About the song
“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” is an iconic American pop song written by John Phillips and performed by Scott McKenzie. Released in May 1967, the track was produced by Phillips and Lou Adler, primarily as a promotional tool for the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, which was scheduled to take place in June of the same year. The song quickly captured the spirit of the era, becoming synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s, including the Hippie, Anti-Vietnam War, and Flower Power movements.
The song’s composition is notable for its straightforward, yet evocative lyrics that encourage listeners to embrace the peace and love ethos of the time. According to Paul Ingles of NPR, the song was written rapidly by Phillips in response to growing concerns from local authorities about the influx of hippies into Monterey. In just about 20 minutes, Phillips crafted a tune that would become a defining anthem of the Summer of Love.
The recording features a distinctive sound with McKenzie’s double-tracked vocals accompanied by John Phillips on guitar, Gary L. Coleman on orchestral bells and chimes, Joe Osborn on bass, and Hal Blaine on drums. The song’s charm and simplicity helped it become an immediate hit, reaching the number four position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Germany.
“San Francisco” not only served as a promotional piece but also became a powerful symbol of the era, influencing thousands of young people to converge in San Francisco and join the burgeoning counterculture movement. Its widespread popularity is evidenced by its impressive sales, with over seven million copies sold globally. The song has been featured in various films such as *Forrest Gump* and *The Rock*, and covered by artists including New Order and Michael Marshall. Its legacy endures as a quintessential anthem of the 1960s, capturing the essence of a transformative time in American history.
Video
Lyrics
If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people thereFor those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hairAll across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There’s a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motionFor those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in thereIf you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there