Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno Lyrics






Geno! Geno! Geno! Geno! Geno!
Back in '68 in a sweaty club
Oh, Geno
Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub
Oh-oh-oh Geno-o
On a night when flowers didn't suit my shoes
After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
The lowest head in the crowd that night
Just practicin' steps and keepin' outta the fights

Academic inspiration, you gave me none
But you were Michael the lover
The fighter that won
But now just look at me
I'm looking down at you
No, I'm not being flash
It's what I'm built to do

That man took the stage, his towel was swingin' high
Oh Geno
This man was my bombers, my Dexy's, my high
Oh-oh-oh Geno-o
The crowd they all hailed you, and chanted your name
But they never knew like we knew
Me and you were the same
And now you're all over, your song is so tame, brrrrr
You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name

Academic inspiration, you gave me none
You were Michael the lover
The fighter that won
But now just look at me
I'm looking down at you
No, I'm not being flash
It's what I'm built to do

Oh Geno, Woh-oh-oh Geno-o
Oh Geno, Woh-oh-oh Geno-o





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Dexys Midnight Runners Geno Comments
  1. M.... M....

    I wish I could transport myself back to this time now. I was only 9 when this was released. I remember it well and liked it, but I appreciate this and other music around this time much more now.

  2. P.... T....

    Wolverhampton's finest. I remember hearing this on TOTP around April 1980 at my cousin's house, his wife had just had a son, he'll be 40 next year. My cousin and I listened in amazement, we both agreed this would a Number One. A few weeks later, it was. Brilliant, even almost 40 years later

  3. A.... A....

    heheh hiding behind the guitar... not for long though. wow ! Dexy's brought back soul. thanks !

  4. T.... M....

    Is anyone else got them goosebumps?!!!!

  5. D.... ....

    Thanx for listening to this in 2020

  6. a.... p....

    The way he sings prrrrr at 2:07 is really cool.

  7. S.... ....

    That’s what you call music!!

  8. V.... L....

    Yeah... it's still fuckin brilliant!

  9. D.... P....

    SO GOOD!!!!

  10. c.... p....

    Love the song brings so many happy times to mind ..but I never understood a word of what he sang am I alone in thinking this

  11. p.... ....

    im not ashamed but sad that i only heard of bands one famous song, and just now discovering their other cool ass songs!

  12. L.... ....

    Classic, this song still gets me boping around...as a kid in the 80s I wasn't into the so called pop songs, I thought they were corny. Now I look at today's pop music & it's all the same, very little originality compared to these who were true original artist with their own unique sound and style

  13. S.... E....

    Academic inspiration you gave me none.

  14. N.... E....

    Used to go and play pinball at the onsite bar at the caravan park we lived at in 1980. I could afford the pinball (1p a game) but had to wait for an adult to put this song on the jukebox (5p a song)! It has stayed in my head since age 14 and in my humble opinion one of the frikkin' best pop songs ever written. Listen to Tell Me When My Light Turns Green on the same album - just as good..

  15. r.... h....

    Amazing voice

  16. M.... A....

    When this was released at the start of 1980, I never got it at all. The contrived image and vocal were a mystery to me. It wasn't until it left the number one spot, and I finally deciphered the lyrics, that it all clicked into place and became, for me too, a classic...

  17. A.... B....

    One of my absolute favourites!

  18. J.... W....

    The radio stations have had it wrong for almost 50 years, this song is so powerful. Way better than "Come on..." the horn section rips & his voice is so spot on awesome. I have been cheated, why am I just hearing it now at 49.

  19. F.... ....

    I love this they genuinely look like they’re having so much fun on stage. 😀

  20. t.... ....

    Great performance, and great song.

  21. u.... ....

    then the traded it all in for bib overalls

  22. M.... ....

    Totally timeless song. Remember 'borrowing it from my parents collection' when I was 10
    Wrecked it the play it over and over lol

  23. A.... K....

    This is sooooo good!

  24. D.... U....

    Was at school when this came out, and this still sounds so brilliant in 2019!! Who's tapping their feet to the beat?!

  25. U.... B....

    And now the brass section is dead and nobody plays an instrument and all the singers are auto tuned... Sigh...

  26. B.... G....

    Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
    Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
    Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!

    Back in '68 in a sweaty club
    (Oh, Geno)
    Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub
    (Oh, Geno)
    On a night when flowers didn't suit my shoes
    After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
    The lowest head in the crowd that night
    Just practicin' steps and keepin' outta the fights

    Academic inspiration, you gave me none
    But you were Michael the lover
    The fighter that won
    But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
    No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do

    That man took the stage, his towel was swingin' high
    (Oh Geno)
    This man was my bombers, my Dexy's, my high
    (Oh, Geno)
    How the crowd, they all hailed you, and chanted your name
    But they never knew like we knew
    Me and you were the same
    And now you're all over, your song is so tame, brrr
    You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name

    Academic inspiration, you gave me none
    But you were Michael the lover
    The fighter that won
    But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
    No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do

    Oh, Geno
    (Oh, Geno)
    Oh, Geno
    (Oh, Geno)

    B.... G....

