“Sweet Jane,” covered by Cowboy Junkies … (Alternative Rock / Blues...

The band created a secondary classic, a masterpiece that in many respects transcends the original.

Cowboy Junkies – “Sweet Jane”

“Sweet Jane” (1988 – original from 1969)

This song is one of the stand-out tracks on Cowboy Junkies’ breakthrough 2nd album, “The Trinity Session.” It’s a cover of one of Lou Reed’s classic songs.

Its first recording appears on the album “1969: The Velvet Underground Live.” Reed and the Velvets subsequently recorded various other versions.

A Secondary Classic, a Masterpiece of Originality

Cowboy Junkies took the quiet version of “Sweet Jane” from the 1969 VU album, and adapted it to the spare, cool, bluesy sound that they had introduced on their 1986 debut album. In doing so, they created a secondary classic, a masterpiece that in many respects transcends the original. In fact, Reed himself stated that Cowboy Junkies’ version of “Sweet Jane” was his favorite.

In the 2005 book “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die,” the album “The Trinity Session” came in at 999. Hear one of its finest tracks here, preferably before you go to sleep tonight. _{(Image source)}

Cowboy Junkies

The music of Cowboy Junkies is classified variously as alternative rock, alternative country, folk rock, and even … Americana. But one slow listen to virtually any of their music will tell you that they are essentially a blues band. Maybe a “Canadian blues” band?

Toronto to Tokyo

Cowboy Junkies had established their languid bluesy sound on their 1986 debut album – “Whites Off Earth Now!!” – which sold about 3,000 copies.

In 1988, the band’s fortunes changed with the release of “The Trinity Session.” They had begun the year playing at a small club on their home turf of Toronto. But at year’s end, they were playing a large club in Tokyo. The album went platinum in both Canada and the US.

Anyone who's ever had a heart
Wouldn't turn around and break it
And anyone who's ever played a part
Wouldn't turn around and hate it
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, Sweet, sweet Jane

You're waiting for Jimmy down in the alley
Waiting there for him to come back home
Waiting down on the corner
And thinking of ways to get back home
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, Sweet, sweet Jane

Anyone who's ever had a dream
Anyone who's ever played a part
Anyone who's ever been lonely
And anyone who's ever split apart
Sweet Jane, sweet Jane, sweet, sweet Jane
Heavenly wine and roses
Seem to whisper to me when you smile
Heavenly wine and roses
Seem to whisper to me when you smile
La la la la, la la la...
Sweet Jane, sweet, sweet Jane   _{(Image source)}
        Velvet Underground – “Sweet Jane” (Live)
          _{_{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}}

Lyrics by Lou Reed, courtesy of –YouTube.com (at above vid link)
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia
Into your ears … through 5 channels
The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"
          Vocab-Ability – "Index" to all Chapters and Sections

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"

“Sweet Jane,” covered by Cowboy Junkies … (Alternative Rock / Blues – Music to Your Ears, Covers–6)