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."
1, 2, 3, 4
When I was a boy years of 6 years or so
With my lunch box and my crayons to school I did go
The nuns they didnt like my free and foolish ways
It was their duty to tryand change my ways
I recited the Our Father, the Apostles Creed
When I got it wrong their rulers made my knuckles bleed
Couldn't read or write, couldnt keep my own shoes tied
They would start their preaching when I told them that I tried
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
You won't see the pearly gates unless you change your ways
You can think about it while you're in detention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
When I was a lad of 15 years or so
I was working painting houses for Mr. Donahough
I thought it was real grand to be earning my own keep
But when Donahough saw my work I swear it made him weep
Paint was splattered everywhere that you could see
So he kicked me in the arse and yelled for me to leave
I tried my best he said and he grabbed me by my scruff
Shook me while he screamed your best ain't nearly good enough
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
You won't earn no money boy unless you change your ways
Pay your dues and than pay some attention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
I loved a pretty girl but I knew it wouldn't last
She left me for another before a year had passed
She couldn't take my drinking and me stayin out too late
I told her I could change but she said it was too late
Now I've lived a rowdy life and I've lived it to the end
And I'll die with no regrets of my time and money spent
So if you've got a minute, pay a visit to my grave
Look upon the headstone and see there what it says
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
I tried to live the good life but it just was not my fate
My failures are too numerous to mention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
You won't see the pearly gates unless you change your ways
You can think about it while you're in detention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
When I was a boy years of 6 years or so
With my lunch box and my crayons to school I did go
The nuns they didnt like my free and foolish ways
It was their duty to tryand change my ways
I recited the Our Father, the Apostles Creed
When I got it wrong their rulers made my knuckles bleed
Couldn't read or write, couldnt keep my own shoes tied
They would start their preaching when I told them that I tried
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
You won't see the pearly gates unless you change your ways
You can think about it while you're in detention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
When I was a lad of 15 years or so
I was working painting houses for Mr. Donahough
I thought it was real grand to be earning my own keep
But when Donahough saw my work I swear it made him weep
Paint was splattered everywhere that you could see
So he kicked me in the arse and yelled for me to leave
I tried my best he said and he grabbed me by my scruff
Shook me while he screamed your best ain't nearly good enough
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
You won't earn no money boy unless you change your ways
Pay your dues and than pay some attention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
I loved a pretty girl but I knew it wouldn't last
She left me for another before a year had passed
She couldn't take my drinking and me stayin out too late
I told her I could change but she said it was too late
Now I've lived a rowdy life and I've lived it to the end
And I'll die with no regrets of my time and money spent
So if you've got a minute, pay a visit to my grave
Look upon the headstone and see there what it says
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
I tried to live the good life but it just was not my fate
My failures are too numerous to mention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
You won't see the pearly gates unless you change your ways
You can think about it while you're in detention
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
Lyrics submitted by MJF92289
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.