Album: The Battle For Everything (2004)

License This Song 

• I met Jane at the center of the earth
  It was dark there was dirt all around
  But I gather you can figure that
  
  And Jane says, I'm your body in the night
  And I'll lead you where you might find yourself
  Better if you follow me
  
  So go right you'll be left at a big hotel
  You'll meet the devil at the bottom of a wishing well
  You know you better give him something
  Give him something good
  Like everybody else he's misunderstood
  
  Jane says, it's a long way out
  But I'm gonna make it out
  'Cause I'm about her
  
  See Jane says, you're as holy as a ghost
  But who loves you the most, if you offer
  I might let you carry me
  
  And Jane there's nobody here but yourself
  In the end it's the wealth of your spirit
  Now hurry up get on with it
  
  I went left, I got right at some big hotel
  There was a devil at the bottom of the wishing well
  He said, you better give me something
  Give me something good
  Like everybody else I'm misunderstood
  
  Jane says, it's a long way out
  I'm gonna make it out
  'Cause I'm about
  
  Jane says, it's a long way out
  I'm gonna make it out
  I'm gonna make it out
  I'm gonna make it out
  
  I took a guess and cut a portion out of my heart
  He said that's nowhere close enough but it's a damn good start
  I wrote the secret that I buried on the wishing well wall
  He said, I've seen one it follows that I've seen them all
  
  We spoke of human destination in a perfect world
  Derived the nature of the universe found it unfulfilled
  As I took him in my arms he screamed, I'm not insane
  I'm just looking for someone to understand my pain
  
  It's a long way out
  I'm gonna make it out
  It's a long way out
  I'm gonna make it out
  It's a long, it's a long way out
  I'm gonna make it out Writer/s: JOHN ONDRASIK
  Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

• Jana from MdI absolutely LOVE this song. Just as your friend did I have played this song non-stop. I hit rock bottom just like the guy in the song. Someone came and was beside me and told me I could get help and where to do it but I had to make that choice. My favorite lyric is "Jane says, you're as Holy as a ghost, But who loves you the most, if you offer I might let you carry me." OMG! She sees how transparent and fragile he is yet by letting him carry her shows how much trust she has in him. I love in the song how she tells him which way to go but he finds his own way. "A big hotel" What a great metaphor for a hospital. He can check in when he wants and check out when he wants. I love in the beginning how he says he's going to do it for Jane but as the music changes you can almost sense the change in him. He no longer says he's doing it for her but still has her support. Then he realizes he needs to do it for himself. "Cut a portion out of my heart". That's a great start in acknowledging the demons in his head but there is still more to explore. He says basically "I have these secrets and the counselor is telling him you cant tell me I haven't already seen. He's seen and heard it all. That's when he opens up and starts pouring out his heart. This depression he has had made him think he's insane but by talking to someone he's able to embrace his issues and finally realize he's not insane. He needed help and he had to do it for himself. The devil in the wishing well is saying there is hope. Because what do we do at a wishing well? We make wishes and hope they come true. This is an absolute genius song telling exactly what it's like to his rock bottom and come out the other side. Thank you for writing this!
• Christopher Spores from Evanston, Wyoming From John on Facebook after the passing of Robin Williams. - "Lots of chatter on Depression after Robin Williams suicide. Let me just say for those on the outside, depression has little to do with "being sad"..." (8/12/14) "Interesting comments on my depression post...FYI my song "Devil in the Wishing Well" is about depression, and the possibility for escape!" (8/13/14)
• James from Arley, Al"Devil in the Wishing Well" is about finding that bad down side of us, and going down there and hanging out for a while.
• Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Flmakes me feel like i'm mot alone in this world.

More Songfacts:

I Write The SongsBarry Manilow

Barry Manilow didn't write his #1 hit "I Write The Songs." Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys wrote it.

(Walking) In the RainThe Ronettes

Ronnie Spector nailed the vocal for The Ronettes song "(Walking) In the Rain" on the first take -- unheard of in the perfectionist producer Phil Spector's world.

We Belong TogetherMariah Carey

Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" was the best-selling song of the 2000s in the US.

Paper PlanesM.I.A.

"Paper Planes" was inspired by M.I.A.'s hassles trying to get a visa to enter America.

Then He Kissed MeThe Crystals

The '60s hit "Then He Kissed Me" was covered by The Beach Boys as "Then I Kissed Her."

Uptown FunkMark Ronson

"Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson was 2015's best-selling single in both the U.S. and U.K.

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.