California Love
by 2Pac

Album: All Eyez on Me (1995)
Charted: 6 1
Play Video
  • California love
    California knows how to party
    California knows how to party
    In the city of L.A.
    In the city of good ol' Watts
    In the city, the city of Compton
    We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'

    Now let me welcome everybody to the Wild Wild West
    A state that's untouchable like Eliot Ness
    The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest
    Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
    We in that Sunshine State where the bomb-ass hemp be
    The state where you never find a dance floor empty
    And pimps be on a mission for them greens
    Lean mean money-making-machines servin' fiends
    I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes
    Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon
    Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
    Diamonds shinin', lookin' like I robbed Liberace
    It's all good, from Diego to the Bay
    Your city is the bomb if your city makin' pay (uh)
    Throw up a finger if you feel the same way
    Dre puttin' it down for Californ-i-a

    California (California) knows how to party (knows how to party)
    California (West Coast) knows how to party (yes, they do, that's right)
    In the city of L.A.
    In the city of good ol' Watts (good ol' Watts)
    In the city, the city of Compton (city of Compton)
    We keep it rockin' (keep it rockin'), we keep it rockin'
    (Yeah, now make it shake, c'mon)

    Shake, shake it, baby
    Shake, shake it, shake it, baby
    Shake, shake it, mama
    Shake it, Cali (Cali)
    Shake, shake it, baby (that's right)
    Shake, shake it
    Shake, shake it, mama
    Shake it

    Out on bail, fresh out of jail, California dreamin'
    Soon as I step on the scene, I'm hearin' hoochies screamin'
    Fiendin' for money and alcohol, the life of a Westside player
    Where cowards die and the strong ball
    Only in Cali where we riot, not rally, to live and die
    In L.A. we wearin' Chucks, not Ballys (yeah, that's right, uh)
    Dressed in Locs and Khaki suits, and ride is what we do
    Flossin' but have caution, we collide with other crews
    Famous because we throw grams
    Worldwide, let 'em recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans
    Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam
    It's Westside, so you know the Row won't bow down to no man
    Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre
    Let me serenade the streets of L.A.
    From Oakland to Sac-town, the Bay Area and back down
    Cali is where they put their mack down, give me love

    California (California) knows how to party
    California knows how to party (c'mon, baby)
    In the city of L.A. (South Central)
    In the city of good ol' Watts (uh, that's right)
    In the city, the city of Compton (yup, yup)
    We keep it rockin' (keep it rockin'), we keep it rockin'
    (Yeah, yeah, now make it shake, uh)

    Shake, shake it, baby (uh)
    Shake, shake it (uh, yeah)
    Shake, shake it, mama
    Shake it, Cali (shake it, Cali)
    Shake, shake it, baby (shake it, Cali)
    Shake, shake it
    Shake, shake it, mama (West Coast)
    Shake it, Cali

    Uh, yeah, uh, uh, Long Beach in the house
    Uh, yeah, Oaktown
    Oakland definitely in the house (hahaha)
    Frisco (yeah), Frisco

    And you know L.A. up in this
    Pasadena, where you at?
    Yeah, Inglewood
    Inglewood always up to no good
    Even Hollywood tryna get a piece, baby
    Sacramento, Sacramento where you at?
    Yeah
    Throw it up, y'all, throw it up, throw it up
    I can't see ya
    California love (uh, uh, uh)
    Let's show these fools how we do it on this Westside Writer/s: Andre Romell Young, Christopher Stainton, Joe Cocker, Larry Troutman, Mikel Hooks, Roger Troutman, Ronnie Hudson, Tupac Amaru Shakur
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Songtrust Ave, T.R.O. INC., Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Je from Los Angeles, CaA real banger. Watts, however, is a section of LA and not its own city.
  • Bhall from Usa2Pac and Dre did not write the song California Love they stole it from Zapp & Roger - California Love.
  • Ephraim from NigeriaI always listen to the song in memory of 2pac
  • AdamLiz he's talking about femenists
  • Liz from Mission HillsWhat is he referring to when he says, "....Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon..." jeans? shampoo?
  • Patty Mayo from Orgian2 pac was the best
  • Joel from Oakland, CaDamn good song. West Coast representin'!
  • Matt from Santa Cruz, CaThis is sampled from Joe Cocker's "Woman to Woman." Pretty funky in its own right.
  • Mickey Knox from El Rey, NmAt nearly seven minuets the song is just too long. The video has a Mad Max/Road Warrior/Beyond Thunderdome look and feel to it.
  • Joseph from New Haven, Ctgreat video.. great song..great artist
  • Mischa from Arcadia, CaCA-LEEEE BABY! (: you know this your theme song if you from cali!
  • Jessica from St.louis, Mohow could noone have commented yet!!!! THIS SONG ROX MY SOX!!!!RIP TUPAC SHAKKAUR
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.