    Without the words to the song we have got no chance of understanding what words Kevin Rowland is singing....it is very difficult to understand what words he is actually singing.

  27. K.... ....

    When Geno is confirmed for Smash.

  28. J.... P....

    Thankyou for posting this! Love it.

  29. M.... T....

    Beautiful song, such uplifting changes in tempo throughout. Masterful, Mssrs Rowland and Archer.

  30. K.... L....

    Best Dexy's song ever

  31. S.... C....

    I love how this is so full blooded. They really want to be there, they really believe in what they are doing.

  32. c.... ....

    great tune love this but totp should have been live, notice how the brass section started before they even put the instruments to their mouths lol

  33. d.... h....

    Amazing song

  34. d.... ....

    The best tribal band of the 80's.!! classic.

  35. G.... A....

    I could never understand a word he sang but what a sound

  36. K.... O....

    Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band

  37. J.... M....

    2019... and this song and performance is still lit....

  38. P.... S....

    Dextroamphetamine is a drug, it shows in this

  39. d.... ....

    I'm still wearing that look.

  40. d.... ....

    Great song and Great look,donkey jackets, watch caps, loake royals.

  41. I.... W....

    I love this song. I was a big fan of dexys

  42. G.... D....

    Times my mates would all grab me and throw me bumps style up in the air when this came on remember nearly coming down with the chandelier Manny pub! !!!

  43. I.... R....

    What can I add, Kings Arms Ebbw Vale South Wales 1982 followed by a curry, great band, great times, thank you x

  44. S.... ....

    i was 12 when it hit the charts and it absolutely blew me away and still does to this day, a timeless classic.

  45. M.... N....

    In about 1993 i bought a beanie hat just like this because of this video. I thought i looked so cool...

  46. S.... B....

    Named after the drug Dexedrine... which kept you up all night !

    S.... B....

    Best band name ever. One of the greatest pop singles of all time. Thank you, Kev, for all you have given us xx

  47. S.... C....

    I actually think 1979, 1980 are the best ever years for UK singles. Geno is one of the best.

  48. T.... H....

    I never intended to have a hero. I have one. Kevin Rowland. What the fuck!

  49. M.... S....

    Brilliant, stunning, amazing timeless classic

  50. P.... B....

    Good song from the "80"👍

  51. a.... ....

    How the fuck is that audience remaining so static when the band is laying it on a plate for them!...….Criminal. I got chills going down my spine listening to this.

  52. F.... B....

    Quality never goes out of style.

  53. b.... d....

    My work colleague casually dropped in the conversation the other day that dexys did a little concert at her school cica 1982 in great Barr Birmingham . I think kevins brother organised it . chance of a lifetime or what.

    b.... d....

    They did at Holte school, the bands lead singers brother was teacher there it was my first concert, also got to see UB40.

  54. s.... ....

    I'm so conflicted by this song; I love it to death but Kevin is honoring his idol at the same time telling his idol to move aside because he has become greater. And greater in a different music genre? And why did Kevin, as a northern soul fan, reference Geno's version of Michael the Lover instead of the C.O.D's?

  55. Y.... F....

    Absolutely brilliant

  56. D.... ....

    38 years later. Still outstanding

  57. L.... A....

    Ohhh deano. UTV

  58. A.... J....

    This thoroughly deserved to go to number one in the UK in May 1980.

  59. S.... A....

    Brilliant tune!

  60. n.... ....

    Geno

    Dexys Midnight Runners

    Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
    Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
    Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!

    Back in '68 in a sweaty club
    (Oh, Geno)
    Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub
    (Oh, Geno)
    On a night when flowers didn't suit my shoes
    After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
    The lowest head in the crowd that night
    Just practicin' steps and keepin' outta the fights

    Academic inspiration, you gave me none
    But you were Michael the lover
    The fighter that won
    But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
    No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do

    That man took the stage, his towel was swingin' high
    (Oh Geno)
    This man was my bombers, my Dexy's, my high
    (Oh, Geno)
    How the crowd, they all hailed you, and chanted your name
    But they never knew like we knew
    Me and you were the same
    And now you're all over, your song is so tame, brrr
    You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name

    Academic inspiration, you gave me none
    But you were Michael the lover
    The fighter that won
    But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
    No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do

    Oh, Geno
    (Oh, Geno)
    Oh, Geno
    (Oh, Geno)

    Songwriters: Kevin Archer / Kevin Rowland

    Geno lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

    n.... ....

