“Mary Jane” is female code for marijuana – similar to 2Pac’s female/gun metaphor in “Me and My Girlfriend”.
Besides lead vocals Rick also composed the song.
Background vocals and instrumentation were handled by Billy Nunn, and production by Art Stewart.
The song got mentioned in the 15th episode o...
[Intro]
Come here, baby
Mary, I love you
Do it, baby (Doot do-do, do)
(Mary Jane)
(Mary Jane)
[Verse 1]
I'm in love with Mary Jane
She's my main thing
She makes me feel all right
She makes my heart sing
And when I'm feeling low
She comes as no surprise
Turns me on with her love
Takes me to paradise
[Chorus]
Do you love me, Mary Jane?
Yeah, whoa-oh-oh
Do ya? (Do ya?)
Do ya? (Do ya?)
Do ya? (Do ya?)
Now, do you think you love me, Mary Jane?
Don't you play no games
[Post-Chorus]
(Mary Jane) I love her just the same
(Mary Jane) I love her, Mary baby, just the same
(Mary Jane) The woman plays no games
(Mary Jane ) Now, now, now
[Verse 2]
I'm in love with Mary Jane
I'm not the only one
If Mary wanna play around
I let her have her fun
She's not the kind of girl
That you can just tie down
She likes to spread her love
And turn your head around
[Chorus]
Do you love me, Mary Jane?
Yeah, whoa-oh-oh
Do ya? (Do ya?)
Do ya? (Do ya?)
Do ya? (Do ya?)
Now, do you think you love me, Mary Jane?
Don't you play no games
[Post-Chorus]
(Mary Jane) I love her just the same
(Mary Jane) I love her baby, baby, baby, baby, yeah
(Mary Jane) 'Cause Mary plays no games
(Mary Jane) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, baby
[Outro]
Yeah, woo, woo, woo
Oh baby, oh baby, hit me
Oh, Mary
Only love, I love you, yeah, woo!
Something until we give it now, lovey-dove
Uh-huh, wow, baby
Sing! La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da (Sing!)
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da, oh yeah
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da (Sing)
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da (Sing it, lover baby)
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da (Oh Mary, Mary Jane)
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da (Sing it for me, baby)
Mary Jane was written by Rick James.
Mary Jane was produced by Art Stewart & Rick James.
Rick James released Mary Jane on Thu Apr 20 1978.
Frankly, “Mary Jane” was written to sound like it was about a woman, but it was definitely written about marijuana. And some people may not know this famous singer was named after the song.