Dani California is a song by Red Hot Chili Peppers that narrates the fictitious life of a girl named Dani, representing various women who come and go in California, moving from state to state with troubles wherever she goes. The character also appeared in other songs by the band. The song also touches on themes of death and rebirth.
Key: Am
Introduction:(drums)
Am
G
Dm
Am
Am
G
Dm
Am
Am
G
Getting born in the state of Mississippi,
Dm
Am
Her Poppa was a copper and her Momma was a hippie
Am
G
In Alabama she would swing a hammer,
Dm
Am
Price you gotta pay when you break the panorama
Am
G
Dm
Am
She never knew that there was anything more than poor,
Am
G
Dm
Am
What in the world does your company take me for?
Am
G
Black bandana, sweet Louisiana,
Dm
Am
Robbin' on a bank in the state of Indiana,
Am
G
She's a runner, rebel and a stunner,
Dm
Am
On her merry way sayin', "baby whatcha gonna"
Am
G
Dm
Am
Lookin' down the barrel of a hot metal .45,
Am
G
Dm
Just another way to survive
F
C
Dm
California, Rest In Peace,
G
F
C
Dm
Simultaneous release,
G
F
C
Dm
California, show your teeth,
G
F
C
Dm
She's my priestess, I'm your priest, yeah, yeah
Am
G
Dm
Am
G
Dm
Am
Am
G
She's a lover, baby and a fighter,
Dm
Am
Shoulda seen it coming when it got a little brighter,
Am
G
With a name like "Dani California",
Dm
Am
Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya,
Am
G
Dm
Am
A little loaded, she was stealing another breath
Am
G
Dm
I love my baby to death
F
C
Dm
California, Rest In Peace,
G
F
C
Dm
Simultaneous release,
G
F
C
Dm
California, show your teeth,
G
F
C
Dm
She's my priestess, I'm your priest, yeah, yeah
Bm
G
D
F#
Who knew the other side of you?
Bm
G
D
F#
Who knew what others died to prove?
Bm
G
D
F#
Too true to say goodbye to you
Bm
Too true, too sad, sad, sad
Am
G
Push the fader, gifted animator,
Dm
Am
One for the now and eleven for the later,
Am
G
Never made it up to Minnesota,
Dm
Am
North Dakota man was a gunnin' for the quota
Am
G
Dm
Am
Down in the Badlands she was saving the best for last,