Reaction to The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin' (Sounds very familiar...)

[@charlesharris2749]

"Monday, Monday" Dedicated to the One I Love" "Dream a Little Dream of Me" all good songs. The group was central to the California Sound of the late 60's that followed on the Beatles' success. btw,,,,, Mama Cass is the woman in the Monterey Pop performance you saw of Janis Joplin; she's the one sitting in the crowd with her mouth wide open in awe of Janis' singing.

[@poluxsaurus1454]

Those are the songs I was going to suggest, so yup +1

[@lmkm57]

It’s not “began to pray”, it’s “pretend to pray” Watch Cass Elliot’s lips and you’ll see her say it.

[@merlinscat]

yes this has long been a source of discussion amongst fans but if you listen to Barry Mcguires original it is quite clearly Pretend.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Until the internet came out... I always thought it was "began to pray". Totally changed the meaning. Didn't necessarily ruin it... Just changed it.

[@NotData]

It was officially "pretend." But I think some more conservative or Christian singers changed it to "began" when they covered song.

[@Quirkydude]

I've never even heard it mentioned that it might be "began". Never heard that at all.

[@toddmartin1759]

Michelle wrote the lyric. It's pretend; however, Cass sang began on the record; Denny and John sang pretend. So, everyone is sorta right. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oou5kqxnh76UsKs And you can clearly hear it's pretend here kzbin.info/www/bejne/h37EgqyVmpeVqbM

[@sukie584]

Michelle(the blonde) wanted to go back home to California, so John, her husband, (the tall man with guitar)wrote this. Another great song is “Creeque Alley” which basically tells their story. They have such beautiful harmonies.

[@timalexander4205]

I understand they were in New York at the time and wanted to head out to the warm and sunny Southern California weather.

[@sukie584]

@@timalexander4205 Michelle did.

[@gijsbertuslaurensvandevooren]

Michelle cowrited the songs

[@georgewodicka4839]

Denny Doherty, forever criminally underrated male lead voice. Cass was the force, Denny was the glue.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

I misread glue as guide. I still could be right, couldn't I?

[@-R.Gray-]

Mama Cass was the one who introduced Graham Nash to Crosby and Stills.

[@jaycohen3884]

Well, that's a subject of some debate, even within CSNY. David Crosby would tell you it was Joni Mitchell.

[@-R.Gray-]

@@jaycohen3884 Here is Nash's recollection : kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5icZ6l3l7R5fKc

[@ericlevi5729]

A d Stephen Stills was with Neil Young in BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD

[@garyarnett1220]

Mama Cass Elliot had such a wonderful voice. Another early loss, such a loss

[@anthonwest9541]

this group had such powerful harmonies..very distinctive sound/style. 2 other popular hits.."Monday Monday", and "Dedicated to the One I Love".

[@paulazavalafreire3935]

Do you remember Janis Joplin' video Ball and Chain? In the public was a lady dazzled by Janis' performance. This lady was Mama Cass, great singer herself, the best of Mamas and the Papas.

[@calhensley820]

It is I pretend to pray, and the preacher liked the cold. Creeque Alley is a great song, which tells how the group got together.

[@chatham43]

....creeque alley...but I guess thats what you meant..😊

[@calhensley820]

Thanks, typo. I changed it.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

This "preacher likes the cold" crap is ridiculous and makes no sense. People depend too much on the awful online song transcriptions on those dumb lyrics sites. The preacher DOESN'T like the cold--which is why he "lights the coal."

[@darrellwhitman2484]

The preacher, like the cold, he knows I'm gonna stay.

[@darrellwhitman2484]

Just like the cold is going to stay, so is he.

[@alanhandleman6513]

The Mamas & Papas recorded a song from 1931 (Dream A Little Dream of Me), featuring Mama Cass (Elliot) on vocals. You ought to check that one out. It's probably the most beautiful interpretation of that song ever. The really great artists know the roots of their music, and look back for inspiration. The Mamas and the Papas were huge in the late 1960's. Part of the soundtrack of my adolescence.

