Much like her lyrics, Kravat was able to take the name of the band from her own life experience. She had just broken up with her boyfriend when she was out running around -upset and crying- thinking her music was going nowhere. She ran smack into a post that had a torn and tattered flyer taped up on it, which read: 'Marry Me Jane, Love Keith'. A light bulb went off in Kravat's mind, thus supplying a great name for what would soon become an awesome band.
Their demo tapes caught the attention of Kravat's friend and fellow New Yorker (writer/director) Eric Schaeffer. He wanted to use the band's music to help define the emotion in his Columbia/Tristar release If Lucy Fell, but it almost didn't happen! According to Schaeffer, Tri-Star wanted the soundtrack to be laced with rock and grunge because that's what was "in" at the time. But Eric felt like the band's music was an "epiphany" and needed to be in his film. So he pushed and Tri-Star finally gave in!
Because of this (and while If Lucy Fell was in post-production), Sony gave Marry Me Jane a record deal within "five minutes of hearing the demo and seeing a show". While completing and readying the release of their debut, the label released an EP (1995) containing three songs: "Misunderstood", "Positive", and a live cover of David Bowie's "Cracker Actor". Instead of issuing an officially packaged soundtrack, Marry Me Jane's debut album (1996) doubled as the soundtrack and featured all ten songs from If Lucy Fell. The film brought critically-acclaimed attention to the band and they soon found themselves in the spotlight, touring around the US in support of the album, including the Sundance Film Festival for the film's premiere!
While on the road, Kravat and the guys wrote many songs; several of which would be used for their sophomore release. Following the success of their debut album (which sold more than 40,000 copies), Sony released Tick in the fall of 1997. With material much bolder lyrics and sounds that rocked harder than their debut, Tick explored the thoughts of suicide, stripping, heartache, scorned love, frightening relationships, words of wisdom, abortion, herion addiction, preteen crushes, and alcoholism.
Sometime between the recording and release of Tick, tention grew between band members. Unfortunately, this led to Brad Albetta (bassist) quitting the band. While there were many speculations, signs pointed to managerial differences. He wasn't exactly replaced, as Marry Me Jane went from a five to four piece band. Apparently, he was there for the original press shots and album lay-out. It was only after he left that everything was redone to adjust the band to its new size. Kevin Augunas was brought in for finishing touches and for touring purposes.
Despite heavy touring in support of the new album and opening up for Aerosmith's 'Nine Lives Tour', Tick received bad reviews and poor record sales. Lack of promotion on Sony's behalf delivered only two songs ("Superman" & "Might As Well Be Mine") to limited-air on radio stations, with no commercial singles. 'Tick' was eventually considered a bomb, prompting Sony to drop the alternative/pop act from its label. With tention continuing to linger among bandmates, their relationship was stressed. It was then Amanda and the guys decided to call it quits. In 1999, Marry Me Jane officially disbanded.
Superman
Marry Me Jane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make the best of everything
But I still cry
When I think about what might have been
No one can say
Who you might be today
You could've been Superman
It could've been any of us
And now we'll never know
You could've been Superman
Fancy lies
To do what was best for everyone
I'd walk on the sky
If I could undo what we've done
You make me scared
I take you everywhere
You could've been Superman
You could've been the start of something
You could've been my hero
Now we will never know
You could've been Superman
I see you in the dark
Though I try not to
You're spitting in the world
And then you're old
So cry your eyes a tear into my pocket
And I'll keep it
Carry it like gold
Could've been Superman
Could've been somebody's mother
Could've been the one exception
Oh, that you could've been
Could've been Superman
(I could've let you down)
Could've been Superman
(I could've screwed you up)
Could've been my guy
(No one can touch you now)
I could've loved you
Could've been Superman
The song "Superman" by Marry Me Jane is a poignant and introspective piece that speaks of regret and missed opportunities. The lyrics convey feelings of sadness and longing for what could have been. The singer laments not being able to avoid the mistakes that were made in the past, and wonders what could have happened if things had turned out differently. The line "No one can say who you might be today" speaks of the potential that each of us has within ourselves, and how we can't always control what happens in our lives.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You could've been Superman," which serves as a metaphor for the greatness that the subject of the song could have achieved. It's a reminder that we all have the power to be heroes, but sometimes circumstances prevent us from reaching our full potential. The final verse is particularly poignant, as the singer recognizes that there is no going back and undoing the past. They can only hold onto the memory of what could have been, and carry it with them like gold.
Overall, "Superman" is a moving and emotionally charged song that encourages us to reflect on the choices we make in life and the paths that we take.
Line by Line Meaning
I have tried
To make the best of everything
But I still cry
When I think about what might have been
I have done my best to get the most of what I have, but I still feel sad when I think about what could have happened differently.
No one can say
Who you might be today
You could've been Superman
It could've been any of us
Could've been the second coming
And now we'll never know
You could've been Superman
It is impossible to know what you could have become, you could have been anyone with immense potential, but we will never find out.
Fancy lies
To do what was best for everyone
I'd walk on the sky
If I could undo what we've done
We made some excuses to justify our actions, thinking it was for everyone's good, but given a chance, I would do anything to undo what we did.
You make me scared
I take you everywhere
You could've been Superman
You could've been the start of something
You could've been my hero
Now we will never know
You could've been Superman
You intimidate me, but I still keep you around. You had the potential to start an amazing journey, could have been my role model, but now it's too late to find out.
I see you in the dark
Though I try not to
You're spitting in the world
And then you're old
So cry your eyes a tear into my pocket
And I'll keep it
Carry it like gold
Could've been Superman
Could've been somebody's mother
Could've been the one exception
Oh, that you could've been
Could've been Superman
I know you're still there, though I try to ignore you. You changed the way things were perceived, but now you're almost gone. Shed a tear, and I'll keep it close to me. You could have been Superman, a mother, or a game changer, but neither of those will ever know.
(I could've let you down)
Could've been Superman
(I could've screwed you up)
Could've been my guy
(No one can touch you now)
I could've loved you
Could've been Superman
I could have disappointed you, but you could have soared like Superman. I might have messed things up, but you could have been that one person close to me. No one can hurt you, and I would have loved you still, had you turned out to be Superman.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Charlton Clay Pettus, Kenny Siegal, Amanda Kravat
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind