We asked but received only one suggestion for the official California rock song. Yes, indeed, that was truly an underwhelming response. Maybe nobody really cares that California does not have an official rock song. Maybe everybody is content that California has a state song written 100 years ago that only a few folks know. "I Love You, California" may be good enough for most folks.
Without suggestions, we are left to our own resources. How about something that goes like this?
“I, I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way this sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
That lifts her perfume through the air”
Do those words seem familiar? Now, you might say to yourself, “Oh, wow, I think I heard those words before but . . . .” Would some more lyrics help?
“Close my eyes, and she’s somehow closer now
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
When I look in her eyes
She goes with me to a blossom world”
You might begin to think that maybe this tune is a tad lame. After all, you just read all of the “substantive” lyrics from the song. At least, in “Surf City,” we had two girls for every boy.
But this tune is No. 6 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs in the history of popular music. No. 6! It is ahead of any song by The Beatles. “Hey Jude” comes in at No. 8. It even is ahead of what may be my all time favorite -- “What’d I Say” -- which is no. 10. At No. 6, it is just behind “Respect.”
Where would it rank with something more meaty in the lyrics department?
This No. 6 all-time song was by the Beach Boys who became known as “America’s Band” somewhere along the way. They put our state and surfing, cars, and the California life style on the world’s radar. They probably should be known as “California’s Band.” The Beach Boys are No. 12 on Rolling Stone’s top 100 performers of all time. They are the first U.S. “band” on that list.
Our nominee by the Beach Boys does not mention surfing, cars, or California. But it was written and recorded in California. It features members of the Wrecking Crew and a theremin. It was their third U.S. number 1 and first U.K. number 1.
Clearly, a classic and important song, and the nominee is . . . “Good Vibrations.”
Any thoughts?