Tuning: Open E
[Chords]
E Esus4 F# A B C# D B6 D/A Asus4 E* Eadd11 F#* B* D/F#
E |-0---0----2--5--7--9--10--7--4---5-----4---5-----x---2---5---|
B |-0---0----2--5--7--9--10--9--0---5-----0---0-----7---4---7---|
G#|-0---1----2--5--7--9--10--7--3---6-----0---0-----5---3---6---|
E |-0---0----2--5--7--9--10--7--4---5-----0---0-----6---2---5---|
B |-0---2----2--5--7--9--10--7--0---7-----0---0-----7---0---7---|
E |-0---0----2--5--7--9--10--7--x---5-----0---0-----x---x---x---|
[Intro]
A E E Esus4 E Esus4
E|------------------------------------------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
B|-4h5p4-0-0---0--5--5-5--5-5---0----7------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
G#|-----------0----5--5-5--5-5-0----7---7----0--0-0-0-0-0-1-----0-1----|
E|----------------5--5-5--5-5------------7--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
B|----------------5--5-5--5-5---------------0--0-0-0-0-0-2-----0-2----|
E|----------------5--5-5--5-5---------------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
d u d u d d u d u d d u d u
[Verse]
E A F#
Sitting in a park in Paris France reading the news and it sure looks bad
B E
They won't give peace a chance, that was just a dream some of us had
E A F#
Still a lot of lands to see but I wouldn't want to stay here
B A
It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here
[Chorus]
A Asus4 E C#
Ah but California, California I'm coming home
A E B
I'm gonna see the folks I dig, I'll even kiss a sunset pig
B6 B E
California I'm coming home
[Riff]
D/A E* Eadd11 E* Esus4 E Esus4 E
E|-2h4p2-0---0-4-4-2p0-4-----5---4----0-----0-0-----0-|
B|---------0---0-------0-----0---0----0-----0-0-----0-|
G#|-------------3-------0-----0---0----1-----0-1-----0-|
E|-------------4-------0-----0---0----0-----0-0-----0-|
B|------------------------------------2-----0-2-----0-|
E|------------------------------------0-----0-0-----0-|
[Verse]
E A F#
I met a redneck on a Grecian isle, who did the goat dance very well
B E
He gave me back my smile but he kept my camera to sell
E A
Oh the rogue, the red red rogue, he cooked good omelettes and stews
F# B A
And I might have stayed on with him there, but my heart cried out for yo
[Chorus]
A Asus4 E C#
California, Oh California I'm coming home
A E B
Oh make me feel good rock and roll band, I'm your biggest fan
B6 B E
California I'm coming home
[Riff]
D/A E* Eadd11 E* Esus4 E Esus4 E
E|-2h4p2-0---0-4-4-2p0-4-----5---4----0-----0-0-----0-|
B|---------0---0-------0-----0---0----0-----0-0-----0-|
G#|-------------3-------0-----0---0----1-----0-1-----0-|
E|-------------4-------0-----0---0----0-----0-0-----0-|
B|------------------------------------2-----0-2-----0-|
E|------------------------------------0-----0-0-----0-|
[Bridge]
E F#* A E B*
Oh it gets so lonely When you're walking and the streets are full of strangers
F# A F#* D/F#
All the news of home you read just give you the blues
B* A Asus4
Just give you the blues
A E E Esus4 E Esus4
E|---------------------------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
B|-5--5-5--5-5---0----7------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
G#|-5--5-5--5-5-0----7---7----0--0-0-0-0-0-1-----0-1----|
E|-5--5-5--5-5------------7--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
B|-5--5-5--5-5---------------0--0-0-0-0-0-2-----0-2----|
E|-5--5-5--5-5---------------0--0-0-0-0-0-0-----0-0----|
d u d u d d u d u d d u d u
[Verse]
E A
So I bought me a ticket I caught a plane to Spain
F#
Went to a party down a red dirt road
B E
There were lots of pretty people there, reading Rolling Stone reading Vogue
A F#
They said how long can you hang around, I said a week maybe two
B A
Just until my skin turns brown and then I'm going home
[Chorus]
A Asus4 E C#
To California, California, I'm coming home
A E B
Oh, will you take me as I am, strung out on another man
B6 B E
California I'm coming home
[Riff]
D/A E* Eadd11 E* Esus4 E Esus4 E
E|-2h4p2-0---0-4-4-2p0-4-----5---4----0-----0-0-----0-|
B|---------0---0-------0-----0---0----0-----0-0-----0-|
G#|-------------3-------0-----0---0----1-----0-1-----0-|
E|-------------4-------0-----0---0----0-----0-0-----0-|
B|------------------------------------2-----0-2-----0-|
E|------------------------------------0-----0-0-----0-|
[Bridge]
E F# A E B
Oh it gets so lonely when you're walking and the streets are full of strangers
F# A E B
All the news of home you read, more about the war and the bloody changes
F# A E
Oh will you take me as I am, will you take me as I am
B F# A
Will you, will you take me as I am
E B F# A E B
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm, take me as I am ......
*************************
| h Hammer-on
| p Pull-off
*************************California chords and lyrics
Free chords for California by Joni Mitchell. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
Tuning: Open E [Verse] [Chorus] [Verse] [Chorus] [Bridge] [Verse] [Chorus] [Bridge] ************************* | h Hammer-on | p Pull-off *************************
California Chords by Joni Mitchell
Learn how to play California by Joni Mitchell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “California chords”, “California guitar chords”, or “Joni Mitchell 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 E, Esus4, F#, A, B, C#.
Frequently asked questions about California
How do I play "California" by Joni Mitchell on guitar?
Open the free chords for "California" by Joni Mitchell 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 Joni Mitchell free?
Yes. The chords for "California" by Joni Mitchell are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.
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 Joni Mitchell with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Joni Mitchell below.
What key is "California" in?
The chords for "California" show the original chord names (including E, Esus4, F#, A, B, C#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.