Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, John Phillips, and Michelle Phillips formed the group in New York after previous folk groups (The Mugwumps, The New Journeymen) failed. The foursome hit it big immediately after forming The Mamas & the Papas with "California Dreamin'", still their most recognizable and enduring song (The group's early history is amusingly chronicled in the song "Creeque Alley").
The name of the band was inspired by a daytime television talk show. Before the group recorded their debut album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, the band was known for a short time as The Magic Circle. Wanting an easier name to remember, they were sitting around their house (which all four band members initially shared) brainstorming on a new name. Someone switched on the TV and a talk show was on with a Hells Angel. The first thing they heard was: "Now hold on there, Hoss. Some people call our women cheap, but we just call them our Mamas." Cass jumped up and exclaimed, "Yeah! I want to be a Mama!" Michelle chimed in that she wanted to be a "Mama" too. John and Denny looked at each other and John said, "Papas? Okay, problem solved." And the band had a new name.
In interviews, former band members confide that their recording sessions (and lifestyles) were usually heavily drug-laden, with large reserves of marijuana and other popular 1960s drugs on hand. They even admit that their young children, also usually present at recording sessions, openly witnessed their drug activities. Said drug usage clearly contributed to inter-group tensions.
John Phillips had married Michelle Gilliam back on December 31, 1962, long before the formation of the band. Early on in the band's history, when they were still "The Magic Circle", Michelle and Doherty began an affair in 1965. They were able to keep it secret from the other two band members for quite some time. During a trip to Mexico, Doherty revealed his affair to Elliot, who was furious (since she was secretly in love with Doherty). Soon afterwards, John Phillips caught Michelle and Doherty in the act and moved out of the house.
John could not stand to live with Michelle afterwards and so moved back in with Doherty. At this point Michelle fled into the arms of Gene Clark of The Byrds (friends and rivals of The Mamas & the Papas). After one concert where Michelle blew kisses to front-row-seated Clark, John said he could not stand to perform with Michelle any longer. Consulting both their attorney Abe Somer as well as their label Dunhill Records, the band then drafted a formal statement kicking Michelle out of the group in June 1966.
At this point they hired a new band member to replace Michelle, Jill Gibson, girlfriend of their producer Lou Adler. Gibson was already a singer/songwriter who had performed on several Jan and Dean albums. In fact, she had once been involved with Jan Berry for seven years before becoming romantically linked to Adler. Gibson was however not known as a strong singer, but learned to sing Michelle's parts within three weeks while the band was in London, England. Jill Gibson's vocals are featured on the band's second album The Mamas & the Papas, except for two tracks that include Michelle. Gibson's most important asset, however, was that she was a good replacement for Michelle: long blond hair, slim figure, pretty face, good voice, etc. Shortly after recording and touring with Gibson, it became apparent that some fans were not happy with the substitution while others did not mind. Afterwards, largely due to John, the band reintroduced Michelle to the lineup in late August 1966. Gibson received an undisclosed lump sum for her part and later would admit to feeling betrayed by John Phillips.
Michelle and John reconciled and bought a home together in Bel Air, while the band tried to forge ahead. Things seemed fine for a while (at least they pretended they were). The group recorded their third album Deliver, which became a huge hit, and during this same time Denny was drinking heavily trying to forget Michelle. He still had a hard time seeing her back with John. Eventually the band closed the first ever Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967, but performed dismally. John Phillips, Michelle Phillips and Lou Adler organized the festival, and according to interviews with the members of the group, they were all so caught up in the festival they never got around to rehearsing. That, combined with Denny Doherty's last minute arrival from Canada, created an unmemorable performance.
The band tried to work on another album (to which they were contractually bound). After making no progress, they decided to take a trip in October of 1967, to Europe to spark their creativity. While in England at a party thrown by Dunhill Records, their record label, Elliot was talking to Mick Jagger. John approached them and made an insulting remark about her in front of the guests. Disgusted and humiliated, she stormed out of the party and quit the band. Their record company released a Greatest Hits compilation as a stopgap measure. Cass was contractually bound for the band's next LP, and therefore appeared on The Papas & the Mamas, the group's fourth album.
