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California
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1/118
Sound:
Step 1 / 118Position: 1
1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open
The strum pattern is pretty basic. Although, Joey throws in some little inflections to the C chord
and he hits the high e string almost every other chord.
The entire song is played in the same fashion. It’s just back and forth with the thumb
and middle/ring fingers.
It is easier to play when holding the chords I have written.
Not sure if he is playing a Gor a G/D.
[Intro]
E|-F------0---------C------0------------F------0-------C------0---Am------------G/D--------C----------------|
B|---1---1-1---1-----1---1-1---1--------1---1-1-------1---1-1---1---1---1---3---3---1---1---1---1-|
G|---2-----2---2-----2-----0---0--------2-----2-------2-----0---0---2---2---0---0---0---0---0---0-|
D|---------------0h2----------------0h3-----------0h2---------------------------------------------|
A|-3---3-----3---------3-----3------------3-----3-------3-----3---0---0-----------3---3---3---3---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------3---3-------------------|
E|-C--------------------------|
B|---1---1-----1---1---1---1-|
G|---0---0-----0---0---0---0-|
D|-----2---2h3---2---0---2---|
A|-3-------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
The last part of the intro is used at the end of every chorus
[Chorus]
FCalifornia, California
CKnow I love you, California
AmWhen I leave, I know you wait for Gme
Cause in the sFun and in the weather
No one eClse has loved me better
AmCalifornia yGou're the place for Cme
[Verse 1]
FLos Angeles, Los Angeles
CMy heart goes out to you and if
AmI make it back I'd love to drive aroGund
Cause your sFtreets are wide and dirty
You'd have raCised me in a hurry
You’re the cAmity with the Gangels, yes indCeed
FSan Francisco, San Francisco
CAlways busy, you're always pretty
AmI can see you just across the Gbay
Your red bFridge over the sea
Keeps me sCafe and warm and free
On a cAmlear day, there's no pGlace I'd rather Cbe
FIn the mountains, in the mountains
CNo one knows you like I do
And sAmummer streams are knee deep in the sGnow
Just lFike the giving tree you have Cmade a man of me
Cause eAmveryone needs soGmeplace beautifCul
I think Ameveryone needs sGomeplace beautifuFl C
[Chorus]
FCalifornia, California
CKnow I love you, California
AmWhen I leave I know you wait for Gme
Cause in the sFun and in the weather
No one eClse has loved me better
AmCalifornia yGou're the place for Cme
[Verse 2]
FIn the valley, in the valley
CGive me life and cradle me
The Amsun is setting as I drive ahGead
So kFeep us and sustain us
Give us fCood and love and I trust
AmThat without you Gwe'd all soon be dCead
FIn the forest, all the trees
CYou make a little child of me
AmHow I long to know what you have sGeen
All the pFeople who are gone
And all the oCnes who once were strong
Oh wAmon't you keep their fGate from claiming Cme
FIn the oceans, in the sea
CWe have seen eternity
How Amcan I tell when you really eGnd
I iFmagine that you lead to other wCorlds entirely
Where Amwe can save ourseGlves and start agCain
Yes we Amneed to save ourseGlves and start agaFin C
[Chorus]
FCalifornia, California
AmKnow I love you, California
AmWhen I leave I know you wait for Gme
Cause in the Fsun and in the weather
No one eClse has loved me better
AmCalifornia yGou're the place for Cme
[Bridge]
Foooooooo Cooo ooo ooo ooo Amooooouuuuooo ooo Gooo
Foooooooo Cooo ooo ooo ooo Amooo ooo Gooo ooo Cooo ooo
End the bridge just like the chorus
[Verse 3]
So nFurse me like a mother
Raise me sCtrong just like my father
Let me Amwander off, discover who I Gam
I'll have lFearned your deepest lessons
Gathered Cup your finest blessings
AmReturn to CalifGornia once agaCin
Yes, I'll come Amhome to CaliGfornia once agFain C
[Chorus]
FCalifornia, California
CKnow I love you, California
AmWhen I leave I know you wait for Gme
Cause in the sFun and in the weather
No one eClse has loved me better
AmCalifornia yGou're the place for Cme
Yes CAmalifornia yGou're the place for Cme
CaliAmfornia won't you sGave a place for Fme?
[Outro]
E|-F------0---------C------0------------F------0-------C------0---Am------------G/D--------C----------------|
B|---1---1-1---1-----1---1-1---1--------1---1-1-------1---1-1---1---1---1---3---3---1---1---1---1-|
G|---2-----2---2-----2-----0---0--------2-----2-------2-----0---0---2---2---0---0---0---0---0---0-|
D|---------------0h2----------------0h3-----------0h2---------------------------------------------|
A|-3---3-----3---------3-----3------------3-----3-------3-----3---0---0-----------3---3---3---3---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------3---3-------------------|
E|-C--------------------------|
B|---1---1-----1---1---1---1-|
G|---0---0-----0---0---0---0-|
D|-----2---2h3---2---0---2---|
A|-3-------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
************************************
| h Hammer-on
************************************
All chords in this song (5)
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California
by Joey Ryan
Chords in this song · guitar
G
G/D
F
C
Am
The strum pattern is pretty basic. Although, Joey throws in some little inflections to the C chord
and he hits the high e string almost every other chord.