[@daveking9393]

Agree completely!

[@tomjones2121]

I believe she recorded that as a solo artist , but performed with the group a few times .

[@toddmartin1759]

Thanks for doing this song. I forgot to mention that it's "pretend" to pray not "began." That line gets misheard, too. Michelle Phillips, who co-wrote the song and specifically the second verse about the church, said they only went in to get out of the cold and pretended to pray for the preacher's sake who lit the coals for them. The band had been living on the beach in the Virgin Islands for a couple of months working on their sound (and doing enormous amounts of acid) when they flew back to NYC where it was snowing. Michelle, a California girl, had never seen the snow, so they walked around the city and froze. She begged the guys to move to California, and later that night her husband, John, the group's leader and principal songwriter, woke her up so she could help him with the song. And she gets a boat load of money in royalties every year.

[@robertcartier5088]

She later became an actress... She was great on Knots Landing, in the 80's! She even did Star Trek: TNG!

[@foxandscout]

Yes: the preacher lights the coals And: Pretend to pray (not began) Thanks for checking that, Daniel.

[@scottski51]

Don't think the preacher would light coals in his church. He "likes the COLD" cause its WARM inside his church.

[@toriboy25]

Check out Creeque Alley

[@TheClonemenot]

I love that song.

[@amberdot42]

I love the cadence of Creeque Alley, great song

[@catserver8577]

Mama Cass' singing "Dream a Little Dream" is one of the most beautiful songs ever. She has the voice of a literal angel. I imagine that she is a main attraction in heaven.Try that one.

[@StudeSteve62]

Cass could be duetting with Karen Carpenter on "I Can Dream, Can't I"; they both covered it down here on Earth...that would be something to hear...

[@maryannc6313]

Pretend to pray, not began to pray. And, yes, the preacher lights the coal.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

the preacher like the cold

[@porflepopnecker4376]

This "preacher likes the cold" crap is ridiculous and makes no sense. People depend too much on the awful online song transcriptions on those dumb lyrics sites. The preacher DOESN'T like the cold--which is why he "lights the coal."

[@Bekka_Noyb]

@@porflepopnecker4376 didnt say 'likes' the cold. I said 'like the cold' as in the preacher and cold both know he's gonna stay. I seen 3 diff online ones with like/likes or liked, but was going from what I heard. Don't know how anyone gets lights the coal from that

[@GinMae]

I always thought that is was "the preacher locked the door -- he knows I'm gonna stay" --

[@nathanwanner..44]

Love how well they harmonize together once in lifetime you will find this much talent working together

[@emilyflotilla931]

One of my faves! Do more Mamas and Poppas! Creque Alley...great tune. Their harmonies were amazing.

[@wayne_twentyfive]

"I Saw Her Again Last Night" is a fantastic song of theirs .. The back story is interesting too .. Michelle Phillips was having an affair with fellow group member, Denny Doherty .. John Phillips, the main songwriter became aware, wrote a song about it, and got them all to sing it .. Must have been some weird dynamics in the recording studio !

[@MelissaBluelyric]

Yay I love the Mamas and the Papas! This was one of the first "oldies" groups my parents got us into.. all their music is a little eerie sounding except for 'Creeque Alley' which is a fun autobiographical tale. I love 'I saw her again last night' and 'glad to be unhappy.'

[@carmodyrowing]

Absolutely love this band.. Monday Monday is so good, but you have absolutely no chance of making sense of the lyrics.. John Philips, the writer had no idea himself. " Monday Monday can't trust that day"....

[@Yaktahbay]

Girl left him suddenly on a Monday and now he dreads Mondays.

[@tymmgwayn302]

Daniel... I LOVE that you did this song! Mamas and Papas have ALWAYS been my favourite group. This song is one of my all time faves! They are timeless!

