Project Description

This blog is a student run project to delve into "Mary Jane's Last Dance" written by Tom Petty, performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The posts that follow will contain a textual and contextual analysis of the lyrics, the writer’s word choice, how the music emphasizes certain lyrics, and how those lyrics function in the world.

I am particularly interested in seeing what responses, memories and feelings these lyrics evoke in myself as I continue to peel back the layers of meaning. And less interested in interviews given by the artist on the lyrics, although I may include some of those later on in my project.

Later, this blog will also feature an analysis of the official music video associated with the song.

Song Lyrics

Lyrics by: Tom Petty

She grew up in an Indiana town
Had a good lookin momma who never was around
But she grew up tall and she grew up right
With them Indiana boys on an Indiana night

Well she moved down here at the age of 18
She blew the boys away, it was more than they’d seen
I was introduced and we both started groovin
She said, I dig you baby but I got to keep movin
...on, keep movin on

Last dance with Mary Jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin in and I’m
Tired of this town again

Well I don’t know what I’ve been told
You never slow down, you never grow old
I’m tired of screwing up, I’m tired of goin down
I’m tire of myself, I’m tired of this town
Oh my my, oh hell yes
Honey put on that party dress
Buy me a drink, sing me a song,
Take me as I come cause I cant stay long

Last dance with Mary Jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin in and I’m
Tired of this town again

There’s pigeons down on market square
She’s standin in her underwear
Lookin down from a hotel room
Nightfall will be comin soon
Oh my my, oh hell yes
You’ve got to put on that party dress
It was too cold to cry when I woke up alone
I hit the last number, I walked to the road

Last dance with Mary Jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin in and I’m
Tired of this town again

(lyrics from www.lyricsfreak.com – edited for spelling and clarity)