"Jane Says" is a song by alternative rock

Alternative rock

Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...

 group Jane's Addiction

Jane's Addiction

Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...

. It was first released in live format on the group's 1987 live debut album, Jane's Addiction

Jane's Addiction (album)

Jane's Addiction, also known as Triple-X or XXX by fans, is the debut album by the band Jane's Addiction. It was recorded live at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles on January 26, 1987. Overdubs were later recorded at The Edge studio in Los Angeles and added to the album mix. The audience track is...

. It was re-recorded in the studio for their first studio album, Nothing's Shocking

Nothing's Shocking

Nothing's Shocking is the first studio album by the American alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, released on August 23, 1988 through Warner Bros. Records. Nothing's Shocking was well received by critics upon release and is often cited as the band's best album. Despite this, it peaked at number...

. Another live version appears on the band's 1997 rarities compilation Kettle Whistle.

The title refers to lead singer Perry Farrell

Perry Farrell

Perry Farrell is the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual destination festival. Farrell continues to produce Lollapalooza with partners William...

's ex-housemate, Jane Bainter, who was a heroin addict and the namesake of the band. The song carries drug references such as "kick" (stop using). The fourth verse contains a reference to St. Andrews Street in Los Angeles, CA.

"Jane Says" uses only two chords

Chord (music)

A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...

 for most of the song and makes extensive use of steel drums, played by Stephen Perkins

Stephen Perkins

Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....

. It is one of Jane's Addiction's most famous songs and frequently ends their concerts.