Los Angeles, the City of Angels, has long captured the imagination of musicians. Its vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and diverse atmosphere are perfect for creating songs that reflect the hopes, dreams, and struggles of life in California. Whether it’s the glitzy Hollywood lifestyle or the gritty realities of the streets, these songs about Los Angeles provide an eclectic mix of emotions and stories.
Be sure to check out the Songs About Los Angeles Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Songs About Los Angeles
1. “Hollywood” – The Cranberries
Lyric Sample: “This is not Hollywood like I understood.”
In this track, The Cranberries critique the glamorous portrayal of Hollywood, offering a more grounded perspective. The song’s repetitive chorus and haunting melody emphasize the disillusionment with fame, making it a powerful commentary on the difference between illusion and reality in the world of entertainment.
2. “All the Gold in California” – Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers
Lyric Sample: “All the gold in California is in a bank in the middle of Beverly Hills in somebody else’s name.”
This country classic touches on the idea of chasing wealth and success in California, specifically Los Angeles. With its reflective tone, it highlights the pursuit of money and the realization that there is more to life than material riches.
3. “California Love” – 2Pac & Dr. Dre
Lyric Sample: “Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west, a state that’s untouchable like Elliott Ness.”
One of the most iconic rap songs about Los Angeles, “California Love” captures the party vibe and street culture of L.A. The collaboration between 2Pac and Dr. Dre celebrates the city’s energy, making it a timeless anthem for the West Coast.
4. “Los Angeles” – Blink-182
Lyric Sample: “Los Angeles, when will you save me? Los Angeles, I’m never coming home.”
The song highlights the struggle of trying to find meaning in a city full of distractions. The lyrics express a desire to break free from the overwhelming noise of L.A.
5. “LA Devotee” – Panic! At The Disco
Lyric Sample: “Just another LA devotee, sunsets on the evil eye, invisible to the Hollywood shrine.”
This song captures the intense pull of Los Angeles, where glamour and darkness collide. It paints a picture of someone caught up in the city’s magnetic energy, constantly searching for more.
6. “Californication” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Lyric Sample: “Space may be the final frontier, but it’s made in a Hollywood basement.”
This Red Hot Chili Peppers track critiques the false promises and darker side of California’s entertainment industry. It mixes rock and funk, making it a powerful commentary on the superficial culture that thrives in L.A.
7. “Hollywood” – Madonna
Lyric Sample: “Everybody comes to Hollywood, they wanna make it in the neighborhood.”
This track highlights the allure of Hollywood, where dreams meet reality. It captures the excitement and the illusion of success in the city of stars.
8. “Los Angeles” – The Midnight
Lyric Sample: “Fire on the beach, face to the sky, the stars dance around like Gods in the skies.”
This song paints a vivid picture of the magic and wonder of Los Angeles, capturing the city’s blend of beauty and dreamlike energy. It explores the fleeting moments and memories made under its glowing skies.
9. “California Gurls” – Katy Perry
Lyric Sample: “California girls, we’re unforgettable, daisy dukes, bikinis on top.”
From the top-selling album Teenage Dream, “California Gurls” is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the carefree, sun-soaked vibe of California. It’s a pop song that paints a picture of laid-back L.A. living with catchy beats and a perfect summer feel.
10. “L.A. Girlz” – Weezer
Lyric Sample: “LA girls, please act your age, you treat me like I have the plague.”
This song speaks to the frustration and disillusionment of navigating the superficial, fickle nature of relationships in Los Angeles. It captures the tension between romantic longing and a sense of alienation.
11. “Los Angeles” – Haim
Lyric Sample: Los Angeles, give me a miracle, I just want out from this.”
This song captures the inner conflict of living in a city that’s both a dream and a nightmare. It expresses a longing for escape, yet the pull of the city’s promises and struggles keeps drawing the narrator back.
12. “Sunset People” – Donna Summer
Lyric Sample: “Sunset people, doin’ it right night after night.”
“Sunset People” is a disco track that paints a picture of the glamorous yet hectic lifestyle of Los Angeles, where the night comes alive with excitement. It captures the energy and allure of Sunset Boulevard, embodying a world where every moment feels like a celebration.