The band broke up in July 1968. In a rare interview, after the group's break up, with Rolling Stone magazine, Cass admitted she wanted to go solo and that this is what had caused the official break up of the band.
Cass Elliot started a very successful solo career and toured the U.S. and Europe, becoming popular with hits such as "Make Your Own Kind of Music." In reviewing their contracts, the record company decided the band owed them one more album. After about a year apart, the band regrouped and released their final album People Like Us in 1971. They disbanded in 1972.
While on tour, Elliot died of a heart attack on July 29, 1974 (not from choking on a ham sandwich, as is sometimes reported). John Phillips died of heart failure on March 18, 2001. Michelle Phillips went on to a successful acting career, appearing in the 1973 movie Dillinger as well in the television drama Knots Landing, among others. Denny Doherty went on to host a popular variety show in Canada. Denny Doherty died on January 19, 2007. His sister Frances Arnold said the singer-songwriter died at his home in Mississauga, a city just west of Toronto, after a short illness. Michelle Phillips is now the only surviving member of the band.
John's eldest daughter from his first marriage, Mackenzie Phillips, had a moderately successful career as an actress in the mid-70s, having first appeared in George Lucas's hit film American Graffiti (1973) and then in the successful TV series One Day at a Time, but found her success so overshadowed by her problems with drug addiction—habits that she had shared personally with her father—that by 1979 her career had effectively ended due to her inability to work. She had been in the spotlight in recent days for her tell-all book in which she reveals that she has consensual sex with her father, John Phillips, for a period of over ten years, ending when she was around eighteen. John and Michelle's daughter, Chynna, would go on to form the band Wilson Phillips along with Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson (the daughters of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson), with whom she's been friends since infancy. John's youngest daughter, Bijou Phillips, is a successful actress and model.
The Mamas & the Papas were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.
In recent years, entirely new, succeeding incarnations of The Mamas & the Papas have toured small cities nationwide—most notably featuring Spanky McFarlane and Scott McKenzie as part of the lineup—but none of them have the spirit and impact of the original group that John Phillips helped to build.
Californiadreamin
The Mamas & the Papas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
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 dreamin' (California dreamin')
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
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 dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
The Mamas & the Papas's song California Dreamin' is an iconic song that evokes the feeling of yearning for a better life and a longing for a time and place that seems unattainable. The opening lines of the song sets the mood perfectly, "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey". The lyrics describe an individual who is seeking to escape the harsh realities of life by dreaming of a better existence in California where things seem more peaceful and less complicated. The line "I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A." shows the individual's desire for safety and security.
The second verse reveals the singer's loneliness and the feeling of being lost as they seek refuge in a local church. However, they are not seeking solace from a higher being but rather from the harsh reality of their own existence. The line "I pretend to pray" shows that the singer is not seeking actual comfort but rather a way to escape their own reality. They mention how the preacher seems to understand that feeling of coldness and loneliness, perhaps indicating that the preacher has also experienced similar feelings.
The final verse expresses a desire to escape the present reality and head to California, where life appears simpler and filled with opportunities. The singer is dreaming of California, where everything will be better, and they can escape the bleak winter's day. The repetition of the phrase "California Dreamin'" highlights the intensity of this desire, which seems almost obsessive.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
The leaves of the trees have changed colors and are now brown, indicating it's autumn.
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
The sky is overcast and grey, indicating that it might rain or snow soon.
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
The singer has taken a walk, possibly to clear their head or get some exercise.
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
The walk took place on a cold and possibly snowy day in the winter season.
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
The singer would feel secure and comfortable if they were in a warmer place, perhaps like Los Angeles, which has a more temperate climate.
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
The singer is imagining being in Los Angeles, which has a reputation for being warm and sunny even in the winter months.
