Jean Genie
David Bowie
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A small Jean Genie snuck off to the city Strung out on lasers and slash-back blazers Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters Talking 'bout Monroe and walking on Snow White New York's a go-go, and everything tastes right Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh Keep her comin' The Jean Genie lives on his back The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie) Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile She love him, she love him but just for a short while She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear Poor little Greenie, ooh-ooh The Jean Genie lives on his back The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie) Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah He's so simple-minded, he can't drive his module He bites on the neon and sleeps in a capsule Loves to be loved, loves to be loved Oh, Jean Genie lives on his back The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie) Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah Go! Go! The Jean Genie lives on his back The Jean Genie loves chimney stacks He's outrageous, he screams and he bawls (Jean Genie) Jean Genie, let yourself go, whoah Go, go go!
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Written by: RAYMOND KLAGES, FATS WALLER
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
25 facts about this song
Song Release"Jean Genie" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, which was first released as a single in November 1972.
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Highest Chart PositionIt peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, making it one of Bowie's most successful songs.
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Album InclusionThe song later appeared on the album "Aladdin Sane" released in April 1973.
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Song Inspiration"Jean Genie" was inspired by Bowie's friend Iggy Pop, and an amalgam of a French novelist Jean Genet.
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Music GenreThe song largely falls under the glam rock genre, characterized by its catchy pop hooks and guitar riffs.
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Song ThemeBowie described "Jean Genie" as a "smorgasbord of imagined Americana", with a protagonist who was "an archetype of some kind of American culture".
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Single B-SideThe b-side of the "Jean Genie" single features the song "Ziggy Stardust" in its live version from the motion picture of the same name.
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Video DirectorThe promotional film for the song was directed by Mick Rock, who has directed multiple music videos for Bowie.
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PerformanceDavid Bowie performed "Jean Genie" live on numerous occasions, including his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the Hammersmith Odeon in July 1973.
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Song RecognitionIn 1997, "Jean Genie" was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".
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Cover VersionSeveral artists have covered the song, including the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious and Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots.
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ReissueThe song was released as a picture disc in 2013 to connect with the reissue of Bowie’s ”Aladdin Sane”, this also commemorated the track's 40th Anniversary.
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LyricsThe phrase "He's so simple minded, he can't drive his module" in the song reflects Bowie's interest in Space. "Module" refers to the Lunar Module from the Apollo missions.
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Connection to ConcertsThe "Jean Genie" was also often performed in David Bowie's concert tours and released in multiple live albums.
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Critic ReviewsMusic critics have often reviewed "Jean Genie" as an anthemic glam rock track and a standout in Bowie's discography.
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Album Release"Jean Genie" is a song by David Bowie, released in November 1972 as a single from his 1973 album, "Aladdin Sane."
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Chart PerformanceThe song was a huge hit and peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, making it one of Bowie’s biggest hits in the country.
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Dedicated to Iggy PopThe song was reportedly inspired by and dedicated to Bowie's friend Iggy Pop. The title is a pun on the name of French novelist and thinker, Jean Genet.
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American tour inspirationDavid Bowie initially composed "Jean Genie" while on tour in the United States, finding inspiration from the unique varieties of American music and rock culture that differed from the music scene in England.
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Iconic LyricsThough the song lyrics of "Jean Genie" can be considered cryptic, the song is iconic due to its simple yet catchy chorus.
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Genre"The Jean Genie" is typically classified as glam rock with a heavy blues influence. It features a hard-edged blues-rock sound influenced by American R&B music.
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Controversial Cover ImageThe vinyl single release in the UK had a controversial cover image, featuring Bowie naked from the chest up with a strong highlight on his arm muscles which people mistakenly perceived as showing Bowie in a provocative pose.
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Pop Culture ReferenceThe song is referenced in multiple forms of media. It was used in the soundtrack of the movie "School of Rock" and is played during the credits of the movie "The Martian."
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Live PerformanceBowie played "Jean Genie" on the TV shows Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test in the 70's. It was also a regular on his concert setlists.
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Re-RecordingBowie re-recorded parts of "Jean Genie" in 1997 for a BBC special, wherein he brought a different, softer sound to the song.
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Citation
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"Jean Genie Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30162098/David+Bowie/Jean+Genie>.
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