California Here I Come (Sophie B. Hawkins song)

"California Here I Come" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, 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]

"California Here I Come"
Single by Sophie B. Hawkins
from the album Tongues and Tails
B-side	"Saviour Child"
Released	July 1992
Length	4:38 (album version) 4:25 (single version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Sophie B. Hawkins
Producer(s)	Rick Chertoff Ralph Schuckett
Sophie B. Hawkins singles chronology
"Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" (1992) "California Here I Come" (1992) "I Want You" (1992)

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

Upon 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 for providing "more emphasis on the melody" and giving it "a lighter, more accessible tone".^[3] Randy Clark of Cash Box commented, "With her Madonna-meets-Chrissie Hynde voice and unusually structured songwriting style, Sophie could get more AC play on this track."^[4] Music & Media stated, "With this follow up to 'Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover', this young singer/songwriter is destined to become the next Cyndi Lauper."^[5] 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".^[6]

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)[7]	104
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8]	39
Germany (GfK)[9]	77
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10]	43
UK Singles (OCC)[11]	53
US Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles[12]	79

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	July 1992	7-inch vinyl CD cassette	Columbia	[13]
Japan	August 21, 1992	Mini-CD	Sony	[14]
United Kingdom	August 31, 1992	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette	Columbia	[15]

References

1. "Music Video: Production Notes". Billboard. August 29, 1992. p. 37.
2. Hawkins, Sophie B. (April 2004). "Ask Sophie". sophiebhawkins.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
3. Flick, Larry (August 1, 1992). "Single Reviews". Billboard. p. 102.
4. Clark, Randy (August 15, 1992). "Music Reviews: Singles". Cash Box. Vol. 55, no. 51. p. 5. ISSN 0008-7289.
5. "New Releases: Singles". Music & Media. September 12, 1992. p. 9.
6. Thieberger, Victoria (August 21, 1992). "Entertainment Guide: Singles". The Age.
7. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received September 12, 2016". Retrieved August 13, 2020 – via Imgur.
8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1324." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
9. "Sophie B. Hawkins – California Here I Come" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
10. "Sophie B. Hawkins – California Here I Come". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
11. "Sophie B. Hawkins: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
12. Downey, Pat; Albert, George; Hoffman, Frank (1994). Cash Box Pop Singles Charts, 1950-1993. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, Inc. p. 152. ISBN 1563083167. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
13. Rufer, Diane; Fell, Ron (July 24, 1992). "Reviews". Gavin Report. No. 1915. p. 28. OCLC 34039542.
14. "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] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
15. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 29, 1992. p. 17.