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."
It was a sellout just like the last 10 dates
But there was more here than a ticket price getting paid out
And that’s your bottom line, dollar sign
You’re now represented by the swine
You’re being packaged now just like a label on a can
A year from now you’re scratching your head saying “DAMN”
You felt the gloom from the room with the view
Swore that you’d never change, now you’re a robot too
It don’t pay to be the right way
When things aren’t the same today
I’m holding on
I keep pushing long & reach a sewer cap
However high I climb
I know a therapist told me once it makes no sense
To get involved with the people you’re against
But if you’re looking for sanity it’s gone, kid
Hasn’t been here since ’95 was the year
Can’t wage a war at what embodies what I’m fighting for
I work the streets because this business is a whore
It’s not so funny when I’m losing money everyday
Gotta keep the game insane ‘cause I ain’t playing anyway
It don’t pay to be the right way
‘Cause things aren’t the same today
I’m holding on, I keep pushing long
I reach sewer caps however high I climb
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands tied
Sellout, it’s what you hated now it’s what you are
still can’t get your fingers in the jar
you sucker, it’s what they’re paying you for
but the door’s not swinging open anymore
You’re being packaged now just like a label on a can
A year from now you’re scratching your head saying “DAMN”
Pick up the pennies now ‘cause pieces will be coming next
Guess you didn’t read the label for potential side effects
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands tied
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands tied, tied, tied
But there was more here than a ticket price getting paid out
And that’s your bottom line, dollar sign
You’re now represented by the swine
You’re being packaged now just like a label on a can
A year from now you’re scratching your head saying “DAMN”
You felt the gloom from the room with the view
Swore that you’d never change, now you’re a robot too
It don’t pay to be the right way
When things aren’t the same today
I’m holding on
I keep pushing long & reach a sewer cap
However high I climb
I know a therapist told me once it makes no sense
To get involved with the people you’re against
But if you’re looking for sanity it’s gone, kid
Hasn’t been here since ’95 was the year
Can’t wage a war at what embodies what I’m fighting for
I work the streets because this business is a whore
It’s not so funny when I’m losing money everyday
Gotta keep the game insane ‘cause I ain’t playing anyway
It don’t pay to be the right way
‘Cause things aren’t the same today
I’m holding on, I keep pushing long
I reach sewer caps however high I climb
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands tied
Sellout, it’s what you hated now it’s what you are
still can’t get your fingers in the jar
you sucker, it’s what they’re paying you for
but the door’s not swinging open anymore
You’re being packaged now just like a label on a can
A year from now you’re scratching your head saying “DAMN”
Pick up the pennies now ‘cause pieces will be coming next
Guess you didn’t read the label for potential side effects
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands tied
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands
They’ve got my hands tied, tied, tied
Lyrics submitted by D2e5150
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