Sweetie Little Jean

Album: Tell Me I'm Pretty (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by a bad childhood memory of vocalist Matthew Shultz. He recalled to Billboard magazine: "When I was 12, a girl from my neighborhood was murdered. She was my little brother [Jeremy's] girlfriend. We were all playing that day, and they went to go get some change for a drink, so we got split up. Later we found out she had been kidnapped. It was the most traumatic experience of our lives."

    "In 'Sweetie Little Jean,' I use that story as an analogy. When someone suffers from really deep depression, sometimes it's like they've been abducted. And so I imagined searching all around the house for this person, but all you can find is trails of tears."
  • The song came together easily but in a strange fashion. Shultz recalled to HMV.com: "I was just falling asleep one night and I started hearing the melody for it. I was hesitant at first because my phone was downstairs so I had to get out of bed to record it, but I did and the next day I wrote the lyrics. I know this sounds crazy but it felt like that song was enhanced by a fit of synaesthesia while sleeping. I get seeing this green lunging light with that synth sound. Trying to explain that to the guys in studio was pretty hilarious."

Comments: 2

  • Cuz from BgkyFunny the name is Jean, that's Morgan's grandma and heather-Morgan's sister looks like the girl from cigarette day dream to a T...
    Matt if u read this reach out to heather
  • Ezra MotzSuch a great song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.