Californ
View chords used in this chart
[Intro ]
D G Em7 A7
[Verso 1]
D
Well Californ-i-a
G
Is how she says California
Em7
Cape Town
A7
Is how I say Cape Town
[Verso 2]
D
She has a Hollywood twang
G
She picked it up from the movies
Em7
I know some neighbourhood slang
A7
I picked it up in school
[Ponte]
Em9 Em7
Oh it's so very cool and exotic
Em9 A7
So very cool and yeah
[Verso 3]
D
She says her father's the man
G
A gun slinger if you've seen one
Em7
He has a lifetime ban
A7
From five American states
[Verso 4]
D
He drives a big black sedan
G
He takes it to and from the workplace
Em7
An All-American man
A7
With All-American taste
[Ponte]
Em9
Oh it's so very cool and
Em7
So cool and
Em9 A7
So cool and yeah
Em9 Em7
Ba ba ba ba ba ba
Em9 Em7
Ba ba ba ba ba
Em9 Em7
Ba ba ba ba ba ba
Em9 Am7
Ba ba ba ba ba
Em9
Well lik a darter out there
Em7
Sunning itslf on a rock
She's got her arms outstretched
Em9
Like a pack-a-day smoker
Em7
Starting and trying to stop
I get taken in
Em9
Like a martyr out there
Em7
Dying for some kind of cause
Em9
She's got her arms outstretched so wide,
A7
So wide
[Verso 5]
D
Well Californ-i-a
G
Is how she says California
Em7
Nieu-Bethesda
A7
Is how I say Nieu-Bethesda
[Verso 6]
D
She has a Hollywood twang
G
She picked it up from the movies
Em7
I know some neighbourhood slang
Am7
I know some neighbourhood slang
Em9
I know some neighbourhood slang
How to play Californ
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.