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 made up of instincts,
none of which are too keen.
but i get by with these high cheek bones,
little faith in people,
or a higher being.
i'm a man with desires
and if i told you any different, i'd be a liar.
as hard as i've tried i've found
i can't deny myself those things that i want.
as last night turns into this morning...
buried in your blankets, left for dead,
my heart beating in my head.
i lie still, pretending i'm asleep...
and i watch you put your clothes on for me,
a local pharmacist and his wife,
and i'm convinced after your performance
that this world is too big for us,
and our stupid instincts,
and our stupid desires.
none of which are too keen.
but i get by with these high cheek bones,
little faith in people,
or a higher being.
i'm a man with desires
and if i told you any different, i'd be a liar.
as hard as i've tried i've found
i can't deny myself those things that i want.
as last night turns into this morning...
buried in your blankets, left for dead,
my heart beating in my head.
i lie still, pretending i'm asleep...
and i watch you put your clothes on for me,
a local pharmacist and his wife,
and i'm convinced after your performance
that this world is too big for us,
and our stupid instincts,
and our stupid desires.
Lyrics submitted by fallacies
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jesus
mike kinsella totally stripped down. i don't even have to know him or hear him tell me to know that this song is a very personal song and is completely autobiographical. genius.
i'm really surprised this song didn't get more comments. god.... it's lovely.
mike kinsella is probably one of my favourite musicians
I really think this song is called "Playing Possum for a Peed", not a peek
The line "local pharmacist and his wife," is a reference to The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. I was recently reading the book and when I came to this phrase and I knew it sounded conspicuously familiar. The Unbearable Lightness of Being is Mike Kinsella's favorite book as well so it certainly is no coincidence. It's a great book, go read it!
in the first 2 sections he seems to say that he lives by his instincts and desires for women. the third section is my favorite, its like the next morning after a one night stand. i think my favorite line is 'my heart beating in my head' in reference to a hang over.
i dont understand the pharmacist and his wife line. i guess i should read that book. i get the feeling that he regrets his lifestyle. pietro crespi and his newer songs seem to reflect that too. this is one of my favorites.
this is almost my favorite song in the world
i can get lost in it
Curlequ said: "I really think this song is called "Playing Possum for a Peed", not a peek"
why would it be peed? he talks about pretending to be asleep so he can watch her get dressed. so he's playing possum (pretending to be dead) to watch the girl (peek).
Why cant all men be more comfortable with this kind of sincere sensitivity? My heart beats in my head all too much.