California Dream

1959, I was only seven
Went to visit gramps in Beverly Hills
Monte Leon Lane
Groucho's pool on Sundays
I can almost smell the hot dogs on grills
And grandpa's stage was now his bed
But still he laughed and always read

It was the California Dream
And I swear he knew it first
Before the Beach Boys
Before the Earthquakes
Before his Bubble Burst
It was the California Dream
With all that he'd been through
My California dream for him came true

1961, I was only nine then
Steve made lemonade for us two to sell
Sold it on the curb
To the passing drivers
Even sold a cup to his mother as well
And his dad bud sold pontiacs
And Tippy barked when we made snacks

It was the California Dream
And I swear I knew it first
Before the Beach Boys
Before the Earthquakes
Before the Bubble Burst
It was the California Dream
And the salt was in my hair
The California Dream and I was there

Saturday morning cartoons
Ears pressed against the set
Pancakes at nine
The wash on the line
And sprinklers that got us all wet

1964, I was only 12 then
Little Cindy now was turning 13
I remember well
How we ditched our sisters
But we still were 12 if you know what I mean
And how we danced on Ol'Dick Clark
The rides were great at Ocean Park

It was the California Dream
And I swear I knew it first
There now are Beach Boys
There now are Earthquakes
And many Bubbles Burst
It was the California Dream
Good vibrations in the air
The California Dream
The California Dream
The California Dream
Wish you'd been there...