Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Music Monday – California Edition

August 22, 2017

So, last month I went on vacation – finally! My oldest son gave me the gift of a trip to visit him in the Bay Area. I decided to go in July (because that’s the only month I had open), and we booked all the plane and bus (believe it or not) trips in March. It was amazing! I went on planes, trains, underground trains, ferries, and buses and had the time of my life! I even got to stand on the corner of Haight and Ashbury and that’s where this song comes in – the iconic “San Francisco (Wear Flowers In Your Hair” by Scott McKenzie.

It was actually written by John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, which I didn’t know, but Scott McKenzie sings it. Beautifully I might add. I’d always wanted to go back to California as I was born there, and this song just fueled those longings every time I heard it. I also felt like I might belong there more than I belonged in London or, especially, the midwest which is where I’ve been for the last 40 years. That’s another blog post in which I’d have to flog myself for my questionable choices. But THIS post is about THIS song so let’s continue.

This song began the Summer of Love in 1967 when thousands of young people descended on San Francisco and, most specifically, Haight and Ashbury. The song has been called the “unofficial anthem” of the hippie and countercultural movement of the 1960’s. I believe it. And here’s the kicker – this year is the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love and this song. And I got to be there and yes, I wore a flower in my hair. :-)

So, let’s look at the lyrics and, as always, I encourage you to take a listen to it. Maybe we can reclaim some of that peace, love, and hope we so desperately need today.

San Francisco – Wear Flowers in Your Hair

If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There’s a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

3 comments
Comments

On August 23, 2017 at 1:41 AM, Matt said:

I randomly came here today to see if there was anything new, and here we are. Need to catch up on all the old posts from the last few months, too.

On August 31, 2017 at 10:39 AM, java_queen said:

You do. I've been trying to remember to post more often. I love my blog, but I haven't told it that too much lately. :-P

On August 27, 2017 at 8:36 PM, Dan said:

I agree, that's a great song

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