11 Songs That Give Off California Vibes

Reading Time: 8 min read

11 Songs That Give Off California Vibes features music courtesy of Charlie Puth, Grimes, Miguel, Panic! At the Disco, and Snoop Dogg among others.

“California, rest in peace / Simultaneous release / California, show your teeth / She’s my priestess / I’m your priest, yeah, yeah.” Ah, nothing better than Red Hot Chili Peppers to commence this playlist that’s ALL about the state of California… in some instances… Why not California after all? I’ve already compiled about my home state of Kentucky (15 songs with Lyrics That Reference Kentucky) as well as the gargantuan 50 Songs About the 50 States.

California is used liberally (there has to be an inside joke here) on this modest collection, part of a collections of songs written about and related to the state. Even on “Dani California” the wordplay by Anthony Kiedis and company is notable (Dani California is a fictional girl). 11 Songs That Give Off California Vibes features songs from Charlie Puth, Grimes, Miguel, Panic! At the Disco, and Snoop Dogg among others. Again, this is not a definitive list – it’s a very small, sample.

1. YUNGBLUD, “California”

21^st Century Liability • Geffen • 2018

Specific Californian Locations: California

“They tried to put me on Ritalin / Visions of calming me down / They tried to put me on Ritalin / Hopin’ I don’t make a sound.” British newcomer YUNGBLUD (Dominic Harrison) may be a self-described 21^st Century Liability, but he’s no liability when it making cool music. What stands out about this young artist is how eclectic and truly unique he is. “California” successfully combines alternative music, the influence of hip-hop, and good ole punk spirit. On the catchy chorus, he sings about his desire to go to the biggest state of them all and enjoy his youth.

“Maybe I just need to go to California
‘Cause I am young, don’t wanna die, yet can’t afford it
Maybe I just need to go to California
Swear that when I get old you’ll blow all my brains out.”

2. Panic! At the Disco, “Dying in LA”

Pray for the Wicked • Fueled by Ramen • 2018

Specific Californian Locations: Los Angeles

“The moment you arrived, they built you up / The sun was in your eyes, you couldn’t believe it.” On “California,” YUNGBLUD built a compelling case for the state – “Maybe I just need to go to California.” YUNGBLUD paints that wide-eyed, optimistic view of many youthful hopefuls looking to escape the boring, humdrum nature of their hometowns ‘make it big.’ While Brendon Urie and Panic! At the Disco begin promising with “Dying in LA,” as the introductory lyrical excerpt suggests, eventually, the song showcases the disappointing aspects of the dream destination. “Drink of paradise, they told you, ‘Put your blood on ice’,” Urie sings on the second verse, continuing, “You’re not gonna make it.” The chorus sums up the harsh reality of anonymity and failure in Los Angeles.

“But nobody knows you now, when you’re dying in LA
And nobody owes you now, when you’re dying in LA… 
Oh, the power, the power, the power
Of LA.”

3. Charlie Puth, “LA Girls”

Voicenotes • Atlantic • 2018

Specific Californian Locations: Los Angeles

Voicenotes marked a big step forward for Charlie Puth, period. It’s not ‘the second coming,’ but all in all, it’s an enjoyable album that easily surpasses Nine Track Mind. Puth’s personality works much more effectively on this set, and even though his awkwardness gets the best of him at times, more often than not, it bodes in his favor. Among the album’s highlights is the song “LA Girls”,which has a nasty groove, while keeping the production on the simpler side of things. The groove fits the narrative, where Charlie Puth “Misses my baby” (his ex) and perhaps, the East Coast as well. “How the hell did I get caught up / Messin’ with these LA girls?” he asks himself on the chorus. Like Brendon Urie and Panic! At the Disco, Puth presents the negative aspects of the City of Angels – the opposite sex in this case.

4. Fergie, “L.A.LOVE (la la)”

Ft. YG

Double Dutchess • BMG Rights Management • 2017

Specific Californian Locations: Los Angeles

“Uh, tell ‘em where I’m from / Finger on the pump, make the 6 straight-jump from SoCal / Hollywood to the slums / Chronic smoke get burnt by the California sun.” Fergie released her sophomore album, Double Dutchess in 2017. If you had no idea, don’t feel bad – most people didn’t know she’d released a new album. After doing big things with Black Eyed Peas and a successful solo debut, The Dutchess, her music career diminished. She does have the perfect song representative of the positive aspects of California, specific to Los Angeles. Here’s the thing. “L.A.LOVE (la la)” in its original form actually arrived in 2014, two years before the lackadaisical roll out of Double Dutchess. Much like Double Dutchess, it went nowhere. Fergie spiced it up for the album, nonetheless, enlisting West Coast rapper, YG. YG definitely provides a lift, furthering the pleasantry of a respectable, underrated urban-pop joint. Even so, with or without YG, Fergie gives a strong performance.

“L.A. got the people saying (la la la la la)
Brooklyn saying (la la la la la)
Hacienda saying (la la la la)
Vegas saying (la la la la la).”

