This is a playlist of songs which reference California and/or locations within California. To narrow down the list, I’ve only chosen songs that explicitly reference Californian locations in the title. Essentially the playlist moves from Los Angeles to San Francisco with a couple of detours. Where possible I’ve tried to find video links that are audio only because I feel MVs can often distract from the songs. I also tried to find songs that evoke California, rather than just have my favourite songs with California in the title (alright, there’s a lot of those too)

I have made a YouTube playlist of all these videos for your convenience. However I can only find a live version for ‘The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco’ so I would recommend using the the vimeo link that I put up for that vid.

1. Los Angeles, I’m Yours – The Decemberists

Her Majesty The Decemberists (2003)

2. Hollywood Freaks – Beck

Midnite Vultures (1999)

3. California On My Mind – Wild Light

Adult Nights (2009)

4. L.A. Breeze – Simian

We Are Your Friends (2002)

5. Moving to L.A. – Art Brut

Bang Bang Rock & Roll (2005)

6. Sleepless In Silverlake – Les Savy Fav

Root For Ruin (2010)

7. Life In L.A. – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti

Worn Copy (2003)

8. Coronado – Deerhunter

Halcyon Digest (2010)

9. California – EMA

Past Life Martyred Saints (2011)

10. The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco – The Lucksmiths

Warmer Corners (2005)

11. San Francisco – Foxygen

We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic (2013)

12. Hazy SF – Six Organs of Admittance

The Golden Apples Of The Sun (2004)

13. Honeymoon In San Francisco – Of Montreal

The Bedside Drama: A Petite Fantasy (1998)

14. San Francisco – Hello Saferide

Introducing….Hello Saferide (2005)

15. Sausalito – Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst (2008)

16. California Dreamer – Wolf Parade

At Mount Zoomer (2008)

17. California Girls –  The Magnetic Fields

Distortion (2008)

18. Losing California – Sloan

Between the Bridges (1999)

The Decemberists’ ‘Grace Cathedral Hill’ and ‘California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade’ would have been welcome additions but I thought one song from The Decemberists was enough.