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California

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"California" (Petty)
From "She's the One"(1996)
Use a capo on the second fret.
[intro]:
C Csus2 C Csus2
[chorus]:
CCalifGornia's been Cgood to Fadd9me,
Chope it Gdon't fall iCnto the Fadd9sea.
CSometGimes you gotta tCrust youFadd9rself,
Amit ain't lGike Canywhere eFadd9lse,
Amit ain't lGike Canywhere eFadd9lse.
[verse]:
Cit's time to Groll, IC'm all Fadd9done,
Cit's time we bGetter Chit the Fadd9road.
CI got wGork lCater Fadd9on,
CIt's time we Gbetter Chit the Fadd9road.
[chorus]:
CCalifGornia's been Cgood to Fadd9me,
Chope it dGon't fall inCto the Fadd9sea.
CSometGimes you gotta sCave yourFadd9self,
Amit ain't lGike Canywhere eFadd9lse,no,
Amit ain't lGike Canywhere eFadd9lse.
[harmonica break]:
C G C Fadd9 C G C Fadd9
C G C Fadd9 Am G C Fadd9
Am G C Fadd9
[verse]:
CsundGown, rCed sFadd9kies,
CnobGody's Cbeen aFadd9round,
CsundGown, Cblue Fadd9eyes,
CI kinda Glike this Cpart of Fadd9town.
[chorus]:
CCalifGornia has tCreated me Fadd9good  (California's been good to me!)
CI pray to gGod that the hCills don't Fadd9flood (Hope it don't fall into the sea!)
CsometGimes you gotta trCust yourFadd9self (sometimes you gotta trust yourself)
AmIt aint lGike Canywhere Fadd9else (sometimes you gotta save yourself)
AmIt ain't lGike Canywhere Fadd9else (ain't like anywhere else)
[harmonica outro]:
C G C F C G C

All chords in this song (6)

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California

by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

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

Chords in this song · guitar

Csus2

Fadd9

"California" (Petty)

From "She's the One"(1996)

Use a capo on the second fret.

[intro]:

C Csus2 C Csus2

[chorus]:

C G C Fadd9

California's been good to me,

C G C Fadd9

hope it don't fall into the sea.

C G C Fadd9

Sometimes you gotta trust yourself,

Am G C Fadd9

it ain't like anywhere else,

Am G C Fadd9

it ain't like anywhere else.

[verse]:

C G C Fadd9

it's time to roll, I'm all done,

C G C Fadd9

it's time we better hit the road.

C G C Fadd9

I got work later on,

C G C Fadd9

It's time we better hit the road.

[chorus]:

C G C Fadd9

California's been good to me,

C G C Fadd9

hope it don't fall into the sea.

C G C Fadd9

Sometimes you gotta save yourself,

Am G C Fadd9

it ain't like anywhere else,no,

Am G C Fadd9

it ain't like anywhere else.

[harmonica break]:

C G C Fadd9 C G C Fadd9

C G C Fadd9 Am G C Fadd9

Am G C Fadd9

[verse]:

C G C Fadd9

sundown, red skies,

C G C Fadd9

nobody's been around,

C G C Fadd9

sundown, blue eyes,

C G C Fadd9

I kinda like this part of town.

[chorus]:

C G C Fadd9

California has treated me good (California's been good to me!)

C G C Fadd9

I pray to god that the hills don't flood (Hope it don't fall into the sea!)

C G C Fadd9

sometimes you gotta trust yourself (sometimes you gotta trust yourself)

Am G C Fadd9

It aint like anywhere else (sometimes you gotta save yourself)

Am G C Fadd9

It ain't like anywhere else (ain't like anywhere else)

[harmonica outro]:

C G C F C G C

About California Chords by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Learn how to play California by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “California chords”, “California guitar chords”, or “Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers 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, Csus2, G, Fadd9, Am, F.

FAQ — California by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

How do I play "California" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on guitar?

Open the free chords for "California" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "California" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers free?

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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 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers below.

What key is "California" in?

The chords for "California" show the original chord names (including C, Csus2, G, Fadd9, Am, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.