5. blackbear, “Santa Monica & La Brea”

cybersex • Interscope • 2017

Specific Californian Locations: Santa Monica; Santa Monica Boulevard; La Brea Avenue

“On the way down to your house / Santa Monica and La Brea / Watch the vampire score some dope / Tie my shoes, run through your mind.” On “Santa Monica & La Brea”, the closing track from cybersex, blackbear sings about a relationship. On the chorus, he has a number of things – good and bad – going through his mind. Naturally, sex is part of that. While “Santa Monica & La Brea” has a lot of hypothetical stuff going down, there’s also some authenticity. On the second verse, when he talks about the state of his liver, he’s being legit, considering he’s mentioned his drinking problems previously. As far as the relevance to California/California vibes, he’s referencing the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Boulevard, and La Brea Avenue.

6. Anthony Russo, “California”

California – Single • Sewing Apples • 2017

Specific Californian Locations: Delilah’s (Hollywood); La Jolla (West Hollywood)

“I’ve been waiting all week / Take me anywhere you wanna / Tell me where to go ‘cause I’m new to California / I can bring a pack since she don’t know how to roll up.” On his 2017 single, “California,” rising pop artist Anthony Russo is just beginning to experience the glory of a new state. The biggest ‘glory’ of them all seems to be this girl that he’s chasing, who he wants to give him a ‘proper welcome’ to the state. “Grabbing on my belt like how you get this off? / What took you so long.” Truly seems like Russo has a point when he sings, “It’s a wrap when I hit you with the wordplay.” He definitely has swagger on his side, not to mention a catchy chorus.

“You don’t have to run away with me
I’m not asking you to change a thing 
I’m just trying to catch a wave with you
Before we get in way too deep.”

7. Kanye West, “No More Parties in LA”

Ft. Kendrick Lamar

The Life of Pablo • GOOD / Def Jam • 2016

Specific Californian Locations: Los Angeles

“A backpack n*gga with luxury taste buds / And the Louis Vuitton store, got all of my pay stubs / Got pussy from beats I did for n*ggas more famous / When did I become A list? I wasn’t even on a list.” The Life of Pablo, like Yeezus which precedes it, finds Kanye West moving further and further left of center, at least compared to past music. That was obvious by the messy rollout of the album, including West oddly editing and retooling the LP after it was already released. Furthermore, he never released it for purchase beyond his own site. A long album, The Life of Pablo has its hits as well as more forgettable songs. But focusing on the standout at hand, “No More Parties in LA,” West brings a little bit of everything to the table, perhaps most notably, Kendrick Lamar. Both artists have ‘come up,’ have ‘rich people problems,’ and are anti-fake celeb parties.

“Scary, scary
No more parties in L.A.
Please, baby, no more parties in L.A.”

8. Snoop Dogg, “California Roll”

Ft. Stevie Wonder

BUSH • Columbia • 2015

Specific Californian Locations: Los Angeles

“Baby you could be a movie star, hey (in Los Angeles) / Get yourself a medical card, yeah (in Los Angeles) / ‘Cause that’s how California rolls.” With veteran West Coast artist Snoop Dogg, it’s all about “getting lifted.” Well, things “get lifted” early on with “California Roll,” the superb opener on his painfully underrated 2015 R&B album, BUSH. On “California Roll” the mellow MC is assisted by Pharrell Williams, who produces (with The Neptunes) and sings the hook. The prestigious featured guest is the legendary Stevie Wonder, who serves up a few vocals, but mostly drenches this chilled-out, soulful opener with his harmonica playing. Snoop Dogg sings and pop-raps the verses like a champ, as he sings about California, mostly Los Angeles of course.

9. Miguel, “The Valley”

Wildheart • RCA • 2015

Specific Californian Locations: San Fernando Valley

“I’m your pimp, I’m your pope, I’m your poster baby / Confess your sins to me while you masturbate… This is art babe, play your part baby / Then we all get paid.” Oh my… While Snoop Dogg is chill (and high) on “California Roll”, Miguel is plumb horny on “The Valley.” If we’re keeping it 100 though, he’s sexed-up throughout the course of his 2015 album, Wildheart. Miguel is the director of this pornographic film, completely in the driver’s seat… Arguably, the filthiest, freakiest song not only on this album, but in his discography.

“I wanna fuck like we’re filming in the valley
I wanna push and shove and paint your hills and valley
I got a red idea to expedite the ride
Put it over, pull ‘em to the side…”

10. Miguel, “Hollywood Dreams”

Wildheart • RCA • 2015

Specific Californian Locations: Hollywood

“Said wow, up fame, became your religion woman / Unique as you are your faith is coming / Now the walk of shame woman, it’s reputation / Cheap thrills, fake friends, coke binge, what a numb sensation.” Miguel was absolutely filthy on “The Valley” – understatement. He reins himself in on “Hollywood Dreams,” but the view of Hollywood is incredibly pessimistic for the female protagonist. The woman that Miguel sings about is wide-eyed for fame and fortune, but she’s also fallen into bad habits including drugs. There’s also sexual innuendo because, of course there is.

11. Grimes, “California”

Art Angels • 4AD • 2015

Specific Californian Locations: N/A

“California / You only like me when you think I’m looking sad / California / I didn’t think you’d end up treating me so bad.” Bummer! We close this brief Californian list with “California,” which interestingly, hails from Canadian artist Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes. Here’s the thing – “California” is totally NOT about Cali – it’s a “hate track to Pitchfork.” Perhaps it shouldn’t be on this Cali vibes list but, it’s such a great song. Set in a major key, yet filled with pessimism such as the aforementioned lyrics, sigh.

11 Songs That Give Off California Vibes | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on July 17, 2018July 17, 2018