I was born down by the river where the dirty water flows
And the cold wind cut through me, it cut right through my clothes
And the anger and the yearning, like fever in my veins
Set the fire burning

She came down from Knightstown with her hands hard from the line
From the first time I laid eyes on her I know that she'd be mine
Her father was a lawman, he swore he'd shoot me dead
'Cause he knew I wanted Jeannie and I'd have'r her like I said

[Chorus:]
Jeannie needs a shooter
Shooter like me
Jeannie needs a shooter
Jeannie needs a shooter
Shooter on her side
Jeannie needs a shooter

We met down by the river on the final day in May
And when I leaned down to kiss her, she did not turn away
I drew out all my money and together we did vow
To meet that very evening, and get away somehow

[Chorus]

The night was cold and rainy down by the borderline
I was riding hard to meet her when a shot rang out behind
As I lay there in the darkness with a pistol by my side
Jeannie and her father rode off into the night
Jeannie needs a shooter.


Lyrics submitted by Major Valor

Jeannie Needs a Shooter Lyrics as written by Warren Zevon Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Jeannie Needs A Shooter song meanings
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    General Comment

    Zevon had heard of this Bruce Springsteen song title from his manager, Jon Landau. Warren once said he asked Springsteen about it "many times" until Springsteen said, "You like it so much, why don't you write it?" Zevon wrote a few lines and cut a track and then showed up to Springsteen's house in the middle of the night. Springsteen was asleep on the sofa. Warren played what he had. Springsteen then said "It's nice, but where are all the other verses?" Warren explained he just looked and smiled at that point.

    warrenzevon.wikia.com/wiki/Jeannie_Needs_A_Shooter

    bkabbotton June 09, 2014   Link

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