43 Best Songs About Los Angeles

23. “Birthday in Los Angeles” by The Maine

Song year: 2013

Alternative rock band, The Maine, released “Birthday in Los Angeles” on their fourth full-length album, Forever Halloween.

Frontman John O’Callaghan penned this song when thinking about a girl who lived in Los Angeles. So, L.A. is a metaphor for this girl he was talking to at the time.

24. “Surfin’ Safari” by The Beach Boys

Song year: 1962

Many of the group’s early songs were about surfing, and they almost called their band The Surfers. The Beach Boys’ song, “Surfin Safari,” was their first major hit, peaking at number one in Sweeden, 13 in New Zealand, and 14 in the United States.

This track shines a light on the famous surf spots in California, including Huntington, Malibu, and Laguna Beach, South of L.A.

25. “L.A.” by Leighton Meester

Song year: 2014

Leighton Meester wrote a happy song called “LA” while visiting her family in Florida. The lyrics vividly portray the experience of living life in sunny Los Angeles while also encouraging someone special to come to visit her.

Despite the upbeat nature of the song, Meester had acknowledged that she was feeling quite the opposite when she wrote it.

26. “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A.

Song year: 1998

N.W.A. released “Straight Outta Compton” as the title track for the group’s 1988 debut album, one of the first to feature a Parental Advisory sticker.

The song describes the ups and downs of gang life on the streets of Los Angeles. Initially, critics accused N.W.A. of glorifying gang life, though Ice Cube explained that they were documentarians.

27. “Going Back to Cali” by The Notorious B.I.G.

Song year: 1996

American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie, and fellow rapper, Diddy recorded “Going Back to Cali” on the album Life After Death. It was one of Biggie’s most famous songs, with its catchy hook and beat.

The lyrics are about Biggie going back to Los Angeles. The song begins with a phone call between Biggie and Diddy, explaining that he must prepare himself for a flight from New York to L.A.

28. “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas

Song year: 1996

Michelle Phillips was newly married to John Phillips in ‘63 and lived in New York City during a frigid winter. As a California native, Michelle was missing the sunshine Los Angeles offers.

Michelle’s homesickness inspired John and wrote “California Dreamin’” to describe the longing to be in another place. It was a massive hit, peaking at number 4 on the Hot 100. It’s also one of the few pop songs with a flute solo.

29. “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” by The Decemberists

Song year: 2003

The members of Decemberists were working typical jobs when they recorded their album, “Her Majesty The Decemberists.”

This album and the song “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” led them to sign to the label Kill Rock Stars. Some believe the song is purely one of love, while others believe it describes the narrator’s tiring of L.A.

30. “Valley Girl” by Frank Zappa

Song year: 1982

Frank Zappa released 62 albums throughout his life, with more after his death, but “Valley Girl” was his biggest hit and the only song to land on the Top 40 charts. The song pokes fun at the valley girl talks in California and what Zappa believed to be spoiled rich girls living the high life.

At the time, Laraine Newman was doing valley girl skits on Saturday Night Live, which may have helped further the song to success.

31. “Regulate” by Warren G and Nate Dogg

Song year: 1994

“Regulate” is a song released by West Coast rapper Warren G and singer Nate Dogg and was the breakout single for both. At the time, Nate lived in a studio apartment on Long Beach Boulevard.

The two go back and forth, telling a tale about an attempted car-jacking that took place in Los Angeles’s Long Beach.

32. “Leaving California” by Boys Like Girls

Song year: 2012

Pop rock turned country pop group Boys Like Girls released “Leaving California” on their third studio album, Crazy World. Although the band put out songs that fell within the emo and alternative genre, this album and song had more of a country edge to it.

33. “Saints Of Los Angeles” by Mötley Crüe

Song year: 2008

“Saints of Los Angeles” is the first single from Mötley Crüe’s album of the same name. The group released the song through the game Rock Band with its release, and it would be their first Grammy-nominated single.

It tells the story of the band signing their first record deal with Elektra Records.