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."
mama always told her jenny girl
one day it'll be right
there's a man around the corner
just waiting to hold you tight
so she went to the local mixer
she asked a boy to dance
he turned around took a look her way
and shook his head not a chance
jenny bought a book of stamps
and she wrote a dozen letters
she mailed them out
to her best friends brothers
hopin that she might feel better
she waited patiently
for the postman to come by
but the same thing always happened
her mailbox was always dry
it ain't worth all the time that passes by
it ain't worth all the tears
that she's been made to cry
it ain't worth all the emptiness inside
what's it all worth anyway
jenny drove a pickup truck
to the public high school every morning
and all cheerleaders laughed at her
when they saw her clothes were torn
the senior prom came and went
jenny and johnny walker spent a quiet
night at home with the silent phone
CHORUS
it makes you wonder when comes the
stolen night with all the words you long
to hear
underneath a starry sky
he whispers softly in your ear
you're the only one
who makes this all seem clear
jenny never saw the day
what's it all worth anyway
CHORUS
one day it'll be right
there's a man around the corner
just waiting to hold you tight
so she went to the local mixer
she asked a boy to dance
he turned around took a look her way
and shook his head not a chance
jenny bought a book of stamps
and she wrote a dozen letters
she mailed them out
to her best friends brothers
hopin that she might feel better
she waited patiently
for the postman to come by
but the same thing always happened
her mailbox was always dry
it ain't worth all the time that passes by
it ain't worth all the tears
that she's been made to cry
it ain't worth all the emptiness inside
what's it all worth anyway
jenny drove a pickup truck
to the public high school every morning
and all cheerleaders laughed at her
when they saw her clothes were torn
the senior prom came and went
jenny and johnny walker spent a quiet
night at home with the silent phone
CHORUS
it makes you wonder when comes the
stolen night with all the words you long
to hear
underneath a starry sky
he whispers softly in your ear
you're the only one
who makes this all seem clear
jenny never saw the day
what's it all worth anyway
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by ruben
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More Featured Meanings
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,
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.