Billy Bragg & Wilco — California Stars (live)
Album: Mermaid Avenue - Bonus EPAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 749
Length: 3:43
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I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
Comments (60)add comment
💘🦊🦝🐸🍌🐵
Burg wrote:
It's a standard I - V - IV progression which has been used in thousands of songs, particularly in the "folk" genres.
sounds like plagery to me. the entire tune was taken from I think the Doors
It's a standard I - V - IV progression which has been used in thousands of songs, particularly in the "folk" genres.
brilliant work here by wilco and BB...
live may not always be perfect but it can be magical
Billy Bragg doesn't always ruin everything.
This song blends these artists so perfectly together it could be an Oreo.
Love this version, gave it a nine, heard this a couple of years ago on XRT from Chicago
I saw that too, but I can't recall where. It was like being at a karaoke bar after a softball game. Grammarcop wrote:
I recently saw a video of Bob Seger performing this in concert. It was hideous.
This song is a testament to what you can do with three chords. John Prine should collect royalties on all such songs.
Love this song. I do like the studio version a bit better, but the live version is nice too 
The original was better
Grammarcop wrote:
what a horror story.
I recently saw a video of Bob Seger performing this in concert. It was hideous.
what a horror story.
Must. Have. Live. Version. Where can I find it? And no, I already have Mermaid Avenue.......?
I recently saw a video of Bob Seger performing this in concert. It was hideous.
Sloggydog wrote:
Mermaid Avenue
No, that's the original. This is live.
Mermaid Avenue
No, that's the original. This is live.
Is this a different live version than one that was previously played? I feel like the previous version had a brief audience sing-along, but I could very well be wrong.
ick wrote:
Mermaid Avenue
What recording did this come from? Great version!
Mermaid Avenue
What recording did this come from? Great version!
Great song. I saw him live last year in support of the Mermaid Avenue albums. Just him and his guitar. No opener, no band. First set was acoustic, all Guthrie songs. The second set was electric, all Bragg songs. So good.
Live version is much better than the recorded version. An easy 9.
This was on November 11, 2009 in Weissenhäuser Strand, Germany.
Billy Bragg by James Elliot Bailey
James Bailey
https://www.flickr.com/photos/summersetoneal/
Sitting in Solomon Burke's throne.
Photograph by James Bailey
All rights reserved.
Great choice! So many positive memories connected to this song. btw a Wilco live show is always worth attending. Besides some Neil Young shows, the Wilco concert I saw in Stuttgart (Germany) in the late 90s impressed me completely.
I love this song, but really like the studio recording much better, but then again I am that way with most music. I would much rather just hear the pristine studio recording.
peter_james_bond wrote:
Helps to start out with great material. Love this whole album series.
The late Jay Bennett, former Wilco member, once said that out of all the songs that Wilco recorded, this was his favorite.
Helps to start out with great material. Love this whole album series.
This is really groovy.
One of my favorite songs ever. My kids will play it at my funeral. Sublime.
The late Jay Bennett, former Wilco member, once said that out of all the songs that Wilco recorded, this was his favorite.
I somehow picked up this bonus e.p. for free at my local record store when Mermaid Avenue was released, having never heard Billy Bragg or Wilco prior. It opened the door to some really great music!
This track is listed as recorded on the Conan O'Brien show
This track is listed as recorded on the Conan O'Brien show
Outstanding set Bill, great songs from The Tragically Hip, Patty Griffin, The Band & Billy Bragg - Wilco.
RP rocks!
RP rocks!
Smoove_D wrote:
The way I heard it was this: Bob Dylan was under the impression that he would write the music, but Nora Guthrie wanted a new generation of music lovers (ones who wouldn't likely listen to Dylan or her dad) to hear her father's words, so she chose Wilco. Wilco then asked Billy Bragg for assistance.
Your version of the story might very well be the correct one. I'm just telling it the way I heard it.
wiki
Dylan's attempts at getting at the songs were a decade or two earlier. When Nora decided to sell, she went with Billy Bragg (she's a fan) and he recruited Wilco to be his studio band.
