Mary Jane Lyrics

Lyric discussion by parasol 

Cover art for Mary Jane lyrics by Tori Amos

The idea that a mother is thinking that a good woman with a good name (from her Father - the male last name is passed down) can come in and "improve" her son is sad. Shakespeare would ask, "what's in a name?"

Tori has the Mother repeating over and over, "Mary Jane WHO?!"

It turns out, that this young boy isn't trying to use another person to enter certain realms....he's using a substance.

Is there anything wrong with that? Not really.

But there is something wrong with a Mother thinking that another woman's good last name will "fix" her son, whatever fix means.

The overall theme of this album is how we are each controlled in society and our lives by the threat of dispair....what IS power? Is it a good last name? Is it a woman or a man trying to control you?