The story behind California Dreamin'

Covered by Angelina in may 2018
Despite that they made this song known in 1965, it ain't their original.

It was written by John and Michelle Phillips in 1963 and first released on an album by Barry McGuire in 1965, with The Mamas And The Papas on backing vocals.
Apparently the tune came to John in a dream when he was ill, and he woke Michelle up to help him with the lyrics. It vividly describes a person longing for the warmth of California in the midst of a New York winter.
This song got certified as a Gold Record single in 1966, and inducted into Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2001

This is some of the artists covering this song, where surprisingly enough The Mamas and The Papas version belongs.

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 dreamin' 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
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
I stopped into a church I passed along the way
Well I got down on my knees and I pretended to pray
You know the preacher liked the cold, he knows I'm gonna stay
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
I'd be safe and warm
I'd be safe and warm
I'd be safe and warm
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 go, I could leave today
California dreamin' on such a winter's day
Oh such a winter's day
On such a winter's day