kamyatek is on the target. Robert Hunter wrote many other verses as well. He jotted down lines as the band did their tour, and culled a lot of them from the final draft. It's discussed in a documentary called, I believe, "Anthem To Beauty," an excellent work which focuses on the recordings and surrounding times of the Anthem Of The Sun" & "American Beauty" albums. Highly recommended and featuring footage of an awesome early Sugar Mag.
The New Orleans setup bust is an interesting story in its own right, but only warrants that small part of the song.
I'm not sure if it was Hunter or not, but someone in the Dead's touring circle said Sweet Jane was inspired, at least in part, by Janis Joplin, and they said "cocaine" instead of "heroin," (her drug of choice) because it fit better.
IN 1983 or so, Bobby changed the lyrics a few times to "What in the world ever became of sweet Jane?
She lost her sparkle; y,know, she isn't the same
Ever since she went and had a sexchange
All a friend can say: "It's a f#$kin' shame . . . she just AIN'T the same"
kamyatek is on the target. Robert Hunter wrote many other verses as well. He jotted down lines as the band did their tour, and culled a lot of them from the final draft. It's discussed in a documentary called, I believe, "Anthem To Beauty," an excellent work which focuses on the recordings and surrounding times of the Anthem Of The Sun" & "American Beauty" albums. Highly recommended and featuring footage of an awesome early Sugar Mag.
The New Orleans setup bust is an interesting story in its own right, but only warrants that small part of the song.
I'm not sure if it was Hunter or not, but someone in the Dead's touring circle said Sweet Jane was inspired, at least in part, by Janis Joplin, and they said "cocaine" instead of "heroin," (her drug of choice) because it fit better.
IN 1983 or so, Bobby changed the lyrics a few times to "What in the world ever became of sweet Jane? She lost her sparkle; y,know, she isn't the same Ever since she went and had a sexchange All a friend can say: "It's a f#$kin' shame . . . she just AIN'T the same"