Born and raised in San Diego, California, RuPaul later studied performing arts in Atlanta, Georgia. He settled in New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the LGBTQ+ nightclub scene. He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his debut single, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was included on his debut studio album Supermodel of the World (1993). He became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics in 1994, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. He later received his own talk show on VH1 called The RuPaul Show, which he hosted for over 100 episodes while co-hosting the morning radio show on WKTU with Michelle Visage.
RuPaul's Drag Race was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce fourteen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally, with several international variants of the show being made, such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. This has also inspired several spin-offs of the main show, including RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race. He is also featured as a host on other reality television series such as Skin Wars, Good Work, and Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul.
RuPaul has made appearances in films such as Crooklyn (1994), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), television shows such as Girlboss (2017), Broad City (2017), and Grace and Frankie (2019). He later created and starred in his own Netflix original television series AJ and the Queen (2020). In addition, he has also published three books: Lettin' It All Hang Out (1995), Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style (2010), and GuRu (2018).
RuPaul is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States. For his work on RuPaul's Drag Race, he has received 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most-awarded person of color in the history of the Primetime Emmys. Outside of film and television, he also continues to write and record music; he has released fourteen studio albums as of 2022, and received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Geronimo
RuPaul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please believe it, and let that be the reason!
Geronimo, Geronimo, they're falling like they're dominos
Sight beat the world and we shall see!
Geronimo, Geronimo, they're falling like they're dominos
Please believe it, and let that be the reason!
Geronimo, Geronimo, they're falling like they're dominos
Eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, la la la la la
Eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, la la la la la
Geronimo, Geronimo
These girls are falling dominos
They, they call me dynamo
But I'll be yelling vamanos
So you're 'bout undergo
Daenerys in a Game of Thrones
No, I'm not no common hoe
Slip sliding down a rabbit hole, what?
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches double Dutch
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches, so what's up?
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches double Dutch
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches, so what's up?
Jump!
Up and down
Jump!
All around
Jump!
Up and down
Jump!
Now make your bootie bounce!
(Bootie bounce, now make your bootie bounce
Bootie bounce, now make your bootie bounce)
Eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, la la la la la
Eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, eh eh, la la la la la
Geronimo, Geronimo
I send 'em to Guantanamo
Or better yet the Alamo
Macaulay Culkin's home alone
It's my sickening do-si-do
My undefeated rope-a-dope
From Tokyo to Kokomo
My syncopated rodeo, what?
I got my chaperone
My wherefore art though Romeo
Tell Juliet to hold the phone
'Cause she never gonna get that tootsie roll
It's my turn to chew da bone
Just spread my leg like Sharon Stone
To dominate like Al Capone
This playground is my battle zone, what?
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches double Dutch
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches, so what's up?
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches double Dutch
And they'll be slaying (oh!)
I slay these bitches, so what's up?
Jump!
Up and down
Jump!
All around
Jump!
Up and down
Jump!
Now make your bootie bounce!
(Bootie bounce, now make your bootie bounce
Bootie bounce, now make your bootie bounce)
Pretty little lady boy, pretty as can be
All the boys in the hood go crazy over me
But I don't care, I don't pay them no mind
'Cause I got ish to do and I ain't got time
In "Geronimo," RuPaul appears to be celebrating the power and success that comes with being true to oneself and following one's dreams. The title itself is a reference to the Apache warrior Geronimo, who famously fought against the forces of colonization and oppression. Throughout the lyrics, RuPaul uses a mixture of English and Spanish to convey a sense of freedom and empowerment. He encourages his listeners to believe in themselves and to let nothing stand in their way.
In the first verse, RuPaul references the game of dominos, suggesting that those who resist change and hold onto outdated ideas will fall apart like a row of dominos. He also asserts that he is not a "common hoe" and instead sees himself as a powerful force that cannot be stopped. The chorus repeats the mantra that those who stick to their beliefs and keep pushing forward will come out on top. The bridge features a series of commands to jump up and down and make one's "booty bounce," encouraging listeners to embrace their bodies and dance to their own beat.
The second verse continues to play with language and references a wide variety of pop culture touchstones, from the Home Alone movies to Romeo and Juliet. The overall message, however, remains consistent: RuPaul is unstoppable and refuses to let anyone hold him back. He encourages others to follow his lead and find the same sense of self-confidence and pride in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Geronimo, Geronimo, they're falling like they're dominos
Things are happening one after another, quickly and without control.
Please believe it, and let that be the reason!
The events happening shouldn't be doubted, and should be recognized as a legitimate reason for action.
Sight beat the world and we shall see!
Once we have accomplished something, we can look back and understand the world better.
These girls are falling dominos
Referring to the bitches who are trying to take her down.
They, they call me dynamo
Referring to her own power and strength.
But I'll be yelling vamanos
Getting ready for a challenge and taking control of the situation.
So you're 'bout undergo
Getting ready to face something.
Daenerys in a Game of Thrones
Referring to the character Daenerys in the TV show Game of Thrones who was a strong ruler.
No, I'm not no common hoe
She is not an ordinary person and has power in herself.
Slip sliding down a rabbit hole, what?
Talking about change in her life and struggling with it.
I slay these bitches double Dutch
Dominating her rivals.
So what's up?
Challenging her rivals and asking them, what are they capable of?
Jump! Up and down Jump! All around Jump! Up and down Jump! Now make your bootie bounce!
Encouraging the listener to move and dance to the music.
I send 'em to Guantanamo Or better yet the Alamo
Referencing places known for being places of punishment and making a point that she will punish her rivals.
Macaulay Culkin's home alone
She is focused on winning and doesn't care about anything else, in reference to the plot of the movie 'Home Alone'.
It's my sickening do-si-do
Referring to her dance moves and the effect it has on the audience.
My undefeated rope-a-dope
Referring to her moves and approach to win every challenge.
From Tokyo to Kokomo
Referring to various parts of the world where she has dominated.
My syncopated rodeo, what?
Referring to her dance moves and attitude of taking control of every challenge.
I got my chaperone, My wherefore art though Romeo, Tell Juliet to hold the phone, 'Cause she never gonna get that tootsie roll
Referring to friends and admirers watching out for her, and ignoring any outside distractions.
It's my turn to chew da bone, Just spread my leg like Sharon Stone, To dominate like Al Capone, This playground is my battle zone, what?
Referring to taking control of the situation and being a dominant figure in it.
Pretty little lady boy, pretty as can be, All the boys in the hood go crazy over me, But I don't care, I don't pay them no mind, 'Cause I got ish to do and I ain't got time
Referring to her beauty and the attention she gets from others, but she is focused on her own business and doesn't care about others' opinions.
Contributed by London H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mikayla8474
this is to Rupaul. thank you do much for showing me it's OK to be a different sexuality and its OK to be myself. you are an inspiration to us all
@pabloso4179
One of Rupaul's best and underrated songs and music videos.
@AntonioTorcasioo
this is NOT a music video...this is a RUsic video.
@mascottie
Yes!
@baphomet99
I start watching it and the guy comes out of nowhere tweaking like “peek a Ru!”
@buscolaluna
I never understand how these videos don't get more views, considering the popularity of the show!
@danielapardo9776
I was wondering the same thing
@Adoribull1312
I used to be confused why straight guys always have women dancing in barely any clothing in their videos but since these videos I completely understand
@anti_boo_art2151
Made my sister watch this. She said,"I never knew a guy can bend that much, he moved so fast!" Lol love her
@AlfredoGarciaYTChannel
Loved it! Thanks Ru, for another amazing dance track.