Sia Gives Folk Classic "California Dreamin'" a Modern-Day Update
From reggae-tinged torch songs to Broadway classics, Sia's emotive vocals can really handle any kind of music. We were floored to hear the singer would take on the classic 1965 single "California Dreamin'" by folk-rock pioneers The Mamas & the Papas for the upcoming blockbuster flick San Andreas.
Sia's "California Dreamin'" has a hauntingly gorgeous orchestral opening for the first verse, complete with a choir and everything. It's all extremely epic and sounds nearly Oscar worthy...until we hit the second verse and a very flat-sounding drum machine and hard-hitting beat are added to the mix, with all those gorgeous orchestral elements getting watered down.
The cover redeems itself a little for the final chorus when the beats are dialed down a bit and Sia begins incorporating the same vocal layering from the original, which makes it such a gripping tune even today.
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