I'm Headin' For California
Encyclopedia
I'm Headin' For California is a 1944 song composed by Glenn Miller
and performed for radio broadcast. The song was released in 1946 as a 78 single by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke
. The song was Glenn Miller's last composition.
"I'm Headin' For California" was written by Glenn Miller with Arthur Malvin
, a member of the Crew Chiefs, copyrighted on September 21, 1944 and published by the Chappell Co., Inc.
The song was released as a 78 single, RCA Victor 20-1834, b/w "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke in 1946 and as an HMV 78, BD 5956, in the UK in 1947 b/w "Texas Tex". The recording appeared on the 1998 album Glenn Miller Orchestra: A Tribute to Tex Beneke and the 2001 release The Legendary Big Bands: Tex Beneke by Castle/Pulse.
The Billboard
issue of March 30, 1946 lists Glenn Miller and Arthur Malvin as the composers: "Mated is a pleasant plattering of 'I'm Headin' for California,' a rhythmic ditty with Arthur Malvin, the band's romantic voice, and the late maestro authored after the fashion of 'Chattanooga Choo Choo.'" The recording was reviewed in the Billboard Data and Reviews section: "An infectious rhythm ditty fashioned along the same lines as 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' and cut in crisp manner by the ex-G.I. gang now led by Tex Beneke, who is joined by the harmonies of the Crew Chiefs, a mixed crew, for this lively chant....It's spry syncopating with the throaty singing of Tex Beneke assisted by the finely blended voices of the Crew Chiefs."
The song was first performed by the dance band of the AAF orchestra and sung by Ray McKinley when Glenn Miller was in England in 1944. An aircheck of this performance was released on the 2010 Sounds of Yesteryear album Glenn's Travels.
The song is autobiographical. Glenn Miller lived in California during the filming of Sun Valley Serenade
in 1941. Glenn and his wife Helen bought a 55-acre ranch east of Los Angeles in Monrovia, Rancho Duarte, which had citrus groves. This was the location where Glenn Miller planned to live and raise his family.
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
and performed for radio broadcast. The song was released in 1946 as a 78 single by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke
Tex Beneke
Gordon Lee Beneke , professionally known as Tex Beneke, was an American saxophonist, singer, and bandleader. His career is a history of associations with bandleader Glenn Miller and former musicians and singers who worked with Miller. His band is also associated with the careers of Eydie Gorme...
. The song was Glenn Miller's last composition.
"I'm Headin' For California" was written by Glenn Miller with Arthur Malvin
Artie Malvin
Artie Malvin was a composer and vocalist who was the baritone member of The Crew Chiefs, and he also sang with Glenn Miller's band....
, a member of the Crew Chiefs, copyrighted on September 21, 1944 and published by the Chappell Co., Inc.
The song was released as a 78 single, RCA Victor 20-1834, b/w "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by the Glenn Miller Orchestra led by Tex Beneke in 1946 and as an HMV 78, BD 5956, in the UK in 1947 b/w "Texas Tex". The recording appeared on the 1998 album Glenn Miller Orchestra: A Tribute to Tex Beneke and the 2001 release The Legendary Big Bands: Tex Beneke by Castle/Pulse.
The Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
issue of March 30, 1946 lists Glenn Miller and Arthur Malvin as the composers: "Mated is a pleasant plattering of 'I'm Headin' for California,' a rhythmic ditty with Arthur Malvin, the band's romantic voice, and the late maestro authored after the fashion of 'Chattanooga Choo Choo.'" The recording was reviewed in the Billboard Data and Reviews section: "An infectious rhythm ditty fashioned along the same lines as 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' and cut in crisp manner by the ex-G.I. gang now led by Tex Beneke, who is joined by the harmonies of the Crew Chiefs, a mixed crew, for this lively chant....It's spry syncopating with the throaty singing of Tex Beneke assisted by the finely blended voices of the Crew Chiefs."
The song was first performed by the dance band of the AAF orchestra and sung by Ray McKinley when Glenn Miller was in England in 1944. An aircheck of this performance was released on the 2010 Sounds of Yesteryear album Glenn's Travels.
The song is autobiographical. Glenn Miller lived in California during the filming of Sun Valley Serenade
Sun Valley Serenade
Sun Valley Serenade is a 1941 musical film starring Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller, Milton Berle, and Lynn Bari. It features The Glenn Miller Orchestra as well as dancing by The Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge, performing "Chattanooga Choo Choo", which was nominated for an Academy...
in 1941. Glenn and his wife Helen bought a 55-acre ranch east of Los Angeles in Monrovia, Rancho Duarte, which had citrus groves. This was the location where Glenn Miller planned to live and raise his family.
Sources
- Way, Chris. The Big Bands Go To War. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK: Mainstream Publishing, 1991
- Billboard Magazine, March 30, 1946.