Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Plain Jane
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know she'll never try to be what she ain't
Come early in the morning
You can hear the fellas call
Woo, well, Plain Jane won't you come out tonight
So we can have a ball?
Hear me now, Plain Jane won't you come out tonight?Come out tonight, come out tonight?
Plain Jane won't you come out tonight?
Spend some time with me
Her mouth's a little too wide
And her nose a wee bit long
And when you take a good look at her
Her shape seems all wrong
But she got the certain something
That's so hard to define
And I wish that certain something
Was mine, all mine, all mine, woo
And now, Plain Jane won't you come out tonight?
Come out tonight, come out tonight?
Plain Jane won't you come out tonight?
Spend some time with me
Ooh wee
Oh yeah
I used to go with glamour girls
To worship day and night
But Plain Jane's got a cotton dress
And it don't fit her right
I could never, never tell yaWhy I love her like I do
But if you took her out one fine night
You'd feel the same way I do
Won't ya, now? Plain Jane won't you come out tonight?
Come out tonight, come out tonight?
Plain Jane won't you come out tonight?
Spend some time with me
I said, spend the time with me
Ooh, Plain Jane
I love her just the same
Oh, Plain Jane
In Bobby Darin's song "Plain Jane," the lyrics describe a woman named Jane who does not conform to conventional beauty standards. The song praises Jane for her natural and authentic appearance, despite her lack of makeup or attempts to look different. The singer explains how "Plain Jane" has a certain something that is hard to describe, which makes her attractive to the singer. The song's chorus beckons Jane to come out and spend time with the singer, implying that there is an affectionate relationship between them. However, the song also highlights the singer's personal struggle to understand why he loves Jane and acknowledges that others may not understand his attraction to her.
The lyrics to "Plain Jane" reflect a time in the 1960s when society placed a great deal of emphasis on physical beauty and glamour. The song's message about accepting people for who they are, rather than for their appearances, was considered progressive for its time. Additionally, the lyrics contain a certain romanticism that is typical of pop music from the era. The song's beat and catchy melody are characteristic of Darin's style and appealed to young audiences.
Line by Line Meaning
My Plain Jane never wear no lipstick or paint
Bobby Darin's significant other, Plain Jane, doesn't wear any makeup or adornments.
You know she'll never try to be what she ain't
Plain Jane refuses to pretend to be something or someone she's not.
Come early in the morning / You can hear the fellas call
Men can't help but notice and express interest in Plain Jane, particularly in the morning.
Woo, well, Plain Jane won't you come out tonight / So we can have a ball?
Bobby asks Plain Jane to come out with him, expressing his desire to spend time with her and have fun.
Her mouth's a little too wide / And her nose a wee bit long / And when you take a good look at her / Her shape seems all wrong
Physically, Plain Jane is not conventionally attractive, having a wide mouth and slightly long nose, and not fitting into conventional beauty standards.
But she got the certain something / That's so hard to define
Despite not being considered conventionally pretty, Plain Jane has something special about her that Bobby finds hard to pinpoint or describe.
And I wish that certain something / Was mine, all mine, all mine, woo
Bobby wishes that he could claim whatever it is that makes Plain Jane special as his own, treasuring her for that quality.
I used to go with glamour girls / To worship day and night / But Plain Jane's got a cotton dress / And it don't fit her right
Bobby used to date conventionally pretty women, but finds himself drawn to Plain Jane even though her clothes don't fit her well.
I could never, never tell ya / Why I love her like I do
Bobby finds it difficult to express exactly why he loves Plain Jane so much as he does.
But if you took her out one fine night / You'd feel the same way I do
Bobby is certain that if someone else were to spend time with Plain Jane, they would also be drawn to her and feel the same way he does.
Won't ya, now? Plain Jane won't you come out tonight? / Come out tonight, come out tonight? / Plain Jane won't you come out tonight? / Spend some time with me
Bobby once again asks Plain Jane to spend time with him, emphasizing his desire to spend time in her company.
I said, spend the time with me / Ooh, Plain Jane / I love her just the same / Oh, Plain Jane
Bobby reiterates his love for Plain Jane and desire to spend time with her.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Judee Weinstein
on The Curtain Falls
Bobby Darin DID NOT write the song. My late father, Sol Weinstein did. Darin liked this song and asked my dad if he could use it in his act. Please correct this.
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.