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."
Nothin's new forever, can't you see I'm just a sucker? I'm like Stevie Wonder, but I can see things
Me and Ulysses, we like Gene and Dean Ween
We're like brothers making records who can't play things
When the prog hits ya, if you're feeling proggy
Let it get ya in the places most others can't reach you
Cause nothin's new forever - all they suckers undercover - It's like only Stevie Wonder sees the same things
I'm a rollin' a rock up a steep-steep hill
When I reach the it comes right back down
I meet Sisyphus when I hit the top
And we stroll back down together slowly
Then we rock on up to the highest top
Me and Ulysses we make the music
When we're feelin hot 'til where ten feet tall
Why'know you're gonna hear us callin', callin'
Give up all you suckers we the tightest muthafuckas And you never seen us talking shit before now
You peelin' potatoes while we sonic alligators
Makin' records sellin' like we smokin' crack now
'Joe' -'what now'?
'We bad.' -'Bad how'?
'We make a track to shake a cow
And move you like you startin something nasty?
'And then' -What then?
'We do it again, don't make no money for us to spend
On yachts and boats and planes and drugs and scooters? (thanks wella )
I, I, I?
I, I, I?
I, I, I?
Keep fallin? Keep fallin? (bis x2)
Told me lately that you have been staring in the mirror - Don't you know that even Stevie Wonder sees things?
You told me that you love a pretty one with ebony eyes - Don't you know that even Stevie Wonder sees things?
Lately I've been staring in the mirror - Don't you ever wonder how the hell does Stevie Wonder see things?
Lately I've been staring in the mirror - Don't you ever wonder how the hell does Stevie Wonder see things?
Me and Ulysses, we like Gene and Dean Ween
We're like brothers making records who can't play things
When the prog hits ya, if you're feeling proggy
Let it get ya in the places most others can't reach you
Cause nothin's new forever - all they suckers undercover - It's like only Stevie Wonder sees the same things
I'm a rollin' a rock up a steep-steep hill
When I reach the it comes right back down
I meet Sisyphus when I hit the top
And we stroll back down together slowly
Then we rock on up to the highest top
Me and Ulysses we make the music
When we're feelin hot 'til where ten feet tall
Why'know you're gonna hear us callin', callin'
Give up all you suckers we the tightest muthafuckas And you never seen us talking shit before now
You peelin' potatoes while we sonic alligators
Makin' records sellin' like we smokin' crack now
'Joe' -'what now'?
'We bad.' -'Bad how'?
'We make a track to shake a cow
And move you like you startin something nasty?
'And then' -What then?
'We do it again, don't make no money for us to spend
On yachts and boats and planes and drugs and scooters? (thanks wella )
I, I, I?
I, I, I?
I, I, I?
Keep fallin? Keep fallin? (bis x2)
Told me lately that you have been staring in the mirror - Don't you know that even Stevie Wonder sees things?
You told me that you love a pretty one with ebony eyes - Don't you know that even Stevie Wonder sees things?
Lately I've been staring in the mirror - Don't you ever wonder how the hell does Stevie Wonder see things?
Lately I've been staring in the mirror - Don't you ever wonder how the hell does Stevie Wonder see things?
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
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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
mmm...stoned much?
Yes, I am.
i love this song so much! it's perfect. the 'tightest motherfuckers' verse is so cocky. love it.
THE LIGHT TOWERS!