Desperados Under the Eaves
Jackson Browne & Warren Zevon Lyrics

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
The singer sets the scene: they are in a specific location, which is the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel.

I was staring in my empty coffee cup
The singer is engrossed in their thoughts, staring into an empty coffee cup.

I was thinking that the gypsy wasn't lyin'
The singer had spoken to a gypsy, and believes what they were told to be truthful.

All the salty margaritas in Los Angeles
The artist is referring to the abundance of alcoholic drinks available in Los Angeles.

I'm gonna drink 'em up
The artist plans to enjoy these drinks to the fullest extent.

And if California slides into the ocean
The singer contemplates the possibility of a catastrophic event happening to the state of California.

Like the mystics and statistics say it will
The singer notes that some people predict this unfortunate event happening.

I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill
The artist humorously acknowledges that they still need to pay their hotel bill, and the motel will likely still be standing when they do so.

Don't the sun look angry through the trees
The artist observes the way the sun appears through the trees and comments on its appearance.

Don't the trees look like crucified thieves
The artist uses a metaphor to suggest that the trees appear to be suffering.

Don't you feel like Desperados under the eaves
The singer questions the listener whether they too feel a sense of desperation or isolation.

Heaven help the one who leaves
The artist suggests that those who leave their current situation may face difficulties along the way.

Still waking up in the mornings with shaking hands
The singer mentions their physical state, waking up with shaking hands which could be a result of drinking or some other cause.

And I'm trying to find a girl who understands me
The singer is looking for someone to connect with on a personal level.

But except in dreams you're never really free
The singer has a sense of being trapped or not fully able to express themselves without consequences.

Don't the sun look angry at me
The artist continues to ponder the sun's appearance and its possible meaning.

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel
The artist repeats the opening line, further establishing the setting of the song.

I was listening to the air conditioner hum
The singer is once again lost in their thoughts, listening to the sound of the air conditioner.

It went mmm...
The singer describes the sound made by the air conditioner.

Look away
The artist abruptly ends the song, perhaps suggesting a desire to look away from their current situation.

(Look away down Gower Avenue, look away)
The artist reiterates the command to 'look away', specifying a direction to look towards.