California (Big & Rich song)

Last updated
"California"
Single by Big & Rich
from the album Did It for the Party
ReleasedMarch 6, 2017 (2017-03-06)
Genre Country
Length3:21
Label Big & Rich/Thirty Tigers
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Big & Rich singles chronology
"Lovin' Lately"
(2016)
"California"
(2017)

"California" is a country music song written by John Rich, Rodney Clawson, and Vicky McGehee. It was originally recorded by Tim McGraw on his album Damn Country Music , featuring Big & Rich on backing vocals. Big & Rich released their own version in 2017 as a single, and it appears on their 2017 album Did It for the Party .

Contents

History

Tim McGraw recorded the song on his 2015 album Damn Country Music , with Big & Rich on background vocals. [1] McGraw chose to put it on the album because his guitar player played a demo which was recorded by John Rich, one-half of the duo. [2] [3]

Content

The song is a country rock song about an ending relationship, focusing on a woman who is leaving her man on a journey to California. [4]

Chart performance

Related Research Articles

Tim McGraw American country singer and actor

Samuel Timothy McGraw is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums. 10 of those albums have reached number one on the Top Country Albums charts, with his 1994 breakthrough album Not a Moment Too Soon being the top country album of 1994. In total, McGraw's albums have produced 65 singles, 25 of which have reached number one on the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay charts. Three of these singles – "It's Your Love", "Just to See You Smile", and "Live Like You Were Dying" – were respectively the top country songs of 1997, 1998, and 2004 according to Billboard Year-End. He has also won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, 10 American Music Awards, and three People's Choice Awards. His Soul2Soul II Tour, which was done in partnership with his wife, Faith Hill, is one of the highest-grossing tours in country music history, and one of the top five among all genres of music. He has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

<i>Live Like You Were Dying</i> 2004 studio album by Tim McGraw

Live Like You Were Dying is the eighth studio album by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released on August 24, 2004, by Curb Records and was recorded in a mountaintop studio in upstate New York. It entered the Billboard 200 chart at number one, with sales of 766,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified 4 x Platinum by the RIAA for shipping four million copies, and was nominated for two Grammies in 2005 for Best Country Vocal Performance Male and Best Country Album, winning for Best Country Vocal Performance. Five singles were released from the album, all were top 15 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, two of which hit #1.

Tim McGraw (song) 2006 single by Taylor Swift

"Tim McGraw" is the debut single and first published song recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was written by Swift and Liz Rose, and produced by Nathan Chapman, and was released on June 19, 2006 by Big Machine Records as the lead single from Swift's self-titled debut album (2006). She wrote "Tim McGraw" during her freshman year of high school, knowing that she and her senior boyfriend would break up at the end of the year when he left for college. The song was written about all the different things that would remind the subject of Swift and their time spent together once he departed, such as the songs by Tim McGraw, one of Swift's favorite country artists. "Tim McGraw" blends traditional and modern country music.

<i>Let It Go</i> (Tim McGraw album) 2007 studio album by Tim McGraw

Let It Go is the ninth studio album by Tim McGraw. Released on March 27, 2007, it was his first studio album in two and a half years. Let It Go entered the U.S. Billboard 200 at number one with sales of 325,000. The album has produced seven Top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including a number one; one of those seven songs was only included on later issues of the album. Of all McGraw's albums, this one has produced the most singles in his career.

Tim McGraw discography Artist discography

American singer and songwriter Tim McGraw has had 16 studio albums, 13 compilation albums, and 74 singles. His highest-certified albums are 1994's Not a Moment Too Soon and 2000's Greatest Hits, at 6× Platinum certification each. Twelve of his 15 studio albums have also reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Last Dollar (Fly Away) 2007 single by Tim McGraw

"Last Dollar " is a song written by Big Kenny, one half of the duo Big & Rich, and performed by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in January 2007 as the first single from his album Let It Go. "Last Dollar " reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, becoming McGraw's first Number One country hit since "Back When" in late 2004. Big Kenny later recorded the song for his 2010 album, Big Kenny's Love Everybody Traveling Musical Medicine Show Mix Tape, Vol. 1.

"Some Things Never Change" is a song written by Walt Aldridge and Brad Crisler and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in April 2000 as the fourth single from McGraw's album A Place in the Sun. While it went to number 1 in Canada, it peaked only at number 7 in the US, and was the only single from the album not to reach number 1 in the US. It also peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Big & Rich American country music duo

Big & Rich is an American country music duo composed of Big Kenny and John Rich, both of whom are songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists. Before the duo's foundation, Rich was bass guitarist in the country band Lonestar, while Kenny was a solo artist for Hollywood Records.

