Wilco - California Stars (Live at Farm Aid 1998) 

who else is listening to this in 2024

Over the course of my life I've accumulated a handful of 'perfect' songs. The ones that no matter if I hear it on the radio, a playlist or in a store, I will stop, close my eyes and revel in the music. This is one of those songs.

This is like potato chips. You can't watch just one...every time I come here, I have to play it 10 times. And then once more, etc., etc., etc.

Jay Bennett was just loaded with talent. A shame he never really got to shine

One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard! And this is the best version of it I've found online.

They may not be in the Hall of Fame, but they are in my Hall of Fame. I miss California so.

I first heard this song, then bought the album, in Seattle in 1998 right before I decided to move to California. It might've helped me make the decision. I'm still here and eventually married the reason I made the move. This song means so much to me.

Love this song. Amazing performance 👏

Love you all from CD101. My hubby fixed your van one weird day in Columbus, OH

What an awesome song. I just discovered it today thanks to Spotify.

This is music at it's best. The music of Wilco and Billy Bragg; the poetry of Woody Guthrie and an impassioned delivery by the performers. Such a melody, such a song.

I love the simple chord changes and lovely, simple melody. Woody would be very pleased.

One of my all-time favorite songs.

Jay Bennet was awesome, so sad he departed the way he did from life and the band, classic Wilco lineup with Ken playing drums hard and heavy.

That is a perfect song , I’m having that at my funeral

Playing for the fourth time today. I’m on a plane and’ll be in Joshua Tree tonight. At the JT Inn naturally.

I'm from California, living in the Midwest now. Whenever I hear this song, I am transported back to the Anza Borrego desert, watching the full panorama of stars and getting high on how connected we all are as specs of matter amidst the vastness of the universe. And then I celebrate how lucky I am to be able to see Wilco every year when they swing through my adopted home, St. Louis.

Man....I miss the 90s

Makes me smile, being a native Californian.

THIS was Wilco. Right in the middle of their golden age. They were never the same without Ken & Jay. Fun days and great memories.

Over 20 years ago. Where did the time go, I still think of these guys as a "new" band :-D

Jay Bennett was such a great musician and perfect for this band. This is the Wilco lineup that mattered!

God we miss you Jay. :-(

i will never forget listening to this song for the first time

This is the best Wilco lineup ever.....

what a lineup. i love wilco, no matter the combination.

30 years came full circle in San Francisco. I will always love you. thanks for the memories.

The bass player has an infectious groove. Best version of a great song with a perfect amount of imperfection here or there

here I am slightly drunk again and smoking cigarettes again knowing it's time to call it a day and go to sleep but just repeating this song over and over again. not complaining, just saying.

Jeff Tweedy is an old soul..... love this song!!

While I was playing on the playground, watching the sunset in Holland, 2years old... Now I'm 21, realizing this, while listening to this beautiful perfomance

They hang like grapes, on vines that shine and warm a lovers glass. Saw Jeff Tweedy, solo, 20 k audience, everyone was mesmerized

I gotta watch this every night before i sleep

Thanks for this song...best ever.

Beautiful Touching SOng, SOund & Lyrics "So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars"...

Found this 'Wilco' after watching the film 'King of California.' Ideally, everyone who loves nature should watch and discuss that film. G'Day

I can't stop watching this video wow !

I always swap California Stars for San Franciscan Stars, it fits nicely and I'm such a San Franciscan LOVER!

Best live version of this song ever!!

Great singer, great song, and great songwriter: WOODIE GUTHRIE.

Mmm .. such a good song, a lot of memories .. I keep coming back to it.

I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel Your hand touching mine And tell me why I must keep working on Yes I'd give my life To lay my head tonight on a bed Of California stars I'd like to dream My troubles all away On a bed of California stars Jump up from my star bed Make another day Underneath my California stars They hang like grapes On vines that shine And warm the lovers' glass Like friendly wine So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel Your hand touching mine And tell me why I must keep working on Yes I'd give my life To lay my head tonight on a bed Of California stars I'd like to dream My troubles all away On a bed of California stars Jump up from my star bed Make another day Underneath my California stars They hang like grapes On vines that shine And warm the lovers' glass Like friendly wine So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars So I'd give this world Just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars

I agree with H. I love the beat, the style of music, etc.

