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."
Some folks like to stay at home
Some folks like to be alone
So when they finally come out of their nest
I've got to turn it on
I've got to be my best
The street may be slick with ice
And I'm sick with butterflies
And some other girl may be the talk of the town
I could lose my voice
Or I could split my gown
But when I'm in the spotlight
It's got to be a hot night
Even when I'm feeling down
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
I've won some and I have lost
But what I enjoy the most
Is never knowing how the evening will end
Will I be the joke or the comedienne
And when I'm in the spotlight
It's got to be a hot night
Even when I'm shivering cold
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
(The show must go on)
Even in a hurricane
Your contact lens goes down the drain
When your agent goes insane
When you can hardly stay awake
You'd rather stay at home and bake
When you've got a tummy-ache
To an audience of one
And you think he's got a gun
When laughing isn't any fun
You want to watch the end of "Cheers"
Your mother is a lunatic
You think you've left the oven on
You find out there's no Santa Claus
You're doggy can't remember you
You want to move up to Vermont
You just ran out of underwear
Your prescription won't renew
You just ran into your ex
The handyman was very rude
Your landlord just evicted you
It's cozy by the fireplace
You really have to blow your nose
It must, it must, it must go on
Arnold says it must go on
Some folks like to be alone
So when they finally come out of their nest
I've got to turn it on
I've got to be my best
The street may be slick with ice
And I'm sick with butterflies
And some other girl may be the talk of the town
I could lose my voice
Or I could split my gown
But when I'm in the spotlight
It's got to be a hot night
Even when I'm feeling down
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
I've won some and I have lost
But what I enjoy the most
Is never knowing how the evening will end
Will I be the joke or the comedienne
And when I'm in the spotlight
It's got to be a hot night
Even when I'm shivering cold
The show must go on
The show must go on
The show must go on
(The show must go on)
Even in a hurricane
Your contact lens goes down the drain
When your agent goes insane
When you can hardly stay awake
You'd rather stay at home and bake
When you've got a tummy-ache
To an audience of one
And you think he's got a gun
When laughing isn't any fun
You want to watch the end of "Cheers"
Your mother is a lunatic
You think you've left the oven on
You find out there's no Santa Claus
You're doggy can't remember you
You want to move up to Vermont
You just ran out of underwear
Your prescription won't renew
You just ran into your ex
The handyman was very rude
Your landlord just evicted you
It's cozy by the fireplace
You really have to blow your nose
It must, it must, it must go on
Arnold says it must go on
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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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/
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.