Melon-rising California sun Drifting in a day not yet begun Six o'clock and peaceful and serene Floating in a Technicolor scene
Something nearly peaceful in the sound Rising from the San Andreas ground Overground, it starts to feel strange Underground, it starts to rearrange
You'd better get up And run for a doorway
No time for thinking Your life is at stake Everyone's doing The California Shake California Shake
Non believing, everybody waits Shifting on the continental plates Thunder far below the ocean floor Damned impartial sub-terrestrial war
Wond'ring if you're going to survive God, it feels like eight point four or five Fifteen seconds holding your breath Living through a microscopic death
You'd better hold on The worst isn't over
No time for thinking Your life is at stake Everyone's doing The California Shake California Shake