College: University of California (est. 1868, Berkley, CA)
-State Bird: California Quail
-State Flower: California Poppy
-State Butterfly: California Dogface Butterfly
-State Tree: Coastal Redwood
-State Gemstone: Benitoite
-State Dog: n/a (boooooo)
-State Quarter: Released January 2005 (features a conservationist John Muir, the Yosemite Valley, and a California condor)
As before, we'll be looking at artists that were born and bands that were established in California. This is obviously not all of them; it's a big state with LOTS of musical acts that got their start there. So many, in fact, that here's some honorable mentions for bands and artists that my random number generator didn't choose when I was prepping for this post:
-Anthem Lights (Los Angeles, CA)
-Avi Kaplan (Visalia, CA)
-Bethel Music (Redding, CA)
-Billie Eilish (Los Angeles, CA)
-blink-182 (Poway, CA)
-Brian & Jenn Johnson (Redding, CA)
-Bryan & Katie Torwalt (Sacramento, CA)
-Cher (El Centro, CA)
-Childish Gambino (Edwards AFB, CA)
-Chloe Flower (Los Angeles, CA)
-Conan Gray (Los Angeles, CA)
-Darren Criss (San Francisco, CA)
-DNCE (Los Angeles, CA)
-Elle King (Los Angeles, CA)
-FINNEAS (Los Angeles, CA)
-Fitz and the Tantrums (Los Angeles, CA)
-Green Day (East Bay, CA)
-Greg Laswell (Long Beach, CA)
-HAIM (San Ferenando Valley, CA)
-H.E.R. (Vallejo, CA)
-Indio Downey (Los Angeles, CA)
-Jay Som (Walnut Creek, CA)
-Jeremy Renner (Modesto, CA)
-Jesus Culture (Sacramento, CA)
-Jhené Aiko (Los Angeles, CA)
-Jordan Feliz (Clovis, CA)
-Katy Perry (Santa Barbara, CA)
-Kehlani (Oakland, CA)
-Kendrick Lamar (Compton, CA)
-Kevin Olusola (Pasadena, CA)
-Kina Grannis (Mission Viejo, CA)
-Korn (Bakersfield, CA)
-Linkin Park (Agoura Hills, CA)
-Louden Swain (Los Angeles, CA)
-Maroon 5 (Los Angeles, CA)
-Metallica (Los Angeles, CA)
-Mosaic MSC (Los Angeles, CA)
-MUNA (Los Angeles, CA)
-Phil Wickham (San Diego, CA)
-Phoebe Bridgers (Pasadena, CA)
-Red Hot Chili Peppers (Los Angeles, CA)
-Sara Bareilles (Eureka, CA)
-Saweetie (Santa Clara, CA)
-Skrillex (Los Angeles, CA)
-Slayer (Huntington Park, CA)
-Sly & The Family Stone (San Francisco, CA)
-Social Distortion (Fullerton, CA)
-Steve Lacy (Compton, CA)
-Sublime (Long Beach, CA)
-Swae Lee (Inglewood, CA) -The Doors (Los Angeles, CA)
-The McClures (Redding, CA)
-The Regrettes (Los Angeles, CA)
-Thundercat (Los Angeles, CA)
-Tool (Los Angeles, CA)
-Train (San Francisco, CA)
-Ty Dolla Sign (Los Angeles, CA)
-Vince Staples (Compton, CA)
-Vitamin String Quartet (Los Angeles, CA)
-Weezer (Los Angeles, CA)
-Weird Al Yankovic (Downey, CA)
-ZHU (San Francisco, CA)
Let's get to the meat of it, shall we? Here's some more great Californian musical acts to check out.
Waving Through a Window by Ben Platt (written by B. Pasek, J. Paul)
Benjamin "Ben" Platt was born in Los Angeles, California in September 1993. The Californian actor/singer/songwriter started as a child stage actor before landing roles both on screen (he was Benji in Pitch Perfect) and the leading role in the hit Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. A gifted vocalist and pianist, Platt has explored the genres of musical theatre, pop, and funk, released 3 studio albums, and won an Emmy, a Tony, and a Grammy, putting him just an Oscar away from joining the EGOT club. Waving Through a Window is from Act 1 of Dear Evan Hansen, performed by Platt on the Original 2016 Broadway Cast Recording as well as the soundtrack for the 2021 film adaptation. This is a great musical theatre solo in my opinion, both due to Platt's excellent vocals and the masterful songwriting of Benji Pasek & Justin Paul. Platt has the type of voice that can seamlessly switch from theatrical to pop, so no matter what he's enjoyable to listen to.
