After Cocteau Twins and Ride, Jane’s Addiction feels downright conventional, in a good way. I was never a big fan of Perry Farrell’s alternative rock band but I could see the anarchic appeal.
The band’s second album, Ritual De Lo Habitual, was released in 1990 to critical acclaim and strong sales. It turned out to be their last album before their first breakup, as drugs and egos drove the band apart.
Farrell’s cover art, featuring nude figures, stirred controversy and led to an alternate “clean” version. Perhaps in a nod to Spinal Tap’s black album, the new version was white with just the band’s name written on the front. On the back was this phrase, which feels all too relevant today:
“Hitler’s syphilis-ridden dreams almost came true. How could it happen? By taking control of the media. An entire country was led by a lunatic … We must protect our First Amendment, before sick dreams become law. Nobody made fun of Hitler??!”
Once when I was 5…
I enjoy stealing
It’s just as simple as that
Well, it’s just a simple fact
When I want something
I don’t want to pay for it
I walk right through the door
Walk right through the door
Hey all right! If I get by, it’s mine
Mine all mine!
My girl, she’s one too
She’ll go and get her a skirt
Stick it under her shirt
She grabbed a razor for me
And she did it just like that
When she wants something
She don’t want to pay for it
She walk right through the door
Walk right through the door
Hey all right! If I get by, it’s mine
Mine all mine!
We sat around the pile
We sat and laughed
We sat and laughed and
Waved it into the air!
And we did it just like that
When we want something
We don’t want to pay for it
We walk right through the door
Walk right through the door
Hey, all right! If I get by, it’s mine
Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine…
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ve actually heard this song before, so I guess it was at least a modest hit.
And, yes, that statement on the album is, unfortunately, far more true today than it was in the waning days of the Bush presidency.