California Love – English Lyrics

• By: 2Pac, Dr. Dre
• Album: All Eyez On Me

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the sounds of California through 2Pac and Dr. Dre's iconic hit, "California Love." This track is more than just a song; it's a cultural journey into the heart of the West Coast, blending G-funk rhythms with lyrical storytelling. Discover the unique slang, cultural references, and vibrant imagery that define California hip-hop, all while learning about the song's historical context and lasting impact.

[English]

California knows how to party

In the city of L.A.

California knows how to party

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 Elliot Ness

The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest

Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex

We in that sunshine state where that bomb ass hemp be

The state where ya never find a dance floor empty

And pimps be on a mission for them greens

Lean mean money-makin-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 tha Bay

Your city is tha bomb if your city makin pay

Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way

Dre puttin it down for Californ-I-a

California knows how to party

In the city of L.A.

California knows how to party

In the city of good ol' Watts

In the city, the city of Compton

We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin!

Shake it shake it baby

Shake it shake it mama

Shake it Cali

Shake it shake it baby

Shake it shake it shake it shake it...

Out on bail fresh outta jail, California dreamin

Soon as I stepped on the scene, I'm hearin hoochies screamin

Fiendin for money and alcohol, the life of a west side playa where cowards die and it's all ball

Only in Cali where we riot not rally to live and die

In L.A. we wearin Chucks not Ballies (that's right)

Dressed in Locs and khaki suits and ride is what we do

Flossin but have caution we collide with other crews

Famous cause we program worldwide

Let'em recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans

Bumpin and grindin like a slow jam, it's west side

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 Sacktown

The Bay Area and back down

Cali is where they put they mack down

Give me love!

California knows how to party

In the city of L.A.

California knows how to party

In the city of good ol' Watts

In the city, the city of Compton

We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin!

Shake it shake it baby

Shake it shake it baby

Shake it shake it mama

Shake it Cali

Shake it shake it baby

Shake it shake it shake it shake it...

Uh, yeah, uh, longbeach in tha house, uh yeah

Oaktown, Oakland definately in tha house hahaha

Frisko, Frisko

Hey, you know LA is up in this

Pasadena, where you at

Yeah, Inglewood, Inglewood always up to no good

Even Hollywood tryin to get a piece baby

Sacramento, sacramento where ya at? yeah

Throw it up y'all, throw it up, Throw it up

Let's show these fools how we do this on that west side

Cause you and I know it's tha best side

Yeah, That's riight

West coast, west coast

Uh, California Love

California Love

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
party /ˈpɑːrti/ A2	verb - to enjoy oneself with others in a social setting; celebrate noun - a social gathering for pleasure or amusement
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town
west /west/ A1	noun - the direction opposite to east adjective - situated in or towards the west
state /steɪt/ A2	noun - a nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government
dreamin /ˈdriːmɪŋ/ A2	verb - experience dreams
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes; wealth
shake /ʃeɪk/ A2	verb - move or cause to move with short, jerky movements
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of deep affection.
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - to be desired or approved of.
makin /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/ A1	verb - to bring into existence; create.
bomb /bɒm/ B2	adjective - excellent; outstanding.
know /nəʊ/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
die /daɪ/ A2	verb - to stop living
playa /ˈplaɪə/ B1	noun - a man who is successful with women
ride /raɪd/ A1	verb - to sit on and control the movement of an animal or a vehicle
beat /biːt/ A2	noun - the basic rhythmic unit of a piece of music

Key Grammar Structures

• California knows how to party

  ➔ Present Simple Tense

  ➔ The verb 'knows' is in the present simple tense, used to describe a habitual action or a general truth.

• We keep it rockin!

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense

  ➔ The phrase 'keep it rockin' uses the present continuous tense to emphasize an action happening now or continuously.

• Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ The phrase 'let me welcome' uses the imperative mood to give a command or make a request.

• The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest

  ➔ Simile

  ➔ The phrase 'like a slug to ya chest' is a simile, comparing the impact of the track to a physical blow.

• We in that sunshine state where that bomb ass hemp be

  ➔ Slang and Colloquialism

  ➔ The phrase 'bomb ass hemp' uses slang to describe high-quality marijuana, typical of colloquial language.

• Only in Cali where we riot not rally to live and die

  ➔ Contrastive Clause

  ➔ The phrase 'where we riot not rally' uses a contrastive clause to highlight the difference between rioting and rallying.

• So you know the row won't bow down to no man

  ➔ Double Negative

  ➔ The phrase 'won't bow down to no man' uses a double negative, which in colloquial English emphasizes a strong refusal.

• Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way

  ➔ Conditional Clause

  ➔ The phrase 'if ya feel the same way' is a conditional clause, indicating an action depends on a certain condition.