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 seen a girl
With a guy
Her hair like yours
From what I remember
He took her hand
And smiled her name
Her face like yours
She smiled the same
From what I remember
Been so long since last December
She walked your walk
She talked like you
She shimmered strong
She shined right through
From what I remember
Said I, said I seen a girl
With a guy
So who I'd seen
So who am I
Now I can't remember
Been so long since last December
Been so long since last December
So I'm sending
An open letter to the perfect girlfriend
I'm still mighty tiny
Hoping that you'd be my little godsend
Cause right now I'll take any and blindly
But before we find another noose to fit us
Before we choose another hand to hit us
Let us ask each other
What's the difference
Because if you save yourself
I'll save you all the time
Open letter to the legions leering
Are we entertained yet?
Why don't you cast your gaze into the moonlit clearing
Cause my love, my love is a sucker bet
Before we find another noose to fit us
(From what I remember)
Before we choose another hand to hit us
Let us ask each other
What's the problem
(Been so long since last December)
Why don't you save yourself
I'll save you all the time
Because if you save yourself
I'll save you all the time
(Now what's to blame)
Save yourself, I'll save you all the time
Save yourself, I'll save you all the time
Save yourself, I'll save you all the time
With a guy
Her hair like yours
From what I remember
He took her hand
And smiled her name
Her face like yours
She smiled the same
From what I remember
Been so long since last December
She walked your walk
She talked like you
She shimmered strong
She shined right through
From what I remember
Said I, said I seen a girl
With a guy
So who I'd seen
So who am I
Now I can't remember
Been so long since last December
Been so long since last December
So I'm sending
An open letter to the perfect girlfriend
I'm still mighty tiny
Hoping that you'd be my little godsend
Cause right now I'll take any and blindly
But before we find another noose to fit us
Before we choose another hand to hit us
Let us ask each other
What's the difference
Because if you save yourself
I'll save you all the time
Open letter to the legions leering
Are we entertained yet?
Why don't you cast your gaze into the moonlit clearing
Cause my love, my love is a sucker bet
Before we find another noose to fit us
(From what I remember)
Before we choose another hand to hit us
Let us ask each other
What's the problem
(Been so long since last December)
Why don't you save yourself
I'll save you all the time
Because if you save yourself
I'll save you all the time
(Now what's to blame)
Save yourself, I'll save you all the time
Save yourself, I'll save you all the time
Save yourself, I'll save you all the time
Lyrics submitted by lost business, edited by dawnchorus, Tyrion88, RunnyPoopoo
Blind Lyrics as written by David Sitek Babatunde Adebimpe
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Generally agreeing with the comment corrections...
I take the first part as the speaker thinking to himself, 'yours' being the memory of an ex-lover. She's not there to listen, but the memory of her is still so powerful that he, not only addresses it as if she could hear, but frames new experiences, new people, in the context of her memory. Even gone, she's more important to him than most of the people around him.
as to the later part, I hear an implied or whispered '[If you] save yourself I'll save you all the time,' a subtle acknowledgement that, whatever role the lovers feel they are playing, they are in some inescapable way alone and separate. It has a similar theme, in a sorrowful mood, to the exultation of Poppy on Desperate Youth.
It is powerful, and reminds me of someone I still know, and someone I used to.
"open letter to the perfect girlfriend" "open letter to the legions leering" don't type the lyrics up if you don't know them
oh and "cast your gaze into the moon lit clearing"
is it not "my love is a suckerbet"? not 'suckerbat'?
I also believe that he says "Are we entertained yet" not "Ah, we entertained you".
Hey thanks for submitting the wrong lyrics I really appreciate it.
yeah. im really grateful too. IDIOT
it's my love is a sycophant isnt it? and that means \SIK-uh-fuhnt\, noun: A person who seeks favor by flattering people of wealth or influence
hey i was wondering about what you guys thought about the meaning.
he says "save yourself i'll save you all the time" now does he mean that if she save herself then he'll save her all the time or does it mean if she save herself it'll save her time from having him save her?
im leaning toward the latter.
@dreame1989 I think it means "Save yourself" as in "Save yourself for me" or "Save your love for me" and in return, "I'll save you all the time."
Yeah, a lot of these lyrics are wrong, but whatever. This song is fantastic nevertheless.
I feel nostalgic when I listen to it. God it's great, haha.