老歌亂談(130)California Dreaming
從早期的西部開拓史及到淘金致富，再到現今的冀望或許有機會能成為好萊塢的閃亮明星，甚至只是享受當地溫暖的陽光，老美對加州似乎有著一份特殊的憧憬，也不時的在心中編織自己對加州的夢。所以，這首1966年三月獲得熱門排行榜第四名的《California Dreaming》，能夠成為流傳至今的經典歌曲，應該一點也不令人意外。
合唱團是否要由俊男美女組成才會受到歡迎？這倒也不一定。我認為就是因為The Mamas & The Papas合唱團中有一位胖媽媽Cass Elliot，才會讓大家印象深刻，再加上四人的合聲優美，也因此讓歌迷們懷念不已。
The Mamas & The Papas於1965成軍，但至1968才三年就解散了。主要原因是寫這首歌的Phillips夫婦一直相處的不愉快。由於Phillips太太Michelle的面貌姣好，我猜，我猜或許是她覺得自己應有更好的發展所造成的。事實上她後來有躍上大銀幕，也紅過一陣子。至於胖媽Cass Elliot因吃東西不小心噎住引發了心臟病，於1974過世，享年三十三歲。
The Mamas & The Papas另一首《Monday Monday》則更受歡迎，於1966年五月獲得三週的冠軍，當年我們樂團也常練唱。沒料想到的是，當時主唱這首歌的那位團員後來會當了很大的官。
每次我聽這首《加州夢》，到了獨唱的部份，覺得唱得很棒，一直想學但都學不來。
All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray.
(And the sky is gray).
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day.
(On a winter's day).
I'd be safe and warm
(I'd be safe and warm)
if I was in
(If I was in
(
Stopped in to a church I passed along the way.
Well I got down on my knees
(got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray.
(I pretend to pray).
You know the preacher likes the cold.
(preacher likes the cold).
He knows I'm gonna stay.
(knows I'm gonna stay).
(
(Bridge)
All the leaves are brown
(All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray.
(And the sky is gray).
I've been for a walk
(I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day.
(On a winter's day).
If I didn't tell her
(If I didn't tell her)
I could leave today.
(I could leave today).