Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I read it in a magazine
I don't wanna see it again
I threw away the magazine
And looked for someone to explain
I don't wanna look back
I can't look 'round
I don't wanna see it coming 'round
Listen to the ups and downs
Listen to the sound they make
Don't be scared when it gets loud
When your skin begins to shake
'Cause you don't wanna look back
You gotta look tall
Gotta see those creeps crawl
I know you know
I know you know
Well I can see you've got the blues
In your alligator shoes
Me I'm all smiles
I've got my crocodiles
I don't wanna look back
I can't turn 'round
I don't wanna see it coming down
Met someone just the other day
He said wait until tomorrow
I said hey, whatcha doing today?
He said I'm gonna do it tomorrow
I don't wanna see it again
I threw away the magazine
And looked for someone to explain
I don't wanna look back
I can't look 'round
I don't wanna see it coming 'round
Listen to the ups and downs
Listen to the sound they make
Don't be scared when it gets loud
When your skin begins to shake
'Cause you don't wanna look back
You gotta look tall
Gotta see those creeps crawl
I know you know
I know you know
Well I can see you've got the blues
In your alligator shoes
Me I'm all smiles
I've got my crocodiles
I don't wanna look back
I can't turn 'round
I don't wanna see it coming down
Met someone just the other day
He said wait until tomorrow
I said hey, whatcha doing today?
He said I'm gonna do it tomorrow
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
That's certainly an interesting take. (I didn't know he had OCD, where did you hear that?)
Honestly, I've always thought very, very few Bunnymen songs had exact "meaning" but rather conveyed feeling than any exact meaning. But I'm probably wrong.
@camelpimp As far as I can recall, it wasn't talked about or brought up during the Bunnymen's heyday. Though I recently read a 1981 interview where the interviewer said McCulloch could be rock's Howard Hughes as he was fixated on hotel cleanliness (for example, taking hours to inspect all the beds). So a bit of a clue on Mac's OCD tendencies way back in the day. After the 1997 comeback, Mac has talked about his OCD in interviews. Understandably, he doesn't go into a lot of details but it seems to be a substantial factor in his life. And yes, he still deals with it. Just speculating out of my ass here, but I think it may be why he's had the drink and drugs issues--maybe going down the self-medication route. <br /> <br /> It never occurred to me as a kid in the 1980's that a cool rock star like Ian McCulloch would have OCD. Heck, I didn't even know the existence of OCD then. But looking back on it, it may explain McCulloch's behavior and battles with depression.<br /> <br /> I agree with your last point--McCulloch's lyrics may have definite meanings to him, but overall he and the band were more into creating atmosphere and feelings rather getting a message across.