California

"California" is a song from Phantom Planet's 2002 album, The Guest. The song was first heard on national television on episode 8 of Fastlane, which was executive produced by McG, who liked the song so much he made it the opening song for The OC. Both the song and the band received major attention when it became the title song on the hit show on FOX, The O.C.. It was also previously in the soundtrack to the film Orange County. The song is about driving on U.S. Route 101, travelling to see a concert.

The estates of Al Jolson and his songwriting team are co-credited for "California", presumably because the title and chorus come dangerously close to his own "California, Here I Come". Some websites refer to the Phantom Planet song as a cover of the Jolson tune. Some parts of the song, particularly the piano solos at the beginning and end, are similar to the Jolson song, but still contain several differences in melody.

The song was rerecorded in 2005 by Phantom Planet and re-released as "California 2005", a much mellower version of the song than the original. "California 2005" had its debut in the second episode of The O.C.'s third season, and is featured on Music from the OC: Mix 5. The song received extensive airplay in the state of California, but was relatively unknown elsewhere as anything but the theme song from The O.C.

The song was then covered in 2006 - again for The O.C., this time being covered by Mates of State for the sixth installment of the Music from The OC series.

The song was also used on The Simpsons, in the episode "Milhouse of Sand and Fog", during a parody of The O.C.

The song appears in the documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room when the film introduces Enron's misdeeds in California.


Released: November 4, 2002
Format: CD
Genre: Indie rock
Length: 3:14
Label: Epic Records
Certification: Gold (RIAA)

We've been on the run
Driving in the sun
Looking out for #1
California here we come
Right back where we started from

Hustlers grab your guns
Your shadow weighs a ton
Driving down the 101
California here we come
Right back where we started from

California!
Here we come!

On the stereo
Listen as we go
Nothing's gonna stop me now
California here we come
Right back where we started from
Pedal to the floor
Thinkin' of the roar
Gotta get us to the show
California here we come
Right back where we started from

California!
Here we come!