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 know what it's like to feel
the wanting of a man without a name
all the inner thoughts you can't remember
yet you cherish all the same
sensual forever on the terrace
till the morning shut us down
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
ordinary rivalry will make you think it over
it's a feeling
second thoughts are stupid thoughts
they're always coming up when love gets easy
it takes you over
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
is it you?
are you the one that shines on me
is it you?
are you the one that walks with me
waiting for you all my life
girl you really are sublime
can you see the wanting in my face
and can you feel the beat within'
i will take it higher when you show me
the texture of our sin
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
is it you?
are you the one that shines on me
is it you?
are you the one that walks with me
waiting for you all my life
girl you really are sublime
we can spill it all
and see the beauty of it all
and see the terror
love is always raw
when you're naked on the floor
it makes you sober
it takes you over
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
is it you?
are you the one that shines on me
is it you?
are you the one that walks with me
the wanting of a man without a name
all the inner thoughts you can't remember
yet you cherish all the same
sensual forever on the terrace
till the morning shut us down
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
ordinary rivalry will make you think it over
it's a feeling
second thoughts are stupid thoughts
they're always coming up when love gets easy
it takes you over
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
is it you?
are you the one that shines on me
is it you?
are you the one that walks with me
waiting for you all my life
girl you really are sublime
can you see the wanting in my face
and can you feel the beat within'
i will take it higher when you show me
the texture of our sin
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
is it you?
are you the one that shines on me
is it you?
are you the one that walks with me
waiting for you all my life
girl you really are sublime
we can spill it all
and see the beauty of it all
and see the terror
love is always raw
when you're naked on the floor
it makes you sober
it takes you over
meanwhile in the room
the temperature is rising and
your mind begins to boil
never mind the cool
the obvious sensation
of the young love
of the real love
is it you?
are you the one that shines on me
is it you?
are you the one that walks with me
Lyrics submitted by v2.7
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
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.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.