Background
"Play with Me (Jane)" was derived from "Strange Jane", a track which appeared on the Thompson Twins' 1991 studio album Queer . In 1992, a number of remixes were produced for the track under the new title. One remix was included in the American live-action/animated black comedy fantasy film Cool World and its accompanying soundtrack release in July 1992. [1] "Play with Me (Jane)" was issued as a single in the UK on 3 August 1992, [2] followed by a US release on 8 October 1992. [3]
Much like David Bowie's "Real Cool World", the preceding single from Cool World, "Play with Me (Jane)" did not meet commercial expectations and failed to generate mainstream success. [4] It did not reach the top 75 of the UK Singles Chart, stalling at number 85 in August 1992. [5] However, the song was a hit on the UK club scene, with the "Full On Mix" reaching number 8 in the Record Mirror Club Chart. [6] In the US, the single reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot Dance Breakouts Maxi-Singles Sales chart in October 1992. [7] It also saw chart action on the Street Information Network Top 50 Club Play chart. [8] "Play with Me (Jane)" was the Thompson Twins' last single release. After dropping the name, Bailey and Currie moved to New Zealand and began recording music under the name Babble. [9] [10]
Critical reception
Upon its release as a single, The Arbroath Herald awarded "Play with Me (Jane)" an eight out of ten rating. The reviewer had some reservations on first hearing of the "full on mix", but was "sold" when they heard the "dub wash mix", on which "a compulsive beat [is] at work, with Alannah Currie's gentle, wistful voice carrying the melody along nicely". The reviewer concluded, "Whether or not this is the one to take the Twins back to the high chart positions they used to get regularly, we're not too sure, but it gets our vote." [11] Gina Morris of NME described it as "yet another half-arsed Hippodrome floor filler" from the duo. Brett Anderson of Suede, as guest reviewer for the magazine, added, "Too much time in the studio. If a machine were to write a pop tune it would be this. Rubbish, sorry but it's flippant rubbish." [12] Andrew Smith of Melody Maker remarked, "Last year, the Thompson Twins fooled the DJs when they scored a dance hit under a pseudonym. But they don't fool us. We've got a plan. We won't buy it." [13]
Christian Jakubasczek of the German magazine Frontpage gave the single a three out of five star rating and described the song as "a very okay, driving, not necessarily innovative but acceptable house number". The reviewer felt the song was an "unforeseen comeback" for the Thompson Twins, although they considered "only the 'Play With Me' vocal" to serve as a reminder of the band's former pop work. The reviewer anticipated the song had hit potential on the German club scene. [14] In the US, Larry Flick, writing for Billboard , described "Play with Me (Jane)" as a "techno-houser". He wrote, "Thanks to ethereal vocals by Alannah Currie and creative postproduction by Sinistra, the track smokes with potential at both rave and pop/house levels." Flick described the "Full On Mix" as "harsh and invigorating," and the "African NCP Mix" as having "a more cushiony bottom and hip tribal chants". [15] [16]
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