Hunter began his musical career on the bass guitar. An early foray into music was as an entrant in a talent competition at one of Butlin's holiday camps, performing "Blue Moon" as part of a skiffle group with Colen York and Colin Broome.
Hunter memorialized how he left his family in a later song, "23A Swan Hill," the address of his teenage home in Shrewsbury above a police station where his father was the Station Sergeant. He notes in concert that "my Dad was real mean" and did not approve of his son's artistic direction, in contrast to his "grand dad", referenced in "Cleveland Rocks", as "he was a rocker and I am, too".
So Hunter took off for Butlin's and "never looked back". Bandmates York and Broome came from Northampton, and were in a band called The Apex, which Hunter soon joined to play rhythm guitar. In 1963, while living in Northampton, he formed his own band, Hurricane Henry and the Shriekers. With Tony Marriott and guitarist Julian Coulter, the Shriekers worked steadily in Northampton, and by 1965 had picked up Freddie 'Fingers' Lee as a pianist and frontman. In a 2004 DVD interview Hunter volunteers Lee and their gigs in Hamburg as a major turning point, when he first began to "actually think maybe I could do this instead of working in factories".
In 1966 Hunter moved to London, where he joined The Scenery with guitarist Miller Anderson, drummer Dave Dufort, and keyboard player Dante Smith. By 1967 Smith and Dufort had left the band while John Vernon Smith joined on drums. The Scenery recorded some material with Bill Farley at Regent Sound, which was released without the band's knowledge in France and Japan. In early 1968, The Scenery had run its course and Miller Anderson joined Dave Dufort in Paper Blitz Tissue.
Also in 1968 Hunter remained in the band to back up Freddie Lee in the At Last The 1958 Rock and Roll Show, along with drummer Pete Philips and guitarist Chris Mayfield. The group got a regular booking at The Angel in Edmonton, and drew interest from both Chrysalis and NEMS but the group was never signed by them. Mayfield was soon replaced by the ever traveling Miller Anderson, and the group released a single on CBS called "I Can't Drive." As the short-lived rock and roll revival began to wane, At Last the 1958 Rock and Roll Show changed its name to Charlie Woolfe and released a final single, "Dance, Dance, Dance".
Hunter played sporadically in various other bands throughout the 1960s, including The New Yardbirds, and backed Billy Fury, The Young Idea and David McWilliams. He also worked as a journalist and staff songwriter for the firm Francis, Day & Hunter (no relation). Other jobs he took during these years included road-digging for a local council, and reporting for a local newspaper.
By 1969 Hunter was married and had two children, but was still hoping for a return to making music full time. That year he auditioned for and joined yet another band, Silence. Silence soon renamed themselves after a novel by Willard Manus, published in 1966: Mott The Hoople. By this time Hunter had taken to wearing the sunglasses that have long since become his trademark (photos of him without his "shades" are rare). The band was a live smash in England although their early U.S. tours on the coasts were slow in building a following. Whilst a critical success and despite being renowned for being an excellent live act, Mott the Hoople did not achieve sustained commercial success. After a dreary 1972 concert in a "gas cylinder" in Switzerland, they announced their disbandment.
David Bowie, a longtime fan of the band, was upset and offered them a song he had just written. As Ian recalls in a 2004 DVD interview, "He offered us 'Suffragette City', which I didn't think was good enough. And then he sat down on the floor, Regent Street it was in a publisher's office and plays 'All The Young Dudes' on an acoustic guitar." It shot to No. 3 in the UK singles chart and Mott had new life.
Mott the Hoople then had considerable commercial success with the albums All the Young Dudes (1972, produced by Bowie); Mott (1973) and The Hoople (1974). The band began to score financially with songs such as "Roll Away The Stone," "Golden Age Of Rock ´N´ Roll," "Honaloochie Boogie," "All The Way From Memphis," "Saturday Gigs," and especially "All The Young Dudes." When in 1973 original lead guitarist Mick Ralphs left to form Bad Company, Hunter began to play guitar until a replacement could be found but at the same time he was increasingly pressured to write hits for the band. Luther Grosvenor took over as lead guitarist, Grosvenor, aka Ariel Bender, was briefly replaced by Mick Ronson after the release of a live album following The Hoople. However, Hunter left the band in December 1974. The remaining members carried on under the names Mott and British Lions. Hunter has written a memoir, Diary of a Rock'n'Roll Star, detailing a U.S. tour with Mott the Hoople.
