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."
First you see my face in your magazine
You wanna rip it out, you wanna dream my dream
You wanna wear my clothes, you wanna feel my touch
You wanna take a ride, yeah, I’m a fashion slut
‘Cause you can feel the heat when you touch the page
You wanna take a bite, you wanna play my games
But I don’t play the game, the games that you play
‘Cause I’m a lioness, you wanna hear my roar
But you [took] your shit before you go and score
You’re not on my wavelength, although you’d like to be
I wish you’d go away, I wish that you could see
That you’re not my type, you’ll never get it right
You’re not idealistic, you’re just too uptight
You think your head’s a mess but it’s all pretend
Yeah, it’s all pretend, yeah, it’s all!
You think you’re too cool but you’re not
You think you’re right but you’re so wrong
You’re pixilated, you’re ???
I found you in the black taxi
Watching your life on the TV screen
I know that’s who you want to be, but you can’t
‘Cause that is me
You tried to steal my life, you took the lock and key
But after all that pain I know just who you’ve been
So stop your back-chat, screaming like a rich brat
Take off that gold and give me my reflection back
‘Cause I can hear your voice imitating mine
And I can see your shoes, that they’re across the line
Yeah, I’mma wipe that smile right off your face
I don’t want your tears because you’re not ???
You think you’re too cool but you’re not
You think you’re right but you’re so wrong
You’re pixilated, you’re ???
I found you in the black taxi
Watching your life on the TV screen
I know that’s who you want to be, but you can’t
‘Cause that is me
You’re a gameplayer, a fame-chaser
But that’s what everyone is these days
Strumming acoustic guitar in the haze
Expressing yourself in different ways
But be careful, you’ll get caught
(x2)
You think you’re too cool but you’re not
You think you’re right but you’re so wrong
You’re pixilated, you’re ???
I found you in the black taxi
Watching your life on the TV screen
I know that’s who you want to be, but you can’t
‘Cause that is me
You wanna rip it out, you wanna dream my dream
You wanna wear my clothes, you wanna feel my touch
You wanna take a ride, yeah, I’m a fashion slut
‘Cause you can feel the heat when you touch the page
You wanna take a bite, you wanna play my games
But I don’t play the game, the games that you play
‘Cause I’m a lioness, you wanna hear my roar
But you [took] your shit before you go and score
You’re not on my wavelength, although you’d like to be
I wish you’d go away, I wish that you could see
That you’re not my type, you’ll never get it right
You’re not idealistic, you’re just too uptight
You think your head’s a mess but it’s all pretend
Yeah, it’s all pretend, yeah, it’s all!
You think you’re too cool but you’re not
You think you’re right but you’re so wrong
You’re pixilated, you’re ???
I found you in the black taxi
Watching your life on the TV screen
I know that’s who you want to be, but you can’t
‘Cause that is me
You tried to steal my life, you took the lock and key
But after all that pain I know just who you’ve been
So stop your back-chat, screaming like a rich brat
Take off that gold and give me my reflection back
‘Cause I can hear your voice imitating mine
And I can see your shoes, that they’re across the line
Yeah, I’mma wipe that smile right off your face
I don’t want your tears because you’re not ???
You think you’re too cool but you’re not
You think you’re right but you’re so wrong
You’re pixilated, you’re ???
I found you in the black taxi
Watching your life on the TV screen
I know that’s who you want to be, but you can’t
‘Cause that is me
You’re a gameplayer, a fame-chaser
But that’s what everyone is these days
Strumming acoustic guitar in the haze
Expressing yourself in different ways
But be careful, you’ll get caught
(x2)
You think you’re too cool but you’re not
You think you’re right but you’re so wrong
You’re pixilated, you’re ???
I found you in the black taxi
Watching your life on the TV screen
I know that’s who you want to be, but you can’t
‘Cause that is me
Lyrics submitted by SitarHero
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