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Jane, be Jane
You're better that way
Not when your trying
Imitating something
You think you saw
So Jane, be Jane
And if sometimes that might
Drive them away
Let them stay there
You don't
Need them anyway
You're worried there might not be
Anything at all inside
But that you're worried
Should tell you that's not right
Don't try to see yourself
The way that others do
It's no use
You're worried there might not be
Anything at all inside
But that you're worried
Should tell you that's not right
You've had it harder than
Anyone could know
So hard to let it go
But it's your life
You can decorate it
As you like
Beneath the pain and armor
In your eyes
The truth still shines
Jane, be Jane
Jane, be Jane
You're better that way
Not when your trying
Imitating something
You think you saw
So Jane, be Jane
And if sometimes that might
Drive them away
Let them stay there
You don't
Need them anyway
You're worried there might not be
Anything at all inside
But that you're worried
Should tell you that's not right
Don't try to see yourself
The way that others do
It's no use
You're worried there might not be
Anything at all inside
But that you're worried
Should tell you that's not right
You've had it harder than
Anyone could know
So hard to let it go
But it's your life
You can decorate it
As you like
Beneath the pain and armor
In your eyes
The truth still shines
Jane, be Jane
Jane, be Jane
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I think this is about a guy who is frusturated over the situation with the woman he is in love with. He knows her true personality..how she is when they are alone..but around others he notices she tries to be someone else because she thinks that if she acts like the person she is that others will judge her..think she's weird..whatever.
Hm. I've always loved this song, but here as I approach the comment box all kinds of crazy pop-culture parallels attack me, and I either 1) don't like them, 2) don't know why my brain is making these suggestions, because I've never connected them before
-Avril Lavigne(?) "Complicated" <-- x_x
-A giant animated lion head in the sky rumbling "REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE."
-Built to Spill "Twin Falls" <-- that one is good
-The Shins "Know your Onion!" <-- good too
-Mean Girls <-- more x_x
-Eels... something like Electro-shock Blues (see explanation below) <-- good
There were some others, but I lost them as I was typing it out. Weird.
Anyway, I have a fascination with poetry about the ostrasized. Not that I am ostrasized-- but... I really like the poetry. I have bits and peices of things that I've doodled around on, with same sort of theme (they usually end up creepy)-- how a character can't connect with others because they don't understand how people work. Maybe it's because their life was screwed up when they were growing up. Maybe they have a mental incapability.
This song in particular... it's neat. There's nothing specific in it as to why "Jane" is unable to connect. Looking very closely at some of the lines, it gives me the impression that it may be a mental disorder-- that's why I mentioned Electro-Shock Blues:
"jane be jane/and if sometimes that might/drive them away/let them stay there"
The name "Jane" is used because it's a very general, bland name. Example documents use the name "Jane Doe." The use of the name "Jane" conveys an unremarkable character: someone seemingly insignificant. Jane is seeking approval from others, while the narrator is trying to tell Jane that it doesn't matter what others think of her. The only thing that matters is your own happiness, and you shouldn't take other's judgement to heart. They don't know her, what her life has been ("you've had it harder than anyone could know"). Who are they to reject Jane?
There's more there than I mean to post. Ah well.
Peace.
you're worried there might not be
anything at all inside
but that you're worried
should tell you that's not right
you've had it harder than anyone could know
so hard to let it go
she let go of her life? now she's trying to stay away from it because she's afraid she's painted over it so many times she's afraid there's nothing left.