Manchester England
Hair [Original Broadway Cast] 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
In the song "Manchester England" from the Broadway musical "Hair," the singer Claude Hooper Bukowski sings about his desire to escape reality by pretending to be a cinematic genius. He sees himself as a rebel, an artist and a visionary, and compares himself to famous directors such as Federico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Roman Polanski. Essentially, Claude is trying to create an identity for himself that separates him from the mundane existence of his peers. He declares himself a genius and exclaims that he believes in God, and moreover, he believes that God also believes in him.
The song's lyrics also convey a sense of disillusionment with the world and a need for escapism. Claude laments that life is dreary since he has "dropped out" of society, and he asks Timothy Leary, a prominent figure in the countercultural movement of the 1960s, to answer his "weary query" about the meaning of life. In this way, the song reflects the era in which it was written, a time when young people were questioning the status quo and searching for ways to reject traditional values and societal norms. "Manchester England" can be seen as an anthem for those who chose to pursue their passions and dreams, even if it meant going against the grain.
Line by Line Meaning
Manchester England England
Compared to my current location across the Atlantic, Manchester in England is prominent and well-known.
Across the Atlantic Sea
I am currently far away from Manchester, England as I sail across the Atlantic Sea.
And I'm a genius genius
I consider myself a brilliant individual who possesses extraordinary intelligence.
I believe in God
I hold the belief that there is a higher power, God, who governs and influences our lives.
And I believe that God
My faith is so strong that I firmly believe that God has confidence in me.
Believes in Claude
God has faith in me, Claude, to achieve my goals and aspirations.
That's me that's me
I am the person in whom God has placed his faith and trust, namely, Claude.
Claude Hooper Bukowski
This is my full name, which identifies me as an individual with a unique personality.
Finds that it's groovy
I think it's cool or enjoyable to do a certain thing or act in a particular way.
To hide in a movie
It is appealing to me to escape my mundane life by becoming engrossed in a film or story.
Pretends he's Fellini
I act as if I am Federico Fellini, an Italian director known for his unique and imaginative films.
And Antonioni
I also act as if I am Michelangelo Antonioni, an Italian filmmaker who was famed for his existential films.
And also his countryman Roman Polanski
In addition, I act like Roman Polanski, a Polish film director who achieved global success for his work.
All rolled into one
I blend these different characters and personalities into one, creating my own unique identity.
One Claud Hooper Bukowski
I am a singular person with my own story and path, named Claud Hooper Bukowski.
Now that I've dropped out
Since I have left school or mainstream society, my life has been different and transformed.
Why is life dreary dreary
I am wondering why life seems so dull, uneventful, and without purpose.
Answer my weary query
I implore someone to respond and explain why I feel so tired and puzzled with my current situation.
Timothy Leary dearie
I am addressing Timothy Leary, an American psychologist and writer known for his advocacy for psychedelic drugs, informally and affectionately.
That's me (that's he)
I am the same person, Claude Hooper Bukowski, as mentioned earlier.
That's me (that's he)
I am the same person, Claude Hooper Bukowski, as mentioned earlier.
That's me (that's he)
I am the same person, Claude Hooper Bukowski, as mentioned earlier.
That's me
I, Claude Hooper Bukowski, am the person to whom all of the previous lines refer.
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gabrielmaffei7623
We starve, look at one another short of breath,
Walking proudly in our winter coats,
Wearing smells from laboratories,
Facing a dying nation of moving paper fantasy,
Listening for the new told lies with supreme visions of
Lonely tunes.
Somewhere, inside something, there is a rush of
Greatness.
Who knows what stands in front of our lives;
I fashion my future on films in space.
Silence tells me secretly everything, everything.
Manchester England, England
Manchester England, England
(Eyes look your last)
Across the Atlantic sea
(Arms, take your last embrace)
And I'm a genius, genius
(And lips, owe you the 'dors)
I believe in god
(Of breath. seal with a righteous kiss)
And I believe that god believes in Claude,
(Seal with a righteous kiss)
That's me. that's me.
(The rest is silence)
That's me.
(The rest is silence)
That's me.
(The rest is silence)
We starve, look at one another short of breath,
Walking proudly in our winter coats,
Wearing smells from laboratories,
Facing a dying nation of moving paper fantasy,
Listening for the new told lies with supreme visions of
Lonely tunes.
Singing our space songs on a spider web sitar,
"life is around you and in you."
Answer for Timothy Leary, deary.
Let the sun shine,
Let the sunshine in,
The sun shine in.
@jdmdallas
I won’t be the last to visit this page today. Rest in Peace, Treat Williams and thank you for the amazing body of work you leave behind. God bless your wife and kids. ❤️
@ReddFoxx1562
I think he'd know it wasn't about him.
@Fonziedaz1
Looks more like helmets ⛑️ 🪖 than hair 😅😂😊
@janosneszabo3371
Oh Yes!Memori Tret Williems,!
@juliaroberts5970
Jestem zPolski
@Fonziedaz1
@juliaroberts5970
If you don't mind me asking are you Julia Roberts the actor
@eauhomme
It doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie, the final scene where Berger walks on the plane on his way to Vietnam, followed by the scene of the hippies around his grave site always leaves a lump in my throat. A classic ending!
@shawnleprechaun482
Right! I almost couldn't watch this just now
@dalyand5944
I always full on cry.
@EverGameStudios
they don't make movies like that anymore