Manchester England
"Hair" Lyrics
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Across the Atlantic Sea
And I'm a genius genius
I believe in God
And I believe that God
Believes in Claude
That's me that's me
Finds that it's groovy
To hide in a movie
Pretends he's Fellini
And Antonioni
And also his countryman Roman Polanski
All rolled into one
One Claud Hooper Bukowski
Now that I've dropped out
Why is life dreary dreary
Answer my weary query
Timothy Leary dearie
Oh Manchester England England
Across the Atlantic Sea
And I'm a genius genius
I believe in God
And I believe that God
Believes in Claude
That's me (that's he)
That's me (that's he)
That's me (that's he)
That's me
The lyrics to "Manchester England" by Hair are poetic and slightly confusing, but upon a closer look, it seems to be discussing the idea of individualism and escapism. The first verse talks about the singer being a genius who believes in God and that God believes in him. This could be seen as the singer viewing themselves as special and believing in a higher power that also believes in them.
The second verse introduces the character Claude Hooper Bukowski, who finds it groovy to hide in a movie and pretend to be famous directors Antonioni, Fellini, and Polanski all rolled into one. This can be seen as a form of escapism and the desire to be someone else, instead of facing reality.
The last verse brings it all together with the singer questioning why life is dreary after dropping out and asking Timothy Leary, a prominent figure in the counterculture movement, for answers. The repetition of "That's me" at the end emphasizes the idea of individualism and the singer's belief in themselves.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the desire to escape reality and conform to societal expectations, but ultimately embracing individualism and believing in oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Manchester England England
Referring to the city of Manchester in England where the singer is currently situated
Across the Atlantic Sea
Describing the distance between Manchester and America
And I'm a genius genius
The singer is self-proclaiming his genius
I believe in God
Expressing the singer's religious belief
And I believe that God
Continuing the mention of the singer's religious belief
Believes in Claude
The singer believes that God has faith in him and his abilities
That's me that's me
Reemphasizing that the person being referred to is the singer himself, Claude
Claude Hooper Bukowski
Introducing the character of Claude Hooper Bukowski, who is the singer himself
Finds that it's groovy
Claude thinks it's cool
To hide in a movie
Claude enjoys escaping reality by watching movies
Pretends he's Fellini
Claude pretends to be the famous Italian filmmaker, Federico Fellini
And Antonioni
Claude also pretends to be another Italian filmmaker, Michelangelo Antonioni
And also his countryman Roman Polanski
Claude pretends to be yet another filmmaker, his fellow countryman Roman Polanski
All rolled into one
Claude mixes all of these filmmaker identities together
One Claud Hooper Bukowski
Ending the description of Claude, reemphasizing that he is still the same person
Now that I've dropped out
Claude has dropped out of school, possibly college or university
Why is life dreary dreary
Claude is expressing boredom and dissatisfaction with life after dropping out of school
Answer my weary query
Asking for someone to help answer his question of why life is dreary
Timothy Leary dearie
Referring to the American psychologist and writer Timothy Francis Leary, possibly indicating that Claude is seeking a new, psychedelic direction in life
Oh Manchester England England
Repeating the first verse, bringing the song full circle
That's me (that's he)
Reemphasizing that the person being referred to is the singer himself, Claude
That's me (that's he)
That's me (that's he)
That's me
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gabrielmaffei7623
We starve, look at one another short of breath,
Walking proudly in our winter coats,
Wearing smells from laboratories,
Facing a dying nation of moving paper fantasy,
Listening for the new told lies with supreme visions of
Lonely tunes.
Somewhere, inside something, there is a rush of
Greatness.
Who knows what stands in front of our lives;
I fashion my future on films in space.
Silence tells me secretly everything, everything.
Manchester England, England
Manchester England, England
(Eyes look your last)
Across the Atlantic sea
(Arms, take your last embrace)
And I'm a genius, genius
(And lips, owe you the 'dors)
I believe in god
(Of breath. seal with a righteous kiss)
And I believe that god believes in Claude,
(Seal with a righteous kiss)
That's me. that's me.
(The rest is silence)
That's me.
(The rest is silence)
That's me.
(The rest is silence)
We starve, look at one another short of breath,
Walking proudly in our winter coats,
Wearing smells from laboratories,
Facing a dying nation of moving paper fantasy,
Listening for the new told lies with supreme visions of
Lonely tunes.
Singing our space songs on a spider web sitar,
"life is around you and in you."
Answer for Timothy Leary, deary.
Let the sun shine,
Let the sunshine in,
The sun shine in.
@jdmdallas
I won’t be the last to visit this page today. Rest in Peace, Treat Williams and thank you for the amazing body of work you leave behind. God bless your wife and kids. ❤️
@ReddFoxx1562
I think he'd know it wasn't about him.
@Fonziedaz1
Looks more like helmets ⛑️ 🪖 than hair 😅😂😊
@janosneszabo3371
Oh Yes!Memori Tret Williems,!
@juliaroberts5970
Jestem zPolski
@Fonziedaz1
@juliaroberts5970
If you don't mind me asking are you Julia Roberts the actor
@eauhomme
It doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie, the final scene where Berger walks on the plane on his way to Vietnam, followed by the scene of the hippies around his grave site always leaves a lump in my throat. A classic ending!
@shawnleprechaun482
Right! I almost couldn't watch this just now
@dalyand5944
I always full on cry.
@EverGameStudios
they don't make movies like that anymore