Jeane [Single] by The Persian Leaps

This cover of "Jeane" is my tribute to The Smiths, who have been an important influence on me since 1985. I never took guitar lessons, but I did buy a Meat Is Murder songbook and learn to play the songs as best I could. Without the Smiths, The Persian Leaps would still exist, but we'd sound very different, with less jangle and happier lyrics.

Despite being a huge fan of The Smiths since 1985, I'd never heard "Jeane" until 5-10 years ago. The song blew me away. It's not unusual to track down a rarity or B-side and find it interesting if underwhelming, but "Jeane" felt to me like an essential Smiths song that's been unfairly overlooked. It also sounds unfinished to me--as though with a few more takes and some production love, it could have been an A-side. I'd always wanted to cover a Smiths song, and "Jeane" felt like one I could put my own mark on and perhaps even introduce to people who don't know the original.

Tracklist

1.	Jeane [Single]	2:42

Lyrics

Jeane,
The low life has lost its appeal
And I'm tired of walking these gray streets home
To a cupboard bare
Jeane,
I'm not sure what happiness means
But I look in your eyes
I know, I know
That it isn't there

We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried...

Oh, Jeane...
There's ice on the sink where we bathe
So how can you call this house a home?
When you know it's a grave
Yet you still have that greedy grace...
As you tidy the place
But it will never be clean
It will never be clean
Oh, Jeane

We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried...

Cash on the nail
It's just a fairytale...
And I don't believe in magic anymore
Oh, Jeane

Ooooh

Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh
Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh

And there’ll be no more heavenly choirs
Not for me
And not for you
Because I think you know the truth
Oh, Jeane

We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried, we failed
We tried...
Oh, Jeane

Credits

released September 13, 2023
Drew Forsberg - Vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, drum programming

Recorded by August Ogren, The Terrarium
Mixed by Neil Weir, Blue Bell Knoll
Mastered by Bruce Templeton, Microphonic Mastering
Cover art by Jon Hunt

Thank you, friends

ThePersianLeaps.com

Written by Johnny Marr and Steven Patrick Morrissey (BMI)
Originally performed and recorded by the Smiths [Rough Trade, 1983]

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