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."
It's your decision, it's not up to me, and I've seen it all before got a wardrobe full of T's,
You got the hunger, you got four-wheel drive, you want to reach for the heaven want to touch the sky,
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
Take my advice keep it simple, keep it real,
So you're the competition, you've made that clear, the new boy on the block and you got no fear,
When you're at the bottom you can only climb, you might just make it to the top given time!
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
Welcome to my city, welcome to my world, if you really think you can make then hang on to your soul,
It all comes down to favours and who or what you know,
Bending rules so slightly, being right when you're wrong,
In the right place at the right time in the right mind to blow away the field,
What you need most of all is a big idea!
I sense the instinct, I sense desire, your motivation is something we all recognise,
You're something special, something new, you're passion, fire and anger is something we could use,
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
Take my advice keep it simple, keep it real,
Got to do the numbers, got to do the math, you could feather your nest you might take a bath, maybe too hot blooded, you got to be cold,
Bow down to the power do what your told
Till you're in the right place at the right time in the right mind to blow away the field,
What you need most of all is a big idea!
You got the hunger, you got four-wheel drive, you want to reach for the heaven want to touch the sky,
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
Take my advice keep it simple, keep it real,
So you're the competition, you've made that clear, the new boy on the block and you got no fear,
When you're at the bottom you can only climb, you might just make it to the top given time!
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
Welcome to my city, welcome to my world, if you really think you can make then hang on to your soul,
It all comes down to favours and who or what you know,
Bending rules so slightly, being right when you're wrong,
In the right place at the right time in the right mind to blow away the field,
What you need most of all is a big idea!
I sense the instinct, I sense desire, your motivation is something we all recognise,
You're something special, something new, you're passion, fire and anger is something we could use,
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
You wanna be the big man, you got big plans, big ambitions you got dreams,
So what's the big idea?
Take my advice keep it simple, keep it real,
Got to do the numbers, got to do the math, you could feather your nest you might take a bath, maybe too hot blooded, you got to be cold,
Bow down to the power do what your told
Till you're in the right place at the right time in the right mind to blow away the field,
What you need most of all is a big idea!
Lyrics submitted by BitterBosh
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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,
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.