I was supposed to have been a Jesuit priest or a Naval Academy grad

That was the way that my parents perceived me

Those were the plans that they had

But I couldn't fit the part too dumb or too smart

Ain't it funny how we all turned out

I guess we are the people our parents warned us about



You know I coulda worked the rigs when the money was big

Or hopped a freighter south to Trinidad

And when they tried to draft me I earned a college degree

Buyin' time 'til things were not so bad

But then I got a guitar found a job in a bar

Playin' acid rock 'til I was numb

Tell me where are the flashbacks they all warned us would come



Chorus:

We are the people, they couldn't figure out

We are the people our parents warned us about



Hey hey, Gardner McKay

Take us on the Leaky Tiki with you

Clear skies bound for Shanghai

Sailing cross the ocean blue (do do do dooo)

So blue (do do do dooo OOOH)

(do do do dooo)

(do do do dooo OOOH)



Now I got quarters in my loafers tryin' to fight inflation

When it only used to take a cent

Sometimes I wish I was back in my crashpad days

'Fore I knew what cash flow meant



Seems everybody's joggin' or heavy into health shit

Don't tell me that I ought to get rolfed

'Cause I love cajun martinis and playin' afternoon golf



Chorus:

We are the people there isn't any doubt

We are the people they still can't figure out

We are the people who love to sing "Twist and Shout"

SHAKE IT UP BABY



We are the people our parents warned us about (do do do dooo)

Id'n' any doubt (do do do dooo OOOH)

Hey hey hey (do do do dooo)

Gardner McKay (do do do dooo, Gardner McKay