    This song is about Geno Washington, a US Soul singer the band admired. Washington was never big in his home country, but was a popular performer in the UK, where he played with Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd and scored two Top 40 hits in the '60s: "Water" and "Michael." 

    As Dexys Midnight Runners were on the upswing, packing club shows and getting positive press, Washington's career had faded, and the once-revered singer found himself on the cabaret circuit. "Geno," which was written by Dexys lead singer Kevin Rowland and guitarist Al Archer, is a tribute to Washington and also a look at the cyclical nature of entertainment.

  61. M.... ....

    Hardly seen a band performing so authentically to dubbed background music/vocals like them...lol + GREAT !

  62. T.... H....

    Fantastic song about a brilliant soul artist of the swinging 60s, who was clearly a musical inspiration for these guys....but I never understood this sleazy Marseille dock worker getup and worst still was to come with the following clown like baggy dungaree and neckerchief hoedown fancy dress garb! Kevin Rowland may have been musically inspired by Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band but his sartorial sense came from Coco the Clown from 1960s circuses that did the rounds in the UK back in the day too. He obviously used to bunk off school to go to see the circus too!

  63. A.... T....

    My uncle is called Gino Terminiello

    A.... T....

    So wope

  64. P.... P....

    Dexy's: working class band. Great !!

  65. T.... R....

    Man they were just rocking hard and having fun while recording this one!

  66. K.... P....

    Was there an actual video to this? Or is this TOTP performance is classed as a video, just like when Madness did the Prince?

  67. D.... J....

    reminds me of getting stoned at a house party, i feel 16 again

  68. G.... ....

    What a fucking tune!

  69. d.... w....

    Blow those sax boys

  70. A.... O....

    So... What's he saying?!!

  71. R.... R....

    Great Look; cool now even more than then

  72. T.... ....

    Love this song and thanks for all the information about the song too

  73. a.... ....

    Great song.

  74. C.... B....

    Chris Birkett recorded and mixed this record with producer Pete Winfield at Tapestry Studios, London in 1980. It was the first hit that Chris had been involved in.

  75. T.... W....

    This guys a genius made 4 albums perfection every time

  76. A.... P....

    This is the nuts.

  77. J.... R....

    Their only good song. Should’ve just gave up after.

  78. D.... P....

    Best one they did

  79. W.... H....

    Still Brilliant I played this as a DJ back in 1980!

  80. W.... C....

    Avittttt

  81. j.... ....

    The guy in the white beeny hat is Pete Williams. Top bloke!!

  82. M.... M....

    Who does that guy with the tenor sax think he is? Lester Young?

  83. A.... G....

    English band.. Birmingham...so cool...I love being a brumie

  84. p.... m....

    Forgot how good these songs where, brilliant !

    p.... m....

    Fantásticos. Descansa em paz Miguel ??GENO?? Sempre

  85. D.... D....

    one of the best ever hits of the 80s, love dexys and this song is just fab!!

  86. B.... B....

    This always makes me think of DCI Gene Hunt in Ashes to Ashes
    Ahhh if only time travel was real , give me the 80s anyday

  87. G.... ....

    I used to work in a foundry just outside of Victoria station in Manchester. I dressed the same as Dexy and was called Geno after they got to number one in the eighties. Left there and joined the army and to this day I'm known as Geno. My favorite tune :)

    G.... ....

    Geno awesome story mate. It is an all time great uk tune.

  88. S.... G....

    Kevin Rowland Top Boy.

  89. l.... t....

    Damm ur goooood!!!!
    Kevin Rowland ilove Uuuuu
    💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

  90. S.... M....

    They should of chose this on their vevo instead of the shit performance they chose

  91. N.... F....

    Porra mano, esses caras são de mais ... show de bola esse vídeo! Mais um inscrito no canal ...👏👏👏👏👏👏

  92. S.... S....

    Fantasic loved this and them....clever boy kevxxxxxxx

  93. B.... G....

    When Dexys were cool as f**k

    B.... G....

    And still are xxxx

  94. J.... m....

    Still no idea what singing expect oh genooooo bit

  95. e.... ....

    The West Midlands produced some serious fine music Black Sabbath, Dexys, UB40, Fine Young Cannibals, The Specials, Slade, Duran Duran, ELO, The Beat, The Move, wizzard, Steel Pulse, Ausgang, Traffic i could go on )

    e.... ....

    Judas Priest

    e.... ....

    The Selecter?

  96. M.... F....

    I fucking love this song and these guys

  97. M.... S....

    Exciting Classic from The Band Fronted by Wednesfield, Wolverhampton Born Kevin Rowland!.

  98. S.... N....

    Nuno! Nuno! Nuno! Wolves Ay We :) OOhhhh Nuno ;)