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California

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
|   C|   G|  Am|   F| x2
[Verse 1]
CEarly in the morning you'll reGmember all the words just riAmghtF  
If you Cnever want to be a silohGette you've got to find your liAmghtF  
Eh, Cfor forty days and fGorty nights
  AmYou lie awake, I Fknow you cry
But Cdreaming in your room isn't Gever going to get it doAmne
                 N.C.
Yeah, you got to walk before you run
[Chorus]
  CHey son, gGo to California
DaAmnce with the angels, dreFss how you wanna
  CAnyway, juGst like the river
StaAmrts with the raindrop, Fyou'll make it better
  CPapa said, son fiGght like the great ones
  AmKeep your chin tucked Fjust like I taught ya
  CAnyway, whGo said you can't go
  AmWhere you wanna? FCalifornia
[Inerlude]
|   C|   G|  Am|   F|
[Verse 2]
So Ccall me when your close and you Gfeel them city liAmghtsF  
Dont let the Cvoices in your head talk Gtoo, you know they tell you liAmesF  
Yeah, Cfor a hundred days, a Ghundred years, yeah
  AmThere'll be demons, yeah Fthere'll be fears
One Cday you're gonna look Gback how far you've goAmne
               N.C.
But you better walk before you run
[Chorus]
  CHey son, gGo to California
DaAmnce with the angels, dreFss how you wanna
  CAnyway, juGst like the river
StaAmrts with the raindrop, Fyou'll make it better
  CPapa said, son fiGght like the great ones
  AmKeep your chin tucked Fjust like I taught ya
  CAnyway, whGo said you can't go
  AmWhere you wanna? FCalifornia
[Post-Chorus]
    C      G       Am   FCalifornia
    C      G       Am   FCalifornia
COh, Goh, Amoh,   FCalifornia
COh, Goh, Amoh,   FCalifornia
[Bridge]
  CHey son, gGo to California
LiAmve with the angels lFove who you wanna
  CAnyway, yoGu know I'll miss ya
JuAmst like your mama caFll if you want to
  CAnytime, yGou need a hand now
  AmI'll be there now Fjust like I taught ya
  CAnyway, whGo says you can't go
  AmWhere you wanna? FCalifornia
[Chorus]
  CHey son, gGo to California
DaAmnce with the angels, dreFss how you wanna
  CAnyway, juGst like the river
StaAmrts with the raindrop, Fyou'll make it better
  CPapa said, son fiGght like the great ones
  AmKeep your chin tucked Fjust like I taught ya
  CAnyway, whGo says you can't go
  AmWhere you wanna? FCalifornia
[Post-Chorus]
COh, Goh, Amoh,   FCalifornia
COh, Goh, Amoh,   FCalifornia
COh, Goh, Amoh,   FCalifornia
COh, Goh, Amoh,   FCalifornia
[Outro]
|   C|   G|  Am|   F|

All chords in this song (4)

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California

by O.A.R.

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

C G Am F

| | | | | x2

[Verse 1]

C G Am F

Early in the morning you'll remember all the words just right

C G Am F

If you never want to be a silohette you've got to find your light

C G

Eh, for forty days and forty nights

Am F

You lie awake, I know you cry

C G Am

But dreaming in your room isn't ever going to get it done

N.C.

Yeah, you got to walk before you run

[Chorus]

C G

Hey son, go to California

Am F

Dance with the angels, dress how you wanna

C G

Anyway, just like the river

Am F

Starts with the raindrop, you'll make it better

C G

Papa said, son fight like the great ones

Am F

Keep your chin tucked just like I taught ya

C G

Anyway, who said you can't go

Am F

Where you wanna? California

[Inerlude]

C G Am F

| | | | |

[Verse 2]

C G Am F

So call me when your close and you feel them city lights

C G Am F

Dont let the voices in your head talk too, you know they tell you lies

C G

Yeah, for a hundred days, a hundred years, yeah

Am F

There'll be demons, yeah there'll be fears

C G Am

One day you're gonna look back how far you've gone

N.C.

But you better walk before you run

[Chorus]

C G

Hey son, go to California

Am F

Dance with the angels, dress how you wanna

C G

Anyway, just like the river

Am F

Starts with the raindrop, you'll make it better

C G

Papa said, son fight like the great ones

Am F

Keep your chin tucked just like I taught ya

C G

Anyway, who said you can't go

Am F

Where you wanna? California

[Post-Chorus]

C G Am F

California

C G Am F

California

C G Am F

Oh, oh, oh, California

C G Am F

Oh, oh, oh, California

[Bridge]

C G

Hey son, go to California

Am F

Live with the angels love who you wanna

C G

Anyway, you know I'll miss ya

Am F

Just like your mama call if you want to

C G

Anytime, you need a hand now

Am F

I'll be there now just like I taught ya

C G

Anyway, who says you can't go

Am F

Where you wanna? California

[Chorus]

C G

Hey son, go to California

Am F

Dance with the angels, dress how you wanna

C G

Anyway, just like the river

Am F

Starts with the raindrop, you'll make it better

C G

Papa said, son fight like the great ones

Am F

Keep your chin tucked just like I taught ya

C G

Anyway, who says you can't go

Am F

Where you wanna? California

[Post-Chorus]

C G Am F

Oh, oh, oh, California

C G Am F

Oh, oh, oh, California

C G Am F

Oh, oh, oh, California

C G Am F

Oh, oh, oh, California

[Outro]

C G Am F

| | | | |

About California Chords by O.A.R.

Learn how to play California by O.A.R. with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “California chords”, “California guitar chords”, or “O.A.R. 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, Am, F.

FAQ — California by O.A.R.

How do I play "California" by O.A.R. 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 O.A.R. with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by O.A.R. below.

What key is "California" in?

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