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
The singer is fantasizing about a life in California, with its warm weather and easygoing lifestyle.
On such a winter's day
This line is a repetition of the previous chorus, emphasizing the singer's desire to escape the cold weather and find warmth in California.
Stopped into a church
The singer has made a detour into a church, perhaps seeking some solace or guidance.
I passed along the way
The church was on the singer's route, and they saw it while walking.
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
The singer is showing reverence or piety by kneeling in the church.
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
Despite their physical posture, the singer is not actually praying, suggesting a lack of faith or spiritual connection.
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
The singer assumes that the preacher is accustomed to and unfazed by the cold weather, as they are likely a resident of the area.
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
The singer suggests that the preacher can sense their restlessness and desire to leave the area for warmer pastures.
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
The singer is referring to a woman (possibly a romantic partner) whom they haven't informed of their desire to leave the area.
I could leave today (I could leave today)
The singer is indicating that they have the means and desire to leave the area immediately if they chose to, but they may not be ready to depart just yet.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN EDMUND ANDREW PHILLIPS, MICHELLE GILLIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crummybunny974
if you love God you will keep his commands meaning repentance from sin and giving up your desires to follow him.
Well first of all we're born to have a relationship with God and to do his will for our life.❤
Jesus is the way the truth and the life no one gets to the father except through jesus❤
Satan doesnt rule hell, when lucifer known as satan rebelled against God and fell from pride he took 1/3 angels with him which are now called fallen angels. Hell was made for satan and his angels but the reason why people go there is because they align themselves with the fallen angels in sin.
no surprise people love playing when it comes to your soul, but don't play around when it comes to their temporary body, if you were in the hospital because if a broken leg that might not work ever again you're praying your scared and worried bc for the rest of your life, you may never get to walk again.
But this is about your soul the enternal part of you that lives forever and you're literally playing with it when the end is literally Hell the lake of fire for enternity.
You have insurance on your house if it ever caught on fire but that rarely happens But when it comes to your soul you like to play with it like it's a game. Oh how fun of a game it is too play oh how many and actually MOST. People play with their soul like a Toy taking chances aye bro hang off that cliff XD literally the bottom is death! And you're playing with your life to make a cool picture of a funny video But this is about your soul.
When you're probably not even saved you think you just need to be a good person or work hard to get to heaven well let me ask God that's not in his word it's not what he said it's not what I heard.
Accept him as lord and savior Jesus died on the cross for our sins so he made it a free gift it's FREE
Think about it you don't work for the gifts you get on your birthday and you don't buy them it's a gift!
Same for Jesus he offered enternal life as a gift and to receive it, it must be done by faith. I'm not mad at you Love❤💖✨ I'm telling you this because I Love you.
No I don't know who you are or anything about you but God is love and he looks down at you as if you were the only person in the whole universe❤
He sees you and you alone for he is God we are just average people when we look at a person we can see the others around them but God is almighty he is not limited by power or time. But we are and so is Satan.
Remember God loves you more then you love that person or thing you love most In the world ya know? That person or item you can't imagine living without it?❤ But you're free of choice so you choose light or darkness and even if you decide not to choose, it means you didn't choose the light.
Don't waste time instead come to God he is your reason for life that's why so many become depressed it's because if sin and the devil's lies.
Be honest and serious about this Do you want your family or your friends to Go to hell for enternity?
Would YOU wanna go there for enternity? I'm not playing about this sarcasm is okay but not in situations like this.
You're only truly saved from Hell when you're spiritually reborn and receive his Holy spirit now do YOU have that Holy spirit? The fruits of the holy spirit
Are: Love Joy peace kindness faithfulness generosity gentleness self control and patience❤
When you have the holy spirit you will have conviction when you sin MEANING guilt and shame you no longer desire evil things but you desire God and Holy things you desire to BE holy you sin and it's not even what you wanna do but when you're truly saved sin is no longer something you enjoy those bad songs cussing drinking
Hurting others.❤
Love isn't just a feeling LOVE IS DOING when Jesus died on the cross for the whole worlds sins he proved his love HE DID SOMETHING God offered his son to die on that cross for your sins and my sins and so many people are taking advantage why is repentance why should we repent? Because
Okay so example you're not married, so you could go up to anyone and talk to them and even try to date them right? Try to build a relationship and that's okay bc you're single
But wait now you're married, now you would be cheating you would be rude to go up to someone else after being with her/ him for so long you would feel ashamed right?
