Mary Jane

Album: So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Charted: 46
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Songfacts®:

  • Contrary to once-popular belief, this song is not about marijuana. It is actually about a girl who takes up witchcraft. Eventually, she wants to get out of it and in an effort to do so, she confesses to her father, who not only doesn't forgive Mary Jane, but buries her alive. That's why she haunts the forest. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jon - Sweden

Comments: 8

  • Evan from PennsylvaniaI think this song is a double meaning song. The lyrics describe marijuana and also the story of the witch Mary Jane
  • Chuck from IowaThe song is about the legend of the haunted cemetery that is home to Mary Jane Terwillegar’s grave in Loon Lake, Minnesota, near where Ellefson grew up.
  • Rich from IdahoI have just recently found the meaning of this song. It is about a girl named Mary Jane who is executed for being a witch. There was a movie recently made about it called Loon Lake (on Amazon Prime). The line about "beware my friends as you walk by..." is throughout the movie.
  • Aaron from ArizonaThis song actually is about an old story in Jackson, MN where Dave Ellfson is from. There's a few versions of the story but current day is her grave stone will glow at night which of course attracts a lot of kids to scare each other. That's the basis for the song and I believe Mustaine went from there on it.
  • Da Devil from Around The Place, Antartica@baddfingerz

    I tottaly agree that Metallica should defintaly remaster all there older albums, "And Justice For All..." should be the first on the list, it was horribly made with the bass turned right down, sounded really tinny, though they had some good songs. I think the main reasons for the them not remastering their older work, would be in memory of Cliff Burton.
  • Mark from Hshshshss, Wallis And Futuna Islandsmary jane is spanish for marijuana (marie-juana). There is no doubt this song is about drug addiction. From the earth / I can hear her calling me / I can't get away / there's no escape / No control, my mind is lame.
  • Cody from Kansas City, MoAccording to Mustaine, the song is about a girl who is caught masterbating by her father, who then kills her.
  • Baddfingerz from Tucson, AzThat is awesome.

    I thought it was about weed too, but with more serious undertones, metaphor. The kind of poetry that hardcore addicts surviving hopeless, suicidal depressions - a whole life of being damned - writes. The metal life.

    I think not too many would interpret like this; I have too much along these lines in common with Mr. Mustaine and when he talks anguish, despair, "If I know I'm going crazy, I must not be insane", he is preaching to the choir.

    I'm sick of the Metallica/Megadeth cliche comparisons, and glad to see that some of you fans not only know rad stuff like the meanings of these songs but that credit should be given where it is due.

    I love Metallica, swore allegiance to them; I am 40 years old and I got to live the metal revolution from the first wave. That said, Megadeth may have had to follow in the shadow of Metallica, but anyone making a value judgment here on this issue needs to know:

    There would be no Metallica without Dave Mustaine; certainly not the band that came into existence. The writing credits for Kill 'Em All and Lightning only tell part of the wild and fascinating story.

    BTW- Has anyone else been waiting for remastered releases (not the $300 GoldDiscs) of the early Metallica albums? The only word on this I have heard is that there are no plans, and that is lame. I've got all the 2003 Megadeth RM/remix and they are spectacular.

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