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 song "Manchester" by Galt Macdermot is a quirky and whimsical tribute to the city of Manchester, England, conveyed through the eyes of the eccentric narrator Claude Hooper Bukowski. The first stanza of the song sees Claude professing his own genius and belief in God, as well as his conviction that God believes in him. The second stanza sees him adopting various cinematic personas, including Fellini, Antonioni, and Roman Polanski, as he basks in the enchanting world of cinema. However, despite this fictional world of his own creation, Claude finds life dreary after dropping out, and he poses a question to Timothy Leary, the famous psychologist who espoused the use of psychedelics for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment.
The song's lyrics are laden with amusing wordplay, including the repetition of the phrases "Manchester England England" and "genius genius" alongside tongue-in-cheek humor such as the adoption of Fellini's and Antonioni's personas by Claude. The use of multiple cinematic references and the use of 'dropping out' echo the counterculture movement in the 1960s and signify the universality of its ethos. The song is a celebration of the spirit of Manchester and its creative energy as well as a reflection on the quest for personal enlightenment and identity that remains as relevant today as it was when the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
Manchester England England
Referring to Manchester in England, with repetition for emphasis
Across the Atlantic Sea
Noting the distance between the singer and Manchester
And I'm a genius genius
Asserting the singer’s genius, with repetition for emphasis
I believe in God
Expressing a belief in a higher power
And I believe that God
Continuing the discussion of belief in God
Believes in Claude
Suggesting the singer, Claude, is favored by God
That's me that's me
Confirming the singer is Claude and reiterating the previous line
Claude Hooper Bukowski
Introducing the artist’s full name
Finds that it's groovy
Noting that the artist thinks something is cool or enjoyable
To hide in a movie
Finding comfort or escape in films
Pretends he's Fellini
Imagining oneself as the Italian film director Federico Fellini
And Antonioni
Also imagining oneself as the Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni
And also his countryman Roman Polanski
Imagining oneself as the Polish film director Roman Polanski
All rolled into one
Combining the three film directors into one imagined persona
One Claud Hooper Bukowski
Returning to the singer's identity
Now that I've dropped out
Noting the artist has left school or society
Why is life dreary dreary
Questioning why life is dull or unfulfilling, with repetition for emphasis
Answer my weary query
Asking for an answer to the previous question, and referencing feeling tired or worn out
Timothy Leary dearie
Addressing the counterculture figure Timothy Leary in a diminutive way
Oh Manchester England England
Repeating the opening lines for emphasis
And I'm a genius genius
Reiterating the artist's assertion of genius
I believe in God
Repeating the artist's belief in God
And I believe that God
Repeating the previous line
Believes in Claude
Repeating the idea that God favors the artist
That's me (that's he)
Repeating the singer's identity
That's me (that's he)
Repeating the previous line
That's me (that's he)
Repeating the previous line
That's me
Repeating the previous lines for emphasis
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind