California Nights
1967 single by Lesley Gore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"California Nights" is a song written by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Liebling and recorded by Lesley Gore. The song appeared on her 1967 album, California Nights.[1]
| "California Nights" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dutch release picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Lesley Gore | ||||
| from the album California Nights | ||||
| B-side | "I'm Going Out (The Same Way I Came In)" | |||
| Released | January 1967 | |||
| Recorded | November 1966 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 2:49 | |||
| Label | Mercury Records 72649 | |||
| Songwriters | Marvin Hamlisch, Howard Liebling | |||
| Producer | Bob Crewe | |||
| Lesley Gore singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Composition
The song was produced by Bob Crewe and arranged by Hutch Davie.[2] The track features guitars and drum set in a 1960s pop fashion. The chorus includes multiples long tones over abnormal chords and the verses are noticeably accompanied by a soft electric piano. The lyrics speak of reminiscing about romantic evenings on the beach with a lover.[original research?]
Billboard described the song as a "production rhythm ballad with groovy dance beat and strong vocal work has the hit ingredients to put Miss Gore back up the Hot 100."[3]
Commercial performance
The single peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1967 but stayed on the chart for a then-lengthy 14 weeks,[4] ranking 61 in the year-end Top 100.[5] It was Gore's final Top Forty hit.
Use in media
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1967) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 16 |
| US Cashbox Top 100 | 11 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1967) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 61 |
Other versions
- Wes Montgomery released an instrumental version of the song on his 1967 album, A Day in the Life.[6]
- Four King Cousins released a version of the song on their 1968 album, Introducing the Four King Cousins.[7]