The entire song is played in the same fashion. It’s just back and forth with the thumb
and middle/ring fingers.
It is easier to play when holding the chords I have written.
G G/D
Not sure if he is playing a or a .
[Intro]
F C F C Am G/D C
E|-------0---------------0------------------0-------------0---------------------------------------|
B|---1---1-1---1-----1---1-1---1--------1---1-1-------1---1-1---1---1---1---3---3---1---1---1---1-|
G|---2-----2---2-----2-----0---0--------2-----2-------2-----0---0---2---2---0---0---0---0---0---0-|
D|---------------0h2----------------0h3-----------0h2---------------------------------------------|
A|-3---3-----3---------3-----3------------3-----3-------3-----3---0---0-----------3---3---3---3---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------3---3-------------------|
C
E|---------------------------|
B|---1---1-----1---1---1---1-|
G|---0---0-----0---0---0---0-|
D|-----2---2h3---2---0---2---|
A|-3-------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
The last part of the intro is used at the end of every chorus
[Chorus]
F
California, California
C
Know I love you, California
Am G
When I leave, I know you wait for me
F
Cause in the sun and in the weather
C
No one else has loved me better
Am G C
California you're the place for me
[Verse 1]
F
Los Angeles, Los Angeles
C
My heart goes out to you and if
Am G
I make it back I'd love to drive around
F
Cause your streets are wide and dirty
C
You'd have raised me in a hurry
Am G C
You’re the city with the angels, yes indeed
F
San Francisco, San Francisco
C
Always busy, you're always pretty
Am G
I can see you just across the bay
F
Your red bridge over the sea
C
Keeps me safe and warm and free
Am G C
On a clear day, there's no place I'd rather be
F
In the mountains, in the mountains
C
No one knows you like I do
Am G
And summer streams are knee deep in the snow
F C
Just like the giving tree you have made a man of me
Am G C
Cause everyone needs someplace beautiful
Am G F C
I think everyone needs someplace beautiful
[Chorus]
F
California, California
C
Know I love you, California
Am G
When I leave I know you wait for me
F
Cause in the sun and in the weather
C
No one else has loved me better
Am G C
California you're the place for me
[Verse 2]
F
In the valley, in the valley
C
Give me life and cradle me
Am G
The sun is setting as I drive ahead
F
So keep us and sustain us
C
Give us food and love and I trust
Am G C
That without you we'd all soon be dead
F
In the forest, all the trees
C
You make a little child of me
Am G
How I long to know what you have seen
F
All the people who are gone
C
And all the ones who once were strong
Am G C
Oh won't you keep their fate from claiming me
F
In the oceans, in the sea
C
We have seen eternity
Am G
How can I tell when you really end
F C
I imagine that you lead to other worlds entirely
Am G C
Where we can save ourselves and start again
Am G F C
Yes we need to save ourselves and start again
[Chorus]
F
California, California
Am
Know I love you, California
Am G
When I leave I know you wait for me
F
Cause in the sun and in the weather
C
No one else has loved me better
Am G C
California you're the place for me
[Bridge]
F C Am G
oooooooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooooouuuuooo ooo ooo
F C Am G C
oooooooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
End the bridge just like the chorus
[Verse 3]
F
So nurse me like a mother
C
Raise me strong just like my father
Am G
Let me wander off, discover who I am
F
I'll have learned your deepest lessons
C
Gathered up your finest blessings
Am G C
Return to California once again
Am G F C
Yes, I'll come home to California once again
[Chorus]
F
California, California
C
Know I love you, California
Am G
When I leave I know you wait for me
F
Cause in the sun and in the weather
C
No one else has loved me better
Am G C
California you're the place for me
Am G C
Yes California you're the place for me
Am G F
California won't you save a place for me?
[Outro]
F C F C Am G/D C
E|-------0---------------0------------------0-------------0---------------------------------------|
B|---1---1-1---1-----1---1-1---1--------1---1-1-------1---1-1---1---1---1---3---3---1---1---1---1-|
G|---2-----2---2-----2-----0---0--------2-----2-------2-----0---0---2---2---0---0---0---0---0---0-|
D|---------------0h2----------------0h3-----------0h2---------------------------------------------|
A|-3---3-----3---------3-----3------------3-----3-------3-----3---0---0-----------3---3---3---3---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------3---3-------------------|
C
E|---------------------------|
B|---1---1-----1---1---1---1-|
G|---0---0-----0---0---0---0-|
D|-----2---2h3---2---0---2---|
A|-3-------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
************************************
| h Hammer-on
************************************
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Lyrics and compositions © their respective songwriters and publishers. Free for personal practice.
About California Chords by Joey Ryan
Learn how to play California by Joey Ryan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “California chords”, “California guitar chords”, or “Joey Ryan 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 C, G, G/D, F, Am, E.
FAQ — California by Joey Ryan
How do I play "California" by Joey Ryan on guitar?
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Can I transpose "California" to a different key?
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?
Many players learn "California" by Joey Ryan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Joey Ryan below.
What key is "California" in?
The chords for "California" show the original chord names (including C, G, G/D, F, Am, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.