Artist: David Lee Roth
Video: From YouTube.
Conceived by Brian Wilson while tripping on acid in the ‘60s, “California Girls” is one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most memorable songs. An easy breezy, happy-go-lucky summer surfing tune, it was joyously covered by David Lee Roth in 1985.
In fact, this was Diamond Dave’s first ever solo effort. The “Crazy From The Heat” EP was released before his acrimonious breakup with Van Halen had taken place. The Roth cover version reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, duplicating the Beach Boys chart position achieved 20 years prior.
The song is an appreciation, nay, a celebration, of beautiful girls all over the world. Furthermore, it expresses the wonderful wish that all of these luscious, voluptuous, and positively sexy ladies were all together in California. If only a genie had granted that noble wish, then all these girls might be with us in the golden state today.
The video is one of the most enjoyable of 1985 for two reasons. First, there is the concept: David Lee Roth as tour guide, shepherding a bizarre collection of freaks into the desert. The opening and closing parodies “The Twilight Zone”, beginning with the classic “submitted for your approval” line and ending with an allusion to the fate of the peculiar travel party.
And secondly, there are the girls themselves. An impressive collection of bikini-clad lovelies are featured, all the different types of girls referenced in the song. The classic scene features Dave dancing down a boardwalk bordered by bikini-clad girls in mannequin poses. Dave frolics in jubilation throughout, reveling in the sunshine and the feminine energy.
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