So why is it that you receive Jesus offer as a FREE GIFT when he went through spiritual and physical pain on that cross for you and gave you enternal life, after he did all that why would you spit on someone or hurt them for saving your life? But Jesus saved your SOUL. Do you understand? You love your wife*example not real* why would you cheat on her after all the things she/he has done for you. Or husband.
So to be saved:
Accept Jesus as lord and savior by faith
Receive his Holy spirit
Be reborn again
And repent from sin
People like billy graham DLM christian lifestyle
Mapalo
Are good places to start.
Have you ever lied? Well then you're a liar have you ever stolen something? Well then your a theif
Have you ever used Gods name in vain?
Well then you blasphemy
Like saying oh my God or Jesus Christ or cussing
When you're angry or surprised and God doesn't judge us by our good works
He judges by the 10 commandments so if you broken one law if you've done one sin you're guilty! You broken all of it!
Example:
Like a normal judge okay you've murdered people the judge is gonna show you how serious this really is they are gonna give you the death sentence
And God is a righteous judge so he's gonna show you how serious sin is in his eyes the punishment for sin is Hell!🔥
More people go to hell than heaven the path to destruction is easy and wide and many people find it
But the path to eternal life is hard and very few people find it.
So No, it's not that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell
Forgiven people go to heaven the people who accepted Jesus as lord and savior by faith
And the people who go to hell are the ones who lived in sin and died in sin and denied the free gift of salvation
What have you been doing your whole life? All this time while you could have been serving God you choose to go out and party and stuff
Another question is God apart of your life, or is God your Life? a difference between apart of your life and being your life❤
So when Jesus died on the cross and if you accept him God won't remember your sins he has a special power that he can use to forget our sins Jesus paid full price of sins now your job is to receive it by faith like earlier
The judge tells you you're guilty but your fine has been paid your outta here. That's what Jesus did for us paid for our sins so that through him the world might be saved bc many deny him and die in their sins❤
Watch living waters on youtube❤✨❤❤
There's a difference between lukewarms religious people and genuine reborn True christians with the Holy spirit religion can't save you.
Going to church reading the Bible and praying are good things but that's not what saves you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@andreo.7633
"For years" lol
At 13 lol
Cute
Great taste in music.
You younger folks are lucky bc nothing is new under the sun.
Everything cones back.
I mean look at ppl wearing Fila and Reebok
It's "cool" again. Same with music.
Youre lucky bc ur at a time when not only everything's available asap. But it's cool again to like older music. I'm 34 not terribly old but battled against everyone growing up bc everyone was always into rap n hip hop n bs.
Not I'm not bitter no I'm not I'm not.
Lol anyhooters
Cheers stay cool lol
@Sara-qs1pd
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
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 dreamin' (California dreamin')
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 to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
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 dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
@mizzoupatriot8814
Their voices went together so damn well. The harmonies are easily some of the very best in rock history imo.
@erikazurita5276
True
@ssaammii
This is rock?
@nickmueller7310
@@ssaammii yes? What else would it be
@ssaammii
@@nickmueller7310 country or something idk lmfao
@ivory9418
Never knew this was a rock song
@alienfromplanetnibiru5931
There are three types of videos with this song
1. Normal videos
2. History edits
3. The industrial society and it's future
@ZBreezee-nb2rl
or the sad aftermath of banning edging in class
@Colt45767
Or Red Dead Online videos on tik tok
@alexjhon1508
War Thunder Cinematics