Dear Jessie
Madonna Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby face don't grow so fast
Make a special wish that will always last
Rub this magic lantern
He will make your dreams come true for you

Ride the rainbow to the other side
Catch a falling star and then take a ride
To the river that sings and the clover that
Brings good luck to you, it's all true

Pink elephants and lemonade, dear Jessie
Hear the laughter running through the love parade
Candy kisses and a sunny day, dear Jessie
See the roses raining on the love parade

If the land of make believe
Is inside your heart it will never leave
There's a golden gate where the fairies all wait
And dancing moons, for you

Close your eyes and you'll be there
Where the mermaids sing as they comb their hair
Like a fountain of gold you can never grow old
Where dreams are made, your love parade

Pink elephants and lemonade, dear Jessie
Hear the laughter running through the love parade
Candy kisses and a sunny day, dear Jessie
See the roses raining on the love parade

Your dreams are made inside the love parade
It's a holiday inside the love parade

On the merry-go-round of lovers and white turtle doves
Leprechauns floating by, this is your lullaby
Sugarplum fingertips kissing your honey lips
Close your eyes sleepy head, is it time for your bed
Never forget what I said, hang on you're already there

Close your eyes and you'll be there
Where the mermaids sing as they comb their hair
Like a fountain of gold you can never grow old
Where dreams are made, your love parade

Pink elephants and lemonade, dear Jessie
Hear the laughter running through the love parade
Candy kisses and a sunny day, dear Jessie
See the roses raining on the love parade





Your dreams are made inside your love parade
It's a holiday inside the love parade

Overall Meaning

“Dear Jessie” is a fantastical song by Madonna, which seems to touch upon the theme of childhood wonder and escapism. The track starts off with a rhyme, asking a baby face to slow down the growing process and make a special wish that would last forever. The wish is meant to be a genie in a magic lantern, who will make one’s dreams come true. The song’s titular character, Jessie is never introduced, but all through the track, the singer speaks directly to her, telling her to catch a falling star, ride the rainbow to the other side, and find the love parade.


The love parade, in the context of the song, is a place or a state of mind where dreams are made, there are pink elephants, lemonade, candy kisses, sunny days and roses raining down. The chorus of the song is repetitive and melodic, almost like a lullaby. The singer explains that the love parade is a holiday inside, and says “hang on, you’re already there” at the end of the song, insinuating that the love parade is the state of being inside one’s own imagination.


Madonna’s “Dear Jessie” is a beautiful song that uses metaphors and whimsical imagery to paint a picture of childlike wonder and escapism. The song’s lyrics suggest that the love parade is inside one’s heart and mind, and is a place where one can let go of all their worries and fears, and embrace the freedom of their imagination.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby face don't grow so fast
Don't try to grow up too quickly


Make a special wish that will always last
Make a wish that is meaningful and will last for a long time


Rub this magic lantern
Use this magical object to make your dreams come true


He will make your dreams come true for you
The magical being will fulfill your wishes


Ride the rainbow to the other side
Travel to a magical place that is full of wonder and joy


Catch a falling star and then take a ride
Catch something rare and special and use it to explore new places


To the river that sings and the clover that Brings good luck to you, it's all true
Go to a place where nature is welcoming and brings good fortune


Pink elephants and lemonade, dear Jessie
Enjoy the whimsy and joy of life


Hear the laughter running through the love parade
Experience the happiness of being surrounded by people you love


Candy kisses and a sunny day, dear Jessie
Enjoys the simple pleasures in life with those you care about


See the roses raining on the love parade
Witness the beauty of love and the celebration of it all around you


If the land of make believe
In a world of fantasy


Is inside your heart it will never leave
If you can imagine something in your heart, it will always be with you


There's a golden gate where the fairies all wait
A magical entrance where fairies gather and wait


And dancing moons, for you
Enjoy the beauty of the night sky with dancing moons


On the merry-go-round of lovers and white turtle doves
Feel the joy and excitement of love and companionship


Leprechauns floating by, this is your lullaby
Listen to the magical sounds of leprechauns as you fall asleep


Sugarplum fingertips kissing your honey lips
Experience the sweetness of love


Close your eyes sleepy head, is it time for your bed
Take a break and rest your head


Never forget what I said, hang on you're already there
Remember to cherish the moment you are in and appreciate the joy around you


Your dreams are made inside your love parade
The celebration of love can create and inspire dreams


It's a holiday inside the love parade
Love and the celebration of it brings joy and happiness like a holiday




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Madonna Louise Ciccone, Patrick Leonard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@tmalone2530

You cannot help but smile when listening to this. The Like A Prayer album is a masterpiece; this song is severely underrated.

@Pot_o_Tee

Yea takes me back ..I must admit fr a metal woman..its a good album

@moniidzia

This video must be canceled because it contains offensive depiction of chinese people.

@christiang.r.siordia1775

get a life @@moniidzia

@IvanZivko

@@moniidzia where in this video are chinese people offensivelly depicted?

@user-tp5kb4su7t

This sing Is something good of Madonna I think she was thinking of her family good song thankyou Madonna

9 More Replies...

@tomvaneldik3123

I'm 47 years old and this song still brings a tear to my eye.

@Arancha-rs5pb

@chocolatnoir1108

indeed❤ as we grow older and life gets more complicated, we will look deeper into some stuff like this - simplicity, purity, sweet melodies etc. well said my friend✅

@internalpowers3823

Sign of strength fella!!

More Comments

More Versions