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A small Jean Genie snuck off to the city
Strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers
Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
Talking 'bout Monroe and walking on Snow White
New York's a go-go, and everything tastes right
Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh

Keep her comin'
The Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah

Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile
She love him, she love him but just for a short while
She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand
He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition
And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear
Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh

The Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah

He's so simple-minded, he can't drive his module
He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule
Loves to be loved, loves to be loved

Oh, Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah

Go!
Go!

The Jean Genie lives on his back
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah





Go, go go!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Jean Genie" by David Bowie explore the idea of a rebellious and flamboyant character who is unlike anyone else. The song tells the story of a small Jean Genie who sneaks off to the city and becomes strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers. He is outrageous, screaming and bawling while loving the city's go-go atmosphere, everything tastes right. The Jean Genie is a free spirit who is outrageous and wild, "letting himself go," and living on his back. The lyrics also suggest that the Jean Genie is a scam artist, pretending to be a beautician and selling fake nutrition, keeping people's dead hair for making up underwear. However, despite his flaws, people are still enamored with him and love him for a short while.


The lyrics of "Jean Genie" are full of groovy slang and cultural references that paint a vivid picture of the character. Bowie's description of the Jean Genie as sitting like a man but smiling like a reptile adds to his mysterious and enigmatic nature. Furthermore, the line, "He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule," conjures images of a drugged-out and hedonistic lifestyle. Overall, the song suggests that the Jean Genie is an outcast who is happy to be living outside societies norms and conventions.


Line by Line Meaning

A small Jean Genie snuck off to the city
A small person embodying the spirit of a genie, sneakily traveled to the city.


Strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers
Under the influence of powerful drugs and experiencing bursts of creativity and inspiration.


Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
In the throes of addiction, consumed all of the sharpest and deadliest things around while mistreating servers.


Talking 'bout Monroe and walking on Snow White
Swapping stories about celebrities and walking on cocaine.


New York's a go-go, and everything tastes right
New York City is bustling and exciting, and everything feels enjoyable and fun.


Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh
The small genie is in trouble and vulnerable.


Keep her comin'
Requesting more of the addictive substance.


The Jean Genie lives on his back
The genie is addicted and constantly seeking the next high.


The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
The genie is drawn to places and things that give him a sense of elevation.


He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
The genie is erratic, loud, and unpredictable.


Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
Allow yourself to fully embrace your true self and desires, oh genie.


Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile
Displays human-like features but resembles a cold-blooded animal in expression.


She love him, she love him but just for a short while
Someone loves the genie, but only temporarily due to his addictive and unpredictable behavior.


She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand
Even as the relationship deteriorates, there is still an element of clinging to each other.


He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition
The genie claims to be able to beautify and provide nourishment, likely as a sales pitch for drugs and other harmful substances.


And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear
The genie collects strange and unsettling things for his own purposes.


He's so simple-minded, he can't drive his module
The genie is not capable of basic tasks, likely due to his addiction.


He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule
The genie indulges in bright lights and intense experiences, and sleeps in a drug-induced state.


Loves to be loved, loves to be loved
Craves attention and affection, but often can't reciprocate in a healthy way.


Go!
Encouraging the music and energy to continue.


Go, go go!
Urging the music and excitement to reach new heights.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RAYMOND KLAGES, FATS WALLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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