The reign of Jane is over. It's one of those unfortunate titles that - like Linda or Barbara - was once terribly popular, but has slowly drifted into a prolonged obscurity. Not since 1983 has Jane appeared in even the top 300 most popular female baby names. I'm not getting those statistics from anywhere, it's just something I know.
However, there was a time when meeting a girl named Jane was as common as meeting a drunk guy on public transit. Many of these Janes were born shortly after WWII during the baby boomer period. This meant that all these young lasses were becoming young women during the mid to late 1960's. The influence of this bloom rippled throughout the music world, resulting in a fine deluge songs about Jane. (I'd like to state now that I realize Maroon 5's debut album is titled, Songs about Jane. I've chosen to ignore this).
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| 1931 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jane Addams (image via beginningofahero.com) |
A soothing song that sees Drake questioning the motives and conceptions of a woman named Jane. Very melancholy and pretty. Also, with a title like "Hazey Jane" it's very possible that this song is about pot, although I don't hear it. Honourable mentions to Drake's other Jane tunes, "Hazey Jane II" and "Thoughts of Mary Jane." The guy loved him some Jane.
Bob Dylan - Queen Jane Approximately
A classic off what is likely Bob Dylan's most well-known and acclaimed album, "Queen Jane Approximately" portrays a Jane that is intelligent, popular, and narcissistic. I was once nearly fired for playing this song too loudly at work. Numerous customers complained to my manager during the second harmonica solo. This song may also be about weed.
The Velvet Underground - Sweet Jane
An epic, pillar-shaking opus to the name. Exalted in every way. Definitely about Marijuana. Or heroin. Or the dozen other vices Lou Reed carried. Or maybe just about a Sweet Jane.
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