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 know you
I care too
I see through
All of the pictures that you keep on the wall
All of the people that will come to the ball
But hear me calling
Won't you give me
A free ride
I know too
What you do
When you're through
Counting the cattle as they go by the door
Keeping a carpet that's so thick on the floor
But hear me calling
Won't you give me
A free ride
I know you
I care too
I see through
All of the pictures that you keep on the wall
All of the pictures that you keep on the wall
But hear me calling
Won't you give me
A free ride
I care too
I see through
All of the pictures that you keep on the wall
All of the people that will come to the ball
But hear me calling
Won't you give me
A free ride
I know too
What you do
When you're through
Counting the cattle as they go by the door
Keeping a carpet that's so thick on the floor
But hear me calling
Won't you give me
A free ride
I know you
I care too
I see through
All of the pictures that you keep on the wall
All of the pictures that you keep on the wall
But hear me calling
Won't you give me
A free ride
Lyrics submitted by Sweet Blue Way
Free Ride Lyrics as written by Nick Drake
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Plastic Bag
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I think it's significant that its about someone he cares about - and the girl he loved was called Sophia "Ryde."
Now, she was basically the love of his life, but they never had sex, remaining basically, as she would later call it, "best friends". Since Nick Drake wrote songs based on personal experiences, I think it's not too much of a leap to go from 'Ryde' to ride, based on their emotional history yet lack of 'consummation'.
Also, he used to take his parent's car and drive around for hours until he ran out of petrol. There may be a metaphor in that 'free ride' could also symbolise the lack of direction to their relationship, much like his midnight drives.
@ Psylogon: would people PLEASE stop interpreting songs based on their 'personal experiences'. The next time I read somebody saying a Beatles song could be about being dumped in chemistry class I'm going to scream.
Songs are meant to be interpreted based on personal experience and there isn't "one" meaning to a song you fucking moron.
I have my own interpretation of this song that is quite different to what other people have said so far.
I see through All of the pictures that you keep on the wall All of the people that will come to the ball
Even though he writes 'you' I am certain he is referring to people who he finds shallow, as in they are too worried about the little things in life and can't see the big picture. This could refer to the letters Nick's Dad wrote to him urging him to stay in University, so he could have a more secure future. Nick responded to his Father by saying that is the one thing he does not want.
But hear me calling, won't you give me A free ride?
Here Nick says that even though he feels ashamed of these people, he still needs their support. That's why I think it is about his parents. Why he chose to use the words 'A free ride' as a metaphor for his dependance on his parents well that can be traced back to his unusual habit of taking his parents car for a 'ride'.
I honestly do not know how anyone can get Sophia Ryde from this. In my opinion the whole pink moon album is more of an album about human culture and philosophy, but it doesn't deal with sexuality.
I couldn't even attempt to fathom out this song... but it's so beautiful.
I know that seems a bit a cop out, and its probably possible to say that about 90% of ND songs but i don't think i could say what it's about....
The imagery is superb though.
It's about fucking your friend.
It's probably "I get to see through" not "I care to see through" and it's probably about fucking a friend.
From what I can read into this from my own experience, he loves someone who is still attached to a previous relationship, too insecure to love him back. He's out of control and can't do anything but ask for a free ride. He sees through all the pictures--all the memories--she's so attached to. He wants her to trust him, but she's too far lost in the past for that.
My favourite Nick Drake song. In my opinion, it lifts the mood of "Pink Moon" considerably, mostly because Nick's guitar work is fairly energetic and rolling.
pretty much agree with sammy.
pictures represent a facade, and the people at the ball mere acquaintances, but because he knows them as a true friend, he sees past all this and reasons that he deserves a free ride.
i've read that nick was a shy and reserved person, so it would be hard for a person like that to go to any type of social event
so i would guess that he's telling this woman that i really dont care about about anyone here but you, specially if he's calling them 'cattle'.
I've heard Nick came from an upper middle class neighborhood. Nick seemed to be interested in a high society girl who was very popular and had parties where alot of people would come to her house. I'm guessing she wasn't very interested in him and the song meaning for Free Ride would be, give me some of your time, possibly sexual if you will.