[Verse 1]
I remember I was In the tanning salon
When I heard that River Phoenix was gone
They say that only the good die young
But that ain't true where I come from
California, California

[Chorus]
It took a lot for me to say
I wanna walk away, LA
From the sharks and the Chardonnay
In California, in California

[Verse 2]
4 in the morning, we were in our beds
The swaying palm trees above our heads
Woke up to a primal rumbling sound
When the North-ridge quake ripped open the Ground
California, California

[Chorus]
It took a lot for me to say
I wanna walk away, LA
From the sharks and the Chardonnay
In California, in California
[Bridge]
Golden State
I'm back in the Golden State
Golden State of Mind
Golden State
I'm back In the Golden State
Golden State of Mind

[Chorus]
It took a lot for me to say
I wanna walk away, LA
From the sharks and the Chardonnay
In California, in California
Walk, walk, walk away
Walk, walk, walk away

[Outro]
I remember I was in the tanning salon
When I heard that River Phoenix was gone