A cornerstone of Hip-Hop's late 90's indie-uprise, DJ Spinna made much of his first impression on listeners as the musical background of his group The Jigmastas (having released an impressive slew of 12" singles on his then self-run label Beyond Real during this time) as well as providing the canvas for an array of that era's lyrical giants. As an emcee in New York City, if you didn't have a Spinna production under your belt, well, you just hadn't accomplished all there was to accomplish. Everyone from Mos Def, Talib Kweli to Pharaohe Monch boasted Spinna beats to prove their worth to the scene. At the height of indie-kingpin Rawkus Records heyday, Spinna was in demand, also churning out timeless classics of the era from the likes of J-Live, Mr. Complex and The Polyrhythm Addicts (his all-too-brief collabo-group with Apani B., Shaabam Sadeeq and Complex).
As collaborative production work flooded his studio, from hip-hop legends like Sadat X & Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), Masta Ace and Guru (Gangstarr) to even The Jungle Brothers. Yet, while his stock as a the go-to producer rose so did his value as a key, if not crucial, remixer. At the time reworking hits for the major-label likes of De La Soul ("Stakes is High") Das EFX and MC Eiht.
Turning heads throughout the industry, Spinna's sonics soon infiltrated numerous genres. Tapped by everyone from George Michael to Mary J. Blige to Motown Records (for his brilliant Michael Jackson homage to "We're Almost There"). It's here his production presence would flourish greatly, as Spinna would go on to revive and revise Soulful marvels like Donald Byrd, Eddie Kendricks, Betty Carter, Roy Ayers and Al Jarreau. Always relevant to the current, Spinna has taken to new mixes for the J Dilla-bred Platinum Pied Pipers and Bay Area songstress Goapele as with the well respected Les Nubian. Though it goes without saying that one of the more memorable mixes goes to his monumental version of Shawn Escoffery's "Days Like This". In turn, catapulting Spinna into his now stately, touted presence in the dance music scene. Which made the transition to BBE Records smooth as ever, for his landmark solo production album "Here To There". It also spawned another record label, Spinna's own, Wonderwax. A home for his soulful dance classics, the imprint came to fruition in 2003, and has seen memorable releases from contemporaries such as Rich Medina, Lady Alma, Blaze, The Free Radikalz and Selan.
With so much studio work, it's a marvel Spinna travels as much as he does. The constant, globe-trotting performances he's become equally famed for have brought the DJ as far as Iceland, Australia, and South Africa as well as countless jaunts through England, Europe and the U.S. Not to forget, his hugely successful tours of Japan, where Spinna is held in the highest regard throughout the country for his craft in music. Not always the lone crowd-controller, Spinna's collaborated on stage alongside contemporary luminaries like Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, Joe Claussell, Bugz In The Attic, Osunlade, Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Dope, Keb Darge, DJ Scratch (EPMD), DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist. He's a true showman and versatile as ever.
Yet nothing compares to his celebrated Stevie Wonder inspired WONDER-Full DJ-performances (aside friend and contributor Bobbito Garcia). Garnering overwhelming fanfare each occasion done - whether NYC, LA, San Francisco, Japan or beyond and if a WONDER-Full event is booked at a club you can put money on a line around the block and thousands of Stevie Wonder admirers rocking the house. And while he's gained so much attention and accolade for his tributes to Stevie, Spinna is not incapable of doing the same for any other pivotal forefather. Visit New York City any given month and find a number of Spinna themed throw-downs in the city's esteemed venues - each as memorable as the last.
Its true that there are other likeminded DJ/Producers in the world comparable to DJ Spinna, but for the most part, they choose a genre and master it. Ask them to flip another variety with the same intense knowledge and sleek-savvy and you'll be hard pressed to find someone that'll do it to Spinna's extent.
With a brand new album "InterGalactic Soul" at its completion (set for release in May, 06), Spinna's venturing to new reaches in his quest to musical harmony. Tapping into his perfected take on a truly cosmic boom-bap to a sexy, stylishly accessible brand of House and dance music that is unique only to him.
Remaining a musician for the ages, Spinna's true successes happily await in the future. Won't you come along for the ride?
Mary Jane
DJ Spinna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mary I love you, do it girl
Mary Jane, Mary Jane
I'm in love with Mary Jane
She's my main thing
She makes me feel alright
And when I'm feeling low
She comes as no surprise
Turns me on with her love
Takes me to paradise, do you love me Mary Jane?
Yeah, whoa-oh-oh
Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya?
Now do you think you love me Mary Jane
Don't you play no games
Mary Jane, I love her just the same
Mary Jane I love her, Mary baby, just the same, Mary Jane
The woman plays no games, now, now, now, Mary Jane
I'm in love with Mary Jane, I'm not the only one
If Mary wanna play around, I let her have her fun
She's not the kind of girl that you can just tie down
She likes to spread her love and turn your head around
Do ya love me Mary Jane, yeah
Whoa-oh-oh
Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya?