In March 1975 Ian Hunter joined forces with Mick Ronson, formerly the leading member of David Bowie's backing band The Spiders from Mars and a member of Mott the Hoople for a brief time. Hunter's first single from his eponymous solo album was the UK Top 40 hit "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Hunter's best selling solo album was You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic. It was released in 1979 with Ronson and several members from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Two songs from You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic became successes for other artists. "Cleveland Rocks" was covered by the Presidents of the United States of America, whose version was used as the theme song for The Drew Carey Show. Also, "Ships" became a No. 9 pop hit in the USA in late 1979 for Barry Manilow.
During his solo career Hunter frequently worked with Ronson until the latter's death in 1993, but he has also had musical connections with many other artists, including Queen, Mick Jones (The Clash), Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Jaco Pastorius, Dennis Elliot (Foreigner), and David Bowie.
His album, Rant (2001), received wide critical acclaim and he won Classic Rock Magazine Songwriter's Award in October 2005.
In 2007 his latest album "Shrunken Heads" was released and it clearly shows that Ian Hunter is still very much alive.
Sweet Jane
Ian Hunter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suitcase in my hand.
Jack's in his car, says to Jane, who's in her vest,
Me, babe, I'm in a rock n' roll band.
Ridin' in a Stutz Bearcat, Jim,
Those were different times.
And the poets studied rows of verse,
And all the ladies rolled their eyes
Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane
Now, Jack, he is a banker,
And Jane, she is a clerk.
And the both of them are saving up their money...
Then they come home from work.
Sittin' by the fire...
Radio just played a little classical music for you kids,
The march of the wooden soldiers
And you can hear Jack say
Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane
Some people like to go out dancing
And other people, (like us) they gotta work
And there's always some evil mothers
They'll tell you life is full of dirt.
And the women never really faint,
And the villans always blink their eyes.
And the children are the only ones who blush.
'Cause life is just to die.
But, anyone who has a heart
Wouldn't want to turn around and break it
And anyone who ever played the part
He wouldn't want to turn around and fake it
Sweet Jane
The lyrics to Ian Hunter's Sweet Jane paint a picture of a simpler time, a time when life seemed less complicated. The opening lines show a man standing on a street corner, holding a suitcase, while his friend Jack is in his car with Jane, who is wearing a vest. The singer tells us that he is in a rock and roll band, while Jack is a banker and Jane is a clerk. They are all just regular people trying to live their lives.
The second verse adds to this image, describing the couple's routine of saving money and coming home after work to sit by the fire and listen to classical music. We get a sense of the singer's worldview when he describes the idea that life is full of dirt and evil mothers, but he also recognizes that anyone with a heart wouldn't want to break it, and anyone who's played a part wouldn't want to fake it.
The chorus of the song, "Sweet Jane," is repeated three times throughout the song, adding to the feeling of nostalgia and simplicity. Overall, Sweet Jane is a reflective and contemplative song that transports the listener to another time and place, where life might have been less complicated.
Line by Line Meaning
Standin' on a corner,
I am standing on a corner, unsure of where to go or what to do next.
Suitcase in my hand.
I am carrying a suitcase, which symbolizes my need for a new beginning, for going on a journey.
Jack's in his car, says to Jane, who's in her vest,
Jack and Jane, a couple, are together in the car. Jane is only wearing a vest, which may signify her vulnerability or her willingness to be free.
Me, babe, I'm in a rock n' roll band.
I am a member of a rock n' roll band. My choice of profession signifies my desire for independence, my creativity, and my love for music.
Ridin' in a Stutz Bearcat, Jim,
We are riding in a Stutz Bearcat, a luxurious car of the past, which depicts our pursuit of beauty, adventure, and excitement.
Those were different times.
This line suggests that we are looking back at the past, which was different from the present in many ways. Nostalgia, regret, and longing are likely emotions here.
And the poets studied rows of verse,
This line describes the poets of the past who studied the art of poetry, the language of beauty, and the craft of wordsmithing.
And all the ladies rolled their eyes.
The ladies were likely unimpressed or annoyed by the poets' efforts, suggesting that not everyone values poetry or art in the same way.
Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane
This is the chorus, which repeats the name of the song and highlights Jane's sweetness as a character or symbol.
Now, Jack, he is a banker,
Jack has become a banker, which may symbolize his conformity, his financial security, or his disillusionment with his previous dreams.
And Jane, she is a clerk.
Jane has become a clerk, which also signifies her job or her social status, as opposed to her personal aspirations.
And the both of them are saving up their money...
Jack and Jane are trying to save their money, which may suggest their longing for a better life, their anxiety about the future, or their limitations.
Then they come home from work.
