The sun finally reappeared today and I decided to play tourist. I've been promising my family pictures of where I live for the past two weeks. I'm from Florida. My parents have never been to California. Only one of my three younger siblings has visited the state.
So, I got on my bicycle and clicked a bunch of pictures of where I live on the Balboa Peninsula of Newport Beach. Only a tiny portion of Southern California, I know, but it got me thinking about quintessential songs about the region: Beach Boys, Weezer, all kinds of stuff.
These are popular songs. Songs that have stirred my imagination for years. Songs about a place that seems strange and exotic and, well, magical if you grow up on the other side of the continent. Here's my SoCal playlist.
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“Babylon Sisters,” Steely Dan
“Beverly Hills,” Weezer
“California,” Joni Mitchell
“California Girls,” the Beach Boys
“Free Fallin,” Tom Petty
“Going Back to Cali,” LL Cool J
“Going to California,” Led Zeppelin
“Hollywood Nights,” Bob Seger
“I Love L.A.,” Randy Newman
“It Never Rains in Southern California,” Albert Hammond (dad of a Stroke)
“L.A. Freeway,” Jerry Jeff Walker (written by Guy Clark)
“L.A. Woman,” the Doors
“Orange County Girl,” Gwen Stefani
“Straight Outta Compton,” N.W.A.
“Under the Bridge,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
