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"Jeannie Needs A Shooter" is a song written by Warren Zevon and Bruce Springsteen. It appears on Warren Zevon's fourth album Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School released in 1980. This song can also be heard as a live version on Stand in the Fire (1981).

Background[]

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.

Music[]

"Jeannie Needs a Shooter" is in the key of E major. The song's most prominent instrument is the electric guitar in distorted tone giving the song's overall tone a hard rock feel.

Lyrics[]

Note: the text of this song's lyrics is not under the same copyright license as the wiki's encyclopedic text, it is used under fair use/dealing.

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

Because he knew I wanted Jeannie and I'd haver her like I said

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

Jeannie needs a shooter

Shooter like me

Jeannie needs a shooter

Jeannie needs a shooter

Shooter on her side

Jeannie needs a shooter

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...

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