Lou Reed - Sweet Jane

"Sweet Jane" is a song by American rock band the Velvet Underground; it appears on their fourth studio album Loaded. The song was written by Lou Reed, the band's leader, who continued to incorporate the piece into live performances as a solo artist.

There are two distinct versions of "Sweet Jane" with minor variations, spread over its first four releases. The first release of the song in November 1970 was a version recorded earlier that year and included on Loaded. In May 1972, a live version recorded in August 1970 appeared on the Velvet Underground's Live at Max's Kansas City; this had an additional bridge that was missing from the Loaded release.

In February 1974, a live version recorded in December 1973 (similar to the Loaded version but with extended "intro" and hard rock sound), appeared on Reed's Rock 'n' Roll Animal. The elaborate twin guitar "intro" on the Rock 'n' Roll Animal version was written by Steve Hunter and played by Hunter and Dick Wagner, two Detroit guitarists who would go on to play with Alice Cooper.

Lyrics

Standin' on a corner,

Suitcase in my hand.

Jack's in his car, says to Jane, who's in her vest,

Me, babe, I'm in a rock n' roll band.

Ridin' in a Stutz Bearcat, Jim,

Those were different times.

And the poets studied rows of verse,

And all the ladies rolled their eyes

Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane

Now, Jack, he is a banker,

And Jane, she is a clerk.

And the both of them are saving up their money...

Then they come home from work.

Sittin' by the fire...

Radio just played a little classical music for you kids,

The march of the wooden soldiers

And you can hear Jack say

Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane, Sweet Jane

Some people like to go out dancing

And other people, (like us) they gotta work

And there's always some evil mothers

They'll tell you life is full of dirt.

And the women never really faint,

And the villans always blink their eyes.

And the children are the only ones who blush.

'Cause life is just to die.

But, anyone who has a heart

Wouldn't want to turn around and break it

And anyone who ever played the part

He wouldn't want to turn around and fake it

Sweet Jane

Songwriters: Lou Reed

Sweet Jane lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC