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."
Well I beat a bad rap when I skip a soul trap
Just trippin' and laughin' at the crap
Dap is what I get the best skins that I hit
You know we rock the fuckin' joint and we split
Singin' an rhymin's what I'm better for
When I describe I'm a scribe with a metaphor
I use a simile lightly 'cause that shit's played
The common way most rhymes are made, ya know
I rock like this I flow like that
But all those comparisons are just that
Kickin' different styles I'll be right here
Today, tomorrow, next week and next year
I always say what I feel and that is a promise
Nothing in life is above being honest
Sauna is cool compared to being on stage
But that's how it's gotta go in the stone age
The fame in my game I name rapture
Like a polished rock I'll make it shine for sure
Word is that I've traveled become unraveled
I been around the world baby gimme an apple
I'll be your boogie man rather than son-of-sam
What I am is what I am
Though we don't have too long to love a day a night
We only love those who love us right back, right
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-lantern's weather
Backpack strapped 'cause the world is cold
Headphones pumpin' don't ya know
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-latern's weather
Rocks his hood and plays it mellow
While maple leaves change into yellow
And oh shit damn homey at it again
Tryin' to beat my high score since the age of ten
See my high score flashes on the back glass
I was malcontented Doug in gifted class
Now here's the deal we came to heal we gonna rock it in Rio
Oh no it's not a joke it's how we feel
Put to test like a Sugar Ray scientist, come on
I'm always dancin' in my Sunday best
I'm betting on my bliss and my path is lit' see
The microphone is live and I'm rockin' my body
Smooth like Reggie Miller in an airborne freeze frame
Funky like the kung-fu that can put you to shame
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-lantern's weather
Backpack strapped 'cause the world is cold
Headphones pumpin' don't ya know
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-latern's weather
Rocks his hood and plays it mellow
While maple leaves change into yellow
I'm like hey (hey), wait a minute
Give a check one two then I'm ready to begin it
With a boom boom bap coming outta your trunkies
Give a fat shout out to the Phunk Junkeez
Stricken like a cancer taken chances
But I love to see the girl windin' like the belly dancer
Standin' up front with a tight stomach showin
Me on stage singin, flowin
We just kickin' it live we just kickin' it live
'Cause if you can't kick it live you gonna die
'Fraid so punk, so quit talkin' junk
You need a live show like a ball player needs a dunk
Just trippin' and laughin' at the crap
Dap is what I get the best skins that I hit
You know we rock the fuckin' joint and we split
Singin' an rhymin's what I'm better for
When I describe I'm a scribe with a metaphor
I use a simile lightly 'cause that shit's played
The common way most rhymes are made, ya know
I rock like this I flow like that
But all those comparisons are just that
Kickin' different styles I'll be right here
Today, tomorrow, next week and next year
I always say what I feel and that is a promise
Nothing in life is above being honest
Sauna is cool compared to being on stage
But that's how it's gotta go in the stone age
The fame in my game I name rapture
Like a polished rock I'll make it shine for sure
Word is that I've traveled become unraveled
I been around the world baby gimme an apple
I'll be your boogie man rather than son-of-sam
What I am is what I am
Though we don't have too long to love a day a night
We only love those who love us right back, right
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-lantern's weather
Backpack strapped 'cause the world is cold
Headphones pumpin' don't ya know
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-latern's weather
Rocks his hood and plays it mellow
While maple leaves change into yellow
And oh shit damn homey at it again
Tryin' to beat my high score since the age of ten
See my high score flashes on the back glass
I was malcontented Doug in gifted class
Now here's the deal we came to heal we gonna rock it in Rio
Oh no it's not a joke it's how we feel
Put to test like a Sugar Ray scientist, come on
I'm always dancin' in my Sunday best
I'm betting on my bliss and my path is lit' see
The microphone is live and I'm rockin' my body
Smooth like Reggie Miller in an airborne freeze frame
Funky like the kung-fu that can put you to shame
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-lantern's weather
Backpack strapped 'cause the world is cold
Headphones pumpin' don't ya know
The kid is smart the kid is clever
Stompin' in jack-o-latern's weather
Rocks his hood and plays it mellow
While maple leaves change into yellow
I'm like hey (hey), wait a minute
Give a check one two then I'm ready to begin it
With a boom boom bap coming outta your trunkies
Give a fat shout out to the Phunk Junkeez
Stricken like a cancer taken chances
But I love to see the girl windin' like the belly dancer
Standin' up front with a tight stomach showin
Me on stage singin, flowin
We just kickin' it live we just kickin' it live
'Cause if you can't kick it live you gonna die
'Fraid so punk, so quit talkin' junk
You need a live show like a ball player needs a dunk
Lyrics submitted by pen1234567
Jackolantern's Weather Lyrics as written by Douglas Martinez Chad Sexton
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I can make a meaning to almost every 311 song, but this one.. this one is an exception. I could start at one part in the song and once i understand that, i move to the next one and its completly different. I think its amazing how 311 can actually pull this off.. it really shows a great amount of skill and ambition.