Jean
Claudio Casanova and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jeane,
Addressing someone named Jeane, possibly a lover or a friend

The low life has lost its appeal
The singer is tired of living a rough lifestyle

And I'm tired of walking these streets
The singer is tired of living in poverty and wandering aimlessly

To a room with its cupboards bare
The artist is living in a place devoid of any belongings or comforts

Jeane, I'm not sure what happiness means
The artist is uncertain about what happiness is

But I look in your eyes and I know...
Despite not understanding happiness, the singer finds comfort in looking at Jeane's eyes

That it isn't there
The singer realizes that happiness is not present in their current situation

We tried and we failed
The artist experienced failure after attempting something with Jeane

Oh Jeane...
Addressing Jeane again, implying that she could have played a role in their failure

There's ice on the sink where we bathe
The living conditions are poor and uncomfortable

So how can you call this a home
The singer questions how Jeane could consider their living situation a home

When you know its a grave
The artist equates the living situation to a grave, implying that it is killing them slowly

Yet you still have that greedy grace...
Jeane still carries herself with grace despite their tough circumstances, but the singer finds it a bit selfish

As you tidy the place
Jeane is cleaning up, which could be seen as futile given the conditions of their home

But it will never be clean... Jeane
The singer acknowledges that their home will never be clean or comfortable, addressing Jeane again

Gash on the nail
The artist is hurt in some way, represented by the wound on their nail

Its just a fairytale...
The artist thinks that love, or whatever the situation with Jeane is, is just a fantasy now

And I don't believe in magic anymore, Jeane...
The singer doesn't believe in love, miracles, or anything that can make their situation better

But I think you know, I really think you know
The singer thinks Jeane is aware of how dire their situation is

Oh yes I think you know the truth, Jeane
The artist believes that Jeane is aware of their situation but chooses to ignore it

No heavenly choirs not for me
The artist doesn't believe in anything great happening to him anymore

And no not for you
Jeane is also not going to receive any help or salvation

Because I think you know
The singer believes Jeane knows the truth of their circumstances

I really think you know
The artist strongly believes that Jeane is aware of their situation

I think you know the truth
The singer suspects that Jeane knows the severity of their poverty and living conditions

We tried and we failed
The singer repeats that they have failed after trying something with Jeane

We tried and we failed
Repeating the previous line for emphasis

We tried and we failed
Repeating the previous line for emphasis

We tried and we failed
Repeating the previous line for emphasis

We tried...
The singer ends with a sense of resignation, acknowledging that nothing has worked so far with Jeane