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."
She said, "I'm so sorry you're going through all of this."
"You're gonna be fine, there's plenty of time."
She said with the flick of her wrist.
She said, "Don't you worry everyone gets pissed."
"At the end of the line, falling behind, fear is so hard to resist."
But, there's no telling what tomorrow brings.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more, more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll steal the air that's in it.
I won't take it back, I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
She said, "It's time to wake up, you're acting like such a fool."
"If you're gonna go on you gotta be strong.
Life can be so cruel.
And now the time has moved on,
I haven't seen her face in years.
But, the things that she said are stuck in my head.
Now I'm walking through fire and fear.
But, there's no telling what tomorrow brings.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more, more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll steal the air that's in it.
If won't take it back, I'd still want more.
I'm not sorry.
I'm not sorry.
I'm gonna live my life and my dreams.
I'm gonna make my rules, my own scenes.
I'm not sorry.
I'm not sorry.
I'm gonna live my life, take chances.
Full of hope and new romances.
Sorry, sorry, I'm not sorry.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more, more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll steal the air that's in it.
I won't take it back, I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
"You're gonna be fine, there's plenty of time."
She said with the flick of her wrist.
She said, "Don't you worry everyone gets pissed."
"At the end of the line, falling behind, fear is so hard to resist."
But, there's no telling what tomorrow brings.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more, more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll steal the air that's in it.
I won't take it back, I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
She said, "It's time to wake up, you're acting like such a fool."
"If you're gonna go on you gotta be strong.
Life can be so cruel.
And now the time has moved on,
I haven't seen her face in years.
But, the things that she said are stuck in my head.
Now I'm walking through fire and fear.
But, there's no telling what tomorrow brings.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more, more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll steal the air that's in it.
If won't take it back, I'd still want more.
I'm not sorry.
I'm not sorry.
I'm gonna live my life and my dreams.
I'm gonna make my rules, my own scenes.
I'm not sorry.
I'm not sorry.
I'm gonna live my life, take chances.
Full of hope and new romances.
Sorry, sorry, I'm not sorry.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more, more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll steal the air that's in it.
I won't take it back, I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
If the sky is the limit, then I'll build a bridge up to it.
If I make it back, I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
I'd still want more.
Lyrics submitted by jaysquaredToo
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
Great song, not something you'd expect from them but still love it.
Best song on the album.
My favorite on the album. Counting down the days until I see them. ^_^