“Jane Says” is a song by the American rock band Jane’s Addiction, written by Perry Farrell and Eric Avery. It serves as a character study of Farrell’s former housemate, Jane Bainter, who was struggling with heroin addiction and an abusive relationship with a dealer named Sergio. Bainter’s frequent declarations that she would quit her habit “tomorrow” and her dream of moving to Spain directly inspired the lyrics, and her addiction also gave the band its name.
The song was first released in a semi-live format on the band’s 1987 self-titled album, recorded at the Roxy Theatre. The definitive studio version, featuring distinctive steel drum percussion to evoke a sense of escape, was re-recorded for their 1988 debut studio album, Nothing’s Shocking. This version was released as a promotional single and became the band’s first chart entry on the Alternative Songs chart, peaking at #6.
While the song has been interpreted by some listeners as referencing prostitution, Jane Bainter herself clarified in interviews that she never sold her body for sex. She eventually achieved sobriety in 1993 and did move to Spain, fulfilling the aspiration described in the track. The song remains one of Jane’s Addiction’s most enduring anthems, capturing the raw, chaotic atmosphere of the late 1980s Hollywood alternative rock scene.
[Verse 1]
Jane says, “I’m done with Sergio
He treat me like a ragdoll”
She hides the television
Said, “I don’t owe him nothin’
But if, oh, he come back again, tell him, wait right here for me
Or try again tomorrow”
[Hook 1]
“I’m gonna kick tomorrow
I’m gonna kick tomorrow”
[Verse 2]
Jane says, “Have you seen my wig around?
I feel naked without it”
She knows they all want her to go
But that’s okay, man, she don’t like them anyway
Jane says, “I’m goin’ away to Spain when I get my money saved
Gonna start tomorrow”
[Hook 1]
“I’m gonna kick tomorrow
I’m gonna kick tomorrow”
[Bridge]
Well, she get mad, then she start to cry
She take a swing that she can’t hit!
She don’t mean no harm, she just don’t know
(Don’t know, don’t know)
What else to do about it
[Verse 3]
Then Jane goes to the store at 8
She walks up on St. Andrews
She waits and a-gets her dinner there
She pulls her dinner from her pocket
Jane says, “I ain’t never been in love, I don’t know what it is”
She only knows if someone wants her
[Hook 2]
“I want them if they want me
I only know they want me”
[Bridge]
She gets mad, and she starts to cry
She takes a swing, man, she can’t hit!
She don’t mean no harm, she just don’t know
(Don’t know, don’t know)
What else to do about it
[Outro]
Jane says
Jane says
Aah-ah-aah-ah-aah, aah-ah-ah, aah-ah-ah
Ooohh-ooohh-ooooooohhh
