Tom Petty's hit single “Last Dance with Mary Jane”

#1
Billy Costigan

Billy Costigan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
4,555
Likes
8
#1
Could someone please explain to me what this song is about and provide a credible link to prove it. I've heard several different things about Petty's meaning in the song but can't find anything on what it is really about.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#3
#3
Oh, my my, oh, hell yes
Honey, put on that party dress.

A number of things that could relate to pot or just hooking up, breakin' up and gettin' over it. Don't think Petty ever said what it is about.
 
#4
#4
Petty has not said what this is about, but there are two common interpretations. It could be about Petty's divorce from his wife Jane, which happened a year before this was recorded. Another possibility is that it is about marijuana, as "Mary Jane" is slang for pot and the lyrics refer to killing the pain, which the drug is known for. (Mike) Campbell offered this explanation: "My take on it is it can be whatever you want it to be. A lot of people think it's a drug reference, and if that's what you want to think, it very well could be, but it could also just be a goodbye love song."
Click to expand...
.
 
#6
#6
I say D-I-V-O-R-C-E as well. But it def has the drug thing going on. I think Tom had a bigger problem with drugs than most would think of. Not just the weed/acid thing.

When I bought his solo "Highway Companion" CD, I loved it but thought he was in rough shape..Mike Campbell said in an interview a few years later that he was worried that Tom wouldn't make it, was on the heavy stuff.
 
#8
#8
Cdywolfe said:
Great song either way.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

No doubt.

What a marvelous guitar sound they got.

Rick Rubin magic.

Think it was Stan Lynch's last go at the drums for the Heartbreakers as well. He played his ass off on that one.
 
#15
#15
What I heard was that Tom Petty had a joint that Bob Dylan gave him and one day Petty ran outta herb, so he smoked the j Dylan gave him. Just what I heard so tifwiw.
 
#17
#17
Billy Costigan said:
Could someone please explain to me what this song is about and provide a credible link to prove it. I've heard several different things about Petty's meaning in the song but can't find anything on what it is really about.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

I have always wondered what the blatant and obvious drug reference in the song really meant. I have also wondered the same thing about Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

The artist in both cases said the songs weren't about narcotics, so they must be about money.
 
#18
#18
I'm pretty sure the song is about his relationship with an Indiana girl who had a good looking mama.

LOL I'm just being silly.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top