"California Gurls" is a song by American recording artist and songwriter Katy Perry from her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). Production was handled by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Benny Blanco, all of whom contributed to the writing of the song along with Perry and Bonnie McKee. American hip hop artist Snoop Dogg also has a writing credit, and is featured as a guest vocalist on the song. According to Perry, the song is an answer song to "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. "California Gurls" is a midtempo funk-pop, nu-disco, and electropop song, while it's lyrics are an ode to the west coast, the state in which Perry was born and raised in.
Critical reception of "California Gurls" has been near universally positive, with the majority of critics labeling it a "summer anthem", as well as complimenting its production and chorus. Originally intended to be sent to mainstream and rhythmic airplay on May 25, 2010, the song was rush released to radio on May 7, 2010, after clips from Perry's new album were leaked online. It was subsequently released to iTunes on May 11, 2010. The song was a worldwide success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks, giving Perry her second US number-one single and Snoop Dogg his third. The song reached number one in over 10 countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
California (pronounced i/kælɨˈfɔrnjə/) is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third most extensive (after Alaska and Texas). It is home to the nation's second- and sixth-largest census statistical areas (Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and San Francisco Bay Area), and eight of the nation's fifty most populated cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach and Oakland). The capital city is Sacramento.
California's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east – from the Redwood–Douglas-fir forests of the northwest, to the Mojave Desert areas in the southeast. The center of the state is dominated by Central Valley, a major agricultural area. California contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney and Death Valley), and has the third-longest coastline of all states (after Alaska and Florida). Earthquakes are a common occurrence due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: about 37,000 are recorded annually.
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Perry grew up with gospel music, and during her first year of high school she pursued a music career as Katy Hudson, releasing her first studio album called Katy Hudson which failed to chart. She recorded a solo album later, which was never released. After signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry.
She first gained recognition with the release of her first mainstream album, One of the Boys in 2008, which spawned three Billboard Hot 100 top-ten songs—"I Kissed A Girl", "Hot n Cold" and "Waking Up In Vegas". Perry supported the album with her Hello Katy Tour. In 2010, her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010), which topped the Billboard 200 chart, and spawned five number one singles—"California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T." and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"—Teenage Dream was the only album (after Michael Jackson's Bad)—to do so, and the first female in history to achieve this milestone. She embarked on the California Dreams Tour, which grossed nearly $60 million worldwide. Perry re-released the album under the name of Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection on March 26, 2012, and the re-release has already spawned the number-one single "Part of Me".
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school. Shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and spent six months in Wayside County Jail. His music career began in 1992 after his release when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. He collaborated on several tracks on Dre's solo debut, The Chronic and on the titular theme song to the film Deep Cover.
Snoop's debut album Doggystyle, was released in 1993 under Death Row Records making a debut at No.1 on both the Billboard 200 and R&B charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, Doggystyle quickly became certified 4× platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice". In 1994, Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film Murder Was The Case, starring himself. In early 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguard's 1993 murder of Philip Woldemariam. His second album, late 1996's Tha Doggfather, also debuted at No.1 on both charts with "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" as the lead single. The album sold only half as well, being certified double platinum in 1997.
