“California Dreamin'” is The Mamas & The Papas’ 1965 breakthrough and one
of the defining records of the folk-rock era. The opening psychedelic lick is
among the most recognizable four bars in popular music, and the song underneath
it sits comfortably in open-chord territory.
A capo on the fourth fret puts you in the key of the record. The chord changes
come quickly – often two or three per line. Fortunately, every shape is one you most likely know already. Let’s dive in!
The Chords You’ll Need
Chord Chart
Intro Tab (optional) Am E7sus4 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + e|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|0---------------| B|----0---3--1--0--|-----------------|----------------|0---------------| G|--2--------------|--------%--------|--------%-------|2---------------| D|2----2-----------|-----------------|----------------|0---------------| A|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|2---------------| E|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|0---------------| triplets Intro Chords Am E7 Verse 1 E7 Am G F All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown) G E7 E And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey) F C E7 Am I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) F E7 E On a winter's day (On a winter's day) Am G F I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm) G E7 E If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.) Am G F California dreamin' (California dreamin') G E E7 On such a winter's day Verse 2 Am G F Stopped into a church G E E7 I passed along the way G Am G Am Well, I got down on my knees (Got down on my knees) E E7 E And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray) Am G F You know the preacher likes the cold (Preacher likes the cold) G E E7 E He knows I'm gonna stay (Knows I'm gonna stay) Am G F California dreamin' (California dreamin') G Am E On such a winter's day Break (instrumental) Verse 3 E7 Am G F All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown) G E7 E And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey) F C E7 Am I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk) F E7 E On a winter's day (On a winter's day) Am G F If I didn't tell her (If I didn't tell her) G E7 E I could leave today (I could leave today) Am G F California dreamin' (California dreamin') Outro G Am G F On such a winter's day California dreamin' G Am G F On such a winter's day California dreamin' G Am G F On such a winter's day California dreamin' G Am On such a winter's day . . .
About the lines in parentheses
The phrase in parentheses at the end of each line is the answering harmony vocal. In other words, the lead sings the line, the group echoes it back. The chords keep moving
underneath both halves, so play straight through. Many of the chord changes
actually land during the echo.
About the capo
The record sits in C♯ minor. A capo on the fourth fret raises everything by four
half steps, so these familiar Am, E7, G, F, C, and E shapes come out in the
record’s key and you can play along with it directly. Without the capo you’re in
A minor, which sounds great on its own — just not matched to the recording.
Practice Tips
- The changes come fast here, often three or four chords per line. Work one line at a time at half speed before stringing them together.
- Am → G → F is the move that recurs most, especially under every “California dreamin’.” Drill those three as a unit and the hook takes care of itself.
- F appears constantly. If the barre isn’t solid yet, Fmaj7 substitutes cleanly and suits the song’s folky, ringing texture.
- In the intro tab, the % symbol means “repeat the previous measure,” and the numbers above the staff (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +) are your counting guide. The figure resolves onto E7sus4 in the final bar (adding an A note. on the G string, fret 2). That suspended sound is what makes the intro feel like it’s leaning forward into the verse.