Chords of: California Gurls by: Katy Perry. (Fm, Dm7, Bb, Bbmaj7) are the main chords of the song. The chords are displayed instantly in real-time with a YouTube player, four synced views, instrument diagrams, loop practice and a built-in vocal-remover mixer.
“California Gurls” by Katy Perry is in Bb Major and runs at about 125 BPM, giving it an upbeat, driving pulse. Our analysis found 28 different chords across 191 chord changes; the ones that carry the song are Fm, Dm7, Bb, Bbmaj7.
Bb is the chord you will hold longest — roughly 19% of the 3:52 the chords were tracked for. The song opens with Dm7 → Gm → Dm7 → Bb6 → Bb7 → C → Dm → Bb. Play the timeline above to hear each change land in real time.
Difficulty: advanced — 5 main chords with 4 extended, altered or slash voicings. Guitar tip: put a capo on fret 1 and use A major shapes — the song stays in Bb Major but every chord becomes an open chord.
| Chord | Time held | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bb | 0:44 | 19% |
| Dm7 | 0:41 | 18% |
| Dm | 0:32 | 14% |
| Bbmaj7 | 0:30 | 13% |
| C | 0:19 | 8% |
| Bb6 | 0:09 | 4% |
| Am7 | 0:09 | 4% |
| F | 0:08 | 4% |
Am – Bbaug – C – Dm – G7 – Am – Bbmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Dm7 – Gm – C#maj7 – C – Dm – Am7 – Gm – Caug – Dm7 – Gm – F/G – C – Dm – Am7 – Bb6 – C – Dm – Am7 – Bb – Am – Bb – Am7 – Gm – E7 – Bb – Am – Bb7 – C – Dm – Am7 – Bb – E7 – Bb – C – Dm – Bb – Gm – C – Dm – Bbmaj7 – …
