California Dreamer
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Em
D C Em
California dreamer
D C Em
Tell me why did you go?
D C B Em
I carved your ever fading figure
D C B Em
Into the ever dying snow
Am G#aug Em
I'll be around, I'll be around, I'll be around
Am G#aug Em
Like a teenager in town
Am G#aug Em
Where all the other young lovers are found
Em D C G
And I think I mighta heard you on the radio
Am B Em
But the radio waves were like snow
Em
D C Em
And you were dreaming of Los Angeles
D C Em
While I was singing songs you wrote
D C B Em
You quietly gave away the winter clothes I made for you
D C B Em
While I made angels in the snow
Am G#aug Em
I would have left if you just asked me to
Am G#aug Em
Or come to me before the preacher
Am Ab
Now you're a survivor
Em D C G
And I just thought I mighta heard you on the radio
Am B Em
But the radio waves were like snow
Em D C G
I thought I mighta heard you on the radio
Am B Em
But the radio waves were like snow
Am Em
Do the young stay pretty?
B C
Do the pretty stay quick?
G Am C
You know, but you never surrender
Em D C G
The city doesn't belong to you anymore
Am B Em
California dreamer
Em
Em
You dream of seasons that never die
You go to oceans that never touch the ice
You dream of seasons that never die
You go to oceans that never touch the ice
You dream of seasons that never die
You go to oceans that never touch the
I surrender, the city to slender
Creatures getting younger and younger
Em D C G
And I think I mighta heard you on the radio
Am B Em
But the radio waves were like snow
Em D C G
Oh I think I mighta heard you on the radio
Am B Em
But the radio waves were like snow
Am Em
Do the young stay pretty?
B C
Do the pretty stay quick?
G Am C
You know, but you never surrender
Em D C G
The city doesn't belong to you anymore
Am B Em
California dreamer
Am G#aug Em
I'll be around, I'll be around, I'll be around
Am G#aug Em
Like a teenager in town
Am G#aug G C
With all the other young lovers their mothers may have found
Am G#aug Em
California dreamer
Em
How to play California Dreamer
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 Em. 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.