He looked a lot like Che Guevara, drove a diesel van Kept his gun in quiet seclusion, such a humble man The only survivor of the national people's gang Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone Panic in Detroit
He laughed at accidental sirens that broke the evening gloom The police had warned of repercussions, they followed none too soon A trickle of strangers were all that were left alive Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone Panic in Detroit
Putting on some clothes I made my way to school And I found my teacher crouching in his overalls I screamed and ran to smash my favorite slot machine And jumped the silent cars that slept at traffic lights
Having scored a trillion dollars, made a run back home Found him slumped across the table, a gun and me alone I ran to the window, looked for a plane or two Panic in Detroit, he'd left me an autograph Let me collect dust, I wish someone would phone Panic in Detroit, panic in Detroit, panic in Detroit