California Saga: California

"California Saga: California"

Portuguese single artwork
Single by The Beach Boys
from the album Holland
B-side "Funky Pretty"
Released April 16, 1973
Format Vinyl
Recorded Unknown
Genre Rock
Length 3:21
Label Brother Records
Producer(s) Al Jardine
The Beach Boys singles chronology
"Sail On, Sailor"
(1973)		 "California Saga: California"
(1973)		 "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)"
(1974)

"California Saga: California" is a song written by Al Jardine for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1973 album Holland.

Issued internationally as a single in early 1973, and performed in a loping country-shuffle beat. It is musically reminiscent of their earlier hit "California Girls"; the songs have nearly identical basslines, though "California Saga" is a country song and "California Girls" is a rocker featuring the Wrecking Crew. The song reached #84 in Billboard, but performed better in the UK (#37) and New Zealand (#15).

The version released as a single, called "California Saga (On My Way to Sunny Californ-i-a)" is a different mix than the album track and contains additional vocals from Brian Wilson not heard on the album version, as well as other differences.

Although the song has never been a live staple, it has been featured at several times throughout the years in live setlists, including during most concerts on The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour. This version featured lead vocals from Brian Wilson on the intro with Mike Love and Al Jardine splitting the vocals throughout the rest of the song.

Jan & Dean covered "California Saga: California" on their album Live In Concert: Surf City and retitled the song "Cool Clear Water". The song was recorded after Jan Berry's crash near Dead Man's Curve.

Personnel

References