King Of California
View chords used in this chart
[Intro] A
[Verse 1]
A
That hot Sunday in Texas
E D
Where I ate my tears for breakfast and drove out
A
Your silence really said it
E D
As I took that final exit out of town
[Pre Chorus]
A E D
Every once in a while through those Northern pines
See the light that I turned off come on again
[Chorus]
D
'Cause I've been born in the orange
Dm9
With the king of California, but no
A E F#m
Not even the sun compares to you
D
And I've been drowned in the sound of
Dm9
The Carolina mountains, but no
A E F#m
Not even the rain hits like you do
D
So what's the use?
Dm9
Can't change it now
A E F#m
But the should've, would've, could've gets so loud
D
So what's the use?
Dm9
I've kissed around
A
Oh, I've tried and I've tried
E F#m D Dm9
But the flame just won't go out
A
It won't go out
[Verse 2]
A
Left my heart there on the concrete
E D
There with all your dirty laundry and where were you?
Where were you?
A
I never did recover
E D
I just painted all those days in shades of blue
And where were you?
[Pre Chorus]
A E D
Every once in a while through those Northern pines
See the light that I turned off come on again
[Chorus]
D
'Cause I've been born in the orange
Dm9
With the king of California, but no
A E F#m
Not even the sun compares to you
D
And I've been drowned in the sound of
Dm9
The Carolina mountains, but no
A E F#m
Not even the rain hits like you do
D
So where do I-
Dm9
Do I go now?
A E F#m
Will I hate myself for not tracking you down?
D
Oh, we're not kids
Dm9
We're all grown now
A E F#m
You're the closest thing to heaven that I've found
D Dm9 A
So don't you let this flame burn out
[Verse 3]
A
Well, I think I might've lost it
E D
'Cause I just touched down in Austin on a one way
A E
And I bet that you're out drinking in the bar you used to live in
D A
Let's see if this thing's burning, first round's on me
How to play King Of 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 A. 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.