California Soul
Marlena Shaw
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Like a sound you hear That lingers in your ear You can't forget From sunrise to sunset It's all in the air You hear it everywhere No matter what you do It's gonna get a hold on you California soul California soul They say the sun Comes up every morning And if you listen carefully The winds that ride On the high tide Whistle a melody So the people started to sing And that's how the Surf gave birth untold to California soul California soul When you hear the beat You wanna pat your feet And you've gotta move cause It's really such a groove Puts a brand new kind of Thinking in your mind And you can't go wrong 'Cause you're happy all day long California soul California soul They had the melody and the beat But it still didn't seem complete Until they saw two lovers kissing They knew just what was missing So happy they were Rocking and reeling Because they added That loving feeling To California soul California soul California soul Now if they move you Will it move you It can groove, you, baby California soul California soul, yeah California soul Satisfaction, darling
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Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"California Soul" was composed by the legendary songwriting duo Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who were signed to Motown Records. Their portfolio includes other famous songs like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "You're All I Need To Get By".
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Original PerformanceEven though multiple artists have covered "California Soul", it was first recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye in 1968 but it wasn't released as a single.
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Edwin Starr VersionEdwin Starr, famous for his Motown hit "War", also released a version of "California Soul" in 1968. The song appeared on his Soul Master album and showcased Starr's unique blend of funk and soul.
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Marlena Shaw VersionJazz and soul singer Marlena Shaw's rendition of "California Soul" in 1969 on her album The Spice of Life is often considered one of the best versions. It eventually became a big hit in the U.K.
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The 5th Dimension VersionThe 5th Dimension, a pop vocal group, included their version of "California Soul" in their 1969 album The Age of Aquarius. Their rendition had a more easy-listening feel compared to the previous versions. They were also the first to make it a chart hit, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Other CoversNumerous artists have covered "California Soul" demonstrating the crossover appeal of the song. Notable performers include The Mamas and the Papas, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and American rock band Unwritten Law.
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Usage in Pop CultureThe tune has been used in various forms of pop culture, including commercials, movie soundtracks, and television series. Marlena Shaw’s version was notably featured in an iconic moment on the TV show Mad Men.
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Sampled by Hip-Hop Artists"California Soul" has been showcased in hip-hop through prominent samples. Rapper LL Cool J sampled the song on his 1997 album Phenomenon for the track “4, 3, 2, 1”. The U.K. Drum and Bass act Lincoln used the song for their '97 track "California".
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Modern-Day CoversMost recently, the song was covered by DJ and music producer Diplo, and was performed by singers Cam and Tyler, The Creator at the 60th Grammy Awards in 2018.
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Iconic Lyric"California Soul" has an iconic lyric that has sung across generations: "Like a sound you hear that lingers in your ear, but you can't forget from sundown to sunset." It symbolizes the enduring quality of the song that has persistently appealed to a broad range of audiences and artists.
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Citation
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"California Soul Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/355710/Marlena+Shaw/California+Soul>.
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