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."
Hold me tight, but just for tonight
cnd not as tight as before, we're not that close anymore
cs least not in that way,
We've drifted further apart with each day.
We have waited it out,
Just to see if we could love one another casually.
But Ii've been a good friend to you,
I've always been there for you.
You say you don't know
Where did the people we used to be go.
You say you don't understand
What ever made made me let go of your hand.
But you never asked me to stay, and
If you wanted me to, you did not say.
Now for old times sake
Go ahead and repeat that mistake
Cause the moment is past now.
I've stopped counting the days,
Somehow...
Let it be what it is,
Though we never intended for it to turn into this.
We had something good, it did not last
Let's not be constantly re-living the past.
I have nothing but love for you,
Though you've often questioned
How that could be true.
Well you better start believing me if you ever wish to see yourself free
From this long and drawn-out process of letting go.
cll this grief and regret has kept your spirit low.
cnd not as tight as before, we're not that close anymore
cs least not in that way,
We've drifted further apart with each day.
We have waited it out,
Just to see if we could love one another casually.
But Ii've been a good friend to you,
I've always been there for you.
You say you don't know
Where did the people we used to be go.
You say you don't understand
What ever made made me let go of your hand.
But you never asked me to stay, and
If you wanted me to, you did not say.
Now for old times sake
Go ahead and repeat that mistake
Cause the moment is past now.
I've stopped counting the days,
Somehow...
Let it be what it is,
Though we never intended for it to turn into this.
We had something good, it did not last
Let's not be constantly re-living the past.
I have nothing but love for you,
Though you've often questioned
How that could be true.
Well you better start believing me if you ever wish to see yourself free
From this long and drawn-out process of letting go.
cll this grief and regret has kept your spirit low.
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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,
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Pretty sure this is about her relationship with Glen Hansard. Of course people could try and apply that meaning to all of their post-2009 music but I think this one is pretty clear if you know their story.
She's saying they had a wonderful relationship but just drifted apart naturally. He wishes things could be the same as they used to be but she says to just let it go and be happy for what they had and their remaining friendship.