[@garylarue3899]

The first of many hits for this seminal 60's group. I saw her Again, Creeque Alley, Words of Love and many more are worth a listen.

[@newodkin]

Denny Doherty had one of THE great singing voices of the 1960s! In the 1990s he was hosting a children's show about tugboats out of Canada. The music in this song was provided by the Los Angeles session musician group that came to be known as the Wrecking Crew. They actually did the music on a huge number of '60s and '70s pop hits.

[@joelliebler5690]

They stayed together for about Only 2 and a half years though still are remembered today for this song and Monday, Monday!👍🏻❤️☮️

[@tertialqueen8677]

Creeque alley! Great story!

[@brianmusson1827]

A song that came out in 1965 and still sounds fresh today. I still love it after all these years Mama Cass left us too early and had a beautiful voice.

[@angelatheriault8855]

It’s one of those songs that sinks into your subconscious and stays there.

[@denbones1234]

Amen

[@scottski51]

Esp. if you "were there" and it's been replayed 10 million times since !!!

[@ste.6026]

'Dream A Little Dream' with a solo Mama Cass vocal is just heaven...

[@laurab68707]

Creeque Alley is also an excellent song. It tells their story of how they all got together.

[@flibber123]

This song pops up in lots of places, so I can believe you've probably heard it as background music somewhere. I like hearing great harmonies and they had some of the best. My favorite of theirs is I Saw Her Again.

[@markthomas7963]

Kas Elliot has the best voice other than Karen Carpenter

[@MultiLakewood]

Linda Ronstadt is another amazing singer. “You’re No Good “ and the millions of records sold by her cannot be matched by any other female singers. Watch “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” to illustrate her contribution to music. I cannot imagine a world without her voice that illicit emotions more than hers “Long Long Time” is one of them along with So many of her life. All genres, not just rock and roll.

[@StudeSteve62]

Now there's a really cool parallel reaction thing that could be done between Cass and Karen: both of them covered the 1938 big band standard "I Can Dream, Can't I", and both covers are superb...

[@StudeSteve62]

No argument re Linda, either. Her three standards albums with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra are sublime...perhaps the most versatile female singer of the twentieth century was Linda, too. Check out her final recording, from 2010, a duet with Jimmy Webb on his classic 'All I Know"...it'll melt you, it did me...

[@MsPerlia]

@@MultiLakewood Great female voices from a very different generation, it's hard to find that kind of beautiful voice in today's female singers.

[@lisamorrison2149]

Great classic song. I'm dreaming of the warmer weather right now...

[@DavidB-2268]

Try Creeque Alley, Go Where You Wanna Go, I Saw Her Again, Trip Stumble and Fall, Twelve Thirty (Young Girls are Coming to the Canyon).

[@GoldTopSlinger]

This is my favorite M&TP song, and one of my favorite 60s songs by anyone. My recommendation for a follow up is Monday Monday. It's beautiful. Cool bit of info there. I love Bud Shank but never realized he played that solo.

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

The instrumental break that you liked so much features flute, similar to your favorite band, Jethro Tull. Other songs that feature flute include Up the Country by Canned Heat, Moondance by Van Morrison, Undun by The Guess Who, Color My World by Chicago, There Is a Mountain by Donovan, Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones, and Spill the Wine by Eric Burdon and War. The only one of these you've reacted to is Color My World. Maybe you could do a flute series. Other notable songs by The Mamas and the Papas include Monday, Monday; Words of Love; and Dedicated to the One I Love. Under her own name, Mama Cass recorded Dream a Little Dream of Me (an exquisite performance, in my opinion) and Make Your Own Kind of Music.

[@lmkm57]

Hasn’t Daniel reacted to “Days of Future Passed” by The Moody Blues? Their flutist is The late Ray Thomas.

