Going to California: Difference between revisions

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|image      =  
|image      =  
|caption    =  
|caption    =  
|album      = ''[[Led Zeppelin IV]]''
|album      = ''Led Zeppelin IV]]''
|published  = Superhype Music
|published  = Superhype Music
|registration = ASCAP 370102326
|registration = ASCAP 370102326
|released    = 8 November 1971
|released    = 8 November 1971
|recorded    = <small>January 1971 at<br />Headley Grange, Hampshire with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio<br />.Mixed at Olympic Studios, London.</small>
|recorded    = <small>January 1971 at<br />Headley Grange, Hampshire with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio<br />.Mixed at Olympic Studios, London.</small>
|genre      = Folk rock, [[Rock music|rock]]
|genre      = Folk rock, Rock music|rock]]
|language    = English
|language    = English
|length      = 3 minutes 36 seconds
|length      = 3 minutes 36 seconds
|composer    = [[Jimmy Page]], [[Robert Plant]]
|composer    = Jimmy Page]], Robert Plant]]
|label      = [[Atlantic Records]]
|label      = Atlantic Records]]
|producer    = Jimmy Page
|producer    = Jimmy Page
|engineer    = Andy Johns
|engineer    = Andy Johns
}}
}}
{{TOC|right}}
{{TOC|right}}
''''Going to California'''' is the penultimate song performed by the [[England|English]] [[rock band]] [[Led Zeppelin]] on their [[Led Zeppelin IV|fourth album]], released in 1971.   
''''Going to California'''' is the penultimate song performed by the England|English]] rock band]] Led Zeppelin]] on their Led Zeppelin IV|fourth album]], released in 1971.   


==Overview==
==Overview==
The song's wistful [[folk music|folk]]-style sound, with [[Robert Plant]] on lead vocals, acoustic [[guitar]] by [[Jimmy Page]] and [[mandolin]] by [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], contrasts with the heavy electric-amplified rock on several of the album's other tracks.
The song's wistful folk music|folk]]-style sound, with Robert Plant]] on lead vocals, acoustic guitar]] by Jimmy Page]] and mandolin]] by John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], contrasts with the heavy electric-amplified rock on several of the album's other tracks.


The song is reportedly about singer/songwriter [[Joni Mitchell]], with whom Plant and Page were both infatuated. In live performances of the song, Plant would often say the name 'Joni' after this stanza (which is thought to have referenced Mitchell's 1967 composition 'I Had a King'):
The song is reportedly about singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell]], with whom Plant and Page were both infatuated. In live performances of the song, Plant would often say the name 'Joni' after this stanza (which is thought to have referenced Mitchell's 1967 composition 'I Had a King'):


{{quote|
{{quote|
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:''They say she plays guitar and cries, and sings''}}
:''They say she plays guitar and cries, and sings''}}


In an interview he gave to ''[[Spin magazine|Spin]]'' magazine in 2002, Plant stated that the song 'might be a bit embarrassing at times lyrically, but it did sum up a period of my life when I was 22.'<ref>{{cite journal|last=Klosterman|first=Chuck|date=September 2002|title=Robert Plant: Not a Whole Lotta Love|journal=Spin|publisher=Spin Media|volume=18|issue=9|pages=98|issn=0886-3032}}</ref>
In an interview he gave to ''Spin magazine|Spin]]'' magazine in 2002, Plant stated that the song 'might be a bit embarrassing at times lyrically, but it did sum up a period of my life when I was 22.'<ref>{{cite journal|last=Klosterman|first=Chuck|date=September 2002|title=Robert Plant: Not a Whole Lotta Love|journal=Spin|publisher=Spin Media|volume=18|issue=9|pages=98|issn=0886-3032}}</ref>


This song started out as a song about Californian [[earthquake]]s and when Jimmy Page, audio engineer [[Andy Johns]] and band manager [[Peter Grant]] travelled to [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] to mix the album, they ironically experienced a minor earthquake.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=56|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> At this point it was known as 'Guide to California'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=56|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref>  
This song started out as a song about Californian earthquake]]s and when Jimmy Page, audio engineer Andy Johns]] and band manager Peter Grant]] travelled to Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] to mix the album, they ironically experienced a minor earthquake.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=56|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> At this point it was known as 'Guide to California'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=56|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref>  


