Jane
Golden Smog (Wilco) Lyrics
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There were walls inside the walls
She walked the widow's walk so all alone
She watched from every window
Darkened every door
Saw her reflection
In every wave that hit the shore
Jane, why don't you stay
Jane, why don't you give a damn
Jane, why don't you stay
Wandered off into the night
One eye closed, the other blind
Reading the silver side of signs
Don't worry it's to late
Some rain don't come down straight
Everything you had, you lost before
Jane, why don't you give a damn
Jane, why don't you stay
Jane, why don't you give a damn
Jane, why don't you stay
And when her scattered thoughts had died
The sand upon her feet had dried
Among chandeliers and sweet perfume
Jane, why don't you give a damn
Jane, why don't you stay
Jane, why don't you give a damn
Jane, why don't you stay
The song "Jane" by Golden Smog (Wilco) tells the story of a woman who comes from a wealthy family but feels trapped inside the walls of her own life. She walks the widow's walk alone, watching the world from every window but unable to connect with it. The lyrics suggest that she is haunted by her own reflection in every wave that hits the shore, perhaps struggling with her identity or feeling disconnected from her true self.
As the song progresses, we see Jane wandering off into the night, closing one eye and reading the silver side of signs as if searching for some hidden meaning. The lyrics suggest that she has lost everything she had before and that some rain doesn't come down straight, perhaps hinting at the unpredictability of life's twists and turns.
The song ends with Jane among chandeliers and sweet perfume, perhaps suggesting that she has finally found the opulence and glamour that she was seeking. Yet, the repetition of the lyrics "Jane, why don't you give a damn?" and "Jane, why don't you stay?" suggest that she still feels disconnected and unable to fully embrace her life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Jane" tell a poignant story of a woman searching for meaning and connection in a world that seems to have left her behind.
Line by Line Meaning
She came from a wealthy family
Jane was born into a family that was well-off financially
There were walls inside the walls
There were barriers or secrets within Jane's family
She walked the widow's walk so all alone
Jane often felt lonely and isolated from others
She watched from every window
Jane kept a close eye on her surroundings and was observant
Darkened every door
Jane had a pessimistic or negative outlook on life
Saw her reflection
Jane was introspective and often examined her own thoughts and feelings
In every wave that hit the shore
Jane found symbolism and meaning in everyday occurrences, such as waves hitting the shore
Jane, why don't you give a damn
Someone is questioning why Jane is indifferent or apathetic towards something
Jane, why don't you stay
Someone is encouraging Jane to remain in a particular place or situation
Wandered off into the night
Jane left a certain place or situation without a clear direction or purpose
One eye closed, the other blind
Jane was unable or unwilling to comprehend certain situations or truths
Reading the silver side of signs
Jane was interpreting things in a negative or ominous light
Don't worry it's to late
It is too late to change or fix something
Some rain don't come down straight
Some events or emotions are not easy to predict or control
Everything you had, you lost before
Jane has experienced loss or disappointment in the past
And when her scattered thoughts had died
Jane had a lot of thoughts or emotions that were conflicting or confusing
The sand upon her feet had dried
Time had passed or a journey had ended for Jane
Among chandeliers and sweet perfume
Jane is now in a place of luxury or extravagance
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GARY LOURIS, GARY MICHAEL LOURIS, MARC R. PERLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind