California Dreaming
Mamas N Papas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreaming
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreaming
On such a winter's day
Stopped into the church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay
California dreaming
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day
If I didn't tell her
I could leave today
California dreaming
on such a winters day
On such a winters day
on such a winters day
The Mamas N Papas' California Dreaming describes the longing for escape from the cold, dreary winter of the East Coast. All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray, a visual representation of the cold, dead winter. The singer yearns to be in L.A where it is sunny and warm. The song's dreamy tone and iconic harmonies, along with the singer's wistful longing, make for a perfect song to transport the listener to the sunny shores of California.
The second verse gives more insight into the singer's mindset. The person passes a church and stops to pray, although it is possible that they are only pretending. The preacher likes the cold, and the singer desires to stay in California. This verse could be interpreted as the singer trying to reconcile their desire to escape the cold with their need for faith and belonging.
Overall, the song captures the desire to escape to a better place, a place where the sun shines, and warmth is a constant. It is the perfect representation of California's glamour and promises of a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown
The fall season has caused the leaves to turn and fall off the trees, now lying on the ground in a brown color
And the sky is gray
Due to the winter season, the sky is cloudy and the sun is not visible
I've been for a walk
The singer has taken a stroll outside
On a winter's day
It is currently winter and the weather is cold
I'd be safe and warm
The artist would feel comfortable and cozy if they were in Los Angeles, where the weather is warmer
If I was in L.A.
The singer is daydreaming about being in Los Angeles instead of their current location
California dreaming
The singer is imagining a utopian image of California in their mind
Stopped into the church
The artist made a pit stop at a church
I passed along the way
The church happened to be on the route the artist was taking
Well, I got down on my knees
The artist kneeled down in a gesture of respect or prayer
And I pretend to pray
The singer put on a show of praying for an unknown reason
You know the preacher likes the cold
The artist is aware that the preacher prefers colder weather
He knows I'm gonna stay
The singer believes that the preacher assumes they will stay in California
If I didn't tell her
The singer is referring to an unknown woman whom they are hiding something from
I could leave today
The singer could potentially leave their current location without telling the woman
on such a winters day
The actions and thoughts described in the song occur during a winter day
Contributed by Dylan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FolkExperience
Enjoy this vintage Spring music mix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-iksA5NRao 🌻
@GermansRuinedWT
This is one of those rare times where I caught a comment early
@apollo4suns494
@@GermansRuinedWT indeed
@dianebrown6686
Must be smoking to much
@GGJordanFanatic
You should check out Angelina Jordan's cover and arrangement of this song and thank me later.
@fragglepuppies
True stereo
@giorgi222
This song makes me feel so weird, sad, nostalgic and happy at the same time, it’s confusing but I love it
@esmelivin1876
Omg same
@oAldanitao
I swear I feel the same
@Sao_Cheech_79
Same! 🙋🏻♂️✌️