San Francisco

Scott McKenzie

About San Francisco

"San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear [Some] Flowers in Your Hair)" is a psychedelic pop song, written by John Phillips, and sung by Scott McKenzie. The song was produced and released in May 1967 by Phillips and Lou Adler, who used it to promote their Monterey International Pop Music Festival held in June of that year. John Phillips played guitar on the recording and session musician Gary L. Coleman played orchestra bells and chimes. The bass line of the song was supplied by session musician Joe Osborn. Hal Blaine played drums. The song became one of the best-selling singles of the 1960s in the world, reaching the fourth position on the US charts and the number one spot on the UK charts. In Ireland, the song was number one for one week, in New Zealand the song spent five weeks at number one, and in Germany it was six weeks at number one. McKenzie's version of the song has been called "the unofficial anthem of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, including the Hippie, Anti-Vietnam War and Flower power movements." 


Year:
2007
62 
#3

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If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Scott McKenzie

Scott McKenzie (born Philip Wallach Blondheim, January 10, 1939 – August 18, 2012) was an American singer and songwriter. He was best known for his 1967 hit single and generational anthem, "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)". more »

1 fan

Written by: John Edmund Andrew Phillips

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Release Date
"San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie was released on May 13, 1967.
Chart Success
This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and garnered #1 spot in the UK Singles Chart as well.
Cultural Impact
The song became one of the anthems during the counterculture movement, especially among "Flower Children" and hippies.
Lyrics Context
The lyrics "If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair," urged listeners to join the emerging hippie movement.
Return to Charts
"San Francisco" reappeared on the UK charts in 1989 and 1997, highlighting its ongoing popularity.
Writer
Though sung by Scott McKenzie, the song was actually written by John Phillips of the American folk group The Mamas & the Papas.
Music Genre
The song falls under the genre of sunshine pop, which is characterized by a cheerful attitude, simple melodies, and sophisticated production.
Iconic Status
"San Francisco" is played every year at the finish line of the San Francisco marathon and at the start of the Bay to Breakers race.
Song Meaning
The song reflects the idealistic and free-spirited mood of the era, designed to promote the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.
Rough Drafts
John Phillips supposedly wrote the track in about 20 minutes, and the single was recorded with the same backing musicians that Phillips used on The Mamas & the Papas' recordings.
Global Impact
The song was translated into many languages and is globally recognized as a 1960s cultural product.
Sequel
Scott McKenzie released a sequel to "San Francisco" called "San Francisco: 2", however, it did not chart.
Awards
"San Francisco" won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award in the UK in 1967 for the "Most Performed Work of the Year".

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    "San Francisco Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/16324789/Scott+McKenzie/San+Francisco>.

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