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 remember
When the moment started
It creeps up
When you least expect to fail
You try to tell yourself
That you are selfless
But that's the big mistake
That sets your sail
The signs are all around you
But you miss them
You turn your back
On every friend you know
The games you play
To justify your madness
Will leave you crying
For the pain that grows
[Chorus]
Twenty-five years, twenty-five years
I tried to be a man and face my fears
Twenty-five years, twenty-five years
I've had the devil on my back for twenty five years
For when you fall
You have to reach the bottom
And count your blessings
That you're still alive
That's when you look
To someone who was with you
At every single step
Right by your side
It's said from this you grow
Inside much stronger
That may be true
But I am still so weak
There's days that seem
So endless makes me wonder
Will something come
To close this losing streak
[Chorus]
I'm tired and so lonely
From this journey
And still can't figure out
Some things I've said
But all I know
Is there's a place that's calling
I'll find that place
And rest my weary head
Twenty-five years
Twenty-five years
I tried to be a man
And face my fears
Twenty-five years
Twenty-five years
I've had the devil on my back
For twenty five years
When the moment started
It creeps up
When you least expect to fail
You try to tell yourself
That you are selfless
But that's the big mistake
That sets your sail
The signs are all around you
But you miss them
You turn your back
On every friend you know
The games you play
To justify your madness
Will leave you crying
For the pain that grows
[Chorus]
Twenty-five years, twenty-five years
I tried to be a man and face my fears
Twenty-five years, twenty-five years
I've had the devil on my back for twenty five years
For when you fall
You have to reach the bottom
And count your blessings
That you're still alive
That's when you look
To someone who was with you
At every single step
Right by your side
It's said from this you grow
Inside much stronger
That may be true
But I am still so weak
There's days that seem
So endless makes me wonder
Will something come
To close this losing streak
[Chorus]
I'm tired and so lonely
From this journey
And still can't figure out
Some things I've said
But all I know
Is there's a place that's calling
I'll find that place
And rest my weary head
Twenty-five years
Twenty-five years
I tried to be a man
And face my fears
Twenty-five years
Twenty-five years
I've had the devil on my back
For twenty five years
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Twenty-Five Years Lyrics as written by Robert Halford
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.