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."
I'm kicking that stone
Down your street alone
And the walls criticize where I have gone
I'm throwing that stone
Through your open door
And the halls seem to tell me I am wrong
[Chorus]
I'm taking the long way home
Where everything's overgrown
Just like the boy
Trying to give it away
I regret tomorrow
I'm taking the long way home
Whatever may come and go
Just like the boy
Trying to give it away
I regret tomorrow
I regret tomorrow more than yesterday
Remember that wall
Where we used to hide
And the world seemed so dark and cold outside
Remember that field
Where we used to kiss
And the rain washed away our secret list
[Chorus]
Nobody's home
And I feel lost inside
There's a clock counting down what's left of time
When you're all alone
It's easy to hesitate
Like a girl listening to her heart break
Down your street alone
And the walls criticize where I have gone
I'm throwing that stone
Through your open door
And the halls seem to tell me I am wrong
[Chorus]
I'm taking the long way home
Where everything's overgrown
Just like the boy
Trying to give it away
I regret tomorrow
I'm taking the long way home
Whatever may come and go
Just like the boy
Trying to give it away
I regret tomorrow
I regret tomorrow more than yesterday
Remember that wall
Where we used to hide
And the world seemed so dark and cold outside
Remember that field
Where we used to kiss
And the rain washed away our secret list
[Chorus]
Nobody's home
And I feel lost inside
There's a clock counting down what's left of time
When you're all alone
It's easy to hesitate
Like a girl listening to her heart break
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
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I feel that this song is speaking about Life in general although the person is using love to express this thought. We are eternally growing, aging, and all of us will (sadly) soon die. We all learn through our experiences and The "Long Way Home" is reminiscing the past experiences as the person passes by all the places where a memory has been created.. Things that could have happened, things that should have happened, and things that did happen, all of this is being said in the song. I don't think the person necessarily feels guilty about any event, but rather so more upset that the moment could not last forever. This would be a great high school graduation song.
"Nobody's home And I feel lost inside There's a clock counting down what's left of time"
Going back to saying things that could have happened, should have happened, and things that did happen, regardless, time is counting down, and we all must keep constantly moving with our lives.
"I regret tomorrow more than yesterday"
I feel that person is wishing that the memories that were created would last forever, but this is not speaking about LOVE specifically, but rather more, just having a good time.