25 Songs That Define Los Angeles

    These are the songs that capture what it really feels like to live in L.A. — both the great and the not-so-great.

    1. The Mamas & The Papas, "California Dreaming"

    2. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Under the Bridge"

    3. The Kinks, "Celluloid Heroes"

    4. The Decemberists, "Los Angeles, I'm Yours"

    5. Guns N' Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"

    6. 2PAC, "To Live and Die in L.A."

    7. Rilo Kiley, "Let Me Back In"

    8. Bad Religion, "Los Angeles Is Burning"

    9. R.E.M., "Electrolite"

    10. Elliott Smith, "Angeles"

    11. Death Cab for Cutie, "Why You'd Want to Live Here"

    12. Ryan Adams, "Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd."

    13. People Under the Stairs, "The L.A. Song"

    14. Les Savy Fav, "Sleepless in Silverlake"

    15. Bran Van 3000, "Drinking in L.A."

    16. Lana Del Rey, "Off to the Races"

    17. Beck, "Hollywood Freaks"

    18. Best Coast, "The Only Place"

    19. Shawn Mullins, "Lullaby"

    20. Albert Hammond, "It Never Rains in Southern California"

    21. Tom Petty, "Free Falling"

    22. Terra Naomi, "The Vicodin Song"

    23. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, "Life in L.A."

    24. Dawes, "Time Spent in Los Angeles"

    25. Warren Zevon, "Desperados Under the Eaves"