Melon-rising California sun
Drifting in a day not yet begun
Six o'clock, all 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, things start 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
Wondering 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