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California

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Intro: F#m  
I remF#member I was in the tanning salon,
When I hBmeard that River Phoenix was gone.
They sEay that only the good die young,
But F#mthat ain't true where I come from:
CaliBmforniC#a, CaliF#mfornia.
Chorus:
It took a F#mlot for me Eto sBmay,C#  
I wanna F#mwalk away EL.BmA.,C#  
From the sF#mharks and the chEardonnBmay,
C#In CaliF#mforniEa,   Bm  C#in CaliF#mfornia.
F#mFour in the morning, we were in our beds,
The sBmwaying palm trees above our heads
Woke Eup to the primal rumbling sound,
When the NF#morthridge quake ripped open the ground,
CalifBmorniC#a, CalifF#mornia.
Chorus:
It took a F#mlot for me Eto sBmay,C#  
I wanna F#mwalk away EL.BmA.,C#  
From the sF#mharks and the chEardonnBmay,
C#In CaliF#mforniEa,   Bm  C#in CaliF#mfornia.
Bridge:
F#mGolden State, I'm back in the Golden State,
C#mGolden State of mind.
F#mGolden State, I'm back in the Golden State,
C#mGolden State of mind.
  F#m    C#mx 2
Chorus:
It took a F#mlot for me Eto sBmay,C#  
I wanna F#mwalk away EL.BmA.,C#  
From the sF#mharks and the chEardonnBmay,
C#In CaliF#mforniEa,   Bm  C#in CaliF#mforniEa.Bm  C#  
    F#mWalk, EwalkBm, walk awC#ay.
    F#mWalk, EwalkBm, walk awC#ay.
F#m  E  Bm  C#
I remF#member I was in the tanning salon,
When I hBmeard that River Phoenix was gone.

All chords in this song (5)

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California

by Belinda Carlisle

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

C#m

F#m

Intro:

F#m

I remember I was in the tanning salon,

When I heard that River Phoenix was gone.

They say that only the good die young,

F#m

But that ain't true where I come from:

Bm C# F#m

California, California.

Chorus:

F#m E Bm C#

It took a lot for me to say,

F#m E Bm C#

I wanna walk away L.A.,

F#m E Bm

From the sharks and the chardonnay,

C# F#m E Bm C# F#m

In California, in California.

F#m

Four in the morning, we were in our beds,

The swaying palm trees above our heads

Woke up to the primal rumbling sound,

F#m

When the Northridge quake ripped open the ground,

Bm C# F#m

California, California.

Chorus:

F#m E Bm C#

It took a lot for me to say,

F#m E Bm C#

I wanna walk away L.A.,

F#m E Bm

From the sharks and the chardonnay,

C# F#m E Bm C# F#m

In California, in California.

Bridge:

F#m

Golden State, I'm back in the Golden State,

C#m

Golden State of mind.

F#m

Golden State, I'm back in the Golden State,

C#m

Golden State of mind.

F#m C#m

x 2

Chorus:

F#m E Bm C#

It took a lot for me to say,

F#m E Bm C#

I wanna walk away L.A.,

F#m E Bm

From the sharks and the chardonnay,

C# F#m E Bm C# F#m E Bm C#

In California, in California.

F#m E Bm C#

Walk, walk, walk away.

F#m E Bm C#

Walk, walk, walk away.

F#m E Bm C#

F#m

I remember I was in the tanning salon,

When I heard that River Phoenix was gone.

About California Chords by Belinda Carlisle

Learn how to play California by Belinda Carlisle with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “California chords”, “California guitar chords”, or “Belinda Carlisle 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 F#m, Bm, E, C#, A, C#m.

FAQ — California by Belinda Carlisle

How do I play "California" by Belinda Carlisle 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?

Many players learn "California" by Belinda Carlisle with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Belinda Carlisle below.

What key is "California" in?

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