==Live performances==
==Live performances==
At [[Led Zeppelin concerts]] the band performed this song during their acoustic sets, first playing it on their [[Led Zeppelin United Kingdom Tour Spring 1971|Spring 1971 tour of the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=56|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at [[Earl's Court 1975|Earls Court in 1975]], is featured on disc two of the ''[[Led Zeppelin (DVD)|Led Zeppelin DVD]]''.
At Led Zeppelin concerts]] the band performed this song during their acoustic sets, first playing it on their Led Zeppelin United Kingdom Tour Spring 1971|Spring 1971 tour of the United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=56|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Earl's Court 1975|Earls Court in 1975]], is featured on disc two of the ''Led Zeppelin (DVD)|Led Zeppelin DVD]]''.


It was performed on Plant's solo tours during 1988/1989 and at the [[Knebworth]] Silver Clef show in 1990. He played it again on his ''[[Mighty ReArranger]]'' tour, with additions of a [[double bass]] and a [[synthesizer]].
It was performed on Plant's solo tours during 1988/1989 and at the Knebworth]] Silver Clef show in 1990. He played it again on his ''Mighty ReArranger]]'' tour, with additions of a double bass]] and a synthesizer]].


==Credits==
==Credits==

Revision as of 14:48, 1 April 2024

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Going to California
Appears on Led Zeppelin IV]]
Published by Superhype Music
Registration ASCAP 370102326
Release date 8 November 1971
Recorded January 1971 at
Headley Grange, Hampshire with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
.Mixed at Olympic Studios, London.
Genre Folk rock, Rock music
Language English
Length 3 minutes 36 seconds
Composer Jimmy Page]], Robert Plant]]
Label Atlantic Records]]
Producer Jimmy Page
Engineer Andy Johns

'Going to California' is the penultimate song performed by the England|English]] rock band]] Led Zeppelin]] on their Led Zeppelin IV|fourth album]], released in 1971.

Overview

The song's wistful folk music|folk]]-style sound, with Robert Plant]] on lead vocals, acoustic guitar]] by Jimmy Page]] and mandolin]] by John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], contrasts with the heavy electric-amplified rock on several of the album's other tracks.

The song is reportedly about singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell]], with whom Plant and Page were both infatuated. In live performances of the song, Plant would often say the name 'Joni' after this stanza (which is thought to have referenced Mitchell's 1967 composition 'I Had a King'):

‘
To find a Queen without a King,
They say she plays guitar and cries, and sings
 ’

In an interview he gave to Spin magazine|Spin]] magazine in 2002, Plant stated that the song 'might be a bit embarrassing at times lyrically, but it did sum up a period of my life when I was 22.'[1]

This song started out as a song about Californian earthquake]]s and when Jimmy Page, audio engineer Andy Johns]] and band manager Peter Grant]] travelled to Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] to mix the album, they ironically experienced a minor earthquake.[2] At this point it was known as 'Guide to California'.[3]

Live performances

At Led Zeppelin concerts]] the band performed this song during their acoustic sets, first playing it on their Led Zeppelin United Kingdom Tour Spring 1971|Spring 1971 tour of the United Kingdom]].[4] One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Earl's Court 1975|Earls Court in 1975]], is featured on disc two of the Led Zeppelin (DVD)|Led Zeppelin DVD]].

It was performed on Plant's solo tours during 1988/1989 and at the Knebworth]] Silver Clef show in 1990. He played it again on his Mighty ReArranger]] tour, with additions of a double bass]] and a synthesizer]].

Credits

Personnel
  • Musicians:
    • Jimmy Page – acoustic guitar, producer, remastering, digital remastering
    • Robert Plant – vocals
    • John Paul Jones – mandolin, acoustic bass
    • John Bonham - tambourine, percussion
  • Production:
    • Peter Grant – executive producer
    • Andy Johns - engineer, mixing
    • Joe Sidore - original CD mastering engineer (mid-1980s)
    • George Marino - remastered CD engineer (1990)

References

  1. ↑ Klosterman, Chuck (September 2002). "Robert Plant: Not a Whole Lotta Love". Spin 18 (9): 98. ISSN 0886-3032.
  2. ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 56. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  3. ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 56. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  4. ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 56. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
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