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."
You might have seen me underneath the pool-hall lights
Well baby, I go back each night
If you got a throat, I got a knife
Steady rollin' and I keep goin'
And I don't mind how quick the seasons change
You know too me there's everyone the same
The sweetest sunshine drips the drain
And it's comin' and I'm still runnin'
Well, I come from the old time, baby
Too late for you to save me
If I remain then I'm to blame
But if you should ever need me
I'll go where you lead me
It's all the same
The same old game
My love and baby, she's a ball and chain
I still can travel but my speed is changed
I bring the money, I take the blame
Steady rollin' and I keep goin'
But I shot my wife today
Dropped her body in the Frisco Bay
I had no choice, it was the only way
And it's comin' and I'm still runnin'
Well, I come from the old time, baby
Too late for you to save me
If I remain then I'm to blame
But if you should ever need me
I'll go where you lead me
It's all the same
The same old game
Out waltzing with the holy ghost
From the Bowery to the Barbary coast
The land I'm from you know I love the most
Steady rollin' and I keep goin'
And every day is just another town
The more I search and though the less I found
Me I'm a sucker just a slave to sound
And it's comin and I'm still runnin'
Well, I come from the old time, baby
Where all the kids are crazy
If I remain then I'm to blame
But if you should ever need me
I'll go where you lead me
It's all the same
The same old game
Well baby, I go back each night
If you got a throat, I got a knife
Steady rollin' and I keep goin'
And I don't mind how quick the seasons change
You know too me there's everyone the same
The sweetest sunshine drips the drain
And it's comin' and I'm still runnin'
Well, I come from the old time, baby
Too late for you to save me
If I remain then I'm to blame
But if you should ever need me
I'll go where you lead me
It's all the same
The same old game
My love and baby, she's a ball and chain
I still can travel but my speed is changed
I bring the money, I take the blame
Steady rollin' and I keep goin'
But I shot my wife today
Dropped her body in the Frisco Bay
I had no choice, it was the only way
And it's comin' and I'm still runnin'
Well, I come from the old time, baby
Too late for you to save me
If I remain then I'm to blame
But if you should ever need me
I'll go where you lead me
It's all the same
The same old game
Out waltzing with the holy ghost
From the Bowery to the Barbary coast
The land I'm from you know I love the most
Steady rollin' and I keep goin'
And every day is just another town
The more I search and though the less I found
Me I'm a sucker just a slave to sound
And it's comin and I'm still runnin'
Well, I come from the old time, baby
Where all the kids are crazy
If I remain then I'm to blame
But if you should ever need me
I'll go where you lead me
It's all the same
The same old game
Lyrics submitted by SphagnumEsplanade
Steady Rollin' Lyrics as written by Tyson Hyde Dillingham Vogel Adam Stephens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
i think its about a man whos killed his wife and is on the run from the law. he travels from town to town on the run.