Morissette assumed creative control and producing duties for her subsequent studio albums, including Under Rug Swept (2002), So-Called Chaos (2004), Flavors of Entanglement (2008), and Havoc and Bright Lights (2012). Her ninth album, Such Pretty Forks in the Road, was released in 2020. Morissette has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and has been dubbed the "Queen of Alt-Rock Angst" by Rolling Stone.
Read the full article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alanis_Morissette
Studio albums
Alanis (1991)
Now Is the Time (1992)
Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998)
Under Rug Swept (2002)
So-Called Chaos (2004)
Flavors of Entanglement (2008)
Havoc and Bright Lights (2012)
Such Pretty Forks in the Road (2020)
Mary Jane
Alanis Morissette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you place the don't disturb sign on the door
You lost your place in line again, what a pity
You never seem to want to dance anymore
It's a long way down
On this roller coaster
The last chance streetcar
And you're on it
I hear you're counting sheep again, Mary Jane
What's the point of trying to dream anymore
I hear you're losing weight again, Mary Jane
Do you ever wonder who you're losing it for
Well it's full speed, baby
In the wrong direction
There's a few more bruises
If that's the way
You insist on heading
Please be honest, Mary Jane
Are you happy
Please don't censor your tears
You're the sweet crusader
And you're on your way
You're the last great innocent
And that's why I love you
So take this moment, Mary Jane, and be selfish
Worry not about the cars that go by
'Cause all that matters, Mary Jane, is your freedom
So keep warm my dear, keep dry
Tell me
Tell me
What's the matter, Mary Jane?
Tell me
Tell me
Please be honest, Mary Jane
Tell me
The lyrics to Alanis Morissette's song "Mary Jane" seem to portray the struggles of a woman who is going through a difficult time in her life. The first few lines speak to Mary Jane's exhaustion and frustration, as she puts up a "do not disturb" sign and can't seem to catch a break. The next two lines are particularly powerful, as they describe the ups and downs of life as a "roller coaster" and the feeling of being on a "last chance streetcar" that has gone off track. This creates an image of Mary Jane feeling lost and unsure of how to get back on course.
The chorus continues this theme of Mary Jane feeling like everything is in the wrong direction, as well as highlighting her struggles with sleep and weight loss. The song seems to be asking Mary Jane to be honest about her emotions and to not be ashamed of her tears. The lyrics explain that Mary Jane is a "sweet crusader" and "the last great innocent", and that she should take time to focus on her own freedom and happiness. The song ends with a plea for Mary Jane to speak honestly about what's bothering her.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the matter, Mary Jane? You had a hard day
Mary Jane, what's troubling you? You seem to have had a difficult day
As you place the don't disturb sign on the door
You're seeking alone time and don't want to be bothered
You lost your place in line again, what a pity
You've experienced another setback and it's unfortunate
You never seem to want to dance anymore
You've lost your spark and enthusiasm for life
It's a long way down
Things have spiraled downwards and it'll take time to recover
On this roller coaster
Life has been full of ups and downs
The last chance streetcar
You've missed an opportunity or made a mistake
Went off the track
It didn't go as planned
And you're on it
You're dealing with the consequences
I hear you're counting sheep again, Mary Jane
You're having trouble sleeping and trying to find ways to cope
What's the point of trying to dream anymore
You've lost hope and motivation for the future
I hear you're losing weight again, Mary Jane
You're struggling with self-esteem and body image
Do you ever wonder who you're losing it for
You're trying to please others more than yourself
Well it's full speed, baby
Life is moving at a fast pace
In the wrong direction
Things aren't going as planned and mistakes are being made
There's a few more bruises
You've experienced more pain and hurt along the way
If that's the way
Despite the challenges, you're still moving forward
You insist on heading
You're determined to keep going in the face of adversity
Please be honest, Mary Jane
Be truthful about your feelings and what's bothering you
Are you happy
Do you feel content and fulfilled in your life?
Please don't censor your tears
Don't hide your emotions or pretend everything is okay
You're the sweet crusader
You have a kind and compassionate heart
And you're on your way
You're still making progress and moving forward
You're the last great innocent
You have a pure and genuine spirit
And that's why I love you
I appreciate and admire the good qualities in you
So take this moment, Mary Jane, and be selfish
Take some time for yourself and your own needs
Worry not about the cars that go by
Don't be concerned with other people's opinions or judgments
'Cause all that matters, Mary Jane, is your freedom
What's important is your ability to make choices and be yourself
So keep warm my dear, keep dry
Take care of yourself and stay safe
Tell me
Let's communicate and talk about what's going on
Please be honest, Mary Jane
It's important to be truthful and open about your feelings
Tell me
Let's keep the conversation going and work through the challenges together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Glen Ballard, Alanis Nadine Morissette
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind