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What Is Hip?

Time to cross over the Bay Bridge for a big dish of “East Bay Grease,” courtesy of the one-and-only Tower of Power and its fabled horn section.

All I Wanna Do

If, indeed, all you “wanna” do is have some fun, then we recommend you turn up Sheryl Crow’s breakthrough hit, which radiates with a warm California glow.

California Girls

No, this absolutely does not count as a second Beach Boys song on our list, because, um, we are going with the David Lee Roth cover version here. Yeah, that’s we’re doing. Honest.

California Gurls

We just love the juxtaposition of Katy Perry’s super dance number with the Beach Boys –uh, we mean David Lee Roth – favorite.

I Love

L.A.

OK, so Giants fans might not like hearing this one, which is played each time the home team wins at Dodger Stadium. But we just can’t imagine a proper California playlist without including Randy Newman’s amazing ode to the great city of Los Angeles.

(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay

As legend has it, Otis Redding began writing this beauty while on a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito. The result would be, for our money, the greatest song ever written about the Bay Area.

Pacific Ocean Blues

This memorable cut also does not count as a Beach Boys tune, since it hails from Dennis Wilson’s one –and, sadly, only –solo album.

Rockin’ Down the Highway

Is San Jose in the house?

You bet, thanks to this fantastic (and highly appropriate)

Doobie Brothers offering.

Tell Me When to Go

Time for a big dose of the East Bay’s hyphy sound, courtesy of rappers E-40 and Keak da Sneak. Enjoy responsible and please resist the urge to “ghost ride the whip.”

It Was a Good Day

Ice Cube delivers a tuneful travelogue through a day in the life of one young man living in Southern California. We’ve always thought of this song as a kind of hip-hop equivalent of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” But, then again, maybe we think too much (or not enough?).

Malibu

A lot of people forget just how fantastic Courtney Love and Hole were in back in the day. Let this shiny rocker serve as a reminder.

L.A.

Woman

This Doors classic kicks off a threesong adrenaline rush. So, watch your speedometer, because we know the foot can get a little heavy whenever Jim Morrison comes on.

Still in Hollywood

L.A. alt-rock outfit Concrete Blonde was at the top of its game when it recorded this blistering rocker, propelled by Johnette Napolitano’s soaring vocals and bass work, James Mankey’s muscular guitar leads and Harry Rushakoff’s explosive drumming.

Hollywood Nights

Leave it to the Midwest’s greatest rocker – Bob Seger – to come up with the ultimate song about Hollywood.

The Only Place Best Coast is, of course, referencing California.

(We just love how cocky this indie-pop act is about its home state.)

Streets of Bakersfield

You didn’t think we’d forget the country music fans, did you? Here’s a honkytonker from Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam, followed by an offering by one of the genre’s all-time greats.

A Friend in California

Merle Haggard was the man. And the Kern County native, who helped pioneer the fabled “Bakersfield sound,” possessed one of the finest voices in country music history. He delivered so many excellent songs over the decades, including this gem from the ‘80s.

California Uber Allies

Just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention, and not getting a bit sleepy or anything. This jolt of the Bay Area’s own Dead Kennedys will wake you right up.

Back in San Francisco

Yet another amazing pop song from South Bay songwriter Allen Clapp and his terrific Orange Peels.

Electrolite

Granted, we’ll look for pretty much any excuse to put R.E.M. on pretty much any list. But this gorgeous piano ballad for L.A. is nothing less than breathtaking.

Surfer Girl

OK, we lied. We couldn’t bear to only put one Beach Boys cut on the list. So, please accept our apology and enjoy this remarkably romantic treasure.