Jane
Jefferson Starship Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
Of hide and go seek
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 song “Jane” by Jefferson Starship is a straight up love song that is about the confusing and sometimes frustrating world of relationships. The lyrics describe a man’s frustration with a woman named Jane who he has become romantically involved with. Throughout the song, he tries to understand why Jane is playing hard to get and pretending that she doesn’t feel the same way that he does. He compares their relationship to a game of cat and mouse, constantly chasing after each other and not willing to fully commit.

The chorus of the song emphasizes how Jane is playing a losing game and how it’s affecting their relationship. Despite his frustrations, the man still seems to care for Jane and wants to understand why she acts the way she does. The song’s catchy guitar riffs and up-beat tempo complement the lyrics and make the song a classic rock hit.

Line by Line Meaning

Jane, you say it's all over
You are telling me that our relationship is finished, Jane

For you and me girl
This applies to both of us, Jane

There's a time for love
Romance is something that should be enjoyed at certain times

And a time for lettin' it be baby
But also a time to move on, dear.

Jane, you're playin' a game called
You're playing a game with me known as

Called 'hard to get' by its real name
As 'hard to get,' to be precise, Jane.

Makin' believe that you just don't feel the same
Acting like you don't have the same feelings, Jane.

Jane, you're playin' a game
Jane, you're playing a game

You never can win girl
This is a game you can never win at, girl.

You're stayin' away so I ask you
You're avoiding me, so I inquire,

'Where you been, baby?'
'Where have you been, dear?'

Like a cat and a mouse (cat and a mouse)
We're like a cat and a mouse

From door to door and-a house to house
Trying to find you at every door and house

Don't you pretend you don't know
Don't act like you don't understand, Jane

What I'm talking about
What I'm trying to say, Jane

Were all those nights we spent together, hey hey
Were those romantic nights we spent together only because you didn't know better?

Only because you didn't know better
Maybe your choices were not fully informed, Jane?

I got to know
I need to learn more about this situation, Jane.

Jane, you're playin' a game
You, Jane, are playing a game

You're playin' a game, playin' a game
Playing a game that you will never win.