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."
Well situated from beginning but I'm ending appalled
Live to tell overrated short stories of the lady you loved
Once upon a time fairy-tales took hold
Manipulating when the readers threw the writers a bone
Well situated from beginning but I'm ending appalled
I'm changing on my own
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
We only started, we only started too late
Now, we're parting our ways to be one of a kind
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
?Hey?, said the lady with a bittersweet look in her eye
"What a beautiful day", she pretended as her voice disappeared in a cry
I'll write you out of the story like you knew that I would
Living happily ever after never happens for good
Well, you're only getting what you want ?cause you're getting a rise
I'm just along for the ride
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
We only started, we only started too late
Now, we're parting our ways to be one of a kind
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Back if you're feeling alive
Well, freedom never let me down, no, no
Well, freedom never let me down
You never gave me a chance to learn
I guess we'll figure this out, I guess we'll figure it out
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
We only started, we only started too late
Now, we're parting our ways to be one of a kind
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
And all I gave you was a little advice
Oh, we gotta work this out
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Live to tell overrated short stories of the lady you loved
Once upon a time fairy-tales took hold
Manipulating when the readers threw the writers a bone
Well situated from beginning but I'm ending appalled
I'm changing on my own
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
We only started, we only started too late
Now, we're parting our ways to be one of a kind
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
?Hey?, said the lady with a bittersweet look in her eye
"What a beautiful day", she pretended as her voice disappeared in a cry
I'll write you out of the story like you knew that I would
Living happily ever after never happens for good
Well, you're only getting what you want ?cause you're getting a rise
I'm just along for the ride
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
We only started, we only started too late
Now, we're parting our ways to be one of a kind
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Back if you're feeling alive
Well, freedom never let me down, no, no
Well, freedom never let me down
You never gave me a chance to learn
I guess we'll figure this out, I guess we'll figure it out
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
A pretty boy, state of mind, only got me alone
I think I'm out of control, I think I'm out of control
I fancy falling apart before I'm falling in love
We only started, we only started too late
Now, we're parting our ways to be one of a kind
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
And all I gave you was a little advice
Oh, we gotta work this out
Babe, I'm all you need to survive
I'll take you back if you're feeling alive
Lyrics submitted by Maenberlin
Out of Control Lyrics as written by Danny Elfman
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
I'm also impressed by Capital Lights' word play. I also love how the words are sung with a bit of a punch and kick. The whole energy of it is wonderful. The lyrics are really fun, too. :)