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California Dreamin'

Updated: 12/10/2025, 11:00:41 AM Wikipedia source

"California Dreamin'" is a song written by John and Michelle Phillips in 1963 and first recorded by Barry McGuire. The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas, who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in December 1965. "California Dreamin'" became a well-known example of the "California sound", and the 1960s counterculture era. It was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in June 2023 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2021, Rolling Stone placed the song at number 420 in its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

Infobox

B-side
"Somebody Groovy"
Released
December 1965
Recorded
November 1965
Studio
United Western, Hollywood
Genre
Sunshine poppsychedelic popfolk rocksoft rock
Length
2:42
Label
Dunhill • RCA Victor
Songwriters
John Phillips Michelle Phillips
Producer
Lou Adler

Tables

· Chart history › Weekly charts
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1966)
Australia (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
87
Canada RPM Top Singles
Canada RPM Top Singles
Chart (1966)
Canada RPM Top Singles
Peakposition
3
New Zealand (Listener)
New Zealand (Listener)
Chart (1966)
New Zealand (Listener)
Peakposition
14
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (1966)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peakposition
23
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
4
US Cash Box Top 100
US Cash Box Top 100
Chart (1966)
US Cash Box Top 100
Peakposition
4
Chart (1966)
Peakposition
Australia (Kent Music Report)
87
Canada RPM Top Singles
3
New Zealand (Listener)
14
UK Singles (OCC)
23
US Billboard Hot 100
4
US Cash Box Top 100
4
· Chart history › Weekly charts
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (1997)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peakposition
9
Chart (1997)
Peakposition
UK Singles (OCC)
9
· Chart history › Year-end charts
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Hot 100
Rank
1
US Cash Box
US Cash Box
Chart (1966)
US Cash Box
Rank
1
Chart (1966)
Rank
US Billboard Hot 100
1
US Cash Box
1
· Certifications
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Region
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
45,000‡
France (SNEP)
France (SNEP)
Region
France (SNEP)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
100,000‡
Germany (BVMI)
Germany (BVMI)
Region
Germany (BVMI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
250,000‡
Italy (FIMI)
Italy (FIMI)
Region
Italy (FIMI)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
100,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)
Spain (PROMUSICAE)
Region
Spain (PROMUSICAE)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
3× Platinum
Certified units/sales
1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
4× Platinum
Certified units/sales
4,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
Gold
45,000‡
France (SNEP)
Gold
100,000‡
Germany (BVMI)
Gold
250,000‡
Italy (FIMI)
Platinum
100,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)
Platinum
60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)
3× Platinum
1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)
4× Platinum
4,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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