I know a place
Where the grass is really greener
Warm wet and wild
There must be something in the water
Sippin' gin and juice
Laying underneath the palm trees
The boys
Break their necks
Try'na to creep a little sneak peek
You could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the golden coast
Once you party with us
You'll be falling in love
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
Theyre unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
Will melt your popsicle
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
Theyre undeniable
Fine fresh fierce
We got it on lock
West coast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
Woah on a beach
We get sand in our stilletos
We freak
And we're cheap
So play the songs on the stereo
You could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the golden coast
Once you party with us
You'll be falling in love
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
They're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
Will melt your popsicle
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
They're undeniable
Fine fresh fierce
We got it on lock
West coast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
They're undeniable
Fine fresh fierce
We got it on lock
West coast represent
Now put your hands up
Featuring: Snoop Dogg
Greetings loved ones
Let's take a journey
I know a place
Where the grass is really greener
Warm, wet, and wild
There must be somethin' in the water
Sippin' gin and juice
Layin' underneath the palm trees
(Undone)
The boys break their necks
Tryin' to creep a little sneak peek
(At us)
You could travel the world
But nothing comes close to the golden coast
Once you party with us
You'll be fallin' in love
California girls, we're unforgettable
Daisy dukes, bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin, so hot
We'll melt your popsicle
California girls, we're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce, we got it one lock
West-coast represent
Now put your hands up
Sex on the beach
We've got white sand in our stilettos
We freak in my jeep
Snoop Doggy Dogg on the stereo
You could travel the world
But nothing comes close to the golden coast
Once you party with us
You'll be fallin' in love
California girls, we're unforgettable
Daisy dukes, bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin, so hot
We'll melt your popsicle
California girls, we're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce, we got it one lock
West-coast represent
Now put your hands up
Toned, tanned, fit, and ready
Turn it up 'cause it's gettin' heavy
Wild, wild west-coast
These are the girls I love the most
I mean the ones, I mean like she's the one
Kiss her, touch her, squeeze her buns
The girl's a freak, she drive a Jeep
And live on the Beach
I'm okay, I won't play, I love the bay
Just like I love L.A.
Venice Beach and Palm Springs
Summertime is everyday
Homeboys bangin' out
All that ass hangin' out
Bikinis, zuchinis, martinis, no weenies
Just a king and a queenie
Katy, my lady?
(Yeah?)
Looky here, baby
(Uh-huh)
I'm all up on ya
'Cause your represtin' California
California girls, we're unforgettable
Daisy dukes, bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin, so hot
We'll melt your popsicle
California girls, we're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce, we got it one lock
West-coast represent
Now put your hands up
California, California girls
(California girls, man)
California, California girls
I know a place
Where the grass is really greener
Warm, wet and wild
There must be somethin' in the water
Sippin' gin and juice
Layin' underneath the palm trees (Undone)
The boys
Break their necks
Try'na creep a little sneak peek (At us)
You could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the Golden Coast
Once you party with us
You'll be falling in love
Oooooh oh oooooh
California girls
We're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
We'll melt your Popsicle
Oooooh oh oooooh
California girls
We're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce
We got it on lock
Westcoast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh oh oooooh
Sex on the beach
We don't mind sand in our Stilettos
We freak
In my Jeep
Snoop Doggy Dogg on the stereo (Oh oh)
You could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the Golden Coast
Once you party with us
You'll be falling in love
Oooooh oh oooooh
California girls
We're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
We'll melt your Popsicle
Oooooh oh oooooh
California gurls
We're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce
We got it on lock
Westcoast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh oh oooooh
California gurls
We're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
We'll melt your Popsicle
Oooooh oh oooooh
California gurls
We're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce
We got it on lock
Westcoast represent
(Westcoast, Westcoast)
Now put your hands up
California girls
You're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
You melt a popsicle
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
We know a place
Where the grass is really greener
Warm, wet and wild
There must be something in the water
Sippin' gin and juice
Laying underneath the palm trees
We break our necks
Try'na to creep a little sneak peek
We could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the golden coast
Once we party with you
We'll be falling in love
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
You're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
You melt a popsicle
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
You're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce
You got it on lock
West coast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
Sex on a beach
______ sand in your stilletos
We freak in my jeep
With The Baseballs on the stereo
We could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the golden coast
Once we party with you
We'll be falling in love
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
You're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
You melt a popsicle
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
West coast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
We could travel the world
But nothing comes close
To the golden coast
Once we party with you
We'll be falling in love
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
You're unforgettable
Daisy Dukes
Bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin
So hot
You melt a popsicle
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls
You're undeniable
Fine, fresh, fierce
You got it on lock
West coast represent
Now put your hands up
Oooooh Oh Oooooh
California girls