Full List of Songs by Jane’s Addiction in Alphabetical Order
Jane’s Addiction, a Los Angeles-based quartet, was founded in 1985 by vocalist Perry Farrell and bassist Eric Avery, who had previously been part of the art-punk band Psi Com. The group’s genesis occurred during songwriting sessions in Hollywood rehearsal spaces before guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins completed the lineup. Their distinctive blend of hard rock, funk, psychedelia, and downtown art culture quickly garnered them a following in clubs like the Scream and the Roxy. The band’s name pays homage to Farrell’s roommate Jane Bainter, whose personal struggles heavily influenced the band’s raw lyrics and outlook.
The band’s decision to record a live self-titled album at the Roxy in January 1987 on Triple X Records was a strategic move, as they felt that the unrefined energy of their live performances defined them more authentically than any studio recording could. This initial album’s success paved the way for a deal with Warner Bros., leading to their major-label debut “Nothing’s Shocking” in August 1988. Produced by Farrell and Dave Jerden, the record combined Navarro’s searing guitar work with Farrell’s distinctive vocal delivery on tracks such as “Mountain Song,” “Ocean Size,” and the steel-drum-infused ballad “Jane Says.” While the album initially had modest success on the charts, it eventually went double-platinum and earned the band Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance in both 1989 and 1991.
Their ambitions expanded further with 1990’s “Ritual de lo Habitual.” The album’s first half featured radio-friendly hits like “Stop!” and the funk-infused “Been Caught Stealing,” which topped Billboard’s Modern Rock chart. The second half incorporated more expansive tracks like the nine-minute “Three Days” and the epic “Then She Did…,” complete with lush strings and Latin percussion. The album reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and solidified the band’s status as pioneers of the emerging alternative rock scene. The controversial cover art, depicting a nude sculpture tableau, sparked retail bans but inadvertently heightened the band’s appeal as countercultural figures.
However, internal conflicts and substance abuse-related issues drove the band to disband after concluding the “Ritual” cycle in 1991. Far from fading into obscurity, Farrell turned their farewell tour into the inaugural Lollapalooza festival, a groundbreaking multi-stage event that revolutionized the concert experience in North America and launched numerous alternative and hip-hop acts into stardom. By creating a new touring model, Farrell ensured that the band’s influence extended far beyond their own music catalog.
Subsequent reunions of the original lineup followed in 1997 for the Relapse Tour with Flea stepping in on bass, and the release of the compilation “Kettle Whistle” featuring unreleased tracks. A more permanent return occurred with 2003’s “Strays,” recorded with bassist Chris Chaney and produced by Bob Ezrin. The album debuted at No. 4 in the US, with the single “Just Because” earning a Grammy nomination and significant airplay on rock radio stations. Though “Strays” showcased a sleeker hard rock sound, it still maintained the edgy chemistry between Navarro’s riffs and Farrell’s unique vocal style.