California Here I Come (Sophie B. Hawkins song) explained

California Here I Come
Cover:	Sophie B. Hawkins California Here I Come 1992 single cover.jpg
Border:	yes
Type:	single
Artist:	Sophie B. Hawkins
Album:	Tongues and Tails
B-Side:	Saviour Child
Released:	1992
Length:	4:38 (album version) 4:25 (single version)
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	Rick Chertoff Ralph Schuckett
Prev Title:	Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover
Prev Year:	1992
Next Title:	I Want You
Next Year:	1992

"California Here I Come" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, which was released in 1992 as the second single from her debut studio album Tongues and Tails. The song was written by Hawkins and produced by Rick Chertoff and Ralph Schuckett. The song's music video was directed by Kevin Kerslake and produced by Line Postmyr and Tina Silvey.^[1]

Background

The song's bridge was influenced by John Steinbeck's 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath and features Hawkins reciting the Lord's Prayer. In 2004, Hawkins noted that "aspects of the chorus were influenced by Bugs Bunny going through the golden gates and finding 50 foot carrots". She added, "I had never been to California when I wrote the song. The lyrics are great to savor live, and they get truer somehow as time goes on."^[2]

Critical reception

On its release, Larry Flick of Billboard considered the song to be "an equally literate, highly potent pop/rock journey" to Hawkins' debut single "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover". He praised the single remix as providing "more emphasis on the melody" which "gives the track a lighter, more accessible tone".^[3] Music & Media commented: "With this follow up to "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover", this young singer/songwriter is destined to become the next Cyndi Lauper."^[4] Victoria Thieberger of The Age noted Hawkins' "distinctive voice" was "measured but warm" on the track. She also praised the song for being "richly orchestrated with a romantic synth sound over a heavy bass".^[5]

Track listings

7-inch and cassette single

1. "California Here I Come" (remix) – 4:20
2. "Saviour Child" – 4:45

CD single (UK and Europe)

1. "California Here I Come" (remix) – 4:25
2. "California Here I Come" (LP version) – 4:38
3. "Saviour Child" – 4:43

CD single (Europe)

1. "California Here I Come" – 4:20
2. "Saviour Child" – 4:43
3. "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" (remix) – 4:39

CD single (US release)

1. "California Here I Come" – 4:20
2. "Saviour Child" – 4:43

Personnel

Production

• Rick Chertoff, Ralph Schuckett – producers of "California Here I Come" and "Saviour Child"
• Steve Churchyard – recording on "California Here I Come" and "Saviour Child"
• David Leonard – mixing on "California Here I Come"

Other

• Sophie B. Hawkins – illustration

Charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[6]	104
US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles^[7]	79

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	1992		Columbia
Japan	August 21, 1992	Mini-CD	Sony	^[8]
United Kingdom	August 31, 1992		Columbia	^[9]

Notes and References

1. August 29, 1992. Music Video: Production Notes. Billboard. 37.
2. Web site: Ask Sophie . Hawkins . Sophie B. . sophiebhawkins.com . April 2004 . January 27, 2022 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110807212027/http://sophiebhawkins.com/asksophie_april2004.php . August 7, 2011.
3. Flick. Larry. August 1, 1992. Single Reviews. Billboard. 102.
4. September 12, 1992. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 9.
5. News: Thieberger. Victoria. August 21, 1992. Entertainment Guide: Singles. The Age.
6. Web site: Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received September 12, 2016. Imgur. August 13, 2020.
7. Book: Downey . Pat . Albert . George . Hoffman . Frank . Cash Box Pop Singles Charts, 1950-1993 . 1994 . Libraries Unlimited, Inc. . Englewood, Colorado . 1563083167 . 152 . registration . August 13, 2020.
8. Web site: カリフォルニア・ヒア・アイ・カム ソフィー・B.ホーキンス. California Here I Come Sophie B. Hawkins. Oricon. ja. September 13, 2023.
9. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 17. August 29, 1992.