What a nice tribute song to Cali. I love this happy little song.

Best Wilco lineup.

This song still gives me goose bumps.

My eyes were closed and I swear my ears heard Keith Richards playing on this greatness ......

Awww 🥰 his boys look so much like him here!!

the best version of california stars, thanks for sharring

Nothing against Nes Cline, but Bennett era Wilco (1995-2001)is really their peak. "Being there", "Summerteeth" , YHFT, Mermaid Avenue albums. So amazing.

Dear God; Please take excellent care of Jay Bennet Thanks from all earthlings

Great to see their audience. they deserve it

Man, Jeff and Jay getting along on stage and in studio...magic. Soon enough Jay would be the source of many a migraine. With just a slightly different set of personalities/problems we might have had many more years of great output

Love it, from Harlingen, Texas.👍

I miss Jay...He was soooo good.

One of my favorite songs by Wilco, and what a live performance!

So young! Soundtrack of my life

For the upthteent time. May I present,'Wilco'.

That guitar player makes that sound! It's so sweet.He's the only one I've heard make it besides Keith Richards.I've heard he's sadly passed on.That means that when Keith dies 100 years from now,we'll never hear it again.

Lyrics by Woody Guthrie!

Never ever ever get tired of this love love it so much

Hard to believe this wasn’t in the top 10 songs

I love this song

I heard this song live last night, one of my favorite songs ever

Just a perfect song played impeccably! Damn, I love Wilco..

This song makes me wanna drive up and all over the Golden State in a convertible with my favorite gal by my side, a fistfull of cash, and my troubles far far behind me in the rear view. And my dog in the backseat enjoying the ride, tongue hangin’out, wearing a sporty pair of Ray-Bans. When it happens, I’ll let yall know.

for my entire life, since I was 6 (when this song came out) i thought this was a beach boys song. I've been a Wilco fan for a looong time and I always thought that they had covered the beach boys version.... I had this whole romantic concept of this nostalgic beach boys version which was, the entire time... Wilco!!!

this song always makes me smile...

Really great. I heard this song so often on the radio in the late 90's and now I get to see it performed live. Thanks!

Wonderful!! Thank you so much for sharing! Kind Regards, Ron from Texas

My brother introduced me to Jeff Tweedy about 6-8 yrs ago. I've been to see Jeff once and Wilco once. Great shows great musicians and Jeff is a good story teller. There's a song One Sunday Morning that I hoped guys would sing and you didn't at either show. It's absolutely one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. I mean that. I will see you any time you come to Oregon. I just hope you guys do that song one of those visits. I do like your live performances a lot.

best version ever!

Coming to Ketchum, ID, on August 16th ~ it's awesome when your fav band comes to your fav hometown!

Love this version!😎👍✨✨✨

I'm from the jersey shore and have never seen any stars, let alone California stars. Until then I'll just have to dream a dream...

Love this song so much 💜 BTW I used to live in Wilco and these guys played Austin all the time. I used to see them play live every chance I got!!!

OMG I just heard this song for the first time on New girl, I love the song, I love his voice, the lyrics, can't believe I never heard it before, this video is 18 years old, just beautiful

Beautiful song !!!

Jeff Tweedy, dad fashion icon.

My ringtone!! ❤️❤️

Jay rocks!!! And yes I could see Keith playing this.

I will always associate this awesome song with the tv show Ray Donovan. When his father Micky is getting processed in jail this song played the whole time. Love this song.

forever Wilco!

Why didn't I ever give them a chance? Oh wow this is excellent. I researched Jeff Tweedy because of an Eric Church song Mr Misunderstood. Glad I did.

I dig this

heard this song on WXRT from chicago, love it

love love love!

I love these guys.

Rest in Peace Jay

Oh really Iisten to this every week or more. And it stays good

Awesome!

The harmonics Jay got out of that guitar made it sing. A master musician gone too soon.

Just great!!! 🤍

Great Song!

That drummer rules!

So good man

King of California movie brought me here great song great movie

Just chillin with a few cold ones at 2:15am..........oh yeah,,,,CA time under the fall season CA stars. Cheers!!!

Looks so young. So long ago.

Best live 🖤