Going to California

"Going to California" is a popular song by Led Zeppelin, involving acoustic guitars by Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

Coming from their 4th album released in 1971, its wistful folk-style sound (mandolin included!) contrasts with the heavy rock of most of the other tracks.

The song was written for singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, who Plant and Page were both infatuated with. On one of the lines Plant sings "They say she plays guitar/ and cries and sings". On live versions of the song, Plant would often say the name "Joni" after this line.

Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams,
Telling myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems

The main guitar riff inspired Pearl Jam's 1998 song "Given to Fly"