California Soul

This article is about the song by Ashford & Simpson. For the album by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, see California Soul (album).

"California Soul" is a funk-soul tune written by Ashford & Simpson, issued originally as the B-side of the Messengers' single "Window Shopping" in 1967 under the Motown group of labels.

"California Soul"
Netherlands picture sleeve
Single by the Messengers
A-side	"Window Shopping"
Released	September 7, 1967 (1967-09-07)
Recorded	1967
Genre	Funk-soul
Label	Soul
Songwriter	Ashford & Simpson
Producer	Jeffrey Bowen
The Messengers singles chronology
"Midnight Hour" (1967) "California Soul" (1967) "Right On" (1970)
Official audio
"California Soul" on YouTube

Other recordings

• Nick Ashford released his own version in June 1968 on Verve 10599.^[1]
• The song was then issued as a single by American pop quintet the 5th Dimension in late 1968.
• The song was also covered by Motown vocal duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. It was Gaye's and Terrell's last single together when released in early 1970.
• A version appears on the 1970 studio album War & Peace by Edwin Starr (Gordy Records).^[2] Cash Box said that this version "glimmers with the special touch of a motor city arrangement and the vocal fuel ignited by this splendid team."^[3]
• Marlena Shaw recorded a version in 1969, which appears on her album The Spice of Life.^[4][5]
• Stone Throw Records recorded a version in 2021, which would later be included in the intro for the September 2021 Apple Event.^[6]

Chart performance

Both the 5th Dimension's version and the Gaye-Terrell version were modest chart hits. The 5th Dimension's performed better, reaching number 25 on the pop singles chart.^[7] Marvin and Tammi's cover was the B-side of "The Onion Song". The duo's version of "California Soul" reached number 50 pop but never charted on the US R&B chart.^[8] The duet was released after Terrell's death from a brain tumor in March 1970.

Credits

The 5th Dimension version

• All vocals by the 5th Dimension: Billy Davis Jr., Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson
• Written by Ashford & Simpson
• Produced by Bones Howe

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell version

• All vocals by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/ Valerie Simpson^[9])
• Written and produced by Ashford & Simpson
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers

Certifications and sales

Marlena Shaw version

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[10]	Gold	15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Sales since 2004	Gold	400,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.