[@GrowingUpJersey]

I love flute in rock & roll. it's sometimes so unexpected, like Marshall Tucker Band.

[@scottski51]

And... like the electric piano, the flute use in R&R can today easily date the music to a certain period... late 60s thru mid-70s, or thereabouts.

[@debzvideos]

Outstanding harmonies from them. I love a lot of their music. "Monday, Monday" is a favorite.

[@matthintz9468]

I'll save you some time: just look up their very first album "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears" and pick anything off it, and you'll be good to go. I like Straight Shooter, Got a Feeling, Go Where You Wanna Go, Somebody Groovy, I Saw Her Again, Mansions, Creeque Alley.

[@greenwoodtea]

I remember 1968 very well.......California Dreamin....is the quintessential 60s song......When you hear this you think of the fall....leaves on the ground....Berkley California.....Protests....San Francisco. .....This is the 60s........Mama cas...and the rest of them....all great voices......and song writing....

[@andreasborn5924]

Hi Daniel. What a great song written by John Phillps, member of Mamas & Papas. It came out in 1965 and is a rare Single. Phillips wrote for Scott Mc Kenzie "San Francisco, Be wear Some Flowers In Your Hair in 1967. Greatest Hit of Mamas & Papas is Monday Monday.

[@dixiechatty958]

Great call and response song. Mama Cass (the heavier one) had a terrific voice. You're probably going to get recommendations for their song Monday, Monday which was their biggest hit but I always thought it was a bit trite. My favorite song of theirs is Twelve Thirty.

[@daveofarrell7795]

Their "Monday Monday " is another awesome song with outstanding harmonies!

[@toddmartin1759]

In 1970, Dunhill Records released "A Gathering of Flowers: The Anthology of The Mamas & The Papas." Inside the lid of the front of the box are the lyrics to all the songs, including "California Dreamin'." The record company, not google lyrics, not some random person posting the lyrics online, published the words. Here's the answer: pretend to pray and lights the coals. I just looked at it again to make sure. And someone sent Daniel the Anthology a few weeks ago. He can verify for himself if he's of a mind to do so (but unlike me, he has a life and can let this go).

[@ericoh123]

This song perhaps seems a contender for Top 10 status in the musical category of Ubiquitous, as in past decades it was frequently used in commercial advertising and soundtracks for '60's documentaries involving hippies, Vietnam, etc.; a mainstay in the arena of easy listening and oldies radio. They were a fresh, contemporary west coast contribution to the established folk rock scene when they came out.

[@kelvinkloud]

Like raspberry beret by prince, it’s a perfectly arranged and structured pop song coupled with an underpinning of standout talent, in this case of vocal harmonies. Lastly, though clearly a pop song, it has an artistic quality to it, that creates an edge couched in such well structured harmonies. In this case it’s the haunting element. There is a real melancholy element to it that sticks in your head but also bones. I hear the hope of the Kennedy sixties mixed with the coming danger of nam going off the rails and rioting and milk/rfk assasinations nearing.

[@lesaahrenstein6360]

I Forgot someone. It's 3:00 AM. Neil diamond. His song sweet Caroline I've seen full Football stadiums sing this and pop up Sing alongs in the subway in New York. It's very catchy. There's also America. The video is taken from the movie the jazz singer Would you mind actually enjoy. And forever and blue jeans are the ones that come to mind but he has Quite a number of hits.

[@ladykaycey]

Creeque Alley is well worth listening to. Its a great song and it tells the story of how the group got together. Other favourites are Dedicated To The One I Love and Monday Monday. Mama Cass (Cass Elliot) has a beautiful voice, she's my favourite female singer.

[@michaeltipton5500]

Songs of that era were generally around 2:00. I think it was for radio time I don't know. This was in the mid 60's during the folk music and hippy era. They were only together for a couple of year then it was over as quick as it began. Other songs of theirs out there for you to enjoy.

