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