In April 2017, as part of a charity fundraiser that John Darnielle’s bowling team participated in, he offered to release a couple of never-before-heard songs, including California Jam:
[Spoken intro]
Here we go. The uh, California Jam
One two three and
[Verse 1]
Helicopter in from Los Angeles
Land in Ontario
There's guys with cameras
"Hey you
Can I get a quick interview?"
Beat-up stretch limousine to the speedway
In the baking sun
Stay high all day
Take to the stage
Lords of the age
[Chorus]
Drums rolling like buffalo down the plain
And I am an oncoming train
Me and the ghosts of Birmingham
Me and the ghosts of Birmingham
[Verse 2]
Light rigging overhead, rainbow behind
And the cloudless sky
And the infinite distances in my mind
Arms in the air
Sun in my hair
Rise like dancers, stick the landing
Feel kind of beautiful
Everybody here is beautiful
That's just how I feel
And it's real
[Chorus]
Drums rolling like buffalo down the plain
And I am an oncoming train
Me and the ghosts of Birmingham
Me and the ghosts of Birmingham
California Jam was written by John Darnielle.
California Jam was produced by Scott Solter.
The Mountain Goats released California Jam on Fri Oct 06 2017.