Lou Reed Lyrics-22 – Anyone who ever had a heart (from “Sweet Jane”) (Now Playing Week 7)

Apart from “Walk on the Wild Side” (which, since it reached the charts, doesn’t count ☺), this is arguably Lou’s most popular song. Lou continued to play it live for years, and numerous bands covered it. And with good reason; it’s an upbeat, positive, and life-affirming song with a catchy riff.  

Jack and Jane are a middle-age couple who are no longer radical. Jack’s become a banker, and Jane’s become a clerk. To all indications, they have abandoned their youthful ideals of protest, rebellion, and revolution. They seem to have betrayed their principles and settled into a dull, middle-class lifestyle. They save their money, sit by the fireplace, and listen to classical music.

From a superficial perspective, they seem to have lost their heart and soul.

Not so, says Lou.   

Since they had once had youthful passion and had dreamt of a better world, they would never “turn around and break” their hearts or abandon their ideals. And even though they’ve grown out of their youthful rebellion, they would never “turn around and hate” their younger selves.    

They’ve simply grown, aged, and matured. Consequently, for Jack and his dear wife “Sweet Jane,” life is good.  

This reflects a very mature, wizened perspective. Considering that Lou was still a relatively young man (and a bit of a radical) when he penned this wisdom, it’s pretty remarkable.

Below are 2 fine versions of this song. The first is the original by the Velvet Underground.

The second is a great, slow, moody, blue version by the great Canadian band Cowboy Junkies.

Sweet Jane, Velvet Underground …

Sweet Jane, (moody, blue version by) Cowboy Junkies … Sweet Jane, (moody, blue version by) Cowboy Junkies …

Lou Reed, Anthology of Memorable Lyrics.

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