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 ***

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