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.
Shadow Lover
Mary Jane Girls Lyrics
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Holding close my pillow tight
Hoping that you'll come home
And love me, baby
All night
And sometimes in my darkest hours
I wake up
And I wonder why that
When I'm sleeping all alone
It's just myself who's to blame
Cause I've been making love to a shadow
Sleeping in my bed
All alone at night
Making love to a shadow
Shadow lover's all right
Shadow lover
Shadow love, shadow love
Shadow lover's all right
Shadow lover
Shadow love, shadow love
Shadow lover's all right
I've been holding on tight
Sitting by the telephone
Hoping that you would call me
And I don't have to be alone
And in my loneliness
I think that I'm lost
Laying in my bed
I am crying
And all those wastfull tears
I shed
How can I blame myself for you for not trying
Cause I've been making love to a shadow
Sleeping in my bed
All alone at night
Making love to a shadow
Shadow lover's all right
The Mary Jane Girls' "Shadow Lover" is a poignant portrayal of a lonely woman's unfulfilled desire for the man she loves. The lyrics suggest that she has been sleeping alone, with only her pillow for comfort, hoping that her lover will come home to her. However, when she wakes up in her darkest hours, screaming out his name, she realizes that he is just a shadow. She is making love to an imaginary figure, a ghost of her lover, in her own bed, all by herself. The shadow lover provides some solace, but at the same time, it leaves her feeling empty and unfulfilled.
The woman's desire for her real lover is palpable throughout the song. She is holding on tight and sitting by the phone, waiting for him to call, so that she doesn't have to be alone anymore. Her loneliness is palpable, and she feels lost and helpless without him. She wonders how she can blame herself for his absence, for not trying. The shadow lover, though all right, cannot replace the real thing, and she longs for the man who will come home and love her all night.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been sleeping alone
I have been sleeping by myself without the comfort of your presence.
Holding close my pillow tight
I hold tightly onto my pillow for comfort as if it were you.
Hoping that you'll come home
My desire is that you return home to love me.
And love me, baby
I yearn for your love.
And sometimes in my darkest hours
During my lowest moments of sadness.
I wake up
I become conscious from my slumber.
And I scream out your name
I call out your name in agony.
And I wonder why that
I ponder why.
When I'm sleeping all alone
In times where I am alone during my slumber.
It's just myself who's to blame
I am the only one at fault.
Cause I've been making love to a shadow
I have been engaging in a fantasy relationship.
Sleeping in my bed
Fantasizing in a place of comfort.
All alone at night
In solitary at nighttime.
Making love to a shadow
Fantasizing and engaging in a non-existent relationship.
Shadow lover's all right
It is alright to engage in a fantasy love affair.
Shadow lover
The entity that I am fantasizing about.
Shadow love, shadow love
The love affair that only occurs in the fantasy world.
I've been holding on tight
I have been grasping tightly onto hope.
Sitting by the telephone
Patiently waiting by the phone for your call.
Hoping that you would call me
Anticipating for you to contact me.
And I don't have to be alone
So I won't have to be by myself.
And in my loneliness
Feeling lonesome or isolated.
I think that I'm lost
I am uncertain and confused about my situation.
Laying in my bed
Resting in my bed.
I am crying
I am shedding tears.
And all those wastful tears
Those useless tears.
I shed
That I cried and released tears.
How can I blame myself for you for not trying
I struggle to take responsibility for your lack of effort.
Writer(s): Rick James
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andrewmiller2321
It's criminal that this song was overlooked!
@angelicamarin1442
Omg you are so right. It’s such a hidden gem.
@smoothoperator7023
Wasnt overlooked by me. 🔥
@tjjones7709
I So Agree ... l love The Mary Jane girls their music looks and clothes Women from different Backgrounds races coming together that can Sing!!! They had some beautifully awesome Songs including their Producer/ Manager Rick James very talented and Wild!!❤❤
@johnbrowneyes7534
Truth. I had the cassette album. Thought I was the only 1 who dug it.
@1Bettygrl805
One of the best intros I've ever heard..
@leefsimms8454
Yes baby that saxophone is beautiful Danny all day
@frankrizzo3606
Yes, my old school homie reminded me of this song! I forgot all about this song! I'm a fan of the mary Jane girls and Rick James, but I never knew the Mary Jane girls sung this! I'm embarrassed to say, because I love old school music!
@jwbmw6084
Read my mind
@kirkaroach3504
Yes Me 2 !!!!