We packed our lives in cardboard dreams,
Headed north for quiet streets,
Heard it snowed and people waved,
Thought peace was cheap and stress was saved.
But the welcome sign just smiled tight,
Like you can stay, but not tonight,
They say we ruined paradise,
For just existing in their sight.
So we cursed Idaho politely,
With Yelp reviews and lines nightly,
Every shortcut on the map,
Crowded roads we didn’t plan.
Say your towns wrong just to spite you,
Teach it wrong so it never sounds right again
Boy "C" will forever now be Boy "Z"
That’s the California curse.
Your secret diner’s not a secret now,
It’s got four stars and a wait somehow,
That quiet spot you loved to gatekeep?
Someone’s filming reels for next week.
That back road you thought nobody knew,
Now Google’s like, hey, try this route,
We didn’t mean to break the spell,
We just asked Maps and Maps went wild.
So we cursed Idaho politely,
With longer lines and traffic slightly,
Every hidden gem goes viral fast,
Sorry ’bout the peace you had.
Say it wrong forever, just to spite you,
Pass it down till it multiplies,
Boy "C" will forever now be Boy "Z"
That’s the California curse.
We tried to blend right in,
Bought the flannel, learned the grin,
But you hear “California” and sigh,
Like we raised your rent in July.
So if we’re villains in your town,
We’ll wear the cape, but keep it light,
No fire, no plague, no end of days—
Just oat milk and mispronounced names.
Yeah we cursed Idaho politely,
With Yelp reviews and waits nightly,
Every shortcut’s common ground,
Every quiet thing gets found.
Say your towns wrong just to spite you,
Teach it wrong so it never sounds right again
Boy "C" will forever now be Boy "Z"
That’s the California curse.
Kaimanguy
