Jeane

This song may have been inspired by Morrisey's friend Linder, although there are no specific references or allusions to her in either song. A more likely source for this song is Morrissey's aunt, Jeane Sheppard. Also, knowing of Morrisseys interest in Oscar Wilde, it should be noted that the bastard child of Oscar Wilde's friend (and possible lover) Lillie Langtry was named Jeane.

Quite correct- it's Morrissey's Aunt who is called Jeane, not his Mother. It's been a while since I last read The Severed Alliance, that's my excuse.

this song is great. It should be on all the albums. I really dont know why it isnt

A masterpiece, the Sandie Shaw version is possibly the best song ever put to tape.

Although an early song it is probably Morrissey's best for encapsulating that kitchen-sink-drama he is (or was at the time of the smiths) enthraled with. The whole Shelagh Delaney thing (where he steals many lyrics from)

Anyhow, i love this song, as jemaeux says it is a well hidden secret.

The Sandie Shaw version should be downloaded by any music fan, smiths fans who dont own it are being cheated

xo

The Sandie Shaw version is superior, yes, but this song is beautiful in both versions.

The Shaw version is waaay superior. i just figured out the chords on guitar, if anyone's interested let me know.

I think this song may well be about Morrissey's mother, who was called Jeane, I think the kitchen sink and the reference to cleaning may be allusions to that.

To be honest, I prefer the version with Morrissey on vocals. I'm pretty sure it is about his mother - "Yet you still hold a greedy grace as you tidy the place".

Anybody heard the Billy Bragg version? I'm not as big on the Smiths as I was a while back (Rubber Ring??) but lyrically, it's genius. Every song has a line you can take away and call your own.

i absolutely love Sandie Shaw's version. very beautiful song.

Jeane is almost impossible to get hold of (I think it's going to be on a double-cd compilation released soon), which is a disgrace because for me it is right up with their best work.

It's just an incredibly powerful song and perfectly sums up the 'mythology' of the Smiths - listening to it you genuinely feel that this was what Morrissey's life was like before the start of the band.

The last verse ('No heavenly choir/not for me and not for you...') is absolutely sublime, as good if not better than the endings to other Smiths songs like Hand In Glove and I Know It's Over.