The Jean Genie
David Bowie; Mick Ronson Lyrics
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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 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!
In David Bowie's song, The Jean Genie, the lyrics tell the story of a small, green genie who leaves his home to explore the city. The genie is described as being addicted to drugs and is "strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers." He is depicted as a wild and outrageous character who eats razors, talks about Marilyn Monroe and walks on Snow White. The city is described as a place where everything tastes right and is full of life.
The Jean Genie is also a ladies' man who attracts women but only for a short while. He is described as sitting like a man but smiling like a reptile. He tells people he's a beautician and sells nutrition but keeps their dead hair to make underwear. The refrain 'The Jean Genie lives on his back, the Jean Genie loves chimney stacks' indicates that he is always on the move, constantly searching for new experiences.
The overall meaning of the song is not entirely clear, but it seems to be a celebration of the cosmopolitan lifestyle, particularly of New York City in the 1970s. The Jean Genie is a symbol of the freedom and recklessness of this time, a character that embodies the darkness and excitement of the city's nightlife.
Line by Line Meaning
A small Jean Genie snuck off to the city
A mischievous creature named Jean Genie left its small abode in search of adventure in the big city
Strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers
High on the sights and sounds of the city, Jean Genie indulges in the flashy and edgy fashion trends
Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
Jean Genie's impulsive behavior led to it consuming inedible objects and pestering the servers at restaurants
Talking 'bout Monroe and walking on Snow White
Jean Genie references popular culture icons like Marilyn Monroe and fairy tale characters like Snow White while strolling through the city
New York's a go-go, and everything tastes right
Jean Genie enjoys the vibrancy and excitement of New York City, where everything seems perfect
Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh
Despite Jean Genie's apparent joy, there is a hint of sadness or sympathy for the creature
Keep her comin'
Encouragement to continue the upbeat atmosphere and good times
The Jean Genie lives on his back
The carefree lifestyle of Jean Genie is described, where it takes life as it comes and does not worry about it
The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks
Jean Genie has a fascination with the industrial aspect of the city, particularly with towering chimney stacks
He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie)
Jean Genie's behavior is wild and crazy, manifested in screaming and making a lot of noise
Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah
An encouragement to Jean Genie to continue being free-spirited and unrestrained
Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile
Jean Genie's demeanor is described as sitting like a human, though its facial expression is more akin to a reptile's
She love him, she love him but just for a short while
Jean Genie's flings are described, where it is loved but only temporarily
She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand
Jean Genie's lovers have a hard time letting go despite Jean Genie being transient
He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition
Jean Genie lies about its profession and sells dubious nutrition items
And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear
Jean Genie hoards strange items for the purpose of making underwear, including dead hair
He's so simple-minded, he can't drive his module
Despite being wild and unconventional, Jean Genie has limitations and is not capable of a straightforward task like driving
He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule
Jean Genie indulges in bright, flashy things like neon lights and prefers to sleep in a space resembling a capsule
Loves to be loved, loves to be loved
Jean Genie craves attention and affection
Go, go go!
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm to continue having a good time
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, TINTORETTO MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID BOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Georgie Thumbs
It must have been utterly mind blowing seeing this guy live back then, close to the stage. It must have been like watching an alien from another planet which I assume was Bowies intention.
frank waters
it was indeed mind blowing. i saw him in san francisco, they were not yet famous. i'd never heard of him, but my friend encouraged me to go. so glad i did. it was one of his very first shows in the US, so there were very few people left in the audience when bowie, the headliner, came on. everybody came to see the second bill band. so we were standing about 4 feet from the stage. the only people left in the audience was a bunch of drag queens.
Grace
frank waters that must have been a brilliant experience
frank waters
@Grace it was mind blowing to put it lightly.
K H
I saw the diamond dogs show in 74.only 13 when Ziggy was around
Michael G
@K H My first bowie memory... The teenage neighbor girl had the Diamond Dogs record and played it all the time, and once my foot landed in her crotch when we were on opposite ends of the couch (I was 9) so I guess I got a feel, with my foot, and remember saying, what the heck is that, its all warm.. she's like its my crotch.... Then we met Leonard Nimoy the next day (Spock), true story, my dad lived at the time at a ski resort where celebrities would stay back then doing local theater work. But I did see the Serious Moonlight and Sound and Vision tours, which unfortunately were not as intense as this.
James Kendall
This is one of Bowie's most fabulous songs ever.
Rob Jones
David at his decadent best. The horn section kicks this already iconic track into
another gear. As for Mick Ronson, a truly brilliant guitarist who deserved to
have more acclaim in his short lifetime.
Lucas Laino
He got respect from his colleagues.
MiddleEarthling
@lucaslaino7292 This is true. His work with Canadian musician Dalbello is great too.