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."
cicadas serenade us, while i sit on this worn path, that leads to nowhere, we're going nowhere, and when was the last time, you ventured off of it? took small steps in the pond, that left our feet soaking wet
it seems i can't remember the last time i left those sneakers out to dry, it seems now they only serve the purpose of barely getting by, and i'm barely getting by, so spiders build your webs around me; i swear i won't fight, i want to feel the comfort of eight arms wrapped around me tight.
and nature if you could please engulf me whole, i want to feel terrential downpour on my soul, and nature could you please rip me skin from bone, and set a trail of my entrails that leads me home
i am home.
if you want me, you can find me, at the bottom of this lake, i'll be sleeping with the fish, still dreaming when i wake, if you want me, you can find me, at the tops of the trees, my head just below the clouds, i'll be hiding in the leaves
so take a look, and you might see, if you look past, the skyscrapers and dead grass, the see the beauty, that surrounds us, so open your eyes, and look up to the skies
jump in the river, and let it take you
jump in the river, and let it take you
jump in the river, and let it take you
jump in the river, and let it take you
it seems i can't remember the last time i left those sneakers out to dry, it seems now they only serve the purpose of barely getting by, and i'm barely getting by, so spiders build your webs around me; i swear i won't fight, i want to feel the comfort of eight arms wrapped around me tight.
and nature if you could please engulf me whole, i want to feel terrential downpour on my soul, and nature could you please rip me skin from bone, and set a trail of my entrails that leads me home
i am home.
if you want me, you can find me, at the bottom of this lake, i'll be sleeping with the fish, still dreaming when i wake, if you want me, you can find me, at the tops of the trees, my head just below the clouds, i'll be hiding in the leaves
so take a look, and you might see, if you look past, the skyscrapers and dead grass, the see the beauty, that surrounds us, so open your eyes, and look up to the skies
jump in the river, and let it take you
jump in the river, and let it take you
jump in the river, and let it take you
jump in the river, and let it take you
Lyrics submitted by johnnyrogers
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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/
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.
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.