Janis Joplin "Mary Jane"

 Bessie Smith

Janis Joplin

Link to song by Janis Joplin "Mary Jane" http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DFsbrA_buNo  A standard 12 bar blues.

Janis Joplin sang "Mary Jane" before she was famous. The song is credited as being a cover of a Bessie Smith song. That is obviously incorrect.

The usual lyrics stated for the second verse are:
"Oh if a man should look tame now, mean and mature,
They all turn out the same."

The real lyrics are:
"Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe
They all turn out the same"

Bessie Smith died in 1937 so could not have possibly referenced Elizabeth Taylor (born 1932) and Marilyn Monroe (born 1926) who were not famous at te time of Bessie Smith's death.

CORRECT LYRICS

Now when I go to work, I work all day,
Always turns out the same.
When I bring home my hard-earned pay
I spend my money all on Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, Mary Jane, Lord, my Mary Jane.

Oh, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe
They all turn out the same.
'cause they can't do nothing to make a man feel good
Like my old Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, Mary Jane, Lord, my Mary Jane.

Now I walk down the street and I look for a friend
One that can lend me some change.
And he never questions my reason why,
'cause he too loves Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, Mary Jane, Lord, my Mary Jane.

Well, I have known women that wanted no man,
Some that I wanted to play.
But I never knew what happened in this world
Till I met up with Mary Jane,
Mary Jane, Mary Jane, Lord, my Mary Jane.

Oh, when I'm feelin' lonesome and I'm feelin' blue,
There's only one way to change.
Now I walk down the street now lookin' for that man,
One that knows my Mary Jane,
Mary Jane, Mary Jane, Lord, my Mary Jane.