Alanis Morissette – Mary Jane

General Commentthis isnt about drugs its about a girl who dedicates her life to making others happy and not herself the person who is singing this is warning her not to ignore her problems and that she doesnt need to wear a facade all the time

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  @ssjprincessbura

General Comment"Mary Jane" is just your typical woman. She has problems and fears like the rest of us. This song is about a woman trying to overcome her fears and emotional problems to become the woman she wants to be.

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  @nietzsche_66

General Commentyeah, this song is not about drugs. I think its about Mary Jane's self destructive relationship with someone that causes her to give all of herself to this one person and never think of herself. " Well it's full speed baby, In the wrong direction, There's a few more bruises, If that's the way you insist on heading" Shes warning her

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  @PixiEpunk84

General CommentEveryone has very valid points about this song. What I personally think it means is this: Mary Jane is a girl who is depressed and she's always doing things to please others and not herself. she may be in an abusive relationship or just taking the general abuse of life when Alanis refers to "bruises". She isn't letting anyone help her. "Are you losing weight again.." probably just refers to another attempt for her to be accepted by others.

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  @tayloradair

My InterpretationWhat's the matter Mary Jane, you had a hard day
As you place the don't disturb sign on the door

This first line is in reference to anybody who feels the need to shut themselves away, because of feelings of paranoia potentially induced by marajuana, or because of some other pain or deep rooted unhappiness that has eroded at a person's self esteem to the extent that they feel unable to interact with others

You lost your place in line again, what a pity
You never seem to want to dance anymore

Mary Jane feels that she has let herself down by not reaching her expectations of herself, and fails to fit in. As a result she shies away from participating in the things that used to bring her happiness and becomes withdrawn.




It'sa long way down
On this roller coaster
The last chance streetcar
Went off the track
And you're on it

The first part of this phrase reminds us that no matter how anxious or depressed we may feel, things can always get worse. Once you get trapped into the cycle of self destruction it is inevitable that things will gradually worsen as you become less able to interact/eat/stay sober. While you are damaging yourself in whichever way, you will never be able to gain the stability and happiness that you deserve.

I hear you're counting sheep again Mary Jane
What's the point of trying' to dream anymore

Reference to insomnia which is generally caused by anxiety and withdrawal from drugs. Dreaming can seem futile when we doubt ourselves, and the pain and frustration that we feel when we know that we can never be our 'best' is devastating.

I hear you're losing weight again Mary Jane
Do you ever wonder who you're losing it for

Loosing weight in this phrase could be a metaphor for loosing a part of oneself, such as one's mind, one's abilities etc. By questioning the intention of this, Alanis draws us to the point that we should question our actions and our decisions.

Well it's full speed baby
In the wrong direction

While we are not in control of our lives for whatever reason, it is likely that things will spiral out of control and become extremely difficult to revere. Habits and rituals have a tendency of governing our behaviour, and we should acknowledge this

There's a few more bruises
If that's the way
You insist on heading

Reminds us that we do make our own choices, and that we we will suffer the damage of our own self destruction unless we learn to overcome our inner demons

Please be honest Mary Jane
Are you happy
Please don't censor your trears

A lot of us avoid the issue of whether or not we are happy. Here Alanis encourages you to be true to your own feelings and to be in touch with your emotions. Repressing things will only make them seem worse

You're the sweet crusader
And you're on your way

You can changes, you have the power to change and it's sweet that you are doing your best to reform, essntially you have the capacity to reform

You're the last great innocent
And that's why I love you

You do have redeeming qualities worth acknowledging, and you need to learn to like yourself for them. Tries to show the sufferer that they are valued

So take this moment Mary Jane and be selfish
Worry not about the cars that go by

To survive you need to look after your own interests and stop mistreating yourself. The cars point reminds the sufferer not to get caught up in trivial surroundings

All that matters Mary Jane is your freedom
Keep warm my dear, keep dry

The most important thing is that you are free from whatever demon or powerful hold that has a destructive influence over you. Reminds suffere to look after themself

Tell me
Tell me
What's the matter Mary Jane

Share your problems!

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  @crazylittlesugarpuff

General CommentThis song is most definitely about a woman who has an eating disorder. I think its just one of her problems. It seems this woman is very unhappy and therefore has unhealthly habits. (I.e. an eating disorder). The line "so take this moment, Mary Jane, and be selfish" is the singer telling the woman to move on and get better. When I was in high school, I thought that the song was talking about a woman leaving an abusive relationship. But that could also be an unhealthy addiction like an eating disorder or even a drug problem.

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  @purplespikes
  0

  Just got out of inpatient treatment for anorexia and addiction to cocaine...just gotta say you hit it right on the dot for me. The line about losing weight is obvious, then there's the more subtle, "keep dry."

  Flag Aquarius121on February 27, 2013  

General Commentwhere does weed fit into this???? not every song has to do with drugs.

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  @alone & depressed

General CommentThis song is not about drugs Or ED, its about people who do every thing correct and nice, say picture perfect but at the end of the day, feel sad because something is not right. People who give everything, change themselves to build a relationship, to make it work but once in a while doubt .... IS IT WORTH IT? this song is about that self doubt which could be rightly placed as well. Say, for example, I love my wife, I want my home to be happy, I spend less time with my friends to be with her, ignore my hobbies, lose some place among the guys because i spend less time then i used. One day, i miss my friends and think... is it worth it? Now the song here says... its OK but dont lose yourself so very much. Keep some space for yourself, you never know when you need it! I could be wrong... but this is still a beautiful song!!

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  @poppsique
  0

  I totally agree with you !

  Flag Regicakeon August 02, 2012  

General Commentat first this song was my least favourite song on jagged little pill but once i fully grasped this song, i realised how beautiful it is. i think this song is about anybody feeling unworthy, with self-image problems and going through a difficult time. but this song and many other songs can mean whatever to the listener. alanis write something like, "may your own unique interpretations of these songs hold you with tenderness," in the flavors of entanglement thank you notes.

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  @sopurejunkie

General Commentwhat is this song about? does anyone know or have an idea?

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  @failurebydesign
  0

  This song is about a women who is struggling to overcome many anxieties in her young life. (Eating disorder, anxiety, depression) What IS important is that these problems were brought on due to the fact Mary Jane is suffering from post-abortion trauma. This is what is currently happening to our young girls who chose abortion. Many develop eating disorders, mood disorders, depression, suicide, etc...and the list goes on.

  Flagged lovinlifeon April 26, 2009