How does her world spin
Without me in her nest?
Could there really be such happiness?

Oh, she's got a dark side too
Even murderous
But I love that
Just like her

I don't have a chance at writing the book
I just want to be a page
In Jeannie's diary
One single page
In Jeannie's diary

Yes I am intense
Maybe quite obsessed
Everything she does is curious

Oh, she's going to let me in
I just know it's so
Then again, who do I kid?

I don't have a prayer for writing the book
I just want to be a page
In Jeannie's diary
One single page
In Jeannie's diary

She could have anything she wants
So why not me?
She could have anything she dreams
Oh, to be one single page
One single page
In Jeannie's diary

Overall Meaning

The song "Jeannie's Diary" by Eels tells the story of a man deeply infatuated with a woman named Jeannie. The man is obsessed with Jeannie, and is willing to settle for just being a small part of her life. He believes that Jeannie is happy without him, and questions how she can possibly be content without him in her life. He acknowledges that Jeannie has a darker side, which includes the possibility of murder, but he still loves her nonetheless.

Throughout the song, the lyrics suggest that the man has convinced himself that he has a chance with Jeannie, despite the fact that their relationship may be one-sided. The man is intensely curious about Jeannie, and finds everything she does to be fascinating. He believes that there is a possibility that Jeannie will let him into her life, but realizes that he may be kidding himself with this thought.

The lyrics of "Jeannie's Diary" portray the man's deep desire to be a part of Jeannie's life, even if it's just a small part. The song ends with the man expressing his wish to be just one page in Jeannie's diary.

Line by Line Meaning

How does her world spin
Wondering how Jeannie's life carries on without me

Without me in her nest?
Questioning how happy Jeannie can truly be without my presence

Could there really be such happiness?
Skeptical about the idea of happiness in general, especially without Jeannie

Oh, she's got a dark side too
Acknowledging that Jeannie isn't perfect and has a dark side

Even murderous
Jeannie's dark side can be extreme

But I love that
Despite her flaws, I still love Jeannie

Just like her
I too have flaws and imperfections

I don't have a chance at writing the book
I am not capable of fully understanding or recording Jeannie's life-story

I just want to be a page
I simply desire to have even a small role in Jeannie's life

In Jeannie's diary
To be a part of her personal and intimate experiences

One single page
I don't need to play a major role in her life, even just a small part would make me happy

Yes I am intense
I have strong feelings for Jeannie

Maybe quite obsessed
I may be too fixated on Jeannie and her life

Everything she does is curious
I am fascinated by everything Jeannie does

Oh, she's going to let me in
I am convinced that Jeannie will allow me to be a part of her life

I just know it's so
I am confident that she will accept me

Then again, who do I kid?
Doubting my own beliefs and realizing that I may be delusional

She could have anything she wants
Jeannie has many options in life

So why not me?
Questioning why I am not one of her choices

She could have anything she dreams
Jeannie has the potential to achieve anything she desires

Oh, to be one single page
Expressing my strong desire to be a part of Jeannie's life in any small way possible

One single page
Emphasizing that I don't need a large role in her life, just a small one would bring me happiness

In Jeannie's diary
Reiterating my desire to be a part of her personal and intimate experiences

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