Warren Zevon

Released: February 15, 1980

Songwriter: Bruce Springsteen Warren Zevon

Producer: Warren Zevon Greg Ladanyi

[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

Warren Zevon (24 January 1947 – 7 September 2003) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. He’s known best for his dark and outlandish sense of humor.

Zevon’s life is a classic tale of someone caught-up in bipolar alcoholism, drug-dependence, paternity suits, and divorce – a virtual train wreck on two feet. Still, his writing stands out among songwriters as some of the most original, interesting (and, okay, bizarre) on record. He released 13 studio albums in his career.

Zevon was a session musician for the Everly Brothers in the early 1970s, and came into a circle of artists ranging from Waddy Wachtel to Jackson Browne to Linda Rhonstadt to Don Henley to Bonnie Raitt to Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. That circle of friends cross-pollinated to create the California rock sound of the late 20th century. All of the artists just mentioned point to Zevon as a big influence on their music.

more tracks from the album

Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

From the album

Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School (1980)

Warren Zevon popular songs

Jeannie Needs a ShooterWarren Zevon

Warren Zevon

Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School