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'm not the man that I once was
But I’m changing everyday
Because I want to find someone like you.
And you’ve got eyes that could tear me down,
But all they do is build me up
So hold my hand before my heart erupts.
Darling, I may not be everything you want,
But I can give you all I have.
I’m not the perfect man,
But you are just so perfect and
I want to be the one that holds your hand.
I’m sorry if I come off strong
And it could be that you’re all wrong for be
But I just had to see,
‘Cause you are broken,
And I am such a wreck.
I think we’d make a lovely mess.
Darling, I may not be everything you want,
But I can give you all I have.
I’m not the perfect man,
But you are just so perfect and
I want to be the one that holds your hand.
Someday we could wake up in a bed we call our own
I would buy you lots of flowers, and someday I'd build your home
I would sing you Frank Sinatra, while we sway along and dance,
This life, of course, could be all yours if you just give me a chance!
And darling, I may not be everything you want,
But I can give you all I have.
I’m not the perfect man,
But you are just so perfect and
I want to be the one that holds your hand.
I'm not those men that made you cry
And I promise I will spend my life
Just trying to make you feel alive
'Cause you are broken
And I am such a wreck
I swear I'll love you till I'm dead
But I’m changing everyday
Because I want to find someone like you.
And you’ve got eyes that could tear me down,
But all they do is build me up
So hold my hand before my heart erupts.
Darling, I may not be everything you want,
But I can give you all I have.
I’m not the perfect man,
But you are just so perfect and
I want to be the one that holds your hand.
I’m sorry if I come off strong
And it could be that you’re all wrong for be
But I just had to see,
‘Cause you are broken,
And I am such a wreck.
I think we’d make a lovely mess.
Darling, I may not be everything you want,
But I can give you all I have.
I’m not the perfect man,
But you are just so perfect and
I want to be the one that holds your hand.
Someday we could wake up in a bed we call our own
I would buy you lots of flowers, and someday I'd build your home
I would sing you Frank Sinatra, while we sway along and dance,
This life, of course, could be all yours if you just give me a chance!
And darling, I may not be everything you want,
But I can give you all I have.
I’m not the perfect man,
But you are just so perfect and
I want to be the one that holds your hand.
I'm not those men that made you cry
And I promise I will spend my life
Just trying to make you feel alive
'Cause you are broken
And I am such a wreck
I swear I'll love you till I'm dead
Lyrics submitted by WhoYouWere
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Mountain Song
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