I've learned to slam on the brake before I even turn the key/Before I make the mistake, before I lead with the worst of me/Give them no reason to stare, no slipping up if you slip away/So I got nothing to share, no, I got nothing to say/Step out, step out of the sun if you keep getting burned/Step out, step out of the sun because you've learned, because you've learned/On the outside, always looking in, will I ever be more than I've always been/‘Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass, I’m waving through a window/I try to speak, but nobody can hear, so I wait around for an answer to appear/While I'm watch, watch, watching people pass, I’m waving through a window, oh/Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me
Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry (written by K. Nelson, J. Todd)
Buckcherry is a hard rock/sleaze rock band that formed in Anaheim, California back in 1995. After a dissolution in 2002 and reformation in 2005, the band currently consists of Josh Todd (lead vocals), Stevie D. (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Kelly LeMieux (bass guitar), Francis Ruiz (drums), and Billy Rowe (rhythm guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals). The group has been nominated for two Billboard Music Awards and won two BDS Spin Awards, one BMI Award, and one Kerrang! Music Awards. Buckcherry has released ten studio albums since 1999, with their signature song, Crazy Bitch, originally featured on the 2006 album 15. This song is admittedly over the top, but geez is it catchy as hell with that chorus. It's a fun banger, but beware if you're sensitive to explicit language because, as I'm sure you can guess, it's all over the place here.
Break me down, you've got a lovely face/We're going to your place and now you got to freak me out/Scream so loud, getting fucking laid/You want me to stay, but I got to make my way/Hey, you're a crazy bitch, but you fuck so good, I'm on top of it/When I dream, I'm doing you all night, scratches all down my back to keep me right on/Hey, you're a crazy bitch, but you fuck so good, I'm on top of it/When I dream, I'm doing you all night, scratches all down my back to keep me right on
Nothing is Safe by clipping. (written by D. Diggs, W. Hutson, J. Snipes)
clipping. is an experimental hip hop/industrial hip hop/noise rap band that formed in Los Angeles, California back in 2009. Starting off as a remix project and turning into a bonafide musical group, the band currently consists of Daveed Diggs (vocals), William Hutson (production), and Jonathan Snipes (production). clipping. has released four studio albums since 2014, with their song Nothing is Safe originally featured on the 2019 album There Existed an Addiction to Blood. My husband and I found these guys on YouTube a few years ago, and I was immediately on board because of how much I love Daveed Diggs. They have a really cool sound even if you aren't the biggest hip hop fan, and I suggest listening to the song Shooter as well as this one.
Everyone safe and sound, this how family do/Only homies around, everyone here is crew/Somethin' foul in the air, somethin' feelin' askew/Wind is in the pipes, is that whistle callin' for you/Don't holler, it's cool/Windows boarded and sealed, doors are bolted and locked/Product cookin' on pace, weaponry fully stocked/Bodies sleepin' in shifts, other bodies keep watch/Bullets are for anybody caught/Runnin' up in the spot, the pop, the pop/Drop the lights, so drop low, something shot from the trees/Went straight through the front door, homie drop to his knees/Blood seepin' from his neck, as he struggle to breathe/Wooden floor is stained wet/Gets soft the more that he bleeds, he leaves, believe/Didn't no one summon what was comin’/But it creepin' on a come up, now it's right up in your face/Face it, let it resonate up in your bone a minute when/You shiver, make a sliver big enough for it to have a space/Ripped life slipping away/Maybe you can make it out with just a little bit of grace/But it truly doesn't give a fuck about the fear you/Feelin', it is here to make you understand that nothing is safe/Nothing is, nothing is safe/Nothing is sacred/Nothing is safe, nothing to pray for, nothing is safe, nothing is/Nothing is
Hotel California by Eagles (written by G. Frey, D. Felder, D. Henley)
The Eagles are a rock/country rock/soft rock/folk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971. After two hiatuses (from 1980 to 1994 and from 2016 to 2017) and the deaths of founding members Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner, the group currently consists of Don Henley (lead vocals, backing vocals, drums, percussion, rhythm guitar), Joe Walsh (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals, keyboards), Timothy B. Schmidt (bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals, harmonica), Deacon Frey (lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar), and Vince Gill (rhythm guitar, lead guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals). The group has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards, winning six of them (Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals 1976, Record of the Year 1978, Best Vocal arrangement for Two or More Voices 1978, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal 1980, Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal 2008, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance 2009), were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, received Kennedy Center Honors in 2016, and are widely recognized as one of the greataest bands of all time. The Eagles have released seven studio albums since 1972, with their hit song Hotel California originally featured on the 1976 album of the same name. I seriously think this is one of the best songs ever written, and have absolutely loved it since I first heard it when I was 12 or 13 years old. I, for one, grew up on Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) and believe it's one of the best albums ever despite being a compilation album, but really I don't think you can ever go wrong listening to The Eagles.