[@hatsuhioki9361]

most of singles from that time are done 3 minutes tops, thus this young fella reacting always wants more haha

[@robjay3850]

I'd be willing to bet that at least 50% of all the songs we do here, were in Movies, Commercials, TV shows and Sports Venues

[@Gregory......]

This by far is my favorite song by them, but I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and say Monday Monday is right up there to. You can't listen to this, without thinking of the 60's movement, Vietnam War, Hippies, Drugs, Protests and Love. If it wasn't for the fact they broke up in 68', I know they would have played at Woodstock in 69'. Mama Cass did so many guest appearance in so many different show, it was crazy. The 2 that stick out in my mind the most are, H R PuffinStuff movie special, and Scooby Doo.

[@kevinpolito1529]

The bass part was played by Joe Osborn, who also played the amazing double-tracked bass (high strings, low strings) on Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel. Joe was part of The Wrecking Crew, a group of ace session musicians who played on dozens of #1 hit songs in the '50s, '60s, and '70s and played on this and all of the Mamas and Papas recordings (and also Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers, etc.).

[@flyingcloud6776]

Ist hasn‘t been talked much about ist but the Instrumentals have been provided by studio musicians under the production of Phil Spector. Same with many other late 60‘s US bands like the Doors or the Monkees. They all came out of the same bubble in the Hollywood hills, LA.

[@lmkm57]

I dearly love the Mamas and the Papas. Do more!

[@your_local_dummy4137]

A great song by a great group. The harmonies and style of music in that 60s period take me back to my childhood. Even now when I visit Calif this song still plays in my head.

[@scifimonkey3]

A bit like Fleetwood Mac there were a lot of relationship issues inside this band which if you research them will add additional spice and meaning to some of the lyrics

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Part of the soundtrack of my freshman year in college....1965/66......everyone had this album. Part of the massive “California sound” from the mid to late sixties....The Beachboys....The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield....folk rock.....and then the whole “Laurel Canyon” renaissance....CSN, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor....the singer/songwriter movement. The Mamas and The Papas were right there towards the beginning of that “West Coast Sound”......that sound that was the inspiration of Robert Plant when he wrote the lyrics to “Going to California”.

[@markmurphy558]

I was born in LA, and moved to Buffalo, NY when I was 10. Whenever this song came on the radio during a snowstorm, I would dream of the beach back in Cali.

[@qbear17]

The Mamas & The Papas had such a wonderful blend of joy and melancholy. Their sound was pure heaven. Their entire catalog is just wonderful And Mama Cass's solo work is brilliant. Dream a Little Dream of Me is recommended for a reaction. Also, pretty sure the lyrics are "Lights the coal" and "pretended to pray". Thanks for the reaction.

[@axandio]

"If I didn't tell her.... I could leave today...." Remember this was during a time where High School seniors (males) were going to have to face possible draft and leave for Vietnam. This *could* be a reference to all the youth that became "hippies" and "dropped out of society", brandished a new persona and hitched hiked to...... California... maybe "her" was simply Momma.

[@stevevasell429]

" Go Where You Wanna Go " is great. My sister worked at a club on Creque Alley ( Virgin Islands ) in the 60's and met them.

[@famat161]

The most dreamy The Mama's and The Papa's song with the most complex lyrics is "Dancing Bear". Many fans may not even be aware of the song as it was seldom. If ever, played on the radio. Other personal favorites are "I saw Her Again", "Twelve-thirty", "Midnight Voyage", "Trip, Stumble and Fall", and "Go Where You Wanna Go". Enjoy!

[@daveking9393]

I as well as Jammin' Kauai Man agree with you on Dancing Bear. Great tune many who don't take a deeper dive or lived through it miss out on... actually there are a lot of those if you like this group... My folks played a lot of Peter Paul and Mary so M&P was a natural for me to progress towards... Then I found The Who and oh boy! Rock took point in my journeys...

[@OuryLN]

This was my first 45’ record.

