Originally Posted by Chula Vista

Going to California needs to be listened to sandwiched between Four Sticks and Levee. It's like the perfect palate cleanser between two incredibly heavy tracks.

Zeppelin loved Boston, New York, and Chicago, but LA (and Hollywood) was their hands down favorite place to hang and play in the US. In 7 years Zep played the LA Forum 16 times and most of the shows were killer. Two of their absolute best boots (Live on Blueberry Hill - 1970 and Listen to this Eddie - 1977) are from the Forum.

They were also HUGE HUGE fans of Joni Mitchell and had hung with her at her place in Laurel Canyon. GTC was written while Page and Plant were staying at a cottage in Wales that had no electricity or running water. Plus, flower power was still a big thing back in 1970.

Joni Mitchell + no plumbing or electricity + out in the sticks + longing to be back in LA + acoustic instruments = Going to California. Maybe the most organic and naked tune the band ever recorded.