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."
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
Gazing out across the open sea.
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
And they look extremely tired to me.
Dyin' of starvation in the gutter; (In the gutter)
That is all the future holds for me. (Holds for me)
Or alcoholic poisoning, in the toilet of my choice.
That's all there is, as far as I can see.
Fried to death in seconds by the Russians, (by the Russians),
Or, if you're lucky, just a sudden stroke. (Sudden stroke)
A lingering death from fallout as your teeth and hair fall out.
A certain death from cancer if you smoke.
But I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
Gazing out across the open sea.
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
And they look extremely tired to me.
Put your faith in God; he won't expect you.
Put your faith in death, because it's free.
If you believe in nothing, honey, it believes in you.
For God's sake, don't waste any faith on me.
When he comes to judge us, in his glory, (in his glory),
Then we'll see how old a man can get. (Man can get)
He must be feeling ancient, up there, on the rim of space.
Two thousand years, and he ain't been back yet.
But I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus
Rub their eyes and gape at what they see.
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
And it looks as though they've noticed me.
And it looks as though they've noticed me.
Gazing out across the open sea.
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
And they look extremely tired to me.
Dyin' of starvation in the gutter; (In the gutter)
That is all the future holds for me. (Holds for me)
Or alcoholic poisoning, in the toilet of my choice.
That's all there is, as far as I can see.
Fried to death in seconds by the Russians, (by the Russians),
Or, if you're lucky, just a sudden stroke. (Sudden stroke)
A lingering death from fallout as your teeth and hair fall out.
A certain death from cancer if you smoke.
But I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
Gazing out across the open sea.
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
And they look extremely tired to me.
Put your faith in God; he won't expect you.
Put your faith in death, because it's free.
If you believe in nothing, honey, it believes in you.
For God's sake, don't waste any faith on me.
When he comes to judge us, in his glory, (in his glory),
Then we'll see how old a man can get. (Man can get)
He must be feeling ancient, up there, on the rim of space.
Two thousand years, and he ain't been back yet.
But I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus
Rub their eyes and gape at what they see.
I have seen the sleeping knights of Jesus,
And it looks as though they've noticed me.
And it looks as though they've noticed me.
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More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
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.
A personal apocalypse or the End of the World.