Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2021 May 7

= May 7 =

Cover version of California Dreamin'
It's been covered so many times over the years that it seems to be impossible to track down who did a particular cover version I have heard twice recently on a UK internet radio station which doesn't give any song/artist names ("Cheesy FM", which may give a clue that this is a straightforward pop version!) Some clues:
 * All vocalists are female. Lead singer has a standard "pop" style of voice a little similar to Belinda Carlisle; not necessarily American though (notably the "t" in winter's day is always clearly enunciated)
 * General 90s vibe ... if I had to put a date on it, I would say 1993–1998, but that could be well adrift
 * The second verse uses the ...I began to pray variant in the second version (rather than ...I pretend to pray)
 * The song goes straight into the first verse with no instrumental or other preamble
 * The instrumentation in the bridge sounds like a Spanish guitar over a "shuffling" beat

Can anybody put me out of my misery and identify the artist? — I have a horrible feeling it will be somebody really obvious, in which case I promise to feel suitably embarrassed! Mind you, the radio station does sometimes play some obscure stuff... Hassocks 5489 (Floreat Hova!) 10:08, 7 May 2021 (UTC)


 * Was it the version by River City People, from 1990? It's on YouTube, but the edit filter won't let me link it. Turner Street (talk) 11:00, 7 May 2021 (UTC)
 * Yes!! That's it!!  Very many thanks.  A short-lived Liverpool folk rock band, apparently.  Hassocks 5489 (Floreat Hova!)  11:15, 7 May 2021 (UTC)


 * Links containing "youtu.be"  are rejected, but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDI2j13AOE4 works just fine.  --Lambiam 12:18, 8 May 2021 (UTC)