Once upon a time a king had a dream
Then three L.A. cops made another king scream
The Crips and the Boods said enough is enough
Where's the peace and love when the going gets tough

California screaming
While America's dreaming
California screaming
While America's screaming california screaming
While America's screaming

The haves have it all, the have nots have not
Did you hear about the teen queen stopped by a shot
Lying on the sidewalk dressed up in blood
A quiet L.A. evening in the summer of love

California screaming
While America's dreaming
California screaming
While America's screaming california screaming
While America's screaming

The boy in the hood says he's only thirteen
Chained up in gold but he thinks that he's free
The price of his future is measured in grammes
Weighing him down in the city of the damned

California screaming
While America's dreaming
California screaming
While America's screaming california screaming
While America's screaming