Jane
Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship Lyrics

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Oh Jane

Jane, you're playin' a game
You never can win girl
You're stayin' away so I ask you
"Where you been, baby?"

Like a cat and a mouse (cat and a mouse)
From door to door and-a house to house
Don't you pretend you don't know
What I'm talking about

Were all those nights we spent together, hey hey
Only because you didn't know better
I got to know
Jane, you're playin' a game
You're playin' a game, playin' a game

(Jane, Jane, Jane)
Woah Jane you're playin' a game
But why I don't see
Jane you're playin' for fun
But I play for keeps, yes I do
(Jane, Jane, Jane)
That's a game on me, yeah
(Jane, Jane, Jane)
So plain to see
(Jane, Jane, Jane)
Janie, Janie, Janie, Janie, Janie
(Jane, Jane, Jane)
Why you foolin' with me, me, me
(Jane, Jane, Jane)
(Jane, Jane, Jane)

(Jane, Jane, Jane)
(Jane, Jane, Jane)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship's song Jane speak of a love affair that has hit a snag. The singer Jane has decided that it is time to end the relationship she shares with her lover, and her actions portray confusion and a conflict of emotions. The song takes the perspective of the lover, who is attempting to navigate Jane's contradictory behavior, as she plays hard to get, while also stringing him along. The lyrics, "there's a time for love and a time for lettin' it be baby," speak to the inevitability of the end of what was once a love affair.

However, the singer tries to win Jane back and reminds her of the good times they shared together. He believes that Jane is playing a game called "hard to get" but in reality, cannot win. The lyrics, "were all those nights we spent together, only because you didn't know better," indicate that the singer believes that Jane is clueless and unaware of her emotions, leading her to play with his heart. In the end, the singer realizes that Jane's intentions are merely a game, while he is wholeheartedly invested in the relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Jane, you say it's all over
Jane, you are claiming that our relationship is finished

For you and me girl
It is over for both of us, Jane

There's a time for love
Love is not a constant, time changes things

And a time for lettin' it be baby
Sometimes, you just have to let things go, Jane

Jane, you're playin' a game called
You are playing a game, Jane, a game of emotions

Called 'hard to get' by its real name
Pretending to be elusive and unattainable is the game you play, Jane

Makin' believe that you just don't feel the same
You act as if your feelings for me have faded, but it's all an act, isn't it, Jane?

Jane, you're playin' a game
You are still playing mind games with me, Jane

You never can win girl
This game will never have a winner, Jane, it's a lose-lose situation

You're stayin' away so I ask you
You keep your distance, Jane, and I have to ask where you are

'Where you been, baby?'
I have to question your whereabouts, Jane

Like a cat and a mouse (cat and a mouse)
We chase each other around, Jane, like a never-ending game of cat and mouse

From door to door and-a house to house
We keep moving, but never really getting anywhere, Jane

Don't you pretend you don't know
Don't act innocent and unaware, Jane, you know what's happening

What I'm talking about
You know exactly what I mean, Jane

Were all those nights we spent together, hey hey
All the times we spent together, Jane, were they just for show?

Only because you didn't know better
Did you not know any better, Jane? Or were you just playing games with my heart?

I got to know
I need an answer, Jane

Jane, you're playin' a game
You still play your emotional games, Jane

You're playin' a game, playin' a game
You continue to act on a facade, Jane, just playing games