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."
Only holding on
Is this what you want? [2x]
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding on
Ambition gets old
When our hearts lie to us
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding...
We gave our everything [3x]
All for our wanted dreams
We gave our everything
Lights dim down
We're the stars tonight
Their voices bring
Slight wind to the sky
Their voices sing along
Feel their souls lift with ours as they share the night
But you sing a different song
You sing a different song
Only holding on
Is this what you want? [2x]
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding on
To a broken piece
We try to fit as one
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding...
We gave our everything [3x]
All for our wanted dreams
We gave our everything
Lights dim down
We're the stars tonight
Their voices bring
Slight wind to the sky
Their voices sing along
Feel their souls lift with ours as they share the night
But you sing a different song
You sing a different song
Can't you see my grip is weakening?
Erasing every line
And taking down the frames
I'd look back but I'm too far away
A ghost to the faces I miss
Can't you see my grip is weakening?
Erasing every line
And taking down the frames
I'd turn back but I'm too far away
A ghost to the faces I miss
Lights dim down
We're the stars tonight
Their voices bring
Slight wind to the sky
Their voices sing along
Feel their souls lift with ours as they share the night
But you sing a different song
You sing a different song
Have a little faith
I'll come back home
Don't forget my name
When I'm alone
A ghost to the faces I miss
I'm a ghost to the faces I miss
Is this what you want? [2x]
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding on
Ambition gets old
When our hearts lie to us
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding...
We gave our everything [3x]
All for our wanted dreams
We gave our everything
Lights dim down
We're the stars tonight
Their voices bring
Slight wind to the sky
Their voices sing along
Feel their souls lift with ours as they share the night
But you sing a different song
You sing a different song
Only holding on
Is this what you want? [2x]
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding on
To a broken piece
We try to fit as one
Dreams are falling apart as we're only holding...
We gave our everything [3x]
All for our wanted dreams
We gave our everything
Lights dim down
We're the stars tonight
Their voices bring
Slight wind to the sky
Their voices sing along
Feel their souls lift with ours as they share the night
But you sing a different song
You sing a different song
Can't you see my grip is weakening?
Erasing every line
And taking down the frames
I'd look back but I'm too far away
A ghost to the faces I miss
Can't you see my grip is weakening?
Erasing every line
And taking down the frames
I'd turn back but I'm too far away
A ghost to the faces I miss
Lights dim down
We're the stars tonight
Their voices bring
Slight wind to the sky
Their voices sing along
Feel their souls lift with ours as they share the night
But you sing a different song
You sing a different song
Have a little faith
I'll come back home
Don't forget my name
When I'm alone
A ghost to the faces I miss
I'm a ghost to the faces I miss
Lyrics submitted by Dani3lBr00tality
Only Holding On Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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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/
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.
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.
The verses are a battle between Alexia’s outer self and her conscience, whilst the chorus is a third voiuce – the band – trying to bring Alexia back to the real reasons why she performs music in the first place.
Just a fix... the second time they sing "Only Holding On" It's... Only holding on Is this what you want? Is this what you want? Our hearts break our trust as we're only holding on To a broken piece We try to fit as one Our hearts break our trust as we're only holding...