13. “I Love L.A.” – Randy Newman
Lyric Sample: “I love L.A., we love it.”
Randy Newman’s infectious song captures the fun, sunny, and carefree spirit of Los Angeles. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, celebratory song that praises the city, from its palm trees to its beaches, making it a quintessential L.A. tune.
14. “City of Angels” – 30 Seconds to Mars
Lyric Sample: “Lost in the city of angels, down in the comfort of strangers.”
“City of Angels” is a rock song that captures the struggle of trying to find yourself in Los Angeles. It paints the city as both a place of opportunity and a challenge, with a raw, real vibe.
15. “Los Ageless” – St. Vincent
Lyric Sample: “How can anybody have you and lose you, and not lose their minds, too?”
“Los Ageless” paints a picture of an idealized world where time and seasons don’t exist, echoing the illusion of perfection. The song captures a sense of yearning and confusion in a place that both entices and eludes.
16. “Dying in LA” – Panic! At The Disco
Lyric Sample: “Every face along the boulevard is a dreamer just like you.”
This song explores the darker side of chasing fame in LA, where dreams often fade and are replaced with disillusionment. It captures the emptiness that can accompany the pursuit of success in a city that promises everything but delivers little.
17. “Boyz-n-the-Hood” – Eazy-E
Lyric Sample: “Cruisin’ down the street in my 64.”
This groundbreaking rap track by Eazy-E tells the story of life in Compton, one of L.A.’s toughest neighborhoods. Its raw depiction of street life in Los Angeles helped define the West Coast rap genre and remain a cultural touchstone.
18. “Venice Bitch” – Lana Del Rey
Lyric Sample: “Ice cream, ice queen, I dream in jeans and leather.”
Lana captures a carefree yet conflicted love story set in a sun-soaked, nostalgic version of Venice. The song blends longing and bittersweet memories, showcasing her wild side and connection to someone who has her heart, even as time moves on.
19. “For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield
Lyric Sample: “Stop, children, what’s that sound, everybody look what’s going down.”
This classic rock song is often associated with the social unrest of the 1960s, with its iconic line calling for awareness in Los Angeles during turbulent times. Its relevance to Los Angeles’ turbulent political climate makes it a timeless piece of music history.
Related: “For What It’s Worth” Song Meaning
20. “Los Angeles” – Black Francis
Lyric Sample: “I want to live in Los Angeles, not the one in Los Angeles, they got one in South Patagonia.”
This song imagines different versions of Los Angeles, far from the iconic city in California. It mixes whimsy and a desire for a place that’s different from what is commonly known.
21. “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” – The Decemberists
Lyric Sample: “This is the realest thing, as ancient choirs sing.”
This song captures a paradoxical love for Los Angeles—filled with beauty, decay, and contradictions. The imagery combines romanticism with a darker, almost cynical view of the city’s dual nature.
22. “Party in the U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus
Lyric Sample: “So I put my hands up, they’re playing my song, the butterflies fly away.”
While not strictly about Los Angeles, Miley Cyrus’ pop anthem embraces the excitement of being in the U.S. It celebrates the pop culture and freedom associated with L.A., drawing listeners in with its catchy, feel-good vibe.
23. “Under The Bridge” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Lyric Sample: “I don’t ever want to feel like I did that day, take me to the place I love.”
“Under The Bridge” is a haunting reflection of loneliness and alienation in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles. The song connects with those who’ve ever felt like an outsider, offering an intimate glimpse into the more vulnerable side of city life.
24. “City of Angels” – 24kGoldn
Lyric Sample: “I don’t wanna die young, the city of angels where I have my fun”
This hip-hop track dives into the allure and chaos of Los Angeles, where ambition, temptation, and the pursuit of fame often clash with the reality of living in a city that can be as unforgiving as it is glamorous.
