A pastiche of Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Larry Williams, the composition is recorded in a high-energy rock and roll style, with lead vocals by both Wood and Jeff Lynne, who were at the time jointly leaders of both the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and The Move.

None of the Move's albums included the song in their original release; however, it does appear as a bonus track on the reissue of Message from the Country.

"[4] A live vocal performance of the song survives from a 22 June 1972 repeat episode of BBC's Top of the Pops.

"California Man" was later covered by Cheap Trick, who included it on their 1978 album Heaven Tonight and also released it as a single that year to follow up "Surrender".

[8][9] Cash Box praised its "pounding rock 'n' roll beat and excellent guitar work by Rick Nielsen.

Ryan Roxie has covered the song as well on the 2018 album Imagine Your Reality with Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander adding a guest vocal appearance.