Manchester
G.MacDermot 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 song “Manchester” by Galt MacDermot is an introspective and somewhat surreal reflection on identity and existence. The opening lines “Manchester England England, across the Atlantic Sea” immediately establish a sense of dislocation and displacement, as if the singer is not quite sure of their place in the world. However, they also declare themselves to be a “genius genius”, a confident and assertive self-assessment that perhaps belies some insecurity.
The singer then introduces the character of Claude Hooper Bukowski, who finds solace in movies and in pretending to be famous directors like Fellini and Polanski. This suggests a desire to escape the reality of one’s own life and to inhabit a more glamorous and creative world. At the same time, it implies a sense of dissatisfaction with one’s own identity and a longing to be someone else.
The chorus repeats the opening lines, affirming the singer’s belief in God and a reciprocal belief that God believes in them. This could be seen as a comfort to the singer, but also as an acknowledgement of the inscrutable nature of faith and the uncertainties that come with it. The song ends with a plea to Timothy Leary, the famous advocate of LSD, asking why life is “dreary dreary” now that the singer has “dropped out” of conventional society. In this way, “Manchester” can be read as a critique of societal norms and expectations, as well as a meditation on the human need for meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Manchester England England
The song is about Manchester, a city in England, and how the singer is associating it with himself and his beliefs.
Across the Atlantic Sea
The singer is not currently in Manchester but is across the sea.
And I'm a genius genius
The singer believes he is a genius.
I believe in God
The artist has a strong belief in God.
And I believe that God
The artist believes that God believes in Claude.
Believes in Claude
The singer believes that God has faith in him.
That's me that's me
The singer is Claude Hooper Bukowski.
Claude Hooper Bukowski
The artist's name and identity.
Finds that it's groovy
Claude thinks it's cool.
To hide in a movie
Claude likes to escape reality by watching movies.
Pretends he's Fellini
Claude pretends to be the famous Italian film director Federico Fellini.
And Antonioni
Claude also pretends to be Michelangelo Antonioni, another Italian film director.
And also his countryman Roman Polanski
Claude also pretends to be the Polish film director Roman Polanski.
All rolled into one
Claude sees himself as a combination of all these film directors.
One Claud Hooper Bukowski
Claude's true identity is still himself, despite his love for movies and pretending to be other directors.
Now that I've dropped out
Claude has dropped out of something, potentially school or society in general.
Why is life dreary dreary
Claude is unhappy with the current state of his life and is questioning its meaning.
Answer my weary query
Claude is asking for someone to give him an answer to his tired questions about life.
Timothy Leary dearie
The singer addresses Timothy Leary, a prominent advocate for LSD use in the 60s and 70s, perhaps hoping that he had an answer for him.
That's me (that's he)
The artist, Claude, is the same person as the 'he' being referred to in the previous line.
That's me (that's he)
The artist, Claude, is the same person as the 'he' being referred to in the previous line.
That's me (that's he)
The artist, Claude, is the same person as the 'he' being referred to in the previous line.
That's me
The singer is reemphasizing that he is indeed Claude Hooper Bukowski, the central figure of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind