California Dreamin’
José Feliciano Lyrics
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And the sky is gray (And the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (On a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.)
California dreaming
On such a winter's day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
(Got down on my knees)
And I pretend'd to pray
(I pretend'd to pray)
You know the preacher likes the cold
(Preacher likes the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay
(Knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreaming
(California dreaming)
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray
(And the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day
(On a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her
(If I didn't tell her)
I could leave today
(I could leave today)
California dreaming
(California dreaming)
On such a winter's day
California dreaming
On such a winter's day
California dreaming
On such a winter's day
The first verse of José Feliciano's "California Dreamin'" sets the scene for the listener, painting a picture of a desolate winter day in which all the leaves are brown and the sky is gray. The singer reflects on the contrasting warmth and safety that he would feel if he were in L.A. The juxtaposition of the dull winter setting with the imagined vibrancy of California highlights the longing that the singer feels to escape his current surroundings. The repetition of the phrase "on such a winter's day" emphasizes the singer's discomfort with the present moment and underscores his desire to escape.
The second verse introduces a church, where the singer stops along his walk. He drops to his knees as if to pray, but it becomes clear that he is simply pretending in order to avoid the cold. The preacher, who is presumably also seeking refuge from the winter weather, understands the singer's intentions and accepts his presence. This moment highlights the themes of escape and comfort that are prevalent throughout the song. Like L.A., the church represents a place of warmth and safety in contrast to the cold, gray outside world.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown
The leaves of the trees have turned brown, indicating the coming of winter.
And the sky is gray
The sky is overcast and gray, typical of cold winter days.
I’ve been for a walk
I went for a leisurely walk to enjoy the winter scenery.
On a winter’s day
This event occurred during the winter season.
I'd be safe and warm
It’s much warmer in Los Angeles, and I would feel secure if I were there.
If I was in L.A.
If I were in Los Angeles, I would feel safe and warm due to its warmer climate and better conditions.
Stopped into a church
While walking, I entered a church that I passed by.
I pretend’d to pray
Although I didn’t actually pray, I gave an appearance of doing so.
You know the preacher likes the cold
The pastor of this church is accustomed to the cold weather and is possibly enjoying it.
He knows I’m gonna stay
The pastor is likely aware that I plan to stay here for some time.
If I didn’t tell her
If I didn’t tell the person I’m speaking to about my desire to go to California, I could leave unnoticed.
I could leave today
If I wanted to, I could depart for California immediately and escape the cold weather in the present.
California dreaming
I am imagining myself being in California.
On such a winter’s day
Despite being in the middle of winter, I’m imagining myself in California.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN EDMUND ANDREW PHILLIPS, MICHELLE GILLIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@menebatto
This song, in Feliciano's version, captures alone the essence of the film.
Feliciano played this song by tearing the beat away, exposing the anguish it really expresses.
The protagonist of the song would like to escape from his world for a better place, but while he sings he (or she) himself knows that this will never happen: his dreams will remain unfulfilled.
And just like the protagonist of the song, the dreams of all the characters in the film, in reality, will also be shattered.
The title "once upon a time ..." says it all: this is represented as a beautiful story of friendship and redemption, but it is a fairy tale, the desire for something better that will never happen. A dream.
Sharon Tate, her baby, her dreams and her friends won't get through the night.
Their killers will end up killed or locked up for the rest of their life in prison.
Rick, or whoever he represents, will never meet Polanski and his career will end in oblivion, and Cliff will follow him. Maybe only friendship can survive this. Maybe.
@veggaa
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A
Oh, California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day, hey
I went into a church
I stopped along the way
Well, I got down on my, on my, on my bended knees
And I began to pray
You know the preacher did succumb
He knows I'm going to stay
Yes he knows cause I told him so
Oh, California dreamin'
On such a winter's day, yeah
Well baby, all the leaves, the leaves, the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
Oh, I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I, I, I'd be safe and warm
If I was, mira, if I was in L.A
Mmm, yeah, California dreamin'
On such a winter's day, yeah
On such a winter's day, yeah
On such a winter's day, eh-hey
Dream on, California dreamin', dream on
Oye mira yo quiero gozar en California
Porque yo me siento tambien
Y por eso yo te quiero porque tu me tratas tambien en California
Mira, no sienta mal a nena no me tratas asi
Y yo me quiero morir muchachita
Por favor, por favor, nada mas
Oye no me digas que no porque yo
Oye mulatta mira, baby, eh California dreamin'
It doesn't matter how you say it
All I want to say is I love, I love
California, baby yeah
I really love, I really love, I really need a little bit of lovin yeah
California dreamin' oh yeah, Calfornia dreamin'
California dreamin'...
@nayl2686
Embarrassed to not have known this version before I watched once up on a time in Hollywood.. not stopped listening to it since. Fell in love there and then.
@milliecevallos7756
I even like it more than the mamas and the papa's
@wardgeys4175
same here, i got goosebumps when i heard this version in the movie..damn it i love this version so much more
@AB-ce5fg
me too
@jayham____fromgeorgia
Same here.. I did know the version of ' you keep me hangin' on ' by vanilla fudge.. The whole soundtrack is pretty great.. Thank you Jose, for the brilliant interpretation of this song.. And Quinton also..
@ronmcnamara403
NANCY, I HAVE KNOWN THIS VERSION FOR MANY YEARS...............THE ORIGINAL WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, BUT THIS JUST TAKES IT ELSEWHERE! TARANTINO IS A LEGEND AND SELECTING THIS TO PUT ON THE SOUNDTRACK OF ONE OF THE GREATEST FILMS EVER MADE, WAS A STROKE OF GENIUS! HE HAS VERY GOOD TASTE.............AND SO DO WE! X
@mikekohary1075
I adore the Mamas and Papas version of course (those vocal harmonies), but this version just hits me right in the feels. Not ashamed to say it.
@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503
This is my first time...
I'm half Mexican and grew up listening to Feliciano...I never ran across this till just now!
Awesome! He digs deep here!
@bananacake9289
@@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503
Yep James!! Jose is brilliant 😮!!!
Hope you’ve checked out his OTHER wonderful
songs???? 🎉 utterly talented + sometimes
underrated IMO!!! Hi 🙋♀️🙋♀️ from Uk 🇬🇧 ❤
@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503
@@bananacake9289 🙋 from California USA ✌️❤️🇺🇸