San Francisco – Scott McKenzie

About the song

“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” is a quintessential American pop song written by John Phillips and performed by Scott McKenzie. Released in May 1967, the song was a pivotal anthem of the counterculture movement during the 1960s, embodying the spirit of the Hippie, Anti-Vietnam War, and Flower Power movements.

The song’s creation was spurred by Phillips and Lou Adler to promote the Monterey International Pop Music Festival in June 1967, an event pivotal in the history of rock music. John Phillips, also known for his work with The Mamas & the Papas, played guitar on the track, while session musicians like Joe Osborn on bass and Hal Blaine on drums provided a solid foundation for McKenzie’s vocals. The inclusion of Gary L. Coleman’s orchestral bells and chimes added to the song’s ethereal, dream-like quality.

“San Francisco” quickly ascended the charts, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and claiming the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart. It also achieved chart-topping success in other parts of the world, including Ireland, New Zealand, and Germany, solidifying its international appeal and impact.

Beyond its chart success, “San Francisco” became synonymous with the Summer of Love, drawing thousands of young people to San Francisco in search of freedom, expression, and communal living. Its lyrics, urging listeners to wear flowers in their hair, became a symbol of the era’s ideals of peace, love, and harmony.

The song’s enduring popularity is underscored by its inclusion in various films such as “Forrest Gump” and “The Rock,” as well as its frequent cover versions by artists like U2 and New Order. Its influence extends to contemporary music, with bands like Greta Van Fleet paying homage to its iconic sound.

In essence, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” remains not just a musical relic of the 1960s but a cultural touchstone that encapsulates the zeitgeist of an era marked by social change, artistic innovation, and a quest for personal and societal liberation.

Video

Lyrics

If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion

There’s a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there