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."
Oh, they're gonna love me
When I look them in the eye and say,
"I'm damaged, but I'm hopeful!
I'm gonna keep on trying
Because love is really all we need!
Love't the snake oil tonic
That will cure our every evil!"
(and I'll sell it like I mean it
from the stage)
I'm vulnerable, approachable
Your folks would probably love me
And your imaginary conversations
Probably sound like this:
"They've got some very valid questions
about my songs and my intentions
and the fact I've never settled down;
Isn't anybody wondering where you are?"
This is home:
The stage, the States
All I own in one suitcase
All the people that I've loved
Left back in places
I've called home
Let's play truth and consequences
First the truth: I'm not that interested
I've been burned a couple of times
So now I'm the one who starts the fires
And I probably still believe in love
The problem is, I just can't trust
So where does that leave us?
How about those consequences?
I've got this moat around my heart
Chock full of mud and monsters
And my archers never sleep
So use your powers of observation
This stage is more than just the lights
And all the adulation:
It's the only place where I can alone
Without being alone
This is home:
The stage, the States
All I own in one suitcase
All the people that I've loved
Left back in places
I've called home
Someday, I'll stop this war
Someday, I'll fall in love,
And know what love is for
But for tonight,
I'll sell the box
And keep the contents
Under lock and key
And by the time you realize
You've lost the game
I'll be another several
Homes away,
Up on some solitary stage
Alone again
When I look them in the eye and say,
"I'm damaged, but I'm hopeful!
I'm gonna keep on trying
Because love is really all we need!
Love't the snake oil tonic
That will cure our every evil!"
(and I'll sell it like I mean it
from the stage)
I'm vulnerable, approachable
Your folks would probably love me
And your imaginary conversations
Probably sound like this:
"They've got some very valid questions
about my songs and my intentions
and the fact I've never settled down;
Isn't anybody wondering where you are?"
This is home:
The stage, the States
All I own in one suitcase
All the people that I've loved
Left back in places
I've called home
Let's play truth and consequences
First the truth: I'm not that interested
I've been burned a couple of times
So now I'm the one who starts the fires
And I probably still believe in love
The problem is, I just can't trust
So where does that leave us?
How about those consequences?
I've got this moat around my heart
Chock full of mud and monsters
And my archers never sleep
So use your powers of observation
This stage is more than just the lights
And all the adulation:
It's the only place where I can alone
Without being alone
This is home:
The stage, the States
All I own in one suitcase
All the people that I've loved
Left back in places
I've called home
Someday, I'll stop this war
Someday, I'll fall in love,
And know what love is for
But for tonight,
I'll sell the box
And keep the contents
Under lock and key
And by the time you realize
You've lost the game
I'll be another several
Homes away,
Up on some solitary stage
Alone again
Lyrics submitted by craola
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Mountain Song
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