[@daveking9393]

Nice add to your playlist today. Very thoughtful of you to help those who grieve. I'm sure over time it will become a treasure trove of relief in one place for many. You have a kind soul.

[@lylewicks4112]

"Likes the cold" is correct. The preacher knows the narrator and anyone else will be more inclined to stay longer in the church rather than go back outside to the winter cold.

[@crystalthomashKC]

Great song. Karen Carpenter has a version of this you should check out. I believe she was 19 and in college. Monday, Monday is another good song by this group.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

The other lyric is wrong too. It’s not “ began to pray”. It’s actually “pretends to pray”. He’s there because he’s cold the preacher lights the coals because he knows he’s pretending and the heat will make him stay longer. They got that one all screwed up. Try their song Creeque alley. It’s about the rock scene in LA

[@ambrossialynn4041]

Right on the dot!

[@GoWestYoungMan]

I believe you reacted to Janis Joplin's 'Ball & Chain' at the Monterrey Pop Festival. That woman they pan to with her jaw agape in amazement is Mama Cass, the brunette in this band. The Mamas & Papas had a few very big hits like 'Monday, Monday' and 'Dedicated to the One I Love' but Mama Cass had a successful solo career in addition to this. Maybe check her out too. You could start with 'Dream a Little Dream'.

[@sherryheim5504]

Great harmonies and Cass Elliot's voice is a one off, there will never be another like her. This was sort of coming off of the Folk-rock era and was a super popular song. Of course, living in Los Angeles, California at the time and a full blown teenaged hippie, this song had special meaning to me. All of the marvels of stereo are captured in this song.

[@jrye5]

I miss Mama Cass. I've listened to every youtube video. Such a beautiful voice, full of heart. All the great singers have voices full of heart. She was one of them.

[@go234ko96ts5]

This to me is a feel good song, great vocals and harmonies plus that California sound. Boy do we miss songs from the 60's and 70's. A few other favorites from the Mamas and Papas for me are "Monday Monday" and "I Saw Her Again". Michelle Phillips is the only surviving member of the group. They were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. It's great to see young people like you appreciate music from the past and feature it on a weekly bases, keep doing it.

[@dalem8332]

Great Group. Had several hits in 1966 and 1967. Unique .♥️♥️🎼🎶🎵

[@kevinpolito1529]

This was written by John and Michelle Phillips based on an experience on a cold winter day in NYC. The record business was still primarily based in NYC, so they were stuck there for that reason. Michelle kept begging John to go to California to escape the cold. As they were walking down a New York street, they ducked into a church to escape the cold wind. A priest walked through, and they pretended to pray so he wouldn't kick them out.

[@davidschecter5247]

It was probably in a ton of movies. John seemed to have a limited number of great songs in him, but the best are truly superb. But their albums are full of filler. Some classic tunes, but he ran out of memorable songs rather quickly. Wonderful vocal blend. Mama Cass had a special voice. She wouldn't have made it in the MTV crowd. We became too focused on the visual rather than the actual music.

[@robertcartier5088]

What you said at the end reminded me of how Simon Cowell, on American Idol, had said to Jennifer Hudson that she didn't have the look of a popstar... Then she went on to win a friggin' Academy Award in a Musical! ;-]

[@djm4457]

You should have such a "limited" cache of classic tunes penned under your name. Your other observations are basically fluff. But thanks for playing.

[@StudeSteve62]

You know that just dawns on me now. Cass Elliott. Karen Carpenter. Both stellar singers. Both gone too soon...mostly because they went to opposite extremes physically. So very sad...

[@rosmeeker1964]

Love this. Ta. Your comments made me think of the Doug Ashdown song, 'Winter in America.' It was a big hit but seems to have been entirely forgotten.

[@rosmeeker1964]

Googled. Not as much of a hit as I thought.

[@davidbarker77]

Yes, snippets of the song have been in any number of movies, especially ones set in the 60s. Harmonies are terrific.

