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."
Consider this a sign.
This is a train in the night
And now it's time for you to go
You know you've had a healthy life, boy.
You walk this world like you're a ghost
Your hands are coming through the needles
Sick of your tragic and the evils
I am the keeper of the songs of everyone
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
Seem a little sick to me now
This is a coming of the times
You are a witness to the movement
If all you're seeing is your lies
You had your chance, but now you've blown it.
You want this world so you can own it
I am the keeper of the songs of everyone
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
You seem a little sick to me
From the light on high
A chance to change your fate
Forgiveness falling down
On those who chose to wait
Remember the time
Find yourself home again
Deep within your life
Find yourself a home again find yourself home again
It's a choice
You have chosen your own
In the old days
When the world was young and bright
If you raise the mask, who will lead us home tonight
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
Seems a little sick
It seems a little sick
It seems a little sick to me now
This is a train in the night
And now it's time for you to go
You know you've had a healthy life, boy.
You walk this world like you're a ghost
Your hands are coming through the needles
Sick of your tragic and the evils
I am the keeper of the songs of everyone
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
Seem a little sick to me now
This is a coming of the times
You are a witness to the movement
If all you're seeing is your lies
You had your chance, but now you've blown it.
You want this world so you can own it
I am the keeper of the songs of everyone
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
You seem a little sick to me
From the light on high
A chance to change your fate
Forgiveness falling down
On those who chose to wait
Remember the time
Find yourself home again
Deep within your life
Find yourself a home again find yourself home again
It's a choice
You have chosen your own
In the old days
When the world was young and bright
If you raise the mask, who will lead us home tonight
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
Look into the sun and see your soul is dying
Used to feel the faith, but now you're tired of trying
Should have left alone what you have stolen from everyone
How are you feeling?
Seems a little sick
It seems a little sick
It seems a little sick to me now
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This song rocks, people slept on it.