In doing something a bit different in this article, we’re going to suggest some music to accompany your recreational indulgences while you’re riding around, walking through, or enjoying the myriad of nightlife in Woodland Hills. To that end, we’ve also divided the sections between songs that would be ideal when you’re taking in the natural surroundings and those that would be most fitting when you’re out-and-about with friends, looking for the perfect lively bar or bustling gastropub to spend a weekend evening in. Here is a list of top songs to listen to while in Woodland Hills.

Nature Selections

When taking in everything nature has to offer, the resulting ambiance can either be calm or evoke nostalgia…so the following suggestions can accompany a wide range of emotions.

“California,” by Joni Mitchell, was written by Mitchell herself and first appeared on her 1971 album Blue, the track was also released as the second single from the album as a follow-up to “Carey.” She wrote “California” while living in France, yet she longed for the creative climate she had experienced in the Golden State. In the song, she expresses the depth of this longing, despite considering herself a member of the counterculture. The lyrics tell of Mitchell’s time in France, a trip she took to Spain, and an excursion to a Greek island, and at the end of each story, she expresses her desire to be back in California in each location. According to author Larry David Smith, Mitchell uses the descriptions in “California” as a strategy to demonstrate “principles associated with the Earth Mother manifesto.”

On the surface, “Greek God,” by Conan Gray, literally talks about bullies and the narrator’s resolve not to be victimized by their actions – but take a deeper look, and you can see that he’s actually referring to an emotionally manipulative individual. As one of the five tracks on Gray’s highly anticipated EP Sunset Season, “Greek God” first made its debut in his first-ever headline tour Sunset Shows and was released on November 16, 2018, along with the song “Lookalike.” It discusses the infamous and nearly inescapable teenage experience of drama and two-faced friends.

John Phillips, leader of the Mamas and the Papas, was revered for his song “Topanga Canyon,” a track that came off his 1970 album John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of LA), and it does justice to the place many Woodland Hills’ residents call home. Nostalgia drips heavy from this one, which is often called one of the best songs Phillips ever wrote, with lyrics that refer to driving out to Topanga, parking a car in the sand, and heading down to a farmer’s market. This is a great track to kick back to when you’re seeking connection to the immediate San Fernando Valley area and everything it has to offer.

“Cold,” by Maroon 5, features American rapper Future and was released on February 14, 2017, as the second single from the band’s sixth studio album Red Pill Blues. The album’s deluxe version included the song, and it peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, with an official remix released on May 4, 2017, containing a verse from rapper Gucci Mane. Following the success of “Don’t Wanna Know,” which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, “Cold” talks about how to deal with relationships and breakups, the song released just in time for Valentine’s Day of its launch year along with its music video the next day.

“Halo,” by Beyoncé, was recorded for her third studio album, I Am…Sasha Fierce (2008) was intended to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the singer’s life, stripped of her glamorous makeup and celebrity trappings. As a pop and R&B power ballad, “Halo” and its lyrics describe a sublime love, the track featuring drum, piano, keyboard, string, synthesizer, and percussion instrumentation, and went on to receive positive reviews from music critics who made comparisons with 2007’s “Bleeding Love.” Its production and Beyoncé’s vocals also received critical praise.

“Old Me,” by Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer, was released on February 21, 2020, originally as the first promotional single from the group’s fourth studio album, Calm, before being released to radio on March 6 as the album’s fourth single. Awarded the “Anthem of the Year” accolade at the 2020 BreakTudo Awards, “Old Me” carries a youthful spirit and follows the narrative of a young person’s life growing up, for better or for worse. The lyrics suggest that every decision we make, whether right or wrong, has led us to the men we are proud to be today. Further, the song hints at the fact that they were thrown into the public eye at a young age and gratefully had each other at a confusing time – and that, ultimately, it’s important we look back to appreciate the journey we’ve been on together.

