Songwriter: Alanis Morissette Glen Ballard

[Verse 1]
What's the matter, Mary Jane? Had a hard day
As you place the don't disturb sign on the door
You lost your place in line again, what a pity
You never seem to wanna dance anymore

[Chorus]
It's a long way down
On this roller coaster
The last chance streetcar
Went off the track, and you're on it

[Verse 2]
I hear you're counting sheep again, Mary Jane
What's the point of trying to dream anymore?
I hear you're losing weight again, Mary Jane
Do you ever wonder who you're losing it for?

[Chorus]
Well, it's full speed, baby
In the wrong direction
There's a few more bruises
If that's the way you insist on heading

[Verse 3]
Please be honest, Mary Jane, are you happy?
Please don't censor your tears

[Chorus]
You're a sweet crusader
And you're on your way
You're the last great innocent
And that's why I love you

[Verse 4]
So take this moment, Mary Jane, and be selfish
And worry not about the cars that go by
'Cause all that matters, Mary Jane, is your freedom
So keep warm, my dear, keep dry

[Outro]
Tell me, tell me
What's the matter, Mary Jane?
Tell me

[Spoken]
Thank you

Alanis Morissette

Alanis Nadine Morissette was born on June 1, 1974, in Ottawa, Canada. At age 6, she began taking piano lessons, and by the time she was 9, she was writing her own songs.

When she was 11, Morissette joined the cast of a Nickelodeon children’s show called You Can’t Do That on Television, and saved up her earnings. In 1987, she used them to self-release her first track, “Fate Stay With Me.” The song caught the attention of record label MCA Canada; at age 14, Morissette signed a contract with the company. She released a self-titled album, Alanis, in 1991, which went platinum. Quickly following up the success of her first album, Morissette released Now Is The Time a year later, though it did not reach the same level of popularity.

In 1994 Morissette moved to Los Angeles teamed up with industry veteran Glen Ballard, and she began to approach songwriting more organically.