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair/Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air/Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light/My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, I had to stop for the night/There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell/And I was thinking to myself, “This could be Heaven or this could be Hell”/Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way/There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say/Welcome to the Hotel California/Such a lovely place, such a lovely face/Plenty of room at the Hotel California/Any time of year, you can find it here
Truckin' by Grateful Dead (written by R. Weir, J. Garcia, P. Lesh, R. Hunter)
The Grateful Dead were a rock band that formed in Palo Alto, California in 1965. Famous for their improvisational live performance style, their loyal following of Deadheads, and known as "the pioneering godfathers of the jam band world," the group's core members included Jerry Garcia (lead guitar, vocals), Bob Weir (rhythm guitar, vocals), Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (keys, harmonica, vocals), Phil Lesh (bass guitar, vocals), and Bill Kreutzmann (drums). Before the death of Garcia in 1995 caused the dissolution of the group, they released twenty-two studio albums, won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Their song Truckin' was originally featured on the 1970 American Beauty and has been recognized by the Library of Congress as a "national treasure." I myself am not a Deadhead, but this song is pretty alright for '70s rock. I may not personally get the draw some people have to this band, but if this is the group for you then by all means have at it.
Truckin', got my chips cashed in/Keep truckin', like the do-dah man/Together, more or less in line/Just keep truckin' on/Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street/Chicago, New York, Detroit, and it's all on the same street/Your typical city involved in a typical daydream/Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings/Dallas, got a soft machine/Houston, too close to New Orleans/New York's got the ways and means/But just won't let you be, oh no/Most of the cats that you meet on the streets speak of true love/Most of the time they're sittin' and cryin' at home/One of these days they know they gotta get goin’/Out of the door and down to the street all alone
(You're Better) Than Ever by Illuminati Hotties (written by S. Tudzin)
Illuminati Hotties are a punk rock/indie rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2017. Starting as an extension of frontwoman Sarah Tudzin's record engineering career, the group currently consists of Tudzin, Tim Kmet, Sapphire Jewell, and Zach Bilson. Illuminati Hotties has released two studio albums since 2018, with their song (You're Better) Than Ever originally featured on their 2018 album Kiss Yr Frenemies. I first heard them on the NPR podcast All Songs Considered when their song Ppl Plzr was highlighted in 2019, and I really liked their sound and their vibe. This song is a fun indie bop, and a good intro to their music if you're unfamiliar with them.
All my favorite socks are getting holes in them/All my favorite people got a load on them/But I heard that you feel better/Better than ever, than ever/All my jeans and hoodies smell like parliament/All I wanna do is skate back to your bed/‘Cause I heard that you got better/Better than ever, than ever/It's not to say that I'm unfortunate/Or that I haven't been succeeding/But I'm a hushed and quiet resonance/When I wanted to be screaming
Head Over Boots by Jon Pardi (written by L. Laird, J. Pardi, S. Saylor)
Jonathan "Jon" Pardi was born in Dixon, California in May 1985. The Californian singer/songwriter/record producer began writing music at age 12 and had formed his first band by age 14. Proficient on vocals and guitar, Pardi has become a big name in the country and neotraditional country genres, released 5 studio albums, and won a CMA Award and an ACM during his twelve year career. Head Over Boots was originally featured on his 2016 album California Sunrise, was Pardi's first #1 hit, and is certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. I've only recently gotten into listening to Pardi's music and I really enjoy it. It doesn't sound like the same copy-paste formula a lot of country music has nowadays, and this song is a good taste of what to expect from him.
I wanna sweep you off your feet tonight/I wanna love you and hold you tight/Spin you around on some old dance floor/Act like we never met before for fun, 'cause/You're the one I want, you're the one I need/Baby, if I was a king, ah, you would be my queen/You're the rock in my roll, you're good for my soul, it's true/I’m head over boots for you
Praying by Kesha (written by A. Joslyn, B. Abraham, K. Sebert, R. Lewis)
Kesha Sebert, better known mononymously as Kesha, was born in Los Angeles, California in March 1987. The Californian singer/songwriter/rapper is known both for the party girl reputation she portrayed at the beginning of her career as well as her very public legal dispute with record producer Dr. Luke from 2014-2023. Proficient on vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, and synthesizer in the genres of electropop, dance pop, synth pop, pop rock, and pop rap, Kesha has released 5 studio albums and been nominated for 2 Grammy Awards throughout her nineteen year career. Praying was originally featured on her 2017 album Rainbow and is certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA. This was one of the first songs that really showcased how incredible a vocalist Kesha can be, and gets super emotional as she sings about her personal struggles with mental health that came to light during the Dr. Luke mess. It's a really beautiful song that brought about a shift in Kesha's career that everyone paid attention to.
