The Wrens are known for their explosive stage presence, despite each member being well past 35, and are steadily gaining a fanbase across the world. Their debut album, "Silver", was released in 1994 to a moderate degree of critical acclaim. However, it was their second LP, "Secaucus" (named in reference to the town in New Jersey where they resided), that established them as one of the top bands on the indie rock scene. Both of these albums were released on the now defunct Grass Records label.
After the release of "Secaucus", Grass Records came under new ownership, who decided to make The Wrens the flagship band of the label. After the band turned down a million-dollar contract stipulating that the band record more "radio friendly" songs, The Wrens were dropped by Grass Records. "Silver" and "Secaucus" were only recently reissued in 2006 after years out of circulation because of this.
Hindered by their label issues through much of the 1990s, the Wrens managed only to release one EP, "Abbott 1135", in 1997 under the label Ten23 Records. The band's third full-length album, "The Meadowlands", finally surfaced in late 2003 (seven years after the release of "Secaucus") under Absolutely Kosher Records to enormous critical acclaim, topping critics' polls for the following two years and suddenly jump-starting an otherwise plateauing career.
The Wrens are currently being filmed for a documentary by the production company Little Quill, and are working on another LP and a re-recording of Abbott 1135.
There are other artists with the same name:
2) The Wrens were a doo-wop and R&B band from the Morrisania section of the Bronx in New York City. They are best-known for their song "Come Back My Love."
The Wrens first started singing together in 1954 and were comprised of lead singer Bobby Mansfield, George Magnezid (tenor), Francis "Frenchie" Concepcion (tenor), and James "Archie" Archer (bass). They admired the artists such as the Clovers, the Ravens, the Orioles, the Mills Brothers, Nat King Cole and Louis Jordan.
The Wrens were known best for their smooth, elegant harmony singing, and had a somewhat harder R&B edge than many similar groups at the time. Unfortunately, only six singles were offically released before Bobby Mansfield left the group in 1956 for a solo career. The Wrens were inducted into the United Group Harmony Association's Hall of Fame in 1998.
3) The Wrens are also a french indie folk band.
4.) The Wrens are also a family of birds, which may be scrobbled by those listening to recordings of bird songs.
Jane Fakes a Hug
The Wrens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
what's wrong / my dragging days are whipping long
i can't go on / time chained friendless / oh jane i thought / let's end this
i'd tell her more my thinking
but she'd just stare back blinking
can't find attraction hate our new house
she don't get / she don't get my work
jane's made me flirt / in fact i've met this girl, annette
i took the girl's address
she just broke up with paul and i think jane knows her
boredom crept up and found me
temptation follows mounts me
our oaths our realty a good job a husband
a husband or what / christ, jane, i'm not, i never was
she turns spits out / we're done get out / i wanna say good luck
but i don't wanna hold you up
you bastard son of dirt
can't picture our house without you
two aprils go / i'd / offer all to god on high
tell why / i got this far with none for wife
this charming life / i can't un-jane me
she married paul / that fall / aprils ago
The Wrens's song "Jane Fakes a Hug" follows the story of a man who is feeling trapped and unfulfilled in his relationship with his wife Jane. He describes his "dragging days" and his inability to find attraction or happiness in their new house. He turns to a woman named Annette, with whom he flirts and makes a pass at. Though he acknowledges that his actions make his life a "crumbled mess," he is unable to break free from the boredom and temptation that he feels in his marriage.
As the song progresses, Jane becomes aware of her husband's infidelity and anger erupts between them. The man recognizes that he has never been the husband Jane needed or wanted. In the final verse, the singer laments that he is unable to "un-jane" himself and is still tied to this life he has created for himself. The song is a melancholic exploration of the struggles of relationships and the consequences of infidelity.
Line by Line Meaning
jane fakes a hug / she throws herself down on the rug
Jane pretends to be affectionate with me by hugging me, but in reality, she slumps on the floor unmotivated and probably sad.
what's wrong / my dragging days are whipping long
I'm not feeling great, I'm tired, and I can tell my days feel long and uneventful lately.
i can't go on / time chained friendless / oh jane i thought / let's end this
I feel stuck with a lack of direction and friends, and I start to wonder if ending things romantically with Jane is the right choice.
i'd tell her more my thinking / but she'd just stare back blinking
I'm hesitant to share my thoughts with Jane because I don't feel she would understand or have a genuine response to my emotional state.
can't find attraction hate our new house
I don't feel any excitement towards our new home, I actually quite dislike it.
she don't get / she don't get my work
Jane doesn't understand or appreciate the work that I do.
jane's made me flirt / in fact i've met this girl, annette
Jane's behavior has led me to seek out attention from another woman, Annette.
i made a pass my life's a crumbled mess / i took the girl's address
I made a move on Annette and now my life is chaotic, but I still have Annette's contact information.
she just broke up with paul and i think jane knows her
Annette recently ended a relationship with Paul, and I suspect that Jane may already know her.
boredom crept up and found me / temptation follows mounts me
I was bored and vulnerable, leading to the temptation to pursue something outside of my current relationship.
our oaths our realty a good job a husband / a husband or what / christ, jane, i'm not, i never was
I feel obligated to stay committed to Jane due to our vows and societal expectations of being a good husband, but I never truly wanted that in the first place.
she turns spits out / we're done get out / i wanna say good luck
Jane confronts me and ends our relationship, but she still wants to wish me well.
but i don't wanna hold you up / you bastard son of dirt
Despite her attempt to be kind, Jane still harbors anger and resentment towards me and wants me gone quickly.
can't picture our house without you
Although the relationship is over, Jane can't imagine living in their home without me.
two aprils go / i'd / offer all to god on high / tell why / i got this far with none for wife
Years ago, I was willing to give everything to a higher power without a partner by my side. Now, I have made it this far without truly having a lifelong partner to share my life with.
this charming life / i can't un-jane me / she married paul / that fall / aprils ago
I acknowledge that my life is still enjoyable and fulfilling, but I can't shake the thought that I will always be tied to Jane in some way. Additionally, Jane married Paul many years ago in the fall season.
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.