Jane’s Addiction: The Story of “Been Caught Stealing”
From an incident where frontman Perry Farrell was caught stealing at 5 years old to the now iconic dog barking intro, Jane’s Addiction and their song “Been Caught Stealing” has a story that’s truly wild. Today we dive deep into the wild history behind this iconic song including its creation, the band’s turbulent journey, and the secrets that make it timeless.
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🎥 90s Music on Poetic Wax: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLylroYWVYWWVMPcvhbgG6DncbcS9U05uh
Get Jane’s Addiction on Vinyl 🎧 https://amzn.to/4r3F4bu
Poetic Wax is hosted by Andy Fenstermaker.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 The Bark That Launched a Revolution
1:27 The Rocky Rise of Jane’s Addiction
4:40 Crafting Ritual de lo Habitual Amid Addiction and Anarchy
6:33 The Birth of a Thief’s Anthem
8:47 The Music Video and Tour Turmoil
11:29 The Legacy of a Stolen Moment
CLIPS & REFERENCES:
Been Caught Stealing (Official Music Video, Dir. Casey Niccoli): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwjiO1MCVs
Psi-Com “Ho Ka Hey” (Official Music Video, Credit: Flip Side Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VkLBk_71Vs
Billy Idol Giving the Award for Best Alternative Music Video at 1991 MTV Music Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1LRTLhsXXU
Jane’s Addiction Ocean Size Live 1-26-1987 (Credit: Eddie Villa): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h64opHn8kis
Jane’s Addiction Boston 9-13-2024 Original Video Perry Farrell Flips Out. Onstage Fight Dave Navarro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgUgvaML80
Jane’s Addiction Live at Lollapalooza, Tempe, AZ, July 18, 1991: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wglAIjuBlfA
Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” (Official Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kAIMlISHhU
Perry Farrell Interview (April 24, 1991) Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCYlRn36u4
Hard ‘N Heavy: Raw Edge VHS (1995) feat. Interview with Jane’s Addiction Circa 1991: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCYlRn36u4
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@ericglassavery5067
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Some of this history doesn't sound correct. Sorry if im an ahole
@markrosenquist8259
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Everything about Perry is I. When I got signed to Warner brothers I did it I was the champ. If it wasn’t for Eric Avery writing most if not all of the songs there would be no Jane’s Addiction. I really don’t know how Perry was able to get 60% of everything the band did. Granted he is, or was a great frontman but in my opinion a band would not be a band without all members clicking and making that magic. Should have been 25% equal parts. If anyone deserved more of the royalties it should have been Eric. IMO
@jaymesjmathias9390
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Guitar is played throughout whereas singers have considerable portions of 0 to do but rock around for the band like a fanboy! I took Nevaros side at 1st but now i see just how annoying that could get having to dilly dally while a guitarist goes on & on & on! For a singing group the band should work around their singer, if you want that front man position then learn to sing 😂
@coreytrick-c8m
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Deconstruction is one of the most underrated albums of that era.
@Idontknowyoupeople
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
I wanna know what that dog said. Let’s research learning to talk to dogs.
@j.c.7574
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
@AndyFenstermaker found you through fensepost. Could you please share with me the songs from the Belgian Fog posts in 2014? I find RD's music really inspiring but with soundcloud down it's been difficult to find quality audio. Thanks for reading!
@rmcq1999
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
I sure did like some sh%tty bands when I was a teenager.
@billadams4924
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
If you're looking for a story to tell, aim for "The Drinking Song" by The Gits.
@HillaSkrilla2006
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
10:55 Billy Idol's presentations was GREAT!! HILARIOUS!! Pulls the card out of his pants… "BEEN CAUGHT WANKING!!!" HA HA HA HA!!! 😀 😂 🤣
@morgellon7877
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Funny, because in my childhood I enjoyed Jane's quite a bit, but these days I'd way rather jam out to Janet Jackson. He calls her work lettuce, but just as he himself admitted, his "salad" is entirely devoid of anything more than shredded lettuce, shredded cabbage, croutons, dressing and seasoning; however, upon closer inspection, his salad it looks and smells suspiciously like regurgitated horse shit.
@natepinson
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Andy correctly reminding everyone that Perry was always an a-hole. A brilliant and sometimes benignly whimsical a-hole, but a completely self-centered one. The royalties thing is the clearest point, but he also rivals Axl for top megalomaniac frontman of the era. He was in his 30s then, though he looked younger. He's in his late 60s now, and hasn't grown up one bit. There's something endearing about that, but mostly its sad – and impossible to work with.
@revolutionday1
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
The only thing that made sitting through this repetitive windbag was the Billy Idol clip, which I actually hadn't seen before.
@aarongrooms8881
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Excellent work,my friend!!!!
@TomShira-h1j
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Now Perrys #1 song is
Caught Squealing! ..
He sounded like a pissed off Fran Dresher while freaking out on Dave and the band.
@constancemerryweather525
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Pretty sure Stephen never indulged in the H… I remember a great piece on them in Spin magazine where Eric & Dave were trying get clean by having a separate area of the tour bus
@galactusholmes
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
0:12 Perry mispronounced “heroin”
@inept_
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
I wasn't alive for most of the 90s but Radiohead's Blowout really hits me where I live. That first album cops so much shit but really it's pretty good
@wacky295
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
nothing personal, really. i just don't want to see you talking that much. absolutely love seeing vintage photos/videos while you're talking. ☮
@Man_Ray78
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
I listened to all those bands and was into all types of heavy metal, hip hop, alternative rock, and electronica from the UK, but I never could go into JA. I always felt Ferrell was off, uncharismatic, and egotistical. The being real and true, not fameseaking, at least in what I could see as a fan, did not appear in the mainstream until Nevermind. The Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers changed my taste in electronic music. It could be punk and a crowd-pleaser.
@erolcims6664
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Gish
@Vanpyra-777
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
VANPYRA was there
@tylerthompson1842
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Love Jane’s but Janet Jackson came out with some bangers in 80s and 90s. Rhythm Nation was a pop masterpiece. I just hate when artists feel they have to put down other artists in order to somehow prove how much better theirs is lol. Especially in this case when it’s a completely different genre.
@RufusOdepa
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Mudhoney touch me im sick is the 80s anthem imo
@garyrouleau4676
January 31, 2026 at 10:07 am
Notice how Perry says He got signed! Not the band He!
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