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."
The singer steps foward
He is not a torch song singer
He is not the embodiment of a soul brother
The unassuming troubadour
Sings to himself, softly
Not a word escaps his lips.
They don't even try.
His words would rather stay as long with him as possible.
But his melody is for me and for you.
I prefer to be alone when you're not around.
Sometimes when I speak I can't stand the sound
Of my voice, this great big destructive machine
That takes too much time to say what it means.
They tell me that my father is sick once again
With the plague that has decimated many old men
And I settle once more to a long sad dread
That reminds me that all loved ones will soon be dead.
This is why I spent so much time making love to you
In your arms I was searching for things that were true.
This is why I spent so much time making love to you
In your arms I was searching for things that were true.
It's a memory of mine that I'm watching for a moment.
I'm distracted just a bit by something less important.
But I'm here for the part of the day that I crave;
I have caffiene in my system that makes me feel brave.
The chill in the air is exactly what I want,
with the sun on my face and my eyes tightly shut.
It's important to me to remember these things,
It's important to me to remember these things.
I'm pretending we're in Prague sipping sodas by the square.
Where the clock brought the masses to the ceremony there.
Every hour little puppets spin around the clock face
Each figure represents one of the human race.
And somehow we were always on time for the show
We'd arrive to the chaos of the people right below those large chiming bells that had a song to sing;
It's important for me to remember these things.
Absinthe and sex
Black garters, cheap wine a hotel in Prague
A Moment in time.
We are hungry and scary
And so much in love.
We laugh at each other.
As we push and we shove
The singer keeps singing. The singer keeps singing. The singer keeps singing. Keep singing, singer.
That was the first time I really caught your eyes,
in the small Italian shop with the coffee that you liked
And when our eyes met
I couldn't look away and my mouth opened to speak
But there wasn't much to say,
I was frozen, transfixed by the way that you looked
But you grabbed me and pulled me into a small nook
Where we kissed like we had never tasted lips before
And I still wanted more.
I still want more
I am frightened of what these words might bring;
But it's important for me to remember these things.
I am frightened of what these words might bring;
But it's important for me to remember these things.
You're too far away for this to make sense
And I feel in my heart ever mile of distance
And I don't him to stop 'cause
I know what that means
The Song will be over
And so will you and me.
The Song will be over
And so will you and me.
The song ...
He is not a torch song singer
He is not the embodiment of a soul brother
The unassuming troubadour
Sings to himself, softly
Not a word escaps his lips.
They don't even try.
His words would rather stay as long with him as possible.
But his melody is for me and for you.
I prefer to be alone when you're not around.
Sometimes when I speak I can't stand the sound
Of my voice, this great big destructive machine
That takes too much time to say what it means.
They tell me that my father is sick once again
With the plague that has decimated many old men
And I settle once more to a long sad dread
That reminds me that all loved ones will soon be dead.
This is why I spent so much time making love to you
In your arms I was searching for things that were true.
This is why I spent so much time making love to you
In your arms I was searching for things that were true.
It's a memory of mine that I'm watching for a moment.
I'm distracted just a bit by something less important.
But I'm here for the part of the day that I crave;
I have caffiene in my system that makes me feel brave.
The chill in the air is exactly what I want,
with the sun on my face and my eyes tightly shut.
It's important to me to remember these things,
It's important to me to remember these things.
I'm pretending we're in Prague sipping sodas by the square.
Where the clock brought the masses to the ceremony there.
Every hour little puppets spin around the clock face
Each figure represents one of the human race.
And somehow we were always on time for the show
We'd arrive to the chaos of the people right below those large chiming bells that had a song to sing;
It's important for me to remember these things.
Absinthe and sex
Black garters, cheap wine a hotel in Prague
A Moment in time.
We are hungry and scary
And so much in love.
We laugh at each other.
As we push and we shove
The singer keeps singing. The singer keeps singing. The singer keeps singing. Keep singing, singer.
That was the first time I really caught your eyes,
in the small Italian shop with the coffee that you liked
And when our eyes met
I couldn't look away and my mouth opened to speak
But there wasn't much to say,
I was frozen, transfixed by the way that you looked
But you grabbed me and pulled me into a small nook
Where we kissed like we had never tasted lips before
And I still wanted more.
I still want more
I am frightened of what these words might bring;
But it's important for me to remember these things.
I am frightened of what these words might bring;
But it's important for me to remember these things.
You're too far away for this to make sense
And I feel in my heart ever mile of distance
And I don't him to stop 'cause
I know what that means
The Song will be over
And so will you and me.
The Song will be over
And so will you and me.
The song ...
Lyrics submitted by soundgoround
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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No Surprises
Radiohead
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
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.
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.
oh oh oh excellent
yeah, it's a good song
this song is just hot. i love matt songs
Matt explained at Dock Street XIII that this song was written for Lauren about a hypothetical situation. He also noted "the Singer has not stopped singing... for me."
i totally thought jlc were all gay.
nope. two are married, one has a long term girlfriend, and the other two are straight as well, though potentially single.
my sister is such a liar.
Your sister needs to stop assuming people's sexuality and just listen to music.
people get really fiesty about them being gay..it's strange. anyways, this song is really great for me. i love it. as for the band, a boy can dream.
Probably the best song I've ever heard.