Fulton County Jane Doe

Album: By The Way, I Forgive You (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Fulton County Jane Doe" was written by Phil Hanseroth, who has collaborated with Brandi Carlile since her first album in 2005. She told Billboard the story behind the song:

    "He had just had a little baby girl, and he was reading a story in the newspaper about a woman who was found in a field. She was unidentifiable, and thirty-six years later, no one has ever claimed her. So, she died, and is left without a name. As a new dad, that bothered him fundamentally, so he wrote her a song."

Comments: 1

  • Sandra K Reed from San Antonio Floridahttps://bit.ly/3ofSXEx I know the song says Fulton County, but I did not want to not send it, just in case this child is the Jane Doe of your song. I am a retired command officer, and these are the cases that live with us forever, Thank you for writing her song. Whether or not this child is the one in your song, I thought you would like to know, this child made it home. We never stop looking, and always pray for miracles. Sandra K Reed, Retired Major, Pasco Sheriffs Office, Florida
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.