[@donkunes8630]

This song was one of the catalysts for the movement to California in the 60s. I hitched there from western NY state and met lots of others on the roads , ' people in morion'

[@anthonyblakely399]

Monday Monday by The Mamas and Papas...Take a listen!

[@stevemd6488]

John Phillips, the tall guy on guitar, was the group leader, very particular on the vocal harmonies. Had a very specific sound he was going for and wouldn't let a song go till they had it like he wanted. Back in those days most songs very driven by the vocals. This has lessened over time IMHO. It might sound familiar because it's a common musical motif ala Greensleeves.

[@dalemettee1147]

Daniel, Mama Cas was a local girl from a suburb of Baltimore, Md. Her name was Cas Elliot from Pikesville, Md. Died in bed after chocking on food. Such a great loss. Such a beautiful voice. I was your age when I first heard them. Keep going Daniel. Ther is so much good music out there for you to listen to from that time.

[@ddixon172]

One of the best linguistic masterpieces of all time!! Pure brilliance !!! It's truly high art!!

[@famat161]

"Go Where You Wanna Go", "I Saw Her Again", "Dancing Bear" are the ones we are not tired of yet because we have not played them 500 times.

[@castlew4162]

This song was one of many used in "Forrest Gump". The cover of it by Shaw-Blades(Tommy Shaw of Styx & Jack Blades of Night Ranger - both of Damn Yankees) was used as the final song of the finale of the TV series "Californication".

[@cheampeake1680]

A good song to learn on you acoustic guitar and sing along with, even if it's in your head.

[@joemercury100]

I do like this genre. Of course I was just 13 when this song hit the charts. However, I really wish you can react to The Association, Along Comes Mary (Studio version is so much better than live performance.) They were a great group with other hits Windy, Cherish, and Never My Love.

[@georgewodicka4839]

I stopped making requests at some point in September, Daniel, I thought you were getting overwhelmed, and I think that is still the case. But The Mamas And The Papas were in my next set of requests. Thank you for getting around to them. Relatively small catalog, more importantly, relatively huge impact. Thanks.

[@daveking9393]

George, Me too on the request point. Decided to just see it unfold rather than add to an already high pile of "to do's". These comments had me go back and listen to Dancing Bear again. Far to long for that and others by them... As you said short but impactful body of work. All the best.

[@georgewodicka4839]

@@daveking9393 Thanks, Dave, I have around 20 or so groups that have not been explored, but will kindly ask Daniel in time. He did refer to and explore for a short time the Boston/Styx/Kansas "rabbit hole" I suggested several months ago, and was thrilled he did. And I kinda left it at that. I'll wait a little longer and perhaps leave a list on Discord. Thanks again for your kind words always.

[@daveking9393]

@@georgewodicka4839 I have to admit "part" of my motivation to send him original LPs was to perhaps steere him back towards some of those hits he touched upon and do the whole darn album so we get all the hits and deeper cuts not always appreciated... Figured once he was holding these he couldn't help but circle back and it would add to more full Album Dissections having the physical LP.

[@georgewodicka4839]

@@daveking9393 A generous, noble, and sincere premise. I wish I had the physical memorabilia to gift, frankly, I wish I still had some of it for myself:)

[@daveking9393]

@@georgewodicka4839 Thanks. it was great going through those LPs again before boxing them. Seeing all if the lyrics in original typeset again... The artwork... Trips down memory lane for sure. The way they mess up the lyrics on line has added a real unexpected bonus to sending those. He has them correctly for reference. It will also make it more likely he'll see other interesting works... These are going to be interesting journeys.

[@Gashouse69]

I remember ,as a kid, listening to Mamas & Papas greatest hits on my parents 8Track player. Such a simpler time.

