Released: September 11, 1996

Songwriter: Rick Nowels Billy Steinberg Maria Vidal

Producer: David Tickle

[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, L.A
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, L.A
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, L.A
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

Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Jo Carlisle (born August 17, 1958) is an American singer and songwriter. She gained worldwide fame as the lead singer of The Go-Go’s, one of the most successful all-female bands of all time, and went on to have a prolific career as a solo act.