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."
It's true
You're lazy
You're tired
And crazy
And you know there's something more
But you can't give it a name
Someone's selling all your heroes
And they seem so tame
You heard it all before
And said your case was tragic
You heard it all before
And now they say it's magic
You need
Time off
For good
Behavior
And you know there's something else
But you can't give a name
Someone's selling all your heroes
And it seems such a shame
You heard it all before
You said your case was tragic
You heard it all before
And now they say it's magic
You heard it all before
They said your case was tragic
You heard it all before
And now they say it's magic
You're lazy
You're tired
And crazy
And you know there's something more
But you can't give it a name
Someone's selling all your heroes
And they seem so tame
You heard it all before
And said your case was tragic
You heard it all before
And now they say it's magic
You need
Time off
For good
Behavior
And you know there's something else
But you can't give a name
Someone's selling all your heroes
And it seems such a shame
You heard it all before
You said your case was tragic
You heard it all before
And now they say it's magic
You heard it all before
They said your case was tragic
You heard it all before
And now they say it's magic
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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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Well here goes. I think it's about someone who has particular idea of how they want to live their life that diverges from what society considers conventional and pragmatic. Initially this person isn't where they want to be, perhaps stuck. Those who live conventional lives are now perceiving this person as "lazy" and "crazy" for still pursuing their goals. Trying to drag them down, however they remain hopeful because deep inside they "know there's something more" ahead of them. As this person has been stuck, they've gotten older and watched their idols sellout. Which not only could sew doubt but serves as another sticking point that conventional people use against them, hence "they said your case was tragic". But perseverance pays off, "now, they say it's magic". This person made it to where they want to be to the astonishment of the naysayers. They need "time off for good behavior" because in the face of these people attempting to drag them down they remained composed and civil. It's parable of perseverance, stay true to yourself and your path even when you feel like you're lost in space, there's more to come for you! ;)
It's sad that no one else has commented this song, but I'm glad to take a first shot at it's meaning. I believe that it's a song about a criminal thinking in his jail cell (as implied by the second verse). He agrees that he should be locked away in the first verse, but he can't quite put a finger on what's been bothering him so much: everyone's turned against him... all of his heroes (whether they be comic book superheroes or admired celebrities) speak out against the actions he commited, and the ones "selling his heroes" are the people who put him away or convicted him. The chorus states that at the time he had been convicted, it had been a tragedy, but now it's a legend that goes down in history. It could also be said that he was innocent. That the courts that convicted him "sold his heroes" and turned everyone against him... you could go either way with it.
I don't think it's from the perspective of a criminal sitting in a jail cell at all. That doesn't seem to fit with Luna's very personal lyrics. Rarely do they venture farther than Dean Wareham's own perspective.<br /> <br /> I think it's Dean's way painting himself as feeling guilty, but he doesn't know the reason he feels the way he does. He conjectures in the song about having a hard time dealing with his idols selling out, and maybe thinks of himself as a "sellout."<br /> <br /> Just my two cents.
I don't think it's from the perspective of a criminal sitting in a jail cell at all. That doesn't seem to fit with Luna's very personal lyrics. Rarely do they venture farther than Dean Wareham's own perspective.
I think it's Dean's way painting himself as feeling guilty, but he doesn't know the reason he feels the way he does. He conjectures in the song about having a hard time dealing with his idols selling out, and maybe thinks of himself as a "sellout."
Just my two cents.
One of the best on the album I think. I love the line "you need/time off/for good/ behavior", can't get enough of that kind of wordplay. I'm not sure if the lyrics are Dean talking to himself or if it's directed toward a person who's acting out and feeling trapped and tired. Just my share of the two cents pile going on
To me this song is the second part of Luna's song "Moon Palace" on their Penthouse album. The lyrics
"And you know there's something else But you can't give a name Someone's selling all your heroes And it seems such a shame"
say it all. What you wanted as an carefree adolescent is getting vaguer and vaguer as you're become an adult. All your friends are moving on and doing interesting things, but you're stuck, clinging to the dreams you had in your youth that only make you melancholic.