California Uber Alles

The first single by the Dead Kennedys. The record was released in June 1979 on Optional Music with "The Man with the Dogs" as the b-side. The title track was re-recorded for the band's first album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980), and the version that appeared on this single, as well as the single's b-side, are available on the rarities album Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death (1987). The lyrics were written by Jello Biafra and John Greenway, and Biafra composed the music in one of his rare attempts at composing on bass.The song focuses on Jerry Brown, the Governor of California 1975-1983 and 2011-present, and is sung from his perspective. An imaginary Brown outlines a hippie-fascist vision for America, in which his "suede denim secret police" kill un-cool people with "organic poison gas" chambers. Lines such as "Serpent's egg already hatched" (a reference to a line from William Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar') comment on the corrosive nature of power. The line "now it is 1984" refers to the totalitarian regime of George Orwell's novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.

[Verse 1] I am Governor Jerry Brown My aura smiles and never frowns Soon, I will be president Carter power will soon go away I will be Führer one day I will command all of you Your kids will meditate in school Your kids will meditate in school [Chorus] California über alles California über alles Über alles, California Über alles, California [Verse 2] Zen fascists will control you One-hundred percent natural You will jog for the master race And always wear the happy face Close your eyes, can't happen here Big Bro on white horse is near The hippies won't come back, you say Mellow out, or you will pay Mellow out, or you will pay [Chorus] California über alles California über alles Über alles, California Über alles, California [Bridge] Now it is 1984 Knock-knock at your front door It's the suede denim secret police They have come for your uncool niece Come quietly to the camp You'd look nice as a drawstring lamp Don't you worry, it's only a shower For your clothes, here's a pretty flower Die! On organic poison gas Serpent's egg's already hatched You will croak, you little clown When you mess with President Brown When you mess with President Brown [Chorus] California über alles California über alles Über alles, California Über alles, California