"Better Than I Used to Be" is a song written by Ashley Gorley and Bryan Simpson. The song was originally recorded by American country music artist Sammy Kershaw in 2010 for the album of the same name, released August 31, 2010, on Big Hit Records. The version released by Sammy Kershaw was released as a single, but did not enter the charts.

One of Those Nights (Tim McGraw song) 2012 single by Tim McGraw

"One of Those Nights" is a song written by Luke Laird, Rodney Clawson, and Chris Tompkins and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in November 2012 as the second single from McGraw's 2013 album Two Lanes of Freedom and his second one from Big Machine Records.

Highway Dont Care 2013 single by Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban

"Highway Don't Care" is a song performed by American country music singer Tim McGraw and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift on vocals, featuring Keith Urban on guitar. It was released in March 2013 as the third single from McGraw's first album for Big Machine Records, Two Lanes of Freedom (2013). The song was written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear and Brad and Brett Warren. McGraw and Swift recorded their parts separately.

Meanwhile Back at Mamas 2014 single by Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill

"Meanwhile Back at Mama's" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw and his wife Faith Hill. It was released in April 2014 as the second single from his second studio album for Big Machine Records, Sundown Heaven Town. The song was written by Jeffrey Steele, Jaren Johnston and Tom Douglas.

Shotgun Rider 2014 single by Tim McGraw

"Shotgun Rider" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released on September 8, 2014 as the third single from his second studio album for Big Machine Records, Sundown Heaven Town. The song was written by Marv Green, Hillary Lindsey, and Troy Verges.

Top of the World (Tim McGraw song) 2015 single by Tim McGraw

"Top of the World" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released to radio on August 4, 2015 as the lead single to his third studio album for Big Machine Records, Damn Country Music, released on November 6, 2015, and his fourteenth overall single for Big Machine. The song was written by Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins and Jon Nite.

<i>Damn Country Music</i> 2015 studio album by Tim McGraw

Damn Country Music is the fourteenth studio album by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. The album was released on November 6, 2015, by Big Machine Records. Its lead single, "Top of the World", was released on August 4, 2015. The title track, "Damn Country Music", was released on October 9, 2015 as part of the album pre-order.

Humble and Kind 2016 single by Tim McGraw

"Humble and Kind" is a song written by Lori McKenna and first released by American country music singer Tim McGraw on January 20, 2016, as the second single from his fourteenth studio album, Damn Country Music. McKenna later recorded her rendition of the song for her eighth studio album, The Bird and the Rifle, released in July 2016. Among several other wins and nominations, the song won the award for Best Country Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, "Video of the Year" at the 2016 CMT Music Awards, "Song of the Year" at 2016 CMA Awards and "Country Song of the Year" at 2016 American Music Awards. It has been certified platinum and reached the number one position on the country music charts in both Canada and the United States.

Lovin Lately 2016 single by Big & Rich featuring Tim McGraw

"Lovin' Lately" is a song by American country music duo Big & Rich featuring Tim McGraw. It was released in January 2016 as the third single from Big & Rich's third studio album, Gravity. The song was written by duo members Big Kenny and John Rich and McGraw.

May We All 2016 single by Florida Georgia Line featuring Tim McGraw

"May We All" is a song recorded by American country music group Florida Georgia Line and country music artist Tim McGraw. It is the second single from the duo's third studio album, Dig Your Roots, which was released on August 26, 2016. The song was written by Rodney Clawson and Jamie Moore. "May We All" was first released for sale on July 16, 2016 by Republic Nashville as an album and released as a single to radio in August.

<i>Did It for the Party</i> 2017 studio album by Big & Rich

Did It for the Party is the sixth studio album by American country music duo Big & Rich. It was released on September 15, 2017 via Big & Rich Records/Thirty Tigers. The album's lead single is "California".

<i>Here on Earth</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Tim McGraw

Here on Earth is the fifteenth solo studio album and sixteenth studio album overall by American country music singer Tim McGraw. It was released on August 21, 2020, by Big Machine Records. It is McGraw's first album since rejoining Big Machine. The album was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. The release was preceded by the release of "I Called Mama".

References

  1. Konicki, Lisa (March 6, 2017). "Big & Rich Put a Fresh Spin on Not-So-New Single, "California"". Nash Country Daily. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  2. Stefano, Angela. "BIG & RICH'S NEXT SINGLE, 'CALIFORNIA', MIGHT SOUND FAMILIAR [LISTEN]". The Boot. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  3. Alex, Sam. "BIG & RICH EXPLAIN WHY THEY LET TIM MCGRAW CUT 'CALIFORNIA' FIRST". Taste of Country. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  4. Scott, Jason (March 4, 2017). "Big & Rich get all torn up with new single, 'California' (listen)". AXS. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  5. "Big & Rich Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  6. "Big & Rich Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  7. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2020.