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
Though 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 could have 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 till things were not so bad
But when I got a guitar found a job in a bar, playin` acid rock till I was numb
Tell me where are the flashbacks they all warned us would come

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, sailin` on the ocean blue

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 crash pad days
Before I knew what cash flow meant

Seems everybody`s joggin` or heavy into health s**t
Don`t tell me that I ought to get rolffed
`Cause I love Cajun martinis and playin` afternoon golf

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 now)
We are the people our parents warned us about