California Nights

"California Nights"
Single by Lesley Gore
from the album California Nights
B-side	"I'm Going Out (The Same Way I Came In)"
Released	January 1967
Genre	Pop
Length	2:49
Label	Mercury Records 72649
Writer(s)	Marvin Hamlisch, Howard Liebling
Producer(s)	Bob Crewe
Lesley Gore singles chronology
"Treat Me Like a Lady" (1966) "California Nights" (1967) "Summer and Sandy" (1967)

"California Nights" is a song written by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Liebling and recorded by Lesley Gore. The single reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1967 and stayed on the charts for a then-lengthy 14 weeks.^[1] The song appeared on her 1967 album, California Nights.^[2]

The song was produced by Bob Crewe and arranged by Hutch Davie.^[3] The track features guitars and drum set in a 60's 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.

The song was ranked number 61 on Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 songs of 1967.^[4]

An edit of the song (removing the second verse and refrain) was lip-synced by Gore on the January 19, 1967 episode of the TV series Batman, "That Darn Catwoman". She played Pussycat, the Catwoman's protégé, who also wanted to be a singer.

Other versions

• Wes Montgomery released an instrumental version of the song on his 1967 album, A Day in the Life.^[5]
• Four King Cousins released a version of the song on their 1968 album, Introducing the Four King Cousins.^[6]

References

1. Lesley Gore, "California Nights" Chart Positions Retrieved January 30, 2014
2. Lesley Gore, California Nights Retrieved January 30, 2014
3. Lesley Gore, "California Nights" single release Retrieved January 30, 2014
4. "Billboard Top 100 - 1967". Retrieved January 30, 2014.
5. Wes Montgomery, A Day in the Life Retrieved January 30, 2014
6. Four King Cousins, Introducing the Four King Cousins Retrieved January 30, 2014