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California Love
2Pac Lyrics


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

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)
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 (really knows how, baby)
California knows how to party
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
'Cause you and I know it's the best side
Yeah, that's right
West Coast, West Coast
Uh, California love
California love, yeah

California (California) knows how to party (yeah, yeah)
California knows how to party (uh, uh, where they at? Uh)
In the city of L.A. (South Central, uh)
In the city of good ol' Watts (yeah, yeah, ah)
In the city, the city of Compton (in the city of Compton)
We keep 'em rockin', we keep 'em rockin'

Just come on shake, shake it, baby
Baby, baby, shake it, mama, shake it, mama, shake it, mama

Overall Meaning

In his hit single California Love, 2Pac paints a vivid picture of California as a state that knows how to party. The first verse begins with the declaration that California knows how to party and sets the scene of the party in different parts of the state, including LA, Watts, and Compton. The chorus reinforces the statement that California is the place to be if you want to party and introduces the West Coast as the place to find the best parties. The second verse begins with a welcome to the Wild West and describes the state's untouchable status before going on to explain that the state is well-known for its hemp, parties, and pimps. The verse also mentions 2Pac's status as a rapper and his success in the industry. The chorus returns, this time with an emphasis on partying on the West Coast. The last verse, packed with references to California's cities and streets, tells a more serious story of the challenges faced by young people in the state, including riots and gangs.


Line by Line Meaning

California love
An appreciation of the state of California and the lifestyle it embodies.


California knows how to party
California has a reputation for knowing how to party.


In the city of L.A.
Referring to Los Angeles, one of the biggest cities in California.


In the city of good ol' Watts
Watts is a neighborhood in Los Angeles with a rich history.


In the city, the city of Compton
Compton is a city located in the south-central part of Los Angeles county.


We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin'
The people in California always keep the party going.


Now let me welcome everybody to the Wild Wild West
Introducing the listener to the vibrant and free-spirited culture of the Western United States.


A state that's untouchable like Eliot Ness
Comparing California to Eliot Ness, a legendary Federal Agent known for being untouchable and catching notorious gangsters like Al Capone.


The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest
The music's bass is intense and hits the listener with strong force.


Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
Suggesting that people wear protective gear when out at night in the city for safety.


We in that Sunshine State where the bomb-ass hemp be
California is a sunny state, and marijuana is a popular substance.


The state where you never find a dance floor empty
People in California always know how to dance and have fun.


And pimps be on a mission for them greens
Pimps in California are focused on making money.


Lean mean money-making-machines servin' fiends
Drug dealers in California are also focused on making money.


I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes
2Pac has been making music for ten years.


Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon
2Pac has been making music for a long time, even when Sassoon jeans were trendy.


Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
2Pac is now famous, and people are paying close attention to him.


Diamonds shinin', lookin' like I robbed Liberace
2Pac has a lot of expensive jewelry on, which makes him look like he stole it from Liberace.


It's all good, from Diego to the Bay
Everything is great in California from San Diego to San Francisco.


Your city is the bomb if your city makin' pay (uh)
A city in California is great if it's profitable.


Throw up a finger if you feel the same way
Raise your finger up in agreement.


Dre puttin' it down for Californ-i-a
Dr. Dre is making great music for California.


Out on bail, fresh out of jail, California dreamin'
Referring to 2Pac's time in jail and his desire to make it big in California.


Soon as I step on the scene, I'm hearin' hoochies screamin'
As soon as 2Pac emerged, women were screaming for him.


Fiendin' for money and alcohol, the life of a Westside player
People in California have a desire for money and alcohol and are treated like players.


Where cowards die and the strong ball
California is a place where only the strong survive.


Only in Cali where we riot, not rally, to live and die
People in California are passionate about their beliefs, demonstrated more in riots than rallies.


In L.A. we wearin' Chucks, not Ballys (yeah, that's right)
In Los Angeles, people are more likely to wear Converse shoes than high-end Bally shoes.


Dressed in Locs and Khaki suits, and ride is what we do
Describing the fashion and car culture of California.


Famous because we throw grams
Being famous in California is all about how much drugs you sell.


Worldwide, let 'em recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans
People all over the world know about California, from Long Beach to Rosecrans.


Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam
Referring to a form of slow dancing.


It's Westside, so you know the Row won't bow down to no man
Being from the Westside of LA means never backing down from anyone.


Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre
Dr. Dre's production makes great music.


Let me serenade the streets of L.A.
I want to make music that is tailored for LA streets.


From Oakland to Sac-town, the Bay Area and back down
Describing the geography of California.


Cali is where they put their mack down, give me love
California is where people go to make a fortune and find love.


Just come on shake, shake it, baby
Encouraging people to dance and have fun.


Baby, baby, shake it, mama, shake it, mama, shake it, mama
Repeating the message to keep moving and dancing.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Andre Romell Young, Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Christopher Stainton, Ronnie Hudson, Mikel Hooks, Joe Cocker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@vnxck6173

its funny how I miss someone who died before i was born

@Classic_Re-creation

That is crazy I'm 29 so pac was alive when I was born but I didn't know about Tupac untill I was about 10, so when I recognised him and who he was he had allready been dead for around 5 years and it's the same with mei feel like a miss him even tho he was never their

@Classic_Re-creation

Makes me feel super old tho when I see that this track is 25 years old, that means some of tupacs music will be 30+ years old

@roopeshsharma6769

agreed .. feels like a personal loss 😢😭

@craneindolent1617

Same

@jameskirkland9457

Me too

496 More Replies...

@lenalee5516

I just love how jjk characters are collecting songs for their own

@phototyme4962

Literally half the reason im here rn 🤭

@theblue9534

INO TAKUMI OWNS 🗣️🔥🔥‼️‼️

@Euphoria2381

THAT ONE EDIT OF TAKUMA - INO BROUGHT ME HERE 🖤

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