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California

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90BPM

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1/158

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 158Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Capo on 2 
He picks the chords and uses a funky fingering for the G chord throughout the song. But just strumming sounds
Not 100% sure of the chords between the 2nd and 3rd chorus...
All tabs are relative to the capo on the second fret.
[Intro]
e|-----------------------------------------------|
B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|
G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|
D|--0----------------------0---------------------|
A|---------------------3----------------------3--|
E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|
[Verse 1]
It was a Gbeer and a burger,
A converDsation and a kiss
That started a Emfire,
GLead to a night of holding each other Dclose
Through teardrops and deEmsire,
CTwo half broken people heading Amwest, 
Shared a motel Groom,
DKilled a little emptiEmness,
GMorning came too Csoon
On the Amway,
To CaliGfornia
[Chorus]
Can't you Chear CaliC/Afornia
Calling your Gname?
A siren's Csong once you C/Ahear it
Nothing is the Gsame,
Made Dancient Spaniards Emsail,
Made DGuthrie ride the Crail,
AmAhhh CaliGfornia
[Interlude]
e|------------|
B|----1-0---3-|
G|---0---0-2--|
D|--0---------|
A|------------|
E|-3----------|
[Verse 2]
That Ghighway to freedom
Became a Dsweet lost weekend 
For me and Emyou,
A Gdetour through the mountains up to DSanta Fe 
With nothing much to Emdo,
You Csaid you're starting over in AmLA,
Now that he's cut you Gloose,
I'm Dheading north of Emthere,
Don't know Gwhy she left that Cway,
I might land in Santa AmCruz,
CaliGfornia
[Chorus]
Can't you Chear CaliC/Afornia
Calling your Gname?
A siren's Csong once you C/Ahear it
Nothing is the Gsame,
Called DMarilyn MonEmroe,
Made Dminers rush for Cgold,
AmAhhh CalifGornia
[Bridge]
I Cknow a year has come and gone,
and Gthat you've probably moved on,
but Amgirl your memory won't go aDway,
I Cknow that this sounds crazy wrong,
but Gif you hear this song,
OcAmtober first meet me in Morro DBay
[Chorus]
Can't you Chear CaliC/Afornia
Calling your Gname?
A siren's Csong once you C/Ahear it
Nothing is the Gsame,
She's Dwhispering soft and Emlow
DCome and hold me Cclose,
AmAhhh CaliGfornia
[Outro]
GIn California
GCalifornia
e|-----------------------------------------------|
B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|
G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|
D|--0----------------------0---------------------|
A|---------------------3----------------------3--|
E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|
e|-----------------------------------------------|
B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|
G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|
D|--0----------------------0---------------------|
A|---------------------3----------------------3--|
E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|
e|-----------------------------------------------|
B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|
G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|
D|--0----------------------0---------------------|
A|---------------------3----------------------3--|
E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|
e|-----------------------------------------------|
B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|
G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|
D|--0----------------------0---------------------|
A|---------------------3----------------------3--|
E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|

All chords in this song (6)

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California

by Radney Foster

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

C/A

Capo on 2

He picks the chords and uses a funky fingering for the G chord throughout the song. But just strumming sounds

Not 100% sure of the chords between the 2nd and 3rd chorus...

All tabs are relative to the capo on the second fret.

[Intro]

e|-----------------------------------------------|

B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|

G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|

D|--0----------------------0---------------------|

A|---------------------3----------------------3--|

E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|

[Verse 1]

It was a beer and a burger,

A conversation and a kiss

That started a fire,

G D

Lead to a night of holding each other close

Through teardrops and desire,

C Am

Two half broken people heading west,

Shared a motel room,

D Em

Killed a little emptiness,

G C

Morning came too soon

On the way,

To California

[Chorus]

C C/A

Can't you hear California

Calling your name?

C C/A

A siren's song once you hear it

Nothing is the same,

D Em

Made ancient Spaniards sail,

D C

Made Guthrie ride the rail,

Am G

Ahhh California

[Interlude]

e|------------|

B|----1-0---3-|

G|---0---0-2--|

D|--0---------|

A|------------|

E|-3----------|

[Verse 2]

That highway to freedom

Became a sweet lost weekend

For me and you,

G D

A detour through the mountains up to Santa Fe

With nothing much to do,

C Am

You said you're starting over in LA,

Now that he's cut you loose,

D Em

I'm heading north of there,

G C

Don't know why she left that way,

I might land in Santa Cruz,

California

[Chorus]

C C/A

Can't you hear California

Calling your name?

C C/A

A siren's song once you hear it

Nothing is the same,

D Em

Called Marilyn Monroe,

D C

Made miners rush for gold,

Am G

Ahhh California

[Bridge]

I know a year has come and gone,

and that you've probably moved on,

Am D

but girl your memory won't go away,

I know that this sounds crazy wrong,

but if you hear this song,

Am D

October first meet me in Morro Bay

[Chorus]

C C/A

Can't you hear California

Calling your name?

C C/A

A siren's song once you hear it

Nothing is the same,

D Em

She's whispering soft and low

D C

Come and hold me close,

Am G

Ahhh California

[Outro]

In California

California

e|-----------------------------------------------|

B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|

G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|

D|--0----------------------0---------------------|

A|---------------------3----------------------3--|

E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|

e|-----------------------------------------------|

B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|

G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|

D|--0----------------------0---------------------|

A|---------------------3----------------------3--|

E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|

e|-----------------------------------------------|

B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|

G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|

D|--0----------------------0---------------------|

A|---------------------3----------------------3--|

E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|

e|-----------------------------------------------|

B|----1-0---3----0-1-0-------1-0---3----0-1-0----|

G|---0---0-2----0-----0-----0---0-2----0-----0---|

D|--0----------------------0---------------------|

A|---------------------3----------------------3--|

E|-3-----------0----------3-----------0----------|

About California Chords by Radney Foster

Learn how to play California by Radney Foster with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “California chords”, “California guitar chords”, or “Radney Foster California chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy California chords and for experienced players who want accurate California lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, B, D, A, E, Em.

FAQ — California by Radney Foster

How do I play "California" by Radney Foster on guitar?

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Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "California" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "California"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "California" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "California" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "California" in?

The chords for "California" show the original chord names (including G, B, D, A, E, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.