Mary Jane Kelly

Album: Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The prostitute Mary Jane Kelly was murdered at her home at 13 Miller's Court, a furnished single room at the back of 26 Dorset Street, Spitalfields, London, on November 9, 1888. She is widely believed to be the fifth and last victim of Jack the Ripper.
  • Volbeat guitarist Rob Caggiano told TeamRock: "Mary Jane Kelly was Jack the Ripper's last victim and her death was really brutal, but what's interesting about this song is that Michael (Poulsen)'s not singing about the murder or how she was killed; he's singing about her as a person. For me, that's a really interesting perspective and it makes you think about the whole subject in a really different way."

Comments: 1

  • Garrett "gsmoke" from Grand Junction Colorado It never fails to amaze me how Volbeat songs trap you and never let you go!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.