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Intro:
N.C.
Verse 1:
Fm G G/Cm G
Melon-rising California sun
Fm G G/Cm G
Drifting in a day not yet begun
Fm G G/Cm G
Six o'clock and peaceful and serene
Gm G G
Floating in a Technicolor scene
Verse 2:
C Fm
Something nearly peaceful in the sound
C Fm
Rising from the San Andreas ground
Gm Fm
Over ground it starts to feel strange
Gm Gm
Underground, it starts to rearrange
Pre-Chorus:
C G
You'd better get up
G F/Gm Fm
And run for a doorway
Chorus:
Fm
No time for thinking
Fm
Your life is at stake
Fm
Everyone's doing the California Shake
C Gm Fm
California Shake
Verse 3:
G G/Cm G
Non-believing, everybody waits
Fm G G/Cm G
Shifting on the continental plates
Fm G G/Cm G
Thunder far below the ocean floor
Fm G G/Cm G
Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war
Verse 4:
C Fm
Wond'ring if you're going to survive
C Fm
God, it feels like eight point four or five
Gm Fm
Fifteen seconds holding your breath
Gm Gm
Living through a microscopic death
Pre-Chorus:
C G
You'd better hold on
G F Fm
The worst isn't over
Chorus:
Fm
No time for thinking
Fm
Your life is at stake
Fm
Everyone's doing the California Shake
C Gm
California Shake
Outro:
Fm
Song History
Published: November 21, 2024
Last Updated: September 10, 2025