Roy Orbison - California Blue Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar A chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar A7 chord diagram
[Opening]
Working all [D]day and the sun don’t [G]shine
Trying to get [A]by and I’m just killing [D]time
I feel the [D]rain fall the whole night [G]through
Far away from [Em]you, [A7]California [D]blue
[chorus]
California [G]blue dreaming all a[D]lone
Nothing else to [A7]do California [D]blue
Everyday I [G]pray I’ll be on my [D]way
Saving love for [A7]you California [D]blue
[verse 2]
[A7]One sunny day, I’ll get [D]back again
[G]Somehow, some[A]way, but I [D]don’t know when
California [A]blue, California [D]blue
Living my [D]life with you on my [G]mind
Thinking of [A]things that I left far be[D]hind
It’s been so [D]long doing all I can [G]do
To get back to [Em]you, [A]California [D]blue
[chorus]
California [G]blue, (California blue)
Dreaming all a[D]lone (California blue)
Nothing else to [A]do, (California blue), California [D]blue
Everyday I [G]pray, I’ll be on my [D]way
Saving love for [A7]you California [D]blue
[verse 3]
[A7]One sunny day, I’ll get [D]back again
[G]Somehow, some[A]way, but I [D]don’t know when
California [A]blue, California [D]blue
[Closing]
Still missing [Em]you, [A]California [D]blue
Still missing [Em]you, [A]California [D]blue
Still missing [Em]you, [A]California [D]blue
How to play California Blue on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Roy Orbison - California Blue on guitar requires 5 chords and 8 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
California Blue uses these transitions most often: A → D (11), D → G (10), and A7 → D (6). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with D - G chord transition.
1. D → G chord transition
To move from D to G;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
2. G → A chord transition
To move from G to A;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 2.
3. A → D chord transition
To move from A to D;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 2 to fret 3.
4. G → Em chord transition
To move from G to Em;
- While playing G, lift your index finger from A string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
5. Em → A7 chord transition
To move from Em to A7;
- While playing Em, lift your ring finger from D string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 2.
- Place index finger on D string fret 2.
6. A7 → D chord transition
To move from A7 to D;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from B string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on B string fret 3.
7. Em → A chord transition
To move from Em to A;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
- Place index finger on D string fret 2.
8. D → Em chord transition
To move from D to Em;
- While playing D, lift your index finger from G string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
California Blue chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in California Blue.
- California Blue includes 53 chord transitions, 8 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- California Blue contains 3 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how California Blue connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).
- D → G: 29%
- D → A: 17%
After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).- A → D: 29%