David Bowie
An original working manuscript for David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie,” ca. 1972
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April 23, 04:27 PM GMT
Estimate
125,000 - 150,000 USD
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Description
7 ¼ x 10 ½ in. 1 pc. 2 pp. David Bowie’s original working draft for “The Jean Genie,” one of his most significant compositions. Inscribed on San Francisco Hilton & Tower stationery in blue felt tip pen continuing on verso. The complete song lyrics with notation for chorus; revision in ballpoint pen: small J.G switch off to strung out.
“The Jean Genie” was released as a single in November 1972 and included in the 1973 album Aladdin Sane. The lyrics were inspired by Cyrinda Foxe, an actress and model who was part of Andy Warhol’s circle. In fact, Bowie began writing the tune with the hopes of wooing Foxe. Bowie recalled, “Starting out as a lightweight riff thing I had written one evening in New York for Cyrinda’s enjoyment. I developed the lyric to the otherwise wordless pumper and it ultimately turned into a bit of a smorgasbord of imagined Americana... based on an Iggy-type persona," the artist shared in book Moonage Daydream. "The title, of course, was a clumsy pun upon Jean Genet." The song was recorded in New York City’s RCA Studios on 6 October 1972.