I saw them in San Jose after this album came out... But since England was in the World Cup and scheduled to be playing at the same time as Billy, he asked to open the Guinness Fleadh instead of headlining it... so we were still staking out our spot on the grass when they came on. Sort of cool, but sort of not... the crowd wasn't into it much and that can really take away from the concert experience. Anyway. I saw them so there.
The way I heard it was this: Bob Dylan was under the impression that he would write the music, but Nora Guthrie wanted a new generation of music lovers (ones who wouldn't likely listen to Dylan or her dad) to hear her father's words, so she chose Wilco. Wilco then asked Billy Bragg for assistance.
Your version of the story might very well be the correct one. I'm just telling it the way I heard it.
wiki
Dylan's attempts at getting at the songs were a decade or two earlier. When Nora decided to sell, she went with Billy Bragg (she's a fan) and he recruited Wilco to be his studio band.
I saw them in San Jose after this album came out... But since England was in the World Cup and scheduled to be playing at the same time as Billy, he asked to open the Guinness Fleadh instead of headlining it... so we were still staking out our spot on the grass when they came on. Sort of cool, but sort of not... the crowd wasn't into it much and that can really take away from the concert experience. Anyway. I saw them so there.
AuralSects wrote:
Woody Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie, contacted Billy Bragg about writing music for her father's lyrics. Billy then approached Wilco about joining in. Natalie Merchant does some vocals on the first volume. I can't remember if she is on the second one or not.
The way I heard it was this: Bob Dylan was under the impression that he would write the music, but Nora Guthrie wanted a new generation of music lovers (ones who wouldn't likely listen to Dylan or her dad) to hear her father's words, so she chose Wilco. Wilco then asked Billy Bragg for assistance.
Your version of the story might very well be the correct one. I'm just telling it the way I heard it.
Woody Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie, contacted Billy Bragg about writing music for her father's lyrics. Billy then approached Wilco about joining in. Natalie Merchant does some vocals on the first volume. I can't remember if she is on the second one or not.
The way I heard it was this: Bob Dylan was under the impression that he would write the music, but Nora Guthrie wanted a new generation of music lovers (ones who wouldn't likely listen to Dylan or her dad) to hear her father's words, so she chose Wilco. Wilco then asked Billy Bragg for assistance.
Your version of the story might very well be the correct one. I'm just telling it the way I heard it.
Smoove_D wrote:
Billy Bragg and Wilco made two studio albums together—Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 1 & 2. Check them out. The lyrics of almost all the songs were written by Woody Guthrie and left to Wilco when Guthire died. Wilco asked for Billy Bragg's help in setting the lyrics to music and recording the tracks. The result is sublime.
Woody Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie, contacted Billy Bragg about writing music for her father's lyrics. Billy then approached Wilco about joining in. Natalie Merchant does some vocals on the first volume. I can't remember if she is on the second one or not.
Billy Bragg and Wilco made two studio albums together—Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 1 & 2. Check them out. The lyrics of almost all the songs were written by Woody Guthrie and left to Wilco when Guthire died. Wilco asked for Billy Bragg's help in setting the lyrics to music and recording the tracks. The result is sublime.
Woody Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie, contacted Billy Bragg about writing music for her father's lyrics. Billy then approached Wilco about joining in. Natalie Merchant does some vocals on the first volume. I can't remember if she is on the second one or not.
Panama_Floyd wrote:
Billy Bragg and Wilco made two studio albums together—Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 1 & 2. Check them out. The lyrics of almost all the songs were written by Woody Guthrie and left to Wilco when Guthire died. Wilco asked for Billy Bragg's help in setting the lyrics to music and recording the tracks. The result is sublime.
Billy Bragg and Wilco? I never knew such a thing existed. Bill, Rebecca, stuff like this is why I send y'all money.
Expect a few cents from Amazon next week, since I'm buying the dang thing once the paycheck lands in the bank account. 
'
Billy Bragg and Wilco made two studio albums together—Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 1 & 2. Check them out. The lyrics of almost all the songs were written by Woody Guthrie and left to Wilco when Guthire died. Wilco asked for Billy Bragg's help in setting the lyrics to music and recording the tracks. The result is sublime.