Nightlife Selections

When you’re glamming up for the evening, rocking that curve-hugging mini-dress, and towering stilettos for some after-dark fun with friends, the following songs offer quite the applicable accompanying soundtrack.

“California Gurls,” a collaboration between Katie Perry and Snoop Dogg, served as the lead single for Perry’s third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010), and features verses from Snoop Dogg meant to be an “answer” to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind.” Its midtempo production incorporates disco-pop and funk-pop with influences of new wave and electropop, the song’s lyrics representing an ode to the Golden State – in which both Perry and Dogg were born and raised. Between this and Dr. Dre/2Pac’s “California Love,” there’s no better way to get your West Coast groove on when hitting a night on the town in Woodland Hills.

“Phases,” by American-Canadian pop and R&B boy band PrettyMuch, based in Los Angeles, represents the group’s second single of 2019, following the release of “Blind” in January. This is PrettyMuch’s first “explicit” track, the band members claiming it is “real raw PrettyMuch,” though only three of the five members have been credited as lyricists for the song – Brandon, Zion, and Edwin. “Phases” is centered on the “phases” of the love interest of the band, who is the focus of the song and what she is going through; essentially, the girl being addressed is trying to find herself and is, apparently, in the process of being disregarded by the guys. However, they are enamored with her and have decided to “practice patience” – as in wait for the day when she finally submits to their overtures.

Considered a classic by many pop and rock music fans, “Californication” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers will definitely get your feet tapping as you move full steam ahead into Woodland Hills’ exciting nightlife scene. The song is mainly about the dark side of Hollywood that lies underneath LA’s sexy, glossy surface – the Chili Peppers may love the City of Angels. Still, they saw firsthand the effects the Hollywood lifestyle has on its inhabitants and the rest of the world. Peppers’ biggest hits, “Californication,” peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the Modern and Mainstream Rock charts.

“Stay,” by Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI is an upbeat anthem that tugs on the heartstrings, with both the Canadian and Australian stars longing for a love interest to…you guessed it…” stay.” The track is the latest release from The Kid LAROI’s EP, F*CK LOVE 3, scheduled to be the third and final chapter of his F*CK LOVE album series; essentially, “Stay” is a song apologizing to the singer’s significant other for all the horrible things he has done to her; however, he is like a broken record in saying this, being that he promised the same thing a hundred times before…that he will “be better.” Nevertheless, if modern, up-to-the-minute music along the lines of “The Bieber” is your thing, give “Stay” a try.

Another undisputed classic on our list, “I Love L.A.,” by Randy Newman, was initially released from his 1983 album Trouble in Paradise. It is all about Los Angeles, California; its hook line repeated each time an enthusiastic crowd cheers, “We Love It!” The song includes both upbeat and soft verses then transitions to a pop/rock-driven melody influenced by the sound of The Beach Boys. Following this musical shift, the lyrics depict Newman driving down Imperial Highway in LA, all while crooning about rolling down the windows and pulling back the top of his convertible as he feels the Santa Ana winds brush against him. This can definitely be a backdrop tune for your next night out in Woodland Hills!

Being that we mentioned it earlier, “California Love,” by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre, definitely deserves a spot on this list if for nothing but the way it has become a rallying cry for died-in-the-wool West Coasters. The song was released as 2Pac’s comeback single in 1995. It was his first single as the newest artist of Death Row Records. This remains as one of the late Tupac Shakur’s most widely known and most successful records, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks (as a double-A side single with “How Do U Want It”) and also topping the charts in Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden. The beat of “California Love” will have you bopping your head in a steady rhythm as you hit Woodland Hills’ nightlife circuit…even if you’re not a fan of hip hop.

Any holiday deserves a soundtrack, and LA is a town that buzzes with music. So whether you’re cueing up Spotify, loading a CD, or lugging around your vintage Walkman, the aforementioned tracks will provide a sonic backdrop to your adventures in Woodland Hills.