Manchester
Galt MacDermot;Tom Pierson 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 first stanza of "Manchester" is a playful and boastful introduction of the singer, Claude Hooper Bukowski, who declares himself to be a genius and a believer in God. He expresses his conviction that God believes in him too, thereby establishing himself as a charismatic and confident character. The repetition of 'that's me' emphasizes his self-confidence.
In the second stanza, Claude's character is further developed as he is shown to be a movie buff who enjoys pretending to be famous Italian filmmakers like Fellini and Antonioni, as well as his countryman Roman Polanski. This suggests that Claude is an escapist who aspires to a life beyond his immediate surroundings. The line "All rolled into one" emphasizes his desire to merge various aspects of his personality, namely his love for movies and filmmaking.
The final two lines, addressed to Timothy Leary, express the singer's sense of disillusionment with life after having dropped out. The use of the word 'dearie' is somewhat ironic, as Claude is attempting to sound nonchalant in the face of what may be a deeply existential crisis. The refrain "That's me" ends the song on a confident note, with Claude reaffirming his self-belief.
Line by Line Meaning
Manchester England England
Referencing the city and country from which the singer hails
Across the Atlantic Sea
Acknowledging the distance between the singer and the setting of the song
And I'm a genius genius
Asserting the singer's personal intellectual prowess
I believe in God
Stating the artist's religious beliefs
And I believe that God
Continuing to speak about religion and the artist's personal convictions
Believes in Claude
Suggesting that the singer is special and favored by a higher power
That's me that's me
Confidently affirming the singer's identity as Claude, the aforementioned special individual
Claude Hooper Bukowski
Introducing a new character
Finds that it's groovy
Describing Claude's feelings about a particular activity or experience
To hide in a movie
Revealing Claude's preferred way to escape or pass time
Pretends he's Fellini
Describing how Claude immerses himself in his favored activity by assuming a different persona
And Antonioni
Naming another iconic filmmaker whom Claude emulates
And also his countryman Roman Polanski
Listing yet another director who Claude looks up to and emulates
All rolled into one
Asserting that Claude is able to embody all of these filmmakers' styles and personalities as one person
One Claud Hooper Bukowski
Reiterating that Claude is the focus of this portion of the song
Now that I've dropped out
Referring to Claude's decision to leave traditional education, likely college or university
Why is life dreary dreary
Posing a question about Claude's current situation
Answer my weary query
Implying that Claude is tired and needs clarity
Timothy Leary dearie
Calling out to an iconic counterculture figure of the time who popularized the use of psychedelics
That's me (that's he)
Reiterating the prior affirmation of Claude's identity, and acknowledging that the artist and Claude may be one in the same
That's me (that's he)
Reiterating the prior affirmation of Claude's identity, and acknowledging that the artist and Claude may be one in the same
That's me (that's he)
Reiterating the prior affirmation of Claude's identity, and acknowledging that the artist and Claude may be one in the same
That's me
Concluding the song by emphasizing the importance of the singer's identity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind