It started in basements And it started in sheds It started in backyards And was hidden under beds I turned on the TV Don't believe a word they say We can't stay here And we can't get away There's a riot on Sunset And fires burn in the park The sun has set my friend And California's dark And over the screaming I heard a clear voice I looked at my choices And I made a choice Smoke and ashes Tonight hide the stars The stop lights are red now, love We've come for what's ours There's a riot on Sunset And fires burn in the park The sun has set my friend And California's dark Come stand among the rattlesnakes At the side of the desert road And close your eyes and listen To the music hard and cold Tonight the moon is blackened Tonight the doors are shut Behind the shuttered windows We pray the sun will come up For something walks across these fields For which there is no name You might have heard different But I was there when it came It will start with a spark And a great fire will grow Don't know how I know it But I just know There's a riot on Sunset And fires burn in the park The sun sets everywhere And the whole damn country's dark There's a riot on Sunset And fires burn in the park The sun has set my friend And California's dark