En la canción, el letrista Anthony Kiedis lamenta la muerte prematura de Danielle \"Dani\" California, una pobre joven de Mississippi, que se convirtió en una ladrona de bancos y vivió una vida dura. Este personaje muere mientras está embarazada (en la canción no se nombra al padre). El personaje también apareció por primera vez en la canción de los Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication (canción), \"A teenage bride with a baby inside Getting high on information\" (Una novia adolescente embarazada drogandose con información). El personaje de la historia llega casi a su fin en \"Dani California\", con su muerte.\"Cuando surgío este funky groove me pareció un lugar perfecto para contar una historia. Se me reveló como el mismo personaje, el mismo tipo de desarrollo. Al principio me di cuenta de que estaba escribiendo sobre la misma chica\".
Dani California Gettin' born in the state of Mississippi Papa was a copper and mama was a hippie In Alabama she would swing a hammer Price you gotta pay when you pick the panorama She never knew that there was anything more than poor What in the world? What does your confidant take me for? Black bandana, sweet Louisiana Robbin' on a bank in the state of Indiana She's a runner, rebel and a stunner Hunt em everywhere sayin baby whatcha gonna Lookin' down the barrel of a hot metal forty five Just another way to survive Chorus - California rest in peace Simultaneous release California show your teeth She's my priestess, I'm your priest, yeah, yeah She's a lover baby and a fighter Should of seen her coming when it got a little brighter With a name like Dani California Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya A little lotus, she was stealin' another breath I love my baby to death [Chorus] Who knew the other side of you? Who knew that all this time to prove? Too true to say good bye to you Too true too sad sad sad... First to fade her gifted animator One for the now and eleven for the later Never made it up to Minnesota North Dakota man was a gunnin' for the quota Down in the badlands she was savin' the best for last It only hurts when I laugh Gone too fast.. [Chorus 2x]