Sweet Jane (With Affection)

You've likely heard the Cowboy Junkies' dreamy Trinity Sessions version of “Sweet Jane.” Lou Reed is well known to have said that it is the best recording of the song he had heard, better than his own. And it certainly is amazing.

But according to legend, Mr Reed later heard the Two Nice Girls' recording “Sweet Jane (With Affection),” which mixes in several slices of Joan Armatrading's “Love and Affection,” and was moved to say that he that he was a little sorry he hadn't known to plug their version instead.

It's one of the most magical recordings I've ever heard, and I just recently discovered that you can hear it, together with a little video, on the Two Nice Girls website, where you can also buy the album. Enjoy. (Update: It seems the video link is borked. At the moment, you can hear the song via YouTube.)

And since the internet reports that it doesn't have them handy, I have transcribed the lyrics here ...

Standing on the corner
Suitcase in my hand
Jack he’s in his corset
Jane she’s in her vest
Me I’m in a nice-girls-band
Ridin’ in a Stutz Bearcat (I wish)
Those they were different times
The poets they studied loose verse
And the ladies they hold their eyes
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane

Jack he is a banker
Jane she is a clerk
Oh they save their money
They come home from work
Sittin’ by the fire
The radio does play
And the March of the Wooden Soldiers, yeah
You could hear Jackie say
Just give me love ooh-oo-hoo
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane
With affection
Sing me another love song ...
Sweet Jane ...
      ... but this time with a little dedication
... Jane
Sing it sing it sing it sing it
Sweet Jane ...
You know that's what I like
... Jane
Love ooh-oo-hoo

Thank you
Some people love to go out dancing
You took me dancing
Some people they have to work
’Cross the floor
Then there are ...
Cheek to cheek
      ... those among us
With another I could really dance
That will tell you everything ...
Really dance
      ... is just dirt
I could really move
And I’ve got all ...
And know that women they don't really faint
      ... the friends that I want
And that villains they always they blink their eyes
I may need more
And the children are the only ones who blush
But I shall just stick to the ones who ...
And that life is just to die
Anyone ... anyone who had a heart
Wouldn't turn around wouldn't turn around and break it
Anyone who had ... anyone who ever played the part
Wouldn't turn around wouldn't turn around and hate
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane ... Jane
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane ... Jane
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane ... Jane
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane ...
Just give me love ooh-oo-hoo
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane
And affection
Sing me another love song
Sweet Sweet Jane ... Jane
But this time with a little dedication
Sing it sing it sing it sing it
Sweet Sweet Jane
You know that's what I like
Love ooh-oo-hoo