Katy Perry - California Gurls Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to E key to play this song with easier chords.
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar F chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Am chord diagram
[Opening]
[C]I [F]know a [G]place [Am]where the [C]grass is really [F]gr[G]eener[Am]
[C] [F]Warm, wet and [G] [Am]wild there must be [C]something in the [F] [G]water[Am]
[C] [F]Sipping gin and [G]juice [Am]laying [C]underneath the [F]palm [G]trees [Am]
The [C] [F]boys break their [G]necks [Am]trying to [C]creep a [F]little sneak [G]peek [Am]
[chorus]
[G]You could travel the [Am]world, but [F]nothing comes close to the golden coast
[G]Once you party with [Am]us, you’ll be [F]falling in love oh Ohohohohoh
[chorus]
[C] [F]California [G]girls, we’re [Am]unforgettable
[C]Daisy[F]Dukes, bik[G]inis on[Am]top
[C]Sun-kissed[F]skin, so hot[G]will melt your[Am]popsicle
[C]Ohoho[F]hoh[G]oh,[Am]
[verse 2]
[C] [F]California [G]girls, we’re [Am]undeniable
[C]Fine, fresh,[F]fierce, we go[G]t it[Am]on lock
[C]West coast [F]represent, now [G]put your[Am]hands up
[C]Ohohohoho[F]h, oh O[G]hohohoh[Am]oh
[verse 3]
[C]Sex [F]on a [G]beach [Am]we get [C]sand in our [F]sti[G]lettos[Am]
We [C]freak [F]in my jeep [G] [Am]Snoop Doggy [C]Dogg on the [F]st[G]ereo[Am]
[chorus]
[G]You could travel the [Am]world, but [F]nothing comes close to the golden coast
[G]Once you party with [Am]us, you’ll be [F]falling in love oh Ohohohohoh
[chorus]
[C] [F]California [G]girls, we’re [Am]unforgettable
[C]Daisy[F]Dukes, bik[G]inis on[Am]top
[C]Sun-kissed[F]skin, so hot[G]will melt your[Am]popsicle
[C]Ohoho[F]hoh[G]oh,[Am]
[Closing]
Toned, tan, fit and ready, turn
it up cause its gettin’ heavy
Wild wild west coast, these are the girls I love the most
I mean the ones, I mean like she’s the
one, kiss her, touch her, squeeze her buns
The girls a freak, she drives a jeep the men on the beach,
I’m okay, I won’t play, I love the bay Just like I love LA
Venice Beach and Palm Springs summer time is everything
Come on boys, hanging out all that ass hanging out
Bikinis, tankinis, martinis, no
weenies just to get in betweeny
Katy my lady (yeah) you looking here baby (uh huh)
I’m all up on you cause you representing California
[chorus]
[C] [F]California [G]girls, we’re [Am]unforgettable
[C]Daisy[F]Dukes, bik[G]inis on[Am]top
[C]Sun-kissed[F]skin, so hot[G]will melt your[Am]popsicle
[C]Ohoho[F]hoh[G]oh,[Am]
How to play California Gurls on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Katy Perry - California Gurls on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 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 Gurls uses these transitions most often: G → Am (32), F → G (30), and C → F (28). 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 C - F chord transition.
1. C → F chord transition
To move from C to F;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
2. F → G chord transition
To move from F to G;
- While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
3. G → Am chord transition
To move from G to Am;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 2.
4. Am → C chord transition
To move from Am to C;
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
5. Am → F chord transition
To move from Am to F;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
California Gurls chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in California Gurls.
- California Gurls includes 123 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- California Gurls contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how California Gurls connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
- F → C: 40%
- F → G: 21%
After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).- G → Am: 13%