Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
This is a story song about young love and a father who keeps his word.
Lyrically, the song is similar to the Marty Robbins song “El Paso”; they’re both cowboy story songs in the first person, both deal with forbidden love, and both end badly for the protagonist. Perhaps Zevon was influenced by Robb...
[Verse 1]
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
[Verse 2]
She came down from Knightstown
With her hands hard from the line
From the first time I laid eyes on her
I knew 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 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
[Post-Chorus]
Jeannie needs a shooter
Jeannie needs a shooter
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 2]
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 leave that very evening
And get away somehow
[Chorus]
Jeannie needs a shooter
Shooter like me
Jeannie needs a shooter
Jeannie needs a shooter
Shooter on her side
Jeannie needs a shooter
[Post-Chorus]
Jeannie needs a shooter
Jeannie needs a shooter
[Verse 3]
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
[Outro]
Jeannie needs a shooter
Jeannie Needs a Shooter was written by Bruce Springsteen & Warren Zevon.
Jeannie Needs a Shooter was produced by Warren Zevon & Greg Ladanyi.
Warren Zevon released Jeannie Needs a Shooter on Fri Feb 15 1980.