The song was written by East Bay Ray and Jello Biafra.
It involves an old lady who, like the young man in the first song, is restless and has a car she likes to drive fast. The title is inspired by "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" by Jan and Dean.
As the song is centered around a different person, several of the lyrics have been changed. The woman is looking to avoid moving into a retirement home and is caught in Palm Springs, California after crashing through a golf course. She fantasizes about being with a young man who will love her for her car and runs through the same rest area that appeared in the original song, where the lonely salesman apparently still is.
Buzzbomb from Pasadena
Dead Kennedys Lyrics
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The road's my slave, that's how I feel
I cruise alone, I cruise real far
Shoo young punk! I love my car
Cross Nevada at a 110
Highway 50 and there's nobody there
Sign says, 'Next sign thirty miles!':
My pension comes-
Each penny saved buys more escape from home
I'd rather carouse around all day
Than move into a home
Plow through rest area San-o-Lets
Splat goes the lonely salesman
Still wanking in the men's room:
Buzzbomb buzzbomb tape up loud
Lawrence Welk cranked up to 10
Faster faster in my car
Buzzbomb is my pride and joy
King of the trailer court
Waiting for a nice young man
Who'll love me for my car
Who tells me why I'm cool
Tells me just what I like
When I pretend he's here
Shred through Palm Springs across the golf course
Cops 'round here scratching their heads
Flashing sirens, State patrol:uh oh
They're scuffing up the side of my car
They're shooting out my tires
This ain't no way to go to heaven
Buzzbomb cornered at the 7-11
The Dead Kennedys’ song “Buzzbomb from Pasadena” is a satirical ode to the American obsession with cars, the freedom and individualism they represent, and the actions individuals will undertake to preserve that thrill of escape. The singer of the song takes pride in his car and uses it to cruise alone and far, listening to his music, and enjoying the open road. For him, the car represents a “macho-mobile,” a way to escape from commitments and old age, and an extension of his identity. He drives through desolate highways, passes lonely salesman, and plows through rest areas. He cranks up his tape and if law-abiding Lawrence Welk’s music is his chosen soundtrack.
However, the song takes a turn for the darker towards the end, as the singer discovers that using a car to escape from the world can have dire consequences. The singer’s car is damaged beyond repair when he is cornered by the police at a 7-11. The message of the song is clear: An obsession with cars and the freedom they represent can go too far, and one can ultimately be punished for irresponsible behavior. The tone of the song is critical of those who continue to prioritize their “macho mobile” over others' well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Buzzbomb buzzbomb macho-mobile
The singer boasts about his car, which he perceives to represent his masculinity.
The road's my slave, that's how I feel
The singer feels in control on the road.
I cruise alone, I cruise real far
The singer enjoys traveling alone and for long distances.
Shoo young punk! I love my car
The singer dismisses anyone who doesn't appreciate his car.
Cross Nevada at a 110
The singer is traveling through Nevada at a high speed.
Highway 50 and there's nobody there
The singer is traveling through an empty desert road.
Sign says, 'Next sign thirty miles!':
The singer is too far from civilization.
My pension comes-
The singer is retired.
Each penny saved buys more escape from home
The singer spends his money on his car instead of boring old-age facilities.
I'd rather carouse around all day
The singer would rather party than be confined to a retirement home.
Than move into a home
The singer is afraid of ending up in a retirement home.
Plow through rest area San-o-Lets
The singer drives through rest stops disregarding decency.
Splat goes the lonely salesman
The singer harms innocent people.
Still wanking in the men's room:
The salesman was masturbating before he was hit.
Buzzbomb buzzbomb tape up loud
The singer plays loud music in his car.
Lawrence Welk cranked up to 10
The singer mocks the popular classical musician.
Faster faster in my car
The singer speeds up his car recklessly.
Buzzbomb is my pride and joy
The singer takes great pride in his car.
King of the trailer court
The singer may feel superior to his neighbors.
Waiting for a nice young man
The singer may be restless and looking for a partner.
Who'll love me for my car
The singer wants a partner who appreciates his car as much as he does.
Who tells me why I'm cool
The singer relies on his car to feel validated.
Tells me just what I like
The singer adapts to his car's tastes.
When I pretend he's here
The singer may be lonely or isolated.
Shred through Palm Springs across the golf course
The singer drives through a town recklessly.
Cops 'round here scratching their heads
The police officers don't know how to deal with the singer.
Flashing sirens, State patrol:uh oh
The police are chasing after the singer.
They're scuffing up the side of my car
The police are damaging the singer's car.
They're shooting out my tires
The police are using violent methods to slow down the singer.
This ain't no way to go to heaven
The singer believes he's dying.
Buzzbomb cornered at the 7-11
The singer is trapped and possibly surrounded by the police.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: D H PELIGRO, KLAUS FLOURIDE, EAST BAY RAY, JELLO BIAFRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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