Romeo and Jane

Album: Romeo Unchained (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When we asked Tonio K where he got the idea for this highly improbable love story between Shakespeare's Romeo and Tarzan's wife, Jane, he replied that he had no idea. Tonio added: "I don't know where those things come from. I just realized for the first time it's actually kind of a logical extension or a phase II of my song 'Impressed' that Charlie [Sexton] recorded on his first record. Just all these oddball couples. I just flipped it. It's funny, I don't know."

    Tonio K went on to say he never knows where these ideas come from. "Sometimes you're sitting down fooling around on a guitar and you hit on a chord progression," he said, "and a sketch of a melody for some reason. And all of a sudden you'll sing one line to yourself and then you're off and running. Or you'll just put the melody down and wait until you have an idea."

    "Impressed" includes Shakespeare's characters Romeo and Juliet in a long list of what the singer considers bad examples of how love should work.
  • The Romeo character has featured in a good number of songs. Charting songs titled "Romeo" were recorded by Dino (#6, 1990), Dolly Parton & Friends (#50, 1993), Janie Grant (#75, 1961), and Mr. Big (#87, 1977). Steve Forbert also went to #11 with "Romeo's Tune" in 1980.

    Jane and her jungle-raised husband Tarzan has cropped up in several as well including:
    "Tarzan & Jane" by Toy-Box
    "Superman's Song" by Crash Test Dummies ("But he could hardly string together. Four words, I Tarzan you Jane.")
    "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins (appears in a scene in the Disney movie Tarzan where a young Tarzan is comforted by his adoptive gorilla mother.)
    "Candyman" by Christina Aguilera. ("Tarzan and Jane were swingin' on a vine.")

Comments: 1

  • Julie&george from La, CaHey Tonio, you said back in the day those songs were written about that good looking blonde you were dating (thought you were engaged to?) Jackie Lovejoy. At least that's what you told us. Thought " You Don't Belong Here" was written about her too? My cousin says your x is still around LA, as he sees her on occasion. Sorry the love thing didn't work out but that record and those songs were great!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?