California
View chords used in this chart
[Intro: ]Am C G D
Verse 1
Am C G
Well, he was from a small town
D
In Northern Mississippi
Am C G
She was raised on the Puget Sound
D
A third generation hippie
Am C G
Fate would take them to L.A. County
D F
And get 'em stuck in a traffic jam
D7
An El Camino and a red Trans Am
Am C G D
Verse 2
Am C G
Her stereo was blaring Dylan
D
The Bootleg Sessions
Am C G
And, oh, The Times They Are A'Changin'
D
Made a pretty good impression
Am C G
She looked over and caught him smilin'
D F
Under a California setting sun
D7
They fell in love on the 101
[Refrão]
Am G D F
California, California
Am G D
California dreams come true
Verse 3
Am C G
Well, they got in with the In-crowd
D Am
And got off on the rock 'n' roll
C G
Cocaine's free and the music's loud
D Am
Backstage at the Hollywood Bowl
C G
They got the house in Topanga Canyon
D F
They partied at the Viper Room
D7
Blendin' into the neon gloom
Chorus (2X)
Bridge:
F
Well, you see them down on the Sunset Strip
G
Trying so hard to be so hip
F
Manhattan Beach to Malibu
G
It's all about the ocean view
F
And who you know in Hollywood
G
It's cut-throat but it's understood
F
Champagne, Kool-Aid, drink it down
D7
You're the toast of Tinsel Town…
Chorus (2X)
(guitar solo through repeats of the Am C G D cadence)
How to play California
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 Am. 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.