Born in south california sand

To a gypsy mother and a guitar playing man

Raised inside the american dream

School days - desert parties

Had it all so it seemed

Yet there was something driving me wild

Driving me crazy

Deep inside like a knife cutting on me

So I said to myself

"You got one life sittin' on the shelf

Get out"

Growing up in california

Growing up in california

Got the sun, got the beach

And it's always calling me, oh yeah

Headed north san francisco bay

There was music all night

And rock and roll every day

I found myself on a funky band

Led by a family stone horn playing man

Still there was something pulling hard

Driving me crazy

Needed more

Too much music inside of me

So with my friends we took a stand

Started up our own rockin' band, oh yeah

Growing up in california

Growing up in california

Golden gate redwood trees

And they're always calling me, oh yeah

Sunset boulevard rainbow bar and grill

Lots of gold records I still love it here

Pacific coast highway

Filmore where the music lives

Wine country the most beautiful place I know

Sierra mountains, southern beaches

Inland cities of rock and roll

Growing up in california

Growing up in california

Got the sun, got the beach

And it's always calling me, oh yeah, oh yeah

Growing up in california

Growing up in california

Golden gate redwood trees

And they're always calling me, oh yeah