After a long day at work, Jack and Jane return home, which may be their only source of comfort or refuge.
Sittin' by the fire...
Jack and Jane are sitting by the fire, which may symbolize their warmth, affection, or intimacy. It may also suggest their shared need for a break from reality.
Radio just played a little classical music for you kids,
The radio has played some classical music, which may suggest Jack and Jane's love for culture, the arts, or sophistication.
The march of the wooden soldiers
This line refers to a classic American march composed by Victor Herbert and performed by The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. The music may evoke nostalgia, patriotism, or joy.
And you can hear Jack say
This line suggests that Jack is about to say something important, which may affect the tone or meaning of the next lines.
Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane
This is the second chorus, which repeats the name of the song and highlights Jane's sweetness again.
Some people like to go out dancing
Some people enjoy going out and dancing, which may symbolize their freedom, spontaneity, or joy.
And other people, (like us) they gotta work
However, some people, like Jack and Jane, have to work, which may suggest their responsibilities, obligations, or limitations.
And there's always some evil mothers
This line refers to the presence of 'evil mothers,' or people who are unkind, cruel, or harsh. It may suggest the existence of injustice or cruelty in the world.
They'll tell you life is full of dirt.
These 'evil mothers' may tell you that life is full of 'dirt,' or difficulties, challenges, and hardships. The line implies pessimism or cynicism.
And the women never really faint,
This line suggests that women are tough, resilient, and strong, as they never faint even in difficult situations. It may also refer to women's empowerment or equality.
And the villans always blink their eyes.
This line refers to the typical behavior of villains in the movies who blink their eyes in a menacing way. It may suggest the culture of fear, or the way one's perception can be influenced by the media.
And the children are the only ones who blush.
This line implies that children are innocent, pure, and sensitive, and they are the only ones who blush even at small things. It may suggest the value of childhood or the contrast of adulthood.
'Cause life is just to die.
This line suggests that life is fleeting, mortal, and temporary, and that we are all going to die someday. It may also imply the futility or absurdity of life.
But, anyone who has a heart
This line implies that the previous lines are not the only truth about life or humanity, and that anyone who has a heart can see beyond them.
Wouldn't want to turn around and break it
This line suggests that anyone who has a heart would not want to hurt others or do evil, as it would go against their nature or values. It implies compassion, kindness, and morality.
And anyone who ever played the part
This line suggests that life is full of roles, masks, or personas that we play or adopt, and that anyone who has ever done so can relate to the struggles of others. It implies empathy, understanding, and humanity.
He wouldn't want to turn around and fake it
This line implies that anyone who has played a part would not want to pretend or deceive, as it would be against their integrity or authenticity. It implies honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity.
Sweet Jane
This is the final line and chorus, which repeats the name of the song and the character of Jane. It may suggest the song's message of love, beauty, and purity, or its appeal to nostalgia and meaning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cjandthevindicators
The guitar solo, placed at the end of the song, is probably one of the finest and most tastefully crafted I've ever heard. I've listened to it now for over 40 years and I still hear it as a masterpiece of subtlety. The song's lyrics are also transcendent -- in sum, "any one who had a heart, he wouldn't want to break it . . . anyone who ever played a part, he wouldn't want to hate it. . . sweet Jane. . . sweet Jane . . ."
@jameslviland3069
Mick Ralphs on that lead guitar, not shown in the concert photos. Always amazing, this video does show him at the end, in All the Young Dudes album liner photos.
@carringtonct
Carl Laurino... completely agree with you. Mick's solo at the end of the song is just a total thing of beauty. One of the best guitar solos ever and to me, this version of Sweet Jane is the definitive version.
@cjandthevindicators
Thanks for the comment Craig; I concur completely; simple song with basic chords, transformed into something much more, both by his solo and the song's great arrangement and performance.
@timpenfield5
The guy was an original. great loss
@vonhoganschmidt2357
I cant believe i just read what you wrote about that solo at the end. I have been telling people for Stinking years how just simple and at the same time brilliant it sounds. One of my favorite guitar bits of all time. I am so glade to hear someone other than myself say it . thanks Carl
@bvrod
This is a hidden gem crafted from days past. Hard to imagine will ever come back given all the “techno” spewed out today. This is the essence of what a real rock and roll band is all about.
@jimbenson4139
Hearing this for the first time, April 2021, best cover I have heard, Mott the Hoople, a really under-rated band.
@gogoyubari366
What makes you believe they're underrated? Did you travel the globe taking a survey from every citizen of the world?
@windsong1a
@FOGHORN LEGHORN You did?