25. “L.A. Love (La La)” – Fergie
Lyric Sample: “L.A. got the people saying la-la-la-la-la”
Fergie’s “L.A. Love (La La)” is a playful and upbeat track that celebrates the city’s unique blend of glamour and fun. Its infectious chorus and funky beats perfectly capture the spirit of Los Angeles.
26. “Los Angeles Is Burning” – Bad Religion
Lyric Sample: “When the hills of Los Angeles are burning, palm trees are candles in the murder wind.”
“Los Angeles Is Burning” depicts the chaos of Los Angeles as wildfires rage, contrasting the beauty of the city with the destructive force of nature. It highlights the disconnect between the spectacle and the real consequences of the disaster.
27. “Bad Sneakers” – Steely Dan
Lyric Sample: “Bad sneakers and a piña colada, my friend.”
This song captures a sense of disillusionment with urban life, evoking a feeling of alienation amidst excess and the pursuit of fleeting pleasures. The contrast of luxury and internal chaos reflects the confusion of modern life.
28. “Saints of Los Angeles” – Mötley Crüe
Lyric Sample: “We are, we are the saints, we signed our life away.”
“Saints of Los Angeles” is about living life on their own terms, fully aware of the risks involved. The city of Los Angeles serves as the backdrop for a reckless pursuit of freedom and chaos.
29. “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
Lyric Sample: “Now I’m free, free fallin’, free fallin’.”
Tom Petty’s classic song evokes the feeling of letting go and drifting through the carefree streets of Los Angeles. It captures the sense of freedom and escapism that the city can provide, even amidst its chaos.
30. “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” – The Decemberists
Lyric Sample: “There is a city by the sea, a gentle company, I don’t suppose you want to.”
This track offers a complex, critical take on Los Angeles, blending vivid imagery of its beauty and decay. It paints the city as both enchanting and disillusioning, capturing the duality of love and frustration many feel for L.A.
31. “Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses
Lyric Sample: “Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games.”
This iconic song by Guns N’ Roses paints a vivid picture of the chaotic, wild side of Los Angeles. With its hard-rock edge and bold lyrics, it’s a fitting anthem for anyone who has felt the thrills and dangers of L.A.
Related: “Welcome to the Jungle” Song Meaning
32. “Beverly Hills” – Weezer
Lyric Sample: “Beverly Hills, that’s where I want to be.”
Weezer’s “Beverly Hills” captures the longing for the glamorous, wealthy side of Los Angeles. The song’s fun, catchy vibe contrasts with the song’s underlying message of desire for fame and luxury.
33. “Angel City” – Motörhead
Lyric Sample: “I wanna grow my hair, live in Bel Air, lose my head, keep a live snake in my bed.”
This rock song embodies a chaotic and rebellious desire to dive into Los Angeles’ wild lifestyle, marked by excess and indulgence. It captures the reckless pursuit of fame, adventure, and freedom in the city.
34. “All I Wanna Do” – Sheryl Crow
Lyric Sample: “All I wanna do is have some fun, I got a feeling I’m not the only one.”
Sheryl Crow’s hit song reflects the carefree spirit of California, especially the laid-back attitude of Los Angeles. With its catchy chorus and feel-good lyrics, it has become an anthem for anyone embracing the Californian lifestyle.
The Unique Mood of Los Angeles in Song
Los Angeles is a city of contrasts, from the bright lights of Hollywood to the shadowed corners of its streets. In songs, these contradictions come to life, with tracks that evoke the allure of fame and the harsh realities of city life.
Music about L.A. often reflects this duality, capturing the excitement and hope that the city represents while also acknowledging its challenges. This complex mix is why the city’s music resonates with so many, offering a soundtrack to both the dreams and struggles of those who call it home.
Conclusion
Songs about Los Angeles offer an intricate portrait of the city and its many facets. Whether celebrating its glitzy allure, critiquing its darker side, or reflecting on personal experiences, these tracks provide a diverse soundtrack to the City of Angels.
The unique blend of sunshine, ambition, and struggle captured in L.A.’s music makes it an ever-evolving cultural landscape that continues to inspire artists across genres.
If you want to see more songs about a legendary city in the U.S., check out our Best Songs About Chicago list!