I've never heard this live version before. This song is "our song" for me and my girlfriend. Thanks for playing it. Why, it's practically Valentines Day.
sounds like plagery to me. the entire tune was taken from I think the Doors
Billy Bragg and Wilco? I never knew such a thing existed. Bill, Rebecca, stuff like this is why I send y'all money.
Expect a few cents from Amazon next week, since I'm buying the dang thing once the paycheck lands in the bank account.
'
I prefer the studio version that doesn't skip!
RP seems to be skipping quite a bit today!
Phlegmaticman wrote:
The albums were Mermaid Ave. 1 and 2, not sure if this live cut is on either of those.
This is based on lyrics written by Woody Guthrie. Billy Bragg and Wilco collaborated on the music. They made two CDs of wonderful songs like this.
There's even a film documentary about the making of the albums.
There's even a film documentary about the making of the albums.
The albums were Mermaid Ave. 1 and 2, not sure if this live cut is on either of those.
This is based on lyrics written by Woody Guthrie. Billy Bragg and Wilco collaborated on the music. They made two CDs of wonderful songs like this.
There's even a film documentary about the making of the albums.
amoreena wrote:
I searched iTunes for this and can't find this live version...but found other artists who have performed the song. Didn't Jeff Tweedy write this haunting music, or did I dream that on a bed of California Stars?
well.....this is just a wonderful, happy song - I knew I should listen to WILCO - but came to it not on my own but through my daughter - listening to the songs coming out of her I-Tunes/laptop and repeatedly saying - "who is that?" - I finally succumbed - and saw them with her in Derby Town - caught in the crosshairs of a tremedous verbal brawl over metal-on-metal brakes - we saw Jeff Tweedy and his band behind a crazy film of netting at the Louisville Slugger ball field - avoiding fast balls, I guess....
I searched iTunes for this and can't find this live version...but found other artists who have performed the song. Didn't Jeff Tweedy write this haunting music, or did I dream that on a bed of California Stars?
superfido wrote:
First Comment 
And now that i've secured such an honorable honor, I'll tell you all the stupidest question I've heard this week.
I'm a teacher. Knock on staffroom door. Student.
"Is Magnus here?" She asks
"No, he went to france this morning."
"Oh, Will he be back today?"
That is a true story
Ah, the youth of today...............
And now that i've secured such an honorable honor, I'll tell you all the stupidest question I've heard this week.
I'm a teacher. Knock on staffroom door. Student.
"Is Magnus here?" She asks
"No, he went to france this morning."
"Oh, Will he be back today?"
That is a true storyYES!!
Smoove_D wrote:
You should have BOUGHT IT THROUGH RP!
wha-wha-wha-what!?!?!?! A live version!?!?! Should I have bought the album instead of stealing it online?
You should have BOUGHT IT THROUGH RP!
De svÀnger,we say in swedish,it swings!(8)
This version moves me in a way the studio version just doesn't quite. Very nice. 8
Great live version. Has anyone found this version on CD? I am not having any luck.
Ken
It's a fine song, but (I wince to say it) overplayed on RP.
This live version kicks ASS!!!! 
~Michelle~ wrote:
I've always really liked this song, the live version is fantastic. Thanks, RP!
... yea, we're on a run!
unbelievable. i've had this tune in my head all day b/c i'm going to california tomorrow. and now you're playing it... awesome!
I've always really liked this song, the live version is fantastic. Thanks, RP!
From whence does this live come from.
10!!!
First sensible comment
wha-wha-wha-what!?!?!?! A live version!?!?! Should I have bought the album instead of stealing it online?
First Comment And now that i've secured such an honorable honor, I'll tell you all the stupidest question I've heard this week.
I'm a teacher. Knock on staffroom door. Student.
"Is Magnus here?" She asks
"No, he went to france this morning."
"Oh, Will he be back today?"
That is a true story
And now that i've secured such an honorable honor, I'll tell you all the stupidest question I've heard this week.
I'm a teacher. Knock on staffroom door. Student.
"Is Magnus here?" She asks
"No, he went to france this morning."
"Oh, Will he be back today?"
That is a true story
This song is a testament to what you can do with three chords. John Prine should collect royalties on all such songs.
I need Prine on a daily basis. Damn I love that man and the music he created.