Now do you think you love me Mary Jane
Don't you play no games
(Uh, come here baby)
Mary Jane, I love her just the same
Mary Jane I love her, baby, baby, baby, baby, yeah, Mary Jane
But Mary plays no games, Mary Jane
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah oh baby
Yeah! Ooohwoo
Oh baby, oh baby, hit me
Whoa, Mary, only love
I love you, yeah, whoo!
Something until we give it now, lovey-dove
Love baby
Uh-huh, wow, baby!
Sing! Du-da-da-du-da-dah-dah
Du-da-da-du-da-dah-dah
Du-da-da-du-da-dah-dah
Sing! Du-da-da-du-da-dah-da (oh yeah)
Du-da-da-du-da-dah-dah
Du-da-da-du-da-dah-dah
Sing! Du-da-da-du-da-dah-da
Sing it for me baby du-da-da-du-da-dah-da
Come Mary, Mary Jane du-da-da-du-da-dah-da
Sing it for me baby du-da-da-du-da-dah-da
The lyrics to DJ Spinna's "Mary Jane" are centered around the singer's love for and addiction to marijuana, which he personifies as a woman named Mary Jane. He describes how she is his main love, making him feel good and taking him to a state of paradise. He acknowledges that he is not the only one in love with Mary Jane and that she plays no games - not the kind of girl you can tie down. Despite this, he claims to love her just the same and asks if she loves him back.
The song seems to be a celebration of marijuana use and its effects on the mind and body. It does not shy away from the fact that it is often used recreationally and can be addictive. However, it does not address any potential negative consequences or downsides of drug use. The repetition of the phrase "Do ya? Do ya? Do ya?" in the chorus suggests the singer's desperation for Mary Jane's love and attention, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for addiction.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mary Jane" are simple and straightforward, but they effectively convey the singer's emotional attachment and dependence on the drug. The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo further enhance its celebratory tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here, baby
Request for Mary Jane to come close
Mary I love you, do it girl
Declaration of love for Mary Jane
Mary Jane, Mary Jane
Repetition of Mary Jane's name for emphasis
I'm in love with Mary Jane
Confirmed love for Mary Jane
She's my main thing
Mary Jane is the most important thing in the singer's life
She makes me feel alright
Mary Jane brings happiness
She makes my heart sing
Mary Jane brings joy
And when I'm feeling low
When the singer is sad
She comes as no surprise
The singer can rely on Mary Jane to cheer him up
Turns me on with her love
Mary Jane's affection is stimulating
Takes me to paradise
Mary Jane makes the singer feel heavenly
Do you love me Mary Jane?
Questioning Mary Jane's feelings
Yeah, whoa-oh-oh
Confirmation of love
Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya? Do ya?
Repetition of the question to intensify the inquiry
Now do you think you love me Mary Jane
Asking for Mary Jane's opinion on love
Don't you play no games
Asking Mary Jane to be sincere
Mary Jane, I love her just the same
Reaffirming love for Mary Jane
Mary Jane I love her, Mary baby, just the same, Mary Jane
Repetition of love declaration
The woman plays no games, now, now, now, Mary Jane
Mary Jane is honest
I'm in love with Mary Jane, I'm not the only one
Admitting that the singer is not the only one in love with Mary Jane
If Mary wanna play around, I let her have her fun
Allowing Mary Jane to have freedom
She's not the kind of girl that you can just tie down
Mary Jane is not someone who can be controlled
She likes to spread her love and turn your head around
Mary Jane is flirtatious
Do ya love me Mary Jane, yeah
Reiteration of the question about Mary Jane's love
Whoa-oh-oh
Expression of enthusiasm
Now do you think you love me Mary Jane
Repetition of the question to clarify her feelings
Mary Jane, I love her just the same
Reiteration that the singer loves Mary Jane regardless of her answer
Mary Jane I love her, baby, baby, baby, baby, yeah, Mary Jane
Redeclaration of love
But Mary plays no games, Mary Jane
Stating that Mary Jane is trustworthy
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expression of excitement
Yeah oh baby
Exclamation of affection
Yeah! Ooohwoo
Expression of excitement
Oh baby, oh baby, hit me
Asking for Mary Jane's attention and affection
Whoa, Mary, only love
Mary Jane is a symbol of love
I love you, yeah, whoo!
Declaration of love
Something until we give it now, lovey-dove
Encouraging love
Love baby
Expression of love
Uh-huh, wow, baby!
Expression of amazement
Sing! Du-da-da-du-da-dah-dah
Encouraging singing
Sing it for me baby du-da-da-du-da-dah-da
Asking Mary Jane to sing
Come Mary, Mary Jane du-da-da-du-da-dah-da
Request for Mary Jane to come close and sing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Rick James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind