Mary Jane (song)

* Album
* Live

**"Mary Jane"** (stylized with a full stop at the end) is the sixth track to RAYE's debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues released on February 3, 2023, independently and distributed by Human Re Sources.

On October 16, 2023, the live version of this song was released as the eighth track on RAYE's live album, My 21st Century Symphony., performed with The Heritage Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall on September 26, 2023.

## Background and concept

*Mary Jane* is a colloquial name that is used instead of saying *Marijuana*. In the track, Keen talks about her drug abuse as well as how other substances felt like company in her lowest times.

In a interview for *Rolling Stone UK*, the artist talked about the song's meaning and why it was important for her to put it and tell her own story.

“*It is a love song to my addiction. There was a time when I was so lonely, and I was letting down everyone I loved, and I couldn’t explain why. Again, something that no one would know. We keep it in silence. You do hear substance abuse being glamorised by rappers, but it’s historically always been gross for a woman to open up about these things, or she gets penalised for it. Look what they done to Amy [Winehouse], you know? Meanwhile, we’re being eaten alive by these things we’re too scared to talk about, especially as women.*”
―RAYE via Rolling Stone UK
On the Spotify Storyline for the song she called it a “messed up love song to addictions” adding:

“*Substance abuse is something seldom talked about, a dangerous burden that becomes so powerful when untamed. I wanted to create a space to talk honestly about such a subject. Especially as a woman, in fear of becoming vilified or unattractive or a mess, hoping people may find solace in this song, or spark some conversations amongst friends and family, those conversations can be saving graces.*”
―via Spotify Storyline

## Lyrics

Mary Jane, sweet, sweet Mary Jane

When you touch my mouth

I levitate

You take these bitter thoughts in my brain

And let them fall like summer rain

Sweet Mary Jane

Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, mm

Codeine

Silent, marvelous codeine

How I miss your chemical hug

Since I been clean, oh, ooh

But you hold me better than any man did

And no one's done it like you since

Codeine, mmm

Sweet, sweet, sweet

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane

And codeine can kill any pain

Hmm, red wine

You always gave me the best advice

Mmm, you gave me courage

To call the man who makes me cry

And I bought three bottles

'Cause I tend to drink you dry, mmm, mm-mm-mmm

Oh, how we've danced tonight

Red, red wine

Sweet, sweet, sweet

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane, yeah

And codeine can kill any pain

Mandy, dear

Oh, when I met you, we had quite the year

You showed me love so pure, so strong

Then left me in bed, so alone

You're a stone-cold bitch in the morning

Aren't you?

Aren't you, Mandy?

Sweet, sweet, sweet

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane (sweet Mary Jane)

And codeine can kill any pain

Mm-mm-mmm

### Live at Royal Albert Hall recording

Mary Jane

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane, Jane

When you touch my mouth

How I, I, I, I levitate

You take these bitter thoughts in my brain

And let them fall like summer rain

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane

Hmm, codeine

Oh, no, codeine

Silent, marvellous codeine

The truth is how I miss your chemical hug

Oh, yes I do, yeah

Since I've been clean, mmh

And you hold me better than any man did

And no one's done it like you sincе

Codeine, mmm

Sweet, sweet, sweet, baby

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane

And codеine can kill any pain

Oh-oh-oh, no, red wine

Anybody know 'bout red wine?

You always gave me the best advice

You gave me courage

To call the man who makes me cry

And I, I bought three bottles 'cause I tend to drink you dry

Mm-mm-mmh, oh, how we've danced tonight

Red wine, red wi-i-ine

Sweet, sweet, sweet

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane

And codeine, no, wouldn't I

She can kill any pain

Mandy, dear, Mandy, dear

Oh, when I met you, we had quite the year

You showed me love so pure, so strong

Then you left me in bed so alone

You're a stone cold bitch in the morning, aren't you?

Aren't you, Mandy?

Sweet, sweet, yeah, sweet, yeah

Sweet, sweet Mary Jane, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(And codeine) She can kill any pain

Ladies and gentlemen, we got Carli on the guitar

[Instrumental Break]

Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Oh, how I miss you Mary Jane

## Personnel and credits

Taken from the My 21st Century Blues CD booklet:

* Written By: Raye and Mike Sabath
* Produced By: Mike Sabath
* Additional Production: Raye
* Vocals: Raye
* Main Engineer: Mike Sabath
* Assistant Engineer: Chad Gordon
* Vocal Engineer: Jenna Felsenthal
* String Engineer: Adam Krevlin
* Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano: Mike Sabath
* Strings (Cello): Jacob Braun
* Strings (Violin): Paul Cartwright
* String Arrangement: Mike Sabath

## References

1. ↑ Lauren O'Neill. "Raye: in full control". *Rolling Stone UK*.
2. ↑ "Mary Jane" by RAYE on Spotify.