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."
If I live to see you again
I'll take out my eyes
With this I have no way, and in consequence want no sight
I've tried my hardest to forget every connection
Always being the blind villain
My end meets the old curse of death
The last courtesy I give
Get the horses for your mistress
There is a cliff, with sky high peaks
Make your way to the very brim of it
Stop it from every showing
Repair the misery
Give me your hand
The departure of the thief and monster is far from over
But everything is gonna be just fine
Everything will be just fine
With robbers hands, cunning and false
Label him a thief, bring him before us
Bind fast his corky arms
Filthy traitor!
Hang him instantly
Pluck out his eyes
Rip the haunting smirk from his face
May heaven help him, but only through its plagues
For our means secure us
For our means secure us and our defects prove our worth.
Give me your hand
The departure of the thief and monster is far from over
But everything is gonna be just fine
Everything will be just fine
We live in fear and danger of them
There delicate cheeks will turn to rotting flesh
One day women will all become monsters
I'll take out my eyes
With this I have no way, and in consequence want no sight
I've tried my hardest to forget every connection
Always being the blind villain
My end meets the old curse of death
The last courtesy I give
Get the horses for your mistress
There is a cliff, with sky high peaks
Make your way to the very brim of it
Stop it from every showing
Repair the misery
Give me your hand
The departure of the thief and monster is far from over
But everything is gonna be just fine
Everything will be just fine
With robbers hands, cunning and false
Label him a thief, bring him before us
Bind fast his corky arms
Filthy traitor!
Hang him instantly
Pluck out his eyes
Rip the haunting smirk from his face
May heaven help him, but only through its plagues
For our means secure us
For our means secure us and our defects prove our worth.
Give me your hand
The departure of the thief and monster is far from over
But everything is gonna be just fine
Everything will be just fine
We live in fear and danger of them
There delicate cheeks will turn to rotting flesh
One day women will all become monsters
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Yes the song is great. Chiodos are great. Being kissed on the hand is great. But. This site is for finding out the meaning of the song. Not talking about being kissed on the hand. That's what the message board on their website is for. So. Stick to the song meanings people. But I suppose I'd be a hyporcrite if I didn't give my contribution to the meaning so here it is:
In my opinion, this song is about a man who cheated on his woman, and now he hates himself for it and doesn't know what to do. This is shown by the "there is a cliff, with sky high peaks, make your way to the very brim of it" line. I may be wrong, but that's what I took from it.
AND Chiodos kick ass, this song kicks ass, and I'm proud to have such a good band come out of Michigan.