California (Joni Mitchell song)

"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"
Released1971
Recorded1971
GenreFolk rock
Length3:48
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell singles chronology
"Carey"
(1971)		 "California"
(1971)		 "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio"
(1972)

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 character 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 on the song.[1][3] Russ Kunkel provided 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]

"California" was included on Mitchell's 1998 compilation album Hits[9] and on her self-chosen 2004 compilation album Dreamland.[10]

American group Wilson Phillips covered the song as the title track to their 2004 studio album California.

Personnel

References
  1. Bego, M. (2005). Joni Mitchell. Taylor Trade Publications. pp. 86–89, 98–99. ISBN 9781589792210.
  2. Smith, L.D. (2004). Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell and the Torch Song Tradition. Greenwood Publishing. pp. 48, 50. ISBN 9780275973926.
  3. Weller, S. (2008). Girls Like Us. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781416564775.
  4. Hopper, J. (November 9, 2012). "Joni Mitchell The Studio Albums 1968-1979". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  5. Whitesell, L. (2008). The Music of Joni Mitchell. Oxford University Press. pp. 90, 148–150. ISBN 9780199719099.
  6. Marc Myers, "Joni Mitchell on the Muse Behind ‘Carey’", The Wall Street Journal, 11 November 2014.
  7. Crouse, T. (January 21, 1997). "Blue". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  8. Ruehl, K. "Joni Mitchell - Blue". About.com. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  9. Parisien, R. "Hits". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  10. Jurek, T. "Dreamland". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
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