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."
1987. What if we skip that year?
The world would be better; I wouldn't be here
And you wouldn't have to bother, with all that I do
Gray clouds go away and the sky would turn blue
Would you like it if I disappear?
I can't change the past
Erase history
Make you forget the last dance you shared with me
Or the time when I kissed you goodnight on the porch, in the light of the moon
I was content, but if you really meant what you said.
I'll be seeing you
And I know it hasn't been perfect these last couple of days
Give me one more chance to make everything okay
Let me hold your hand through a sunset one more time
I need another day; I need another day to say that you're mine
I didn't want it to end this way
I can't change the past
Erase history
Make you forget the last dance you shared with me
Or the time when I kissed you goodnight on the porch, in the light of the moon
I was content, but if you really meant what you said.
I'll be seeing you.
Have you ever thought about, what your life would be without seeing me everyday?
Would you feel safe from harm, maybe longing for my arms, if I was taken away?
They say when you love some one; you'll do anything to take away their pain
Well I think you that gave it to me yesterday, on the corner in the rain
And I want to grow old and I want to be told that this will never change
But the weakness is kicking in
I'm constantly struggling, day after day
I'm trying to hold on, but I'm loosing my grip
I don't have time; I'm too young for this shit
I don't need it. I don't need it. Oh but I need you
I don't need it. I don't need it. Do you need me too, to live?
I can't change the past
Erase history
Make you forget the last dance you shared with me
Or the time when I kissed you goodnight on the porch, in the light of the moon
I was content, but if you really meant what you said.
I was content, but now I can't get you out of my head.
The world would be better; I wouldn't be here
And you wouldn't have to bother, with all that I do
Gray clouds go away and the sky would turn blue
Would you like it if I disappear?
I can't change the past
Erase history
Make you forget the last dance you shared with me
Or the time when I kissed you goodnight on the porch, in the light of the moon
I was content, but if you really meant what you said.
I'll be seeing you
And I know it hasn't been perfect these last couple of days
Give me one more chance to make everything okay
Let me hold your hand through a sunset one more time
I need another day; I need another day to say that you're mine
I didn't want it to end this way
I can't change the past
Erase history
Make you forget the last dance you shared with me
Or the time when I kissed you goodnight on the porch, in the light of the moon
I was content, but if you really meant what you said.
I'll be seeing you.
Have you ever thought about, what your life would be without seeing me everyday?
Would you feel safe from harm, maybe longing for my arms, if I was taken away?
They say when you love some one; you'll do anything to take away their pain
Well I think you that gave it to me yesterday, on the corner in the rain
And I want to grow old and I want to be told that this will never change
But the weakness is kicking in
I'm constantly struggling, day after day
I'm trying to hold on, but I'm loosing my grip
I don't have time; I'm too young for this shit
I don't need it. I don't need it. Oh but I need you
I don't need it. I don't need it. Do you need me too, to live?
I can't change the past
Erase history
Make you forget the last dance you shared with me
Or the time when I kissed you goodnight on the porch, in the light of the moon
I was content, but if you really meant what you said.
I was content, but now I can't get you out of my head.
Lyrics submitted by Kutzko
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Mountain Song
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