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."
Whatever happened to twin sets?
Whatever happened to hi-fi?
Whatever happened to TV sex?
Whatever happened to you and I?
Your passion is a product of highlight and detail
That come-hither look, bonus offer retail
Whatever happened to pick-up trucks?
Whatever happened to yellow pages?
Whatever happened to burning books?
Whatever happened to new ages?
Your emotions are cheap, cut-price cash-and-carry
You wear your heart on your sleeve for any Tom, Dick or Harry
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
Whatever happened to Chairman Mao?
Whatever happened to God above?
Whatever happened to the cow?
Whatever happened to plug-in love?
Your pasteurized life so fit for consumption
Ooh, those undressing eyes, so strictly commercial
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
All flesh
All flesh
Whatever happened to hi-fi?
Whatever happened to TV sex?
Whatever happened to you and I?
Your passion is a product of highlight and detail
That come-hither look, bonus offer retail
Whatever happened to pick-up trucks?
Whatever happened to yellow pages?
Whatever happened to burning books?
Whatever happened to new ages?
Your emotions are cheap, cut-price cash-and-carry
You wear your heart on your sleeve for any Tom, Dick or Harry
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
Whatever happened to Chairman Mao?
Whatever happened to God above?
Whatever happened to the cow?
Whatever happened to plug-in love?
Your pasteurized life so fit for consumption
Ooh, those undressing eyes, so strictly commercial
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
All flesh
All flesh
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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/
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.
I interpret it as being a criticism of (and comment on) commercialisation, particularly that of emotions, sex, relationships etc.
I don't understand the 'cow' bit though. Maybe it's just a rhyme for 'Mao'.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records. <br /> <br /> But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious reference then to Hinduism/Eastern religion. In the Hindu practice, the Cow is seen as virtually the most respected and venerated of all animals as seen in the Hindu saying, "The cow is my mother". <br /> <br /> Hope this helps. Yeah, the overall song is about a critique of losing what's real/ aspiring for transcendence for what's fake, cheap, and easy. One of my personal favorites from the great Buzzcocks.
I used to think 'the cow' was a sly reference to Henry Cow and his ever changing line ups often referred to as 'the Cows' as his brand of avant-garde was very important touchstone for that generation of English art rockers (Mark E. Smith of the Fall particularly adored him) almost akin to what Frank Zappa did in America. All those Manchester art kids loved those early (great) Henry Cow records. <br /> <br /> But now I understand that that whole verse is about religions/ideologies. You have actual religion ('God above'), marxism ('Chairman Mao'), new age/technology ('plug-in love'), making 'the Cow' an obvious reference then to Hinduism/Eastern religion. In the Hindu practice, the Cow is seen as virtually the most respected and venerated of all animals as seen in the Hindu saying, "The cow is my mother". <br /> <br /> Hope this helps. Yeah, the overall song is about a critique of losing what's real/ aspiring for transcendence for what's fake, cheap, and easy. One of my personal favorites from the great Buzzcocks. <br /> <br /> <br /> Oh, and adding "... the cow" is just sort of blunt and funny sounding next to all the religious stuff. I think the Buzzcocks intended that humor too.