43 Best Songs About Los Angeles
Contents
12. “Back in L.A.” by BB King
Song year: 1991
American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer BB King wrote and released the song “Back in L.A.” on his 1991 album, There Is Always One More Time.
His lyrics describe finding himself back in Los Angeles and trying to make it through some of the city’s adverse qualities.
13. “Hollywood Freaks” by Beck
Song year: 1999
“Hollywood Freaks” is a song by American musician, Beck, released on his seventh studio album, Midnite Vultures.
This funky track describes life in Los Angeles in the 90s, as seen through Beck’s eyes. As expected from the title, L.A. native Beck doesn’t think too fondly of the “City of Angels.”
14. “L.A. Woman” by The Doors
Song year: 1971
American rock band, The Doors released “L.A. Woman” for the group’s sixth studio album of the same name. It’s the last album featuring lead singer Jim Morrison, who would die three months after its release.
The lyrics describe the two types of women you’d typically see in L.A. and driving madly on the infamous Los Angeles freeway.
15. “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow
Song year: 1993
“All I Wanna Do” is the all-time summer jam that can likely turn any bad mood around. American musician, singer, and songwriter Sheryl Crow sing lyrics about having fun before the sun rises over Santa Monica Boulevard, L.A.
Her inspiration for the song came from a poem titled “Fun,” and Crow didn’t initially intend to release it.
16. “California Love” by 2Pac
Song year: 1996
Late American rapper 2Pac raps alongside fellow rapper-producer Dr. Dre and singer Roger Troutman for the hit song “California Love.”
It’s a track that celebrates the California hip-hop lifestyle. They rap about everything they love in L.A. while warning listeners of the not-so-good, like gang violence and crime.
17. “Why You’d Want to Live Here” by Death Cab For Cutie
Song year: 2001
“Why You’d Want to Live Here” is a song by indie rock band Death Cab For Cutie on their third studio album, The Photo Album. Despite the name, the lyrics describe the negative aspects of Los Angeles and satirically ask, “Who wouldn’t want to live here?”
18. “Born in East L.A.” by Cheech Marin
Song year: 1985
Cheech & Chong released “Born in East L.A.” as a comedy song, parodying Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” and references to Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”
Written by Cheech Marin, the lyrics depict a Mexican-American from East Los Angeles who gets mistaken for an illegal alien and gets deported.
19. “Come Monday” by Jimmy Buffet
Song year: 1974
Jimmy Buffet, a renowned artist in the 70s, continues to be admired by many today. However, his extensive touring schedule often led to time away from his family.
In acknowledgment of this difficulty, Buffet wrote this song for his wife, Jane, expressing his longing for her companionship. He references a lonesome four-day stint in Los Angeles and his desire for her presence by his side.
20. “Drew Barrymore” by Bryce Vine
Song year: 2018
American rapper and singer Bryce Vine released “Drew Barrymore” on his debut album, Carnival. He described Drew Barrymore as his dream girl, but for much more than her looks, inspiring him to write a song about being attracted to someone based on feelings rather than appearance.
The song mentions two cities, Cairo and L.A., as possible destinations for their adventures. The lyrics suggest that the singer wants to be with this person now and doesn’t want to waste any time.
21. “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Song year: 1991
Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kledis wrote “Under The Bridge” to describe his loneliness as a heroin addict. The opening lines reveal that Los Angeles felt like Kledis’s only friend during that difficult time.
Initially, this song was a private poem, but the group’s producer found it in Kledis’s notebook and encouraged him to turn it into a song.
22. “Los Angeles Is Burning” by Bad Religion
Song year: 2004
Punk rock band Bad Religion released “Los Angeles Is Burning” as a single on their album The Empire Strikes First.
The lyrics are about the sensationalization of the media. While the track came out near the time of a significant wildfire, the late 2003 Cedar fire, Bently explains that the fire was simply a metaphor.
