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."
My hands
Come together
And I draw in the breath through my teeth
Your curt shots
Sarcastic remarks
Come so often
They're never sincere
Darker amusement sets in
That's the problem
You're saying something and my eyes
Open wider
And we grin and we stare at the floor
Your jokes missed
Your hands grow to fists
And your lips purse
Expecting the worst
With every word
That's how it started
That's the problem
And after were done
I can still feel your eyes on my forehead
And after were done
I can still feel the pain in my free time
Come together
And I draw in the breath through my teeth
Your curt shots
Sarcastic remarks
Come so often
They're never sincere
Darker amusement sets in
That's the problem
You're saying something and my eyes
Open wider
And we grin and we stare at the floor
Your jokes missed
Your hands grow to fists
And your lips purse
Expecting the worst
With every word
That's how it started
That's the problem
And after were done
I can still feel your eyes on my forehead
And after were done
I can still feel the pain in my free time
Lyrics submitted by aerobics, edited by karritevoyager
Stop Talking Lyrics as written by Matthew Frederick Barrick James Hamilton Leithauser
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
It's about a fight between two people. The other is being very sarcastic and mean to him and he's getting angry. It's a surreal look at a fight.
Love the rattle of the sneer - very atmospheric. As too is the piano - very eerie. Drunken Irish lyrical melody - adds to the lyrics (Not that all Irishmen are drunks.) I never thought a violent, brutal, bloody fight could come off some so drunkedly beautiful and somberly poignant. You can feel each jaw-breaking punch in slow motion, blissful slow motion. Once again, evocative imagery through aurality!
i always saw this song as being about the end of a relationship. the saddest line to me is the last one "i still feel the pain in my free time" because i first heard this song, and listened to it on repeat, right after a breakup, and never has any line made me cry harder than that one. you can force yourself to ignore the saddness, but eventually you have to spend time alone, and thats when your mind starts wandering, and you realize how much you miss that person.
i feel as though this song is about a couple who communicate through negativity and sarcasm 'expecting the worst with every word'. even though they might not intentionally be insulting the other, both are quick to leap to the worst conclusions and say things that ring in their head long after...probably causing them to anticipate/start another fight.
i love the last line too because i feel like he is so busy fighting with her that only during the breaks does he realise how much he hates hurting...but they can't stop. amazing song.