California Nights
"California Nights" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Lesley Gore | ||||
from the album California Nights | ||||
B-side | "I'm Going Out (The Same Way I Came In)" | |||
Released | January 1967 | |||
Recorded | November 1966 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:49 | |||
Label | Mercury Records 72649 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Marvin Hamlisch, Howard Liebling | |||
Producer(s) | Bob Crewe | |||
Lesley Gore singles chronology | ||||
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"California Nights" is a song written by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Liebling and recorded by Lesley Gore. The song appeared on her 1967 album, California Nights.[1]
Composition
The song was produced by Bob Crewe and arranged by Hutch Davie.[2] The track features guitars and drum set in a 1960s pop fashion. The chorus includes multiples long tones over abnormal chords and the verses are noticeably accompanied by a soft electric piano. The lyrics speak of reminiscing about romantic evenings on the beach with a lover.[original research?]
Billboard described the song as a "production rhythm ballad with groovy dance beat and strong vocal work has the hit ingredients to put Miss Gore back up the Hot 100."[3]
Commercial performance
The single peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1967 but stayed on the chart for a then-lengthy 14 weeks,[4] ranking 61 in the year-end Top 100.[5]
Use in media
An edit of the song (removing the second verse and refrain) was lip-synced by Gore on the January 19, 1967 episode of the TV series Batman, "That Darn Catwoman". She played Pussycat, the Catwoman's protégé, who also wanted to be a singer.
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (1967) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100 | 16 |
US Cashbox Top 100 | 11 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1967) | Position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100 | 61 |
Other versions
- Wes Montgomery released an instrumental version of the song on his 1967 album, A Day in the Life.[6]
- Four King Cousins released a version of the song on their 1968 album, Introducing the Four King Cousins.[7]
References
- ^ Lesley Gore, California Nights Retrieved January 30, 2014
- ^ Lesley Gore, "California Nights" single release Retrieved January 30, 2014
- ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. January 7, 1967. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ Lesley Gore, "California Nights" Chart Positions Retrieved January 30, 2014
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1967". Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ Wes Montgomery, A Day in the Life Retrieved January 30, 2014
- ^ Four King Cousins, Introducing the Four King Cousins Retrieved January 30, 2014
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- Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts
- Boys, Boys, Boys
- Girl Talk
- My Town, My Guy & Me
- Lesley Gore Sings All About Love
- California Nights
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- Love Me By Name
- The Canvas Can Do Miracles
- Ever Since
- Lesley Gore: It's My Party
- "It's My Party"
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- "She's a Fool"
- "You Don't Own Me"
- "That's the Way Boys Are"
- "I Don't Wanna Be a Loser"
- "Maybe I Know"
- "Look of Love"
- "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows"
- "California Nights"
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