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."
Lover,
When you don't lay with me
I'm a huntress
For a husband lost at sea
If I had you here
Braid our hair together
I'd be boy and you'd be girl, beautiful...
Calling moon and moon
Shoot that big, bad hand
It'll track me to your door
And I won't see you no more
When this wild world
Is a big bad hand
Pushing me on my back
Do you understand?
When I get home
Been in the jungle
Where's my bear to lick me clean?
Feed my soul milk and honey...
Calling moon and moon
Shoot that big, bad hand
It'll track me to your door
And I won't see you no more
When you don't lay with me
I'm a huntress
For a husband lost at sea
If I had you here
Braid our hair together
I'd be boy and you'd be girl, beautiful...
Calling moon and moon
Shoot that big, bad hand
It'll track me to your door
And I won't see you no more
When this wild world
Is a big bad hand
Pushing me on my back
Do you understand?
When I get home
Been in the jungle
Where's my bear to lick me clean?
Feed my soul milk and honey...
Calling moon and moon
Shoot that big, bad hand
It'll track me to your door
And I won't see you no more
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Mountain Song
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A bear is a symbol of aggression, but also when you consider the cuddly toys they can represent protection/security (think about the emotional attatchment and feelings of your own cuddly toy if you have one. Maybe that's the kind of person she distinguished her boyfriend to be. I also think the bear/bat idea comes from native american spirit guides...I know she's quite interested in mythology.
Although it's not in this song, notice how she uses the idea of a Queen alot too? In Moon and Moons album, she plays the part of the queen and W is the king, it's mentioned in her dedication on two suns too.
I think this relationship was one of the most important events of Natasha's life so far and possibly even brought her to this stage. While this album is tinged with sadness and confusion, I think there's a lot of understanding and gratitude to W.