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."
You don't feel the pain
Too much is not enough
Nobody said this stuff makes any sense
We're hooked again
Point of no return
See how the buildings burn
Light up the night
Such pretty sight
Adrenaline
Keeps me in the game
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
(You don't feel the pain)
Sail through an empty night
It's only you and I who understand
There is no plan
Get closer to the thrill
Only time can kill what's in your eyes
Is so alive
Adrenaline
Keeps me in the game
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
Run through the speed of sound
Every thing slows you down
And all colors that surround you
Are bleeding to the walls
All the things you really need
Just wait to find the speed
Then you will achieve
Escape velocity
Too much is not enough
Nobody gave it up
I'm not the kind
To lay down and die
Adrenaline
Keeps me in the game
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
Adrenaline
Screaming out your name
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
(Adrenaline)
Oh, you don't even feel the pain
You don't even feel the pain
'Cause I'm going to extremes
There is nothing in between
Where I want to be
You don't even feel the pain
You don't even feel the pain
I'm going to extremes
And I'm going to extremes
There's nothing in between
There's nothing in between
And I'm going to extremes
And I'm going to extremes
There's nothing in between
You don't even feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
You don't even feel the pain
Going to extremes (You don't even feel the pain)
Too much is not enough
Nobody said this stuff makes any sense
We're hooked again
Point of no return
See how the buildings burn
Light up the night
Such pretty sight
Adrenaline
Keeps me in the game
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
(You don't feel the pain)
Sail through an empty night
It's only you and I who understand
There is no plan
Get closer to the thrill
Only time can kill what's in your eyes
Is so alive
Adrenaline
Keeps me in the game
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
Run through the speed of sound
Every thing slows you down
And all colors that surround you
Are bleeding to the walls
All the things you really need
Just wait to find the speed
Then you will achieve
Escape velocity
Too much is not enough
Nobody gave it up
I'm not the kind
To lay down and die
Adrenaline
Keeps me in the game
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
Adrenaline
Screaming out your name
Adrenaline
You don't even feel the pain
Wilder than your wildest dreams
When you're going to extremes
It takes adrenaline
(Adrenaline)
Oh, you don't even feel the pain
You don't even feel the pain
'Cause I'm going to extremes
There is nothing in between
Where I want to be
You don't even feel the pain
You don't even feel the pain
I'm going to extremes
And I'm going to extremes
There's nothing in between
There's nothing in between
And I'm going to extremes
And I'm going to extremes
There's nothing in between
You don't even feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
Feel the pain
You don't even feel the pain
Going to extremes (You don't even feel the pain)
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
excelent song... i love it the 1st time i heard it.... everyone needs the rush... it just shows what extent adrenaline can push you too... makes me wanna go crazy and do something... lol good workout music...
gavin rossdale once again proves himself as an amazing artists... i am a HUGE gavin rossdale and a HUGE bush fan and not just because hes 'hot' (check my profile, im a girl so no hate mail ok? ;-) lol) but because hes simply amazing. in my opinion, one of the greats.
im not a fan whats his name? vin disel? but i will go see the movie just because i want to see how this song is put in motion :-)
excellent song.
once again, well done gavin :-)
i agree, good song, not a vin fan, but i will see the movie and buy the soundtrack only to support Gavin. In some weird way, i hope that this song boosts bush up too. Golden state didn't do so good on the album charts, but it was an amazing album. One of thier best in my opinion (if not there best). Good song, and i love the video, although Gavin seems a little lost without his guitar (sp?). But i like how he "dances"! very cute, oh yeah, and he was awesome on Jay Leno!
Never heard of Gavin Rossdale before I saw XXX, but after I did I looked up the song and I'm definatly gonna have to see what else he has out.
how have you not heard of gavin rossdale? you live under a rock? hes the lead singer in bush you crazy fuck.
jesus, bush aren't the most popular band you crazy fuck
yeah, but a lot of people know who they are, even if they only know "machinehead" or "chemicals between us."
this song is incredible. gavin rossdale has such amazing talent, and he lets it all hang out in this song, and in all of Bush's songs..great work mr. rossdale :)
excellent song, gavin is quite the talented musician. Good work signing your name after postin the lyrics too....good touch.....i guess
great song.. i think it's very self explanatory.. i heard it on the xXx soundtrack first... yes im a vin diesel fan, yes i am going to have his children. o.O anyway, I'm not a huge fan of either gavin or bush but nothing that im saying in this comment has any relevance so im going to stop now.
I love this song. Question: Is it just me, or does anyone else think he says "You taste adrenaline" the second time he repeats the chorus near the ending of the song? I swear, it sounds like he says that instead of "It takes adrenaline." I could be wrong, of course.