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
Everybody's doing the California Shake
California Shake

Nonbelieving, 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
Everybody's doing the California Shake
California Shake

Shake
Shake
Shake
Shake