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."

Mitchell wrote "California" while living in France but longing for the creative climate she had experienced in California. In the song she expresses the depth of her longing for California by singing that if she was back in California she would even be willing to kiss a policeman, despite considering herself a member of the counterculture. Like "Carey", "California" takes the form of a travelogue and uses a stream of consciousness narrative technique. Pitchfork critic Jessica Hopper describes both songs as "how-Joni-got-her-groove-back ditties". The lyrics tell of her time in France, a trip she took to Spain and an excursion to a Greek island. At the end of each story in each location she expresses her desire to be back in California. The character that "Carey" was based on also appears in the second verse of "California". According to author Larry David Smith, Mitchell uses the descriptions in "California" as a strategy to demonstrate "principles associated with the Earth Mother manifesto."

"California" uses a verse-bridge structure. James Taylor plays guitar on the song. Russ Kunkel provided drums and percussion. According to singer Estrella Berosini, the recitative phrasing Mitchell uses on "California" was influenced by California singer Lauara Allan. According to Rolling Stone critic Timothy Crouse, the song "jumps along in quick bursts", but the refrain is "flowing" with tango elements. 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."

Critic Kim Ruehl called "California" one of the highlights of Blue, describing it as "personal and largely sentimental."

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

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

Personnel

 * Joni Mitchell – Appalachian dulcimer, guitar, vocals
 * James Taylor – guitar
 * Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel
 * Hal Blaine – drums