California English
View chords used in this chart
This song can be played with open chords, but I think that it sounds much better played with barre
chords.
Also, if you watch a live performance, The band members play it with barre chords.
C C C
Wouldn’t ever gag you with a spoon, my only true love
C C C
Never really heard you speak that way, it’s unworthy of…
C C C
Funny how that little college girl called language corrupt
C C C
Funny how the other private schools had no Hapa Club
C C C
Someone took a trip before you came to ski in the Alps
C C C
Your father moved across the country just to sunburn his scalp
C C C
Contra Costa, Contra Mundum, contradict what I say
C C C F
Living like the French Connection, but we’ll die in LA
Em G C F
Blasted from a disconnected light switch
Em G C F
Through the condo that they’ll never finish
Em G C F
Bounced across a Saudi satellite dish
Em G C C C C
And through your brain to California English
C C C
No one sits inside a freezing flat and stays there ‘til May
C C C
Leafing through a stack of A-Zs to surf the UK
C C C
Waiting with the wind against your face and gel in your hair
C C C F
Shivering in little undershirts, but don’t seem to care
Em G C F
Blasted from a disconnected light switch
Em G C F
Through the condo that they’ll never finish
Em G C F
Bounced across a Saudi satellite dish
Em G C C C C
And through your brain to California English
G
Sweet carob rice cake
F C
She don’t care how the sweets taste
F
Fake Philly cheese steak
Em C
But she use real toothpaste
F
Cuz if that Tom’s don’t work
C
If it just makes you worse
F G C
Would you loose all of your faith in the good earth
F
And if it’s all a curse
C
And we’re just getting worse
F G C
Baby, please don’t lose your faith in the good earth
Em G C F
Blasted from a disconnected light switch
Em G C F
Through the condo that they’ll never finish
Em G C F
Bounced across a Saudi satellite dish
Em G C C C C
And through your brain to California English
How to play California English
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 C. 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.