Manning also submitted keyboard work to artists such as Jet, Ringo Starr, Green Day, Angels & Airwaves, Diana Ross, Jamiroquai, Johnny Cash, Lisa Marie Presley, Morrissey, OPM and Sheryl Crow.
Roger lists his influences as keyboard-centric artists Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Brian Eno and Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as punk rock and New Wave bands like Gang of Four, Thomas Dolby, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Buzzcocks, Dead Kennedys, Talk Talk, The Damned, XTC, Tears for Fears, Suicidal Tendencies, Madness and Wall of Voodoo.
Biography by Andrew Leahey
Dragonfly
Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you made of love sent from above to me
Can this really be
Oh dragonfly now you’re in my dreams
And though you seem so far
You’re my shining star
Every glimpse I steal leads me on
Dragonfly your kiss devours
I’m dying so sweetly
Dragonfly where can I find you
I’ve searched everywhere but still no sign of you
This just can’t be true
Dragonfly so veiled in mystery
You’re a work of art that breaks my heart in two
What am I to do
Dragonfly can you be for real
Every glimpse I steal leads me on
Dragonfly your kiss devours
I’m dying so sweetly
Beware how they warned
A guy could fall for you
Something a spy should never do
So release me from your arms
I insist you set me free
Dragonfly can you be for real
Every glimpse I steal leads me on
Dragonfly your kiss devours
I’m dying so sweetly
All hope’s lost I fear
I’m in love its true
I’d betray the world for you
So darling tell me why
Do we have to say goodbye
Please untie me now
The song "Dragonfly" by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. is an ode to a mysterious and alluring love interest, represented by the delicate and elusive insect, the dragonfly. The song is filled with questions about this person's identity and intentions, and a sense of desperation to find and be with them. The singer is enthralled by the dragonfly's beauty and grace, but also fears the power of their kiss and the possibility of falling too deeply in love.
Throughout the song, the dragonfly is portrayed as a sort of enigma, veiled in mystery and even danger. The singer has been warned about the dragonfly's allure, but is unable to resist their pull. The repeated refrain of "Dragonfly can you be for real" expresses both disbelief and longing, as if the singer cannot believe that someone so captivating could truly exist.
Overall, "Dragonfly" is a song about the intoxicating and often painful experience of falling in love with someone who seems too good to be true. The singer is simultaneously entranced and terrified by this person, and desperately wants to be with them despite the risks.
Line by Line Meaning
Dragonfly what are you made of
The singer questions the essence of the dragonfly
Are you made of love sent from above to me
The singer wonders if the dragonfly represents a divine love
Can this really be
The singer expresses disbelief at the possibility of the dragonfly's love
Oh dragonfly now you’re in my dreams
The singer dreams of the dragonfly
And though you seem so far
The singer feels distant from the dragonfly
You’re my shining star
The dragonfly represents a guiding light for the singer
Dragonfly can you be for real
The singer questions the existence of the dragonfly's love
Every glimpse I steal leads me on
Seeing the dragonfly fuels the singer's hope that their love is real
Dragonfly your kiss devours
The dragonfly's love overwhelms the singer
I’m dying so sweetly
The singer is succumbing to the dragonfly's love
Dragonfly where can I find you
The singer searches for the dragonfly
I’ve searched everywhere but still no sign of you
The singer has been unsuccessful in finding the dragonfly
This just can’t be true
The singer struggles to accept that the dragonfly's love may not exist
Dragonfly so veiled in mystery
The dragonfly's love is enigmatic to the singer
You’re a work of art that breaks my heart in two
The dragonfly's love is both beautiful and painful to the singer
What am I to do
The singer is unsure of how to cope with the dragonfly's love
Beware how they warned
The singer heeds advice from others
A guy could fall for you
Others caution the singer about the dangers of falling in love with the dragonfly
Something a spy should never do
The singer may be involved in espionage, and falling in love could put their mission at risk
So release me from your arms
The singer pleads with the dragonfly to let go of their love
I insist you set me free
The singer demands that the dragonfly end their relationship
All hope’s lost I fear
The singer feels hopeless about their love for the dragonfly
I’m in love its true
The singer admits their love for the dragonfly
I’d betray the world for you
The singer would sacrifice anything for the dragonfly's love
So darling tell me why
The singer questions the dragonfly's motives for loving them
Do we have to say goodbye
The singer mourns the end of their relationship with the dragonfly
Please untie me now
The singer seeks emotional liberation from the dragonfly
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.