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."
Today was gonna be the day
He'd already wrote the note
And parked that Chevrolet
At the end of that dead end road
Had his finger on the trigger
Just about to end everything
He was taking one last long breathe
When he heard his cell phone ring
And his best friends say, "Man, where you been?
We�r' headed down to the lake this weekend
You better not miss it 'cause buddy, I swear
It won't be the same if you ain't there
And I told that girl that you like so much
You were coming along and her eyes lit up
I better let you go man I really hope I didn't catch you in the middle of anything"
He said, "You kinda did but I don't mind at all
I'm glad you called"
In another town down the road
In the backseat of a car
Two 18 year olds had let a kiss go too far
He said, "How are we gonna have this child
When we're both headed off to school?"
He convinced her late one night there's only one thing to do
She was scared to death in that waiting room
When the nurse asked how far along are you
She said 5 weeks and just about then her phone lit up
And his call came in
Saying, "Baby, I was wrong about everything
I've already bought you a diamond ring, we're gonna start a life
Would you be my wife?
Boy or girl, pink or blue, yeah, either way"
All she could say as she felt those tear drops fall
"I'm so glad you called"
If someone you know is waiting on your mind
And needs a friend on the other end line
Don't hesitate what you say may seem so small
But who knows
They might be glad you called
So make the call
Yeah, make that call
He'd already wrote the note
And parked that Chevrolet
At the end of that dead end road
Had his finger on the trigger
Just about to end everything
He was taking one last long breathe
When he heard his cell phone ring
And his best friends say, "Man, where you been?
We�r' headed down to the lake this weekend
You better not miss it 'cause buddy, I swear
It won't be the same if you ain't there
And I told that girl that you like so much
You were coming along and her eyes lit up
I better let you go man I really hope I didn't catch you in the middle of anything"
He said, "You kinda did but I don't mind at all
I'm glad you called"
In another town down the road
In the backseat of a car
Two 18 year olds had let a kiss go too far
He said, "How are we gonna have this child
When we're both headed off to school?"
He convinced her late one night there's only one thing to do
She was scared to death in that waiting room
When the nurse asked how far along are you
She said 5 weeks and just about then her phone lit up
And his call came in
Saying, "Baby, I was wrong about everything
I've already bought you a diamond ring, we're gonna start a life
Would you be my wife?
Boy or girl, pink or blue, yeah, either way"
All she could say as she felt those tear drops fall
"I'm so glad you called"
If someone you know is waiting on your mind
And needs a friend on the other end line
Don't hesitate what you say may seem so small
But who knows
They might be glad you called
So make the call
Yeah, make that call
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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This song is very powerful. It hits close to home because I know someone who committed suicide, and I have a friend who had an abortion. Matt does an awesome job on this song! His voice is incredible.