[@bardaghohio]

First time I heard this song, it was because a friend of mine's older brother was very much involved in the anti-Vietnam protests going on at the time, and he had the Barry McGuire album on which he'd done "California Dreamin';" the first to record it, as it happened. Singing back-up on it were....the Mamas and Papas. A few weeks later, I heard the Mamas and Papas version on the radio. Very definite differences, most notably the harmonica solo vs. the flute solo. I've never heard that the lyrics might have been "...preacher lights the coals," and certainly don't hear that on either version...the lyrics *were* "...I pretend to pray," however, and NOT "...began to pray." Whole point of that was getting out of the cold, so one would pretend to be praying, so you wouldn't get asked to leave...Another very good reaction...really enjoy hearing a fresh perspective on old, familiar songs!

[@shanenolan8252]

Thanks Daniel. They have some great songs

[@floydshambles]

my second favorite mamas and papas song is "i saw her again"

[@LadyIarConnacht]

This is an interesting group. They put themselves together after breaking off from other bands, went into a new genre, argued about that, had some issues with booze and drugs, argued about that, had affairs, argued about that, and then tried for solo careers which didn't take off. I wish they had been able to work things out, because their sound is unique and had a strong impact on the era even though they were only together for a few years. When I was a kid they used to show up quite often on a variety show, at a halftime or even a parade. They got into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1998.

[@steveball515]

I love all their stuff. Even their dodgy version of The Beatles I Call Your Name. Mama Cass's solo single It's Getting Better is one of my all time faves.

[@sjw5797]

What's dodgy about their version of ICYN?

[@steveball515]

@@sjw5797 It's certainly not the worst Beatles cover I've heard I just prefer the original, however their version of Dedicated To The One I Love is definitive, way better than The Shirelles IMHO.

[@angelabarton7589]

Iconic song of it's era. I was like twelve and I'm like 60-something now just so you realize how old this song is

[@melissakhalar1842]

" California dreaming On such a winters day California dreaming On such a winters day.." It's been such a winters day up here in the frozen tundra Dont'cha Know der.

[@Andy.Moore.AndysTreasureTrove]

“Creeque Alley” should be next. That song even name checks "California Dreamin'" and also serves as a history of the band. It also includes Morse Code for S.O.S.!

[@jimclark5454]

If you like California dreamin', you should also check out "creeque alley" by them. The song actually tells the story of how the Mamas and papas got together. It's also a great song

[@markmurphy558]

The thing that amazed me is that this was recorded on a TV show. It sounds good!

[@ronrobbins2737]

Way back when this song dominated the airwaves, thank God we didn’t have lyric-sheets to ponder. Pop songs were well written, well performed, and beautifully produced. Iconic ones like this example created uniquely-original worlds of their own, allowing the listener to form their own individual interpretations. Of all the elements involved in producing a record like “California Dreaming”- writing melodies, chords, arranging, choosing and recording/mixing instruments and vocals- no doubt the actual writing of lyrics involved the least time and effort but nowadays often gets the MOST by reviewers, how ironic!

[@randyguess3124]

Historic moment. They were literally dreaming of California. When they got there, they helped created the Monterrey Pop Festival a year later.

[@charlyacevedo1775]

Twelve-Thirty,Monday Monday,Dancing In The Streets,Dedicated To The One I Love,I Call Your Name,Creeque Alley,all great songs by them.

[@joeychicago6436]

I'm in Chicago, and the sky is gray, my house is super cold because the transformer blew down the alley somewhere so the furnace won't work. Yeah baby ! California Dreaming ! Lying on the beach soaking up some covid !

[@nealpierson9072]

Very famous song. I got annoyed from hearing it so much at one point like 9 years or so ago, and it kind of left my personal rotation at that point. Part of it was I watched a movie in college called "Chungking Express," which is a Hong Kong film in which one of the characters is obsessed with this song and plays it so many times in the movie. It was enough for me.

[@marieweiss1634]

Brilliant harmonies wonderful song a love song really!