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 know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
If you think that I don't know about the little tricks you've played
And never see you when deliberately you put things in my way
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
You took advantage of my trust in you when I was so far away
I saw you holding lots of other guys and now you've got the nerve to say
That you still want me
Well, that's as may be
But you gotta stand trial
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal are mine to see on clear days
You thought that I would need a crystal ball to see right through the haze
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Beacuse all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
If you think that I don't know about the little tricks you've played
And never see you when deliberately you put things in my way
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
You took advantage of my trust in you when I was so far away
I saw you holding lots of other guys and now you've got the nerve to say
That you still want me
Well, that's as may be
But you gotta stand trial
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal are mine to see on clear days
You thought that I would need a crystal ball to see right through the haze
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Beacuse all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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No, I don't think that's right. In the song he's accusing his girlfriend of being decietful/cheating...that doesn't seem right that Pete would do that as a "warning" or whatever. I think it's just about a guy knowing that his significant other is cheating on him. Nothing extraordinary.
Another who song that seems to describe Townshend's failed issues with women. Had a relationship with a cheater, sounds like.
The drum work is easily top 10 all time for a single. It underachieved as a single, which is too bad. The US wasn't ready for a song like this, I guess. It is timeless, sounds good decades later.
What if they had used the Metric system? Thank God they hadn't! This song proves imperial system all the way!
It seems as if the woman cheated on him and resents it. but perhaps now hes giving her another chance and just watching her very closly or maybe its like OpinionHead said where its a promise that to his next lover he will be watch over her a lot because hes been cheated on before. I don't know that just what I get out of it...
I never understood why Pete loved this song so much until I realised it applied to someone I know. Once you start feeling that way about someone else, the song suddenly has so much more power.
The failure of the song to sell actually prompted Townshend to focus more on albums than singles, resulting in the masterpieces Tommy, Quadrophenia and (from Lifehouse) Who's Next.
I believe it's ironic and is about jealousy. He has these images of what his partner might do when he's away or not looking but he also knows it's probably his own jealous mind playing tricks on him. Ironic in the way that he can't see for miles...
He cant? And why not?
don't be like I was folks ... for 40 years I just laughed without a second thought. Just give it 2 hours research ....
"I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles ... The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal are mine to see on clear days You thought that I would need a crystal ball to see right through the haze "
Ignore the girlfriend / other guys - that's misdirection for the masses - no this song is quiet literal and it's a message to "them" that Pete has it worked out -- the earth id flat folks - yep laugh if you want to but not before doing the two hours research -- it will blow your mind
This song was written by Pete Towshend for his future wife Karen. It was saying that even though he was away for long periods, he would always keep a watchful eye on her.
Both of your opinions make sense. Maybe it was about a woman other than Karen who cheated on Pete?
I think this song is about anybody whose been cheated on in the past and this is there promise to their next lover that he or she will watch the other an eagle eye. It seems to simple for a song meaning, but many songs have face value meanings.