Favorite Acoustic Songs #6 - "Going to California"
@teamfreak16 (43421)
Denver, Colorado
September 22, 2017 5:22pm CST
The theme of this particular music series, my Favorite Acoustic Songs, comes from @NJChicaa , who suggested that those of us that write about music do a countdown based upon MTV Unplugged. We are at my #6: "Going to California" by Led Zeppelin.
From their untitled 1971 album, commonly referred to as Led Zeppelin IV (23x platinum,) "Going to California" is an acoustic ballad, a classic from the band, on which vocalist Robert Plant is accompanied by Jimmy Page on acoustic guitar and John Paul Jones on mandolin. It is thought to be about Joni Mitchell, for whom Plant reportedly had a thing at the time.
The song was not released as a single, but there was a time that you could hear it quite frequently on the radio. It remains, however, one of the band's most popular tunes (Rolling Stone has declared it Led Zeppelin's 11th best song.)
I've attached a link to a live version from 1975. Enjoy!
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
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9 people like this
8 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
22 Sep 17
@teamfreak16 I like them a lot
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Sep 17
@TiarasOceanView - It's about time I got to use them in one of these.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Sep 17
Now we`re talking! Zeppelin is one of my all time favorite groups and I love this song.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Sep 17
I knew a guy that named his dog Zeppelin.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
23 Sep 17
Love this song, just make sure you leave if you are going to California. Have population problems.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Sep 17
People moving here for the legal pot have driven the rent prices up.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
23 Sep 17
@teamfreak16 I hear you. Just wait until Republicans drive healthcare up more than it already is. Certain people going to be moving to certain states to get cheaper healthcare.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
23 Sep 17
I saw Dave Rawlings do this as an encore because John Paul Jones was in his band playing mandolin. He said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to do it, but oh, did it turn out good.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@teamfreak16 — this is my favorite. Brought me to tears both times I saw him.
Dave Rawlings Machine performs "Ruby" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded on 2/14/10. www.kexp.org
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Sep 17
@FourWalls - That's a great song. I really liked his guitar play.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Sep 17
I admit I had to look him up. Listened to "Cumberland Gap." Pretty damn good.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
23 Sep 17
Always enjoyed this one. This was inspired by Joni Mitchell's "California." The original title was to be "Guide to California." Anyway, excellent choice
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Sep 17
I probably should have included that info.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Sep 17
@dgobucks226 - Sometimes I think I'm not using enough info. Sometimes too much.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
23 Sep 17
@teamfreak16 No not really. Your info was fine. Just wanted to say something more than I really like that song. 
I find the artists reasoning behind the songs interesting as you pointed out in your post. So a thumbs up or two
I find the artists reasoning behind the songs interesting as you pointed out in your post. So a thumbs up or two 1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Sep 17
I have to like this one for my home state.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Sep 17
"Going to California" sounds much better than, say, "Going to Texas. "
1 person likes this
