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."
Looking at the radio caught up in a dream
'Bout the days gone by when no one had a TV
Hopin' that the weather man would say good things
Like no rain on Friday for the drive in movie
Little kids didn't have a care
There was love growin' up everywhere
But when I open my eyes and the dream stops playin'
You can still find me somewhere saying
I shoulda been born in forty-five
In fifty-four I woulda been nine
Lovin' my record player by my side
That woulda been nice yeah, that woulda been nice
I shoulda been born in forty-five
My first pair of high heels in fifty-nine
White shirt, poodle skirt, silk hair tie
Dancing in the moonlight that woulda been nice
Ooh, ooh
Oh that woulda been nice
Ooh, ooh
Boom box on my shoulder wit my favorite tape
I'm reppin' my eight tracks and my buckle up skates
How do I know about that you say, you say
You wear bell bottom jeans get a double take
From all the guys and the girls who look your way
Back then people didn't always agree
But the love goin' round was revolutionary and
Even though the world was crazy
I'd still go if my dreams could take me oh
I shoulda been born in sixty-five
In seventy-four I woulda been nine
Tryna' get home after playin outside
Racin' street lights, racin' street lights
I shoulda been born in sixty-five
I woulda been a teenager round seventy-nine
Teasing my hair so it looks just right
On a Saturday night, yeah that woulda been nice
Growin' up I never really had a care
There was love all the time and everywhere
And even though sometimes my world may get a little crazy
I find myself bein' proud when I say
I coulda been born in forty-five
But the truth is I got here right on time
And I thank God for every day of life
It suits me just right, it suits me just right
And lovely nineteen ninety-one
That's the year that I come from
And I wouldn't wanna trade it for another time
I love this life yeah, I love this life
Ooh ooh
I love this life
Ooh ooh
I love this life
'Bout the days gone by when no one had a TV
Hopin' that the weather man would say good things
Like no rain on Friday for the drive in movie
Little kids didn't have a care
There was love growin' up everywhere
But when I open my eyes and the dream stops playin'
You can still find me somewhere saying
I shoulda been born in forty-five
In fifty-four I woulda been nine
Lovin' my record player by my side
That woulda been nice yeah, that woulda been nice
I shoulda been born in forty-five
My first pair of high heels in fifty-nine
White shirt, poodle skirt, silk hair tie
Dancing in the moonlight that woulda been nice
Ooh, ooh
Oh that woulda been nice
Ooh, ooh
Boom box on my shoulder wit my favorite tape
I'm reppin' my eight tracks and my buckle up skates
How do I know about that you say, you say
You wear bell bottom jeans get a double take
From all the guys and the girls who look your way
Back then people didn't always agree
But the love goin' round was revolutionary and
Even though the world was crazy
I'd still go if my dreams could take me oh
I shoulda been born in sixty-five
In seventy-four I woulda been nine
Tryna' get home after playin outside
Racin' street lights, racin' street lights
I shoulda been born in sixty-five
I woulda been a teenager round seventy-nine
Teasing my hair so it looks just right
On a Saturday night, yeah that woulda been nice
Growin' up I never really had a care
There was love all the time and everywhere
And even though sometimes my world may get a little crazy
I find myself bein' proud when I say
I coulda been born in forty-five
But the truth is I got here right on time
And I thank God for every day of life
It suits me just right, it suits me just right
And lovely nineteen ninety-one
That's the year that I come from
And I wouldn't wanna trade it for another time
I love this life yeah, I love this life
Ooh ooh
I love this life
Ooh ooh
I love this life
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
1945 Lyrics as written by Jamie Grace Harper Christopher E. Stevens
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.