Well, you almost had me fooled/Told me that I was nothing without you/Oh, but after everything you've done/I can thank you for how strong I have become/‘Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell/I had to learn how to fight for myself/And we both know all the truth I could tell/I’ll just say this, is I wish you farewell/I hope you're somewhere praying, praying/I hope your soul is changing, changing/I hope you find your peace falling on your knees/Praying
good 4 u by Olivia Rodrigo (written by H. Williams, J. Farro, N. Nigro, O. Rodrigo)
Olivia Rodrigo was born in Murrieta, California in February 2003. The Californian singer/songwriter/actress got her start as a Disney kid in shows like Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series before becoming a pop music sensation. A gifted vocalist, guitarist, and, pianist, Rodrigo has so far explored the genres of pop, pop rock, alt rock, and indie pop, released 2 studio albums, and won 3 Grammy Awards (Best New Artist 2022, Best Pop Vocal Album 2022, Best Pop Solo Performance 2022) throughout her nine year career. good 4 u was originally featured on her 2021 album Sour and is certified 7x Platinum by the RIAA. Heavily inspired by Paramore's Misery Business, this song is an absolute banger and so much fun to listen to and sing along with. It's catchy, upbeat, and really shows off that pop rock sound Rodrigo is starting to be known for.
Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily/You found a new girl, and it only took a couple weeks/Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world/And good for you, I guess that you've been working on yourself/I guess that therapist I found for you, she really helped/Now you can be a better man for your brand new girl/Well, good for you, you look happy and healthy, not me, if you ever cared to ask/Good for you, you're doing great out there without me, baby, God, I wish that I could do that/I’ve lost my mind, I've spent the night crying on the floor of my bathroom/But you're so unaffected, I really don't get it, but I guess good for you
I Love You, California by Rick Pickren (written by F. Silverwood, A. Frankenstein)
I Love You, California, with music by conductor Abraham Franklin Frankenstein (yes, seriously) and lyrics by Californian clothier Francis Beatty Silverwood, is the official state song of California. Written and published in 1913, the state adopted it as its regional anthem in 1951 and reconfirmed its status as such in 1987. Pickren's version, as I've come to expect, is very humble and simple but still beautiful and full of love and pride for its subject.
I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all/I love you in the winter, summer, spring, and in the fall/I love your fertile valleys, your dear mountains I adore/I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore/When the snow crowned Golden Sierras keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom/It is there I would be in our land by the sea, every breeze bearing rich perfume/It is here nature gives of her rarest, it is home sweet home to me/And I know when I die, I shall breathe my last sigh for my sunny California
Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg (written by C. Broadus)
Calvin Broadus Jr., better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, was born in Long Beach, California in October 1971. The Californian rapper/singer/songwriter/record producer/media personality/actor has been cited as The King of the West Coast and an undeniable hip hop icon throughout his thirty-three year career. With a vocal style that never leaves you questioning "Wait, is that Snoop?", he has been a landmark in West Coast hip hop, g-funk, and gangster rap, released 19 studio albums, and been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards. Gin and Juice was originally featured on his 1993 album Doggy Style, was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1995 Grammy Awards, and is certified Gold by the RIAA. This is absolutely a significant song in Snoop's repertoire, as iconic today as it was thirty years ago. While it doesn't hit me the same way Drop It Like It's Hot does, it's still a lot of fun.
May I kick a little something for the G's/And make a few ends as I breeze, through/Two in the mornin' and the party's still jumpin’/‘Cause my momma ain't home/I got bitches in the living room gettin' it on/And, they ain't leavin til' six in the mornin'/So, what you wanna do/Shit, I got a pocket full of rubbers and my homeboys do too/So turn off the lights and close the doors/But we don't love them hoes/So we gonna smoke a ounce to this/G’s up, hoes down, while you motherfuckers bounce to this/Rollin' down the street, smokin' indo, sippin' on gin and juice/Laid back/With my mind on my money and my money on my mind/Rollin' down the street, smokin' indo, sippin' on gin and juice/Laid back/With my mind on my money and my money on my mind
I hope you found some fun music to check out from our friends in Cali today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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