The project first began in 1979 as a solo project for Joanne McDuffy, backup vocalist for singer and producer Rick James, whom she had supported on several tours. James developed tracks with McDuffy and session vocalists the Water Sisters, creating the "Mary Jane Girls" sound. Motown offered James a contract for what it believed was the girl group he wanted to produce; not wanting to lose the deal, James lied and told Motown that the Mary Jane Girls were a group and not McDuffy's solo project. Rick got whoever he could to provide photographs to Motown. McDuffy continued to sing lead and background with the Water Sisters for all Mary Jane Girl recordings and the band sang for the group with McDuffy on tour. It is commonly believed, though not confirmed, that the group was so named due to Rick James' affinity for marijuana; a common alternate term for the substance is "Mary Jane."
Their self-titled debut album, Mary Jane Girls was released in 1983, reaching #56 on the Billboard 200, and #6 in the Top Hip-Hop/R&B charts. The album's four singles, "Candy Man", "All Night Long", "Boys" and "Jealousy" all charted. In 1985, their sophomore effort, Only Four You, was released; the single "In My House" became the group's biggest single, reaching #7 on the Billboard 200. Shortly before the release of the album, Bailey left the group and was replaced by Marine.
The only song recorded by the Mary Jane Girls not composed by Rick James was "Walk Like a Man". A cover version of the famous song by The Four Seasons featured on the soundtrack for the film A Fine Mess, this turned out to be the Mary Jane Girls' last single, reaching #41 on the Billboard 2000. In the meantime, Rick James had a falling out with Motown, eventually resulting in the dissolution of the Mary Jane Girls in 1987.
All Night Long
Mary Jane Girls Lyrics
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Would you meet me on the roof tonight
I got a surprise for you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
Oh, something's got me so excited, baby
You got me shook up, shook down, shook out on your lovin'
And boy, I can't wait to get started lovin' you
All night long (All night long)
I've waited for your love to come
Up to the roof to show you the proof
It's you that I love, I love
And now that I can feel you coming closer to me
I'm not running
Boy, may I say
I can't wait to get it on
I'm gonna give it to you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
(I can't wait to love you, baby)
I'm gonna give it to you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
(Ooh...ooh...ooh...)
I'm gonna give it to you
(I've been waiting for you so long, come to me)
I'm gonna give it to you
(Meet me on the rooftop in the night)
I'm gonna give it to you
(Come get my love delight)
Oh, something's got me so delighted, baby
I see your face in everything I do
You got me shook up, shook down, shook out on your lovin'
And boy, there is just no way I'll ever get over you
All night long (All night long)
I've waited for your love to come
Up to the roof to show you the proof
It's you that I love, I love
Up on this rooftop I'll be waiting
For your love, anticipating
Hurry up and come
'Cause I can't wait to get it on
I'm gonna give it to you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
(I'm gonna give it to you, give it to you, give it to you, give it to you, give it to you)
I'm gonna give it to you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
(I can't wait to love you, baby)
I'm gonna give it to you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
(I'm gonna give it to you, give it to you, give it to you, give it to you, give it to you)
I'm gonna give it to you
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
(I can't wait to love you, boy)
Ooh...ooh...
I'm gonna give it to you
I'm gonna give it to you
Climb up on the ladder, don't stop
My love's waiting when you reach the top
I'm gonna give it to you
All night long
Climb up on the ladder, honey
What I got is better than money
All night long
Come on up, boy, don't be late
What I got for you won't wait
All night long
Ooh...ooh...
I'm gonna give it to you
Swee dee dee doo doo ya
Twee dee dee doo doo ya
The Mary Jane Girls’ song “All Night Long” is about a woman who has been holding back her feelings for a man for a long time but finally decides to express her love. She invites the man to meet on the roof, where she has a surprise for him. The song essentially revolves around these two characters who have been waiting for this moment for a long time. The woman is excited and has been eagerly anticipating this moment. She can’t wait to express her love and make love to the man all night long. She wants him to climb up on the ladder to the rooftop as fast as possible because she can’t wait to get it on. The man, on the other hand, is being wooed all night long by the woman and is satisfied with the pleasure she gives him.
Throughout the song, the woman keeps repeating the phrase “All night long.” This chant conveys her eagerness to show love all through the night. The repetition of these words also emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is the characters expressing their love and finding pleasure in each other’s company. Overall, the song is quite fun and upbeat, making it an excellent song for dancing and singing along with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, baby
Addressing a lover and proposing to meet on the rooftop
Would you meet me on the roof tonight
Suggesting to meet on the rooftop at night
I got a surprise for you
Hinting at a surprise for the lover on the rooftop
All (All) night (Night) long (Long)
Repeating that the night would be long and filled with affection
Oh, something's got me so excited, baby
Expressing a great feeling of excitement towards the lover
A feeling I've been holdin' back so long
It's a feeling the singer has had for a long time but controlled it.
You got me shook up, shook down, shook out on your lovin'
The lover's love is affecting the singer in every way possible.
And boy, I can't wait to get started lovin' you
The singer is eager to love the lover.
All night long (All night long)
Reiterating that the loving activity would last all night long.
I've waited for your love to come
The singer has been waiting for the lover to show their love.
Up to the roof to show you the proof
The singer is willing to show proof of their affection at the rooftop
It's you that I love, I love
Reinforcing that the singer loves the lover
And now that I can feel you coming closer to me
The singer is feeling the lover's presence
I'm not running
The singer is not shying away from expressing their love.
Boy, may I say
The singer is seeking permission to express freely
I can't wait to get it on
The singer is eager to express their love
I'm gonna give it to you
The singer pledges to express their love all night long
Ooh...ooh...ooh...
Background sounds in the song
Up on this rooftop I'll be waiting
Reiterating that the singer is waiting for the lover on the rooftop
For your love, anticipating
The anticipation of lover's love is exciting the singer
Hurry up and come
Asking the lover eagerly to hurry up and come to the rooftop
'Cause I can't wait to get it on
The excitement and eagerness to express their love still present
Climb up on the ladder, don't stop
Instructing the lover to climb up on the ladder
My love's waiting when you reach the top
Singer reassures the lover that they will receive love when they reach [the] top of the rooftop
What I got is better than money
The singer feels their love is worth more than money.
Come on up, boy, don't be late
Again, asking the lover to come quickly
What I got for you won't wait
There is an urgency in the singer's voice, telling the lover not to dilly-dally
Swee dee dee doo doo ya
Background sounds in the song
Twee dee dee doo doo ya
Background sounds in the song
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Allan Wayne Felder, James A Johnson, Kenneth Burke, Norma Jean Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind