Jean
Rod McKuen
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Jean, Jean, roses are red All the leaves have gone green And the clouds are so low You can touch them, and so Come out to the meadow, Jean Jean, Jean, you're young and alive Come out of your half-dreamed dream And run, if you will, to the top of the hill Open your arms, bonnie Jean Till the sheep in the valley come home my way Till the stars fall around me and find me alone When the sun comes a-singin' I'll still be waitin' For Jean, Jean, roses are red And all of the leaves have gone green While the hills are ablaze with the moon's yellow haze Come into my arms, bonnie Jean (Jean, Jean) Jean, you're young and alive!! Come out of your half-dreamed dream And run, if you will to the top of the hill Come into my arms, bonnie Jean Jean La-la-la-la
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Written by: ROBIN SPIELBERG, ROD MCKUEN
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
24 facts about this song
Release and Album"Jean" was originally part of Rod's 1969 album "Greatest Hits" which showcases his best works.
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Song InspirationThe song "Jean" was actually inspired by the film "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie."
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Golden Globe WinnerThe song "Jean" won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture in 1970.
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Association with OliverAlthough the lyrics were penned by Rod McKuen, the song was best known for a cover version recorded by American singer and actor, Oliver.
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High Chart PositionOliver's version of "Jean" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
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McKuen's Multiple RolesAlong with songwriting, Rod McKuen was also known as a poet, composer, and actor.
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McKuen's SuccessRod McKuen was one of the best-selling poets in the United States during the late 1960s.
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Prolific SongwriterThroughout his career, Rod McKuen wrote more than 1,500 songs.
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Hit in Multiple CountriesOliver's cover of "Jean" was not only a hit in the U.S., but also reached number two in Canada and number one in New Zealand in 1969.
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Notable CoversApart from Oliver's version, the song "Jean" has been covered by several artists including Dusty Springfield, Percy Faith, and Ray Conniff among others.
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Passed over by the OscarsDespite its popularity and Golden Globe win, the song "Jean" was notably passed over for an Oscar nomination.
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Nostalgic ToneAlthough popularized by Oliver, McKuen’s original version of "Jean" continues to be cherished by listeners for its nostalgic, sentimental, and lyrical music.
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Personal LossRod McKuen passed away on January 29, 2015, but his music, including “Jean”, continues to be loved by many.
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Unique PerspectiveUnique to McKuen's songwriting style, "Jean" is seen as a song that captures a novel perspective on love and yearning.
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Release Date & Chart Performance"Jean" is a popular song by American poet, singer, and songwriter Rod McKuen. It was released in 1969 and became his biggest hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Oscars NominationThe song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1970 but lost to "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" from the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
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The Prime of Miss Jean BrodieThe song "Jean" was originally written for the film "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," with the title character played by actress Maggie Smith. McKuen wrote it as a love song for the main character.
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Other Artist's CoverAfter its release, "Jean" has been covered by a host of different artists including Oliver who recorded his version in the same year as McKuen, which also became a major hit.
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McKuen's Most Successful HitDespite McKuen's prolific career as a songwriter, "Jean" remains his most successful single to date.
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Lyrics SignificanceThe lyrics of "Jean" are seen as reflecting the complexities of love and human relationships, a theme common in much of McKuen's work.
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Film Soundtrack UseNot only was "Jean" used in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," it was later used in other films as well, including "Zodiac" in 2007 and "The Shape of Water" in 2017.
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Public AcclaimDespite facing competition from many other popular hits of the 1960s, "Jean" has managed to maintain its popularity among audiences over time due to its emotive lyrics and memorable melody.
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Rod McKuen's LegacyAlthough Rod McKuen passed away in 2015, his song "Jean" remains a lasting part of his musical legacy and continues to be loved by fans old and new.
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ControversyThere was some controversy surrounding Oliver's version of the song, as some radio stations refused to play it because they thought it was about a man in love with a man. However, Rod McKuen clarified that it was written for the character Jean Brodie.
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Citation
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"Jean Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2527217/Rod+McKuen/Jean>.
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