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 am a warrior!
I grasp the greatness of my people
And trustful I fight strenuously
For a day I may have right upon
The splendorous heritage of my ancestors
By securing the purity of my blood
My folk's perpetuity, my culture's nobility
My land's integrity, my ancestors memory
I claim for Thee! Ancient braves warrior spirits!
Forefathers and brothers of mine!
Strengthen me - my body and soul
Lead me to victory in combat, glory on battle
For Thee I shall fight!
And I'll battle in the fluids of hatred
For Thee I shall slay!
And fervently I'll raise to the clouds
The my Sol Invictus' banner and bloody sword
With brothers and sister celebrate
Offer Thee the spoils of war
And the enemies' final twilight
Nevertheless if a day the war takes place
Consuming the last breaths of my being
Spilling my blood over the battlefield's ground
And my sword breaks in two parts
My spirit weakens... my anima vanishes...
I shall not flee from warfront
For my duty perfect fulfillment
Even if I carry broken bones on me
It doesn't matter, 'till death, without fear
I'll battle and fight and struggle and strive
Without mercy or smallest remorse
For a whole Era of glories
Triumphs and victories of Thy sons
And forthcoming eons of supremacy
On behalf of dead braves of my blood
Make not vain the loss of my life!
Concede me sit together with Thee
Among those of mine on paradise
Send the Valkyries here take me
Crown heroic my departure!
Listen to me, my ancestors!
Wait for me! I shall arrive!
I grasp the greatness of my people
And trustful I fight strenuously
For a day I may have right upon
The splendorous heritage of my ancestors
By securing the purity of my blood
My folk's perpetuity, my culture's nobility
My land's integrity, my ancestors memory
I claim for Thee! Ancient braves warrior spirits!
Forefathers and brothers of mine!
Strengthen me - my body and soul
Lead me to victory in combat, glory on battle
For Thee I shall fight!
And I'll battle in the fluids of hatred
For Thee I shall slay!
And fervently I'll raise to the clouds
The my Sol Invictus' banner and bloody sword
With brothers and sister celebrate
Offer Thee the spoils of war
And the enemies' final twilight
Nevertheless if a day the war takes place
Consuming the last breaths of my being
Spilling my blood over the battlefield's ground
And my sword breaks in two parts
My spirit weakens... my anima vanishes...
I shall not flee from warfront
For my duty perfect fulfillment
Even if I carry broken bones on me
It doesn't matter, 'till death, without fear
I'll battle and fight and struggle and strive
Without mercy or smallest remorse
For a whole Era of glories
Triumphs and victories of Thy sons
And forthcoming eons of supremacy
On behalf of dead braves of my blood
Make not vain the loss of my life!
Concede me sit together with Thee
Among those of mine on paradise
Send the Valkyries here take me
Crown heroic my departure!
Listen to me, my ancestors!
Wait for me! I shall arrive!
Lyrics submitted by Bloodmouth
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
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