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."
You've painted up your lips and rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tell me the sun is going down
Oh, Ruby, don't take your love to town
It wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby, I still need some company
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and needs of a woman your age, really, I realize
But it won't be long, I've heard them say, until I'm not around
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I heard its slams one hundred times before
And if I could move, I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, for God's sake, turn around
Ruby, are you contemplating going out somewhere?
The shadow on the wall tell me the sun is going down
Oh, Ruby, don't take your love to town
It wasn't me that started that old crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go and do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be
Oh Ruby, I still need some company
It's hard to love a man whose legs are bent and paralyzed
And the wants and needs of a woman your age, really, I realize
But it won't be long, I've heard them say, until I'm not around
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
She's leaving now 'cause I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I heard its slams one hundred times before
And if I could move, I'd get my gun and put her in the ground
Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby, for God's sake, turn around
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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."
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.
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.
This song depicts one of the least talked about horrors of war. And probably the most ignored. I only hope that those of us disabled by war or other means can find something to hold on to. Volunteer at a crisis help-line, write a book, paint or sculpt. Do whatever it takes. You're a lot stronger than you think.
Anyone think this is partially inspired by Johnny Cash's "Don't Take Your Guns to Town"?
@Zorro3 No
This song depicts one of the least talked about horrors of war. And probably the most ignored. I only hope that those of us disabled by war or other means can find something to hold on to. Volunteer at a crisis help-line, write a book, paint or sculpt. Do whatever it takes. You're a lot stronger than you think.
In my opinion they are both guilty. As for ruby, she is cheating on his very face! No wonder why he wants to put her in the ground. She sweared before God to love him in good and bad times, when they got married. As for him, he was so selfish in leaving her alone to go a kill people in a war. He didn'tthink of her when he did it. He sweared before God to take care of her but he didn't . He left her alone when she needed him the most, she is young. Patriotic chore? Excuses!!!! His most important chore was her. For me they're both guilty.....I hate abandoners.
@tamalito He was selfish to fight for his country?
This Ruby‘s taken alllll her love to town and it’s not because I’m with a veteran. I’m so dumb when it comes to men I don’t know what the hell I was thinking when I let my parents sent me up with that man twice my age on top of everything else! Man got up and walked out on his wife and kids after 30 something years constant cheater whole 9 yards. Tell me what he told all the other women… what a joke I was. good thing I didn’t fall in love with him I was pretty good at faking it though. I truly truly feel bad for his ex-wife and kids what he did was the worst I should have Known. She was the best thing he’s ever had I am sure of it guys like that they never ever change their fake and phony and it’s only good in the beginning. Learn my lesson So yeah this Ruby went to town and this Ruby ain’t coming back
I've listened to this song since I was a kid but somehow never knew there was a "rebuttal song" to Ruby. For those like me who don't know... "Billy, I've Got To Go To Town" by Geraldine Stevens was released in 1969 and is basically Ruby's side of the story. She denies ever cheating on him, tries to convince him that she still loves him and will never leave and scolds him for his excessive jealousy and lack of trust in her. Ruby's never does give a specific reason for why she needs to go to town or what she'll be doing while she's there. However imo, it kinda sounds like she's just going to work since Billy is unable to after becoming paralyzed in Vietnam. Apparently, there's also another Ruby rebuttal song from Ruby's sons perspective released in 1972 called Ruby Dean by Bobby Womack. Lol I guess everyone was trying to get a piece of Ruby's success! Lol
Mel Tillis wrote this about some neighbors of his, a handicapped Korean War vet and his wife. The real-life situation ended in tragedy.
Only 1 comment so far??? wtf!
Well how about making one yourself?