i can hear them
speaking in the next room
as they drink and start losing control and get louder
they lose control and get louder
they wonder about me

i can hear her twirling the ice with her fingers
she's got that half-dead look in her eyes by now
she worries about me
he's not like all the other boys around here
he's says nothing and sits in his room
and he's afraid to
and he's afraid to drive a car
so sad he is
and he's afraid to drive a car
so sad he is

it's our duty as we're respected
as Californians
to show a new life

ever since my staying I
I've been having bad dreams
so stop eating cabbage
and stop talking to that girl
what are the winters like here?
hush up and play the piano
but have I told you how I love her?
yes but you are aquarius and she is capricorn
come come now
and meet your cousins from l.a.
shut up and leave me alone

we know who you are
i read your palm while you were sleeping
and i read though your diary
and the secrets you've been keeping
we're already aware of
and we pretended not to notice
have a drink and talk this over
and in the meantime
think of the good things that we've done for you

it's our duty
and we're expected
as Californians
to show a new life