www.aadet.com

Site Search:

I Love You, California

history

"I Love You, California" is the official state song of California. The lyrics were written by F. B. Silverwood, a Los Angeles, California merchant and the words were subsequently put to music by Alfred F. Frankenstein, a former conductor for the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. It was the official song of expositions held in San Francisco and San Diego in 1915, and was played aboard the first ship to go through the Panama Canal. In 1951, the State Legislature passed a resolution designating it as California's state song. During the years following, several attempts were made to make other songs such as "California, Here I Come" the official state song, especially due to the fact that "California, Here I Come" is widely known while " I Love You, California" is known by few people at present. Finally, in 1988, "I Love You, California" became the official state song by law. (Source: California State Library)

California State Code states 421.7. "I Love You, California," a song published in 1913 with lyrics by F.B. Silverwood and music by A.F. Frankenstein, is the official state song.

It is most heard when played at funerals of former Governors of California, most recently at the funeral of Ronald Reagan.

---