For those who come to San Francisco/
Summertime will be a love-in there.

San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) is a beautifully sung song by Scott McKenzie and would be his only hit. This was another song from the summer of 1967. “San Francisco” was written by John Phillips, of the Mamas and the Papas, who would have a huge career.

Papa John was a bit of a Utopian, and he saw a lot of hope in California and the hippy movement of the 1960s. He explored this theme in many of his songs, including two others in the top 500. Come to San Francisco, you’ll find love and acceptance and gentle people. Those were his ideals.

The Mamas & Papas are one of the greatest bands of all times, and it is a shame they never recorded this song. It is not clear why Papa John gave this song to McKenzie. McKenzie was not completely a one hit wonder, he did co-write The Beach Boys hit “Kokomo”.

San Francisco Lyrics

If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation
Such a strange vibration
People in motion
There’s a whole generation
With a new explanation
People in motion
People in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

Songwriters: John Edmund Andrew Phillips