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 suppose you're quite content in your swimming pool
All you pink-skinned babes are the same
And you can't stay forever young
So get out here and see the sun
You're only six inches away from becoming one
I was in your shoes before, or lack thereof
And things worked out for me
There's a dozen people here, and they're waiting for you
It's your party, you can cry if you want to
What if I told you I could show you something?
What if I told you I could make you live?
Follow my instruction, swim in the direction
Of my voice, hear my voice
Of my voice, hear my voice
You think that you've seen it all in your little ball
But, man, you're wrong and she's been waiting
Long and hard to kiss your head and hold your hands
And hold you while you fall asleep, and
What if I told you I could show you something?
What if I told you I could make you live?
Follow my instruction, swim in the direction
Of my voice, hear my voice
Of my voice, hear my voice
Ba, ba-da-ba
Ba, ba-da-ba, ba-ee-ah
Ba, ba-da-ba
Ba, ba-da-ba, ba-ee-ah
What if I told you I could show you something?
What if I told you I could make you live?
Follow my instruction, swim in the direction
Of my voice, hear my voice
Of my voice, hear my voice
All you pink-skinned babes are the same
And you can't stay forever young
So get out here and see the sun
You're only six inches away from becoming one
I was in your shoes before, or lack thereof
And things worked out for me
There's a dozen people here, and they're waiting for you
It's your party, you can cry if you want to
What if I told you I could show you something?
What if I told you I could make you live?
Follow my instruction, swim in the direction
Of my voice, hear my voice
Of my voice, hear my voice
You think that you've seen it all in your little ball
But, man, you're wrong and she's been waiting
Long and hard to kiss your head and hold your hands
And hold you while you fall asleep, and
What if I told you I could show you something?
What if I told you I could make you live?
Follow my instruction, swim in the direction
Of my voice, hear my voice
Of my voice, hear my voice
Ba, ba-da-ba
Ba, ba-da-ba, ba-ee-ah
Ba, ba-da-ba
Ba, ba-da-ba, ba-ee-ah
What if I told you I could show you something?
What if I told you I could make you live?
Follow my instruction, swim in the direction
Of my voice, hear my voice
Of my voice, hear my voice
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is probably my favorite Tally Hall song because the first time I heard it I didn't take it as the birthing thing, I took it kind of out of context relating to my own situation. I was thinking that it was about youth and really utilizing the short time you have as a young, carefree person. Like, kind of a withdrawn person being content with being isolated, but she needs to realize that she needs to go out and live and have fun. And though it may take courage or w/e at first, it's doable. And everyone wants you to join them. And this one person specifically wants to motivate you to have a good time. Best friend figure. But they can't force you and you can mess up their efforts if you aren't carefu,. They can show you how to spend your time rather than being isolated or couped up by yourself. Which you think is just fine and dandy and perfectly entertaining but there's so many bettert hings available out there for the taking.