Compilations and classic songs that put you in mind of the city, from our iTunes city playlist.
|
THIS ARTICLE IS FROM
|
Compilations:
Sounds of Summer
This 30-song collection is seminal Beach Boys: as much carefree California lifestyle as tuneful, harmony-slinging surfer sounds. The great surfing songs are here, as is "California Girls," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Sloop John B.," and the surprisingly pensive "Don't Worry Baby."
Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits
Featuring Anthony Kiedis' soaring, sliding vocals at their most gorgeously introspective, delivering lyrics about angst, drugs, suicide, and more drugs. Can't get much farther from the Beach Boys.
Loneliness Knows My Name
L.A. singer-songwriter Patrick Park is a Bob Dylan folk lyricist for modern times.
More Adventurous
The older that progressive LA-based band Rilo Kiley gets, the more assured its sound. Their 2004 album is a smooth mix of wistful tunes as adept with an organ sound as with a drum set. For a rawer version of Jenny Lewis' velvetine lead voice, try Rilo's first album, Take Offs and Landings.
Best of The Doors
Jim Morrison's early demise makes this compilation all the more amazing for its intelligence, ferocity, and rebellion.
Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 1
This album features L.A.'s most famous songwriter and his piano.
Singin' in the Rain
It doesn't really rain in L.A., but who can forget Gene Kelly's exuberant dance with a lamppost during an unlikely Hollywood downpour?
The Graduate
Some of Simon & Garfunkel's best-known songs on this quintessentially California soundtrack, accompanying the notorious pairing of Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft in where else? L.A.
Ride the Lightning
Thrash metal band Metallica pioneers a loud, if artfully layered, sound.
Roy Orbison: 16 Biggest Hits
For those who recall Julia Roberts being snubbed on Rodeo Drive, there's a good chance Roy Orbison will conjure the Los Angeles sunshine as portrayed by Roberts' latter-day Cinderella with "Oh, Pretty Woman."
Classic Songs:
Ranging from cheery pop melodies to grungy rock and mellow ballads, here are ten of our favorites.
1. "Hotel California" by the Eagles
2. "I Love L.A." by Randy Newman
3. "California Girls" by The Beach Boys
4. "Moonlight Drive" by The Doors
5. "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses
6. "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John
7. "Santa Monica" by Everclear
8. "City of Angels" by 10,000 Maniacs
9. "Californication" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. "Zoot Suit Riot" by Cherry Poppin' Daddies
