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."
Big, big plans are being made for my sister's wedding day.
We'll have a ball at the Sons of Roma Hall.
Family, friends come one and all.
First the best man make a toast to Rocky and my sister Rose,
"A life of years free of tears. Bottoms up and lots of luck!"
`
Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone.
Frankie Rizzo and his combo play on.
Single girls all hear the call, form a crowd at the back wall.
And when the bouquet flies each one tries to be the best catch
and next year's bride.
Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe take their places in a row.
They're standing by side to side for dollar dances with the bride.
Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo, Rose and Rock alone.
"He's a banker, she'll be well off now."
Sister Rose take your mother's place.
Trade your home and your maiden name for a list of vows and a veil of lace.
Made a wife of you today.
Now they cut the five tier cake, "That Colucci, he can bake."
A frosted tower of sugar and flour for the couple of the hour.
Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone.
She was born to wear that gown.
Sister Rose take your mother's place.
Trade your home and your maiden name for a list of vows and a veil of lace.
Made a wife of you today.
But you're my sister Rose the same.
We'll have a ball at the Sons of Roma Hall.
Family, friends come one and all.
First the best man make a toast to Rocky and my sister Rose,
"A life of years free of tears. Bottoms up and lots of luck!"
`
Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone.
Frankie Rizzo and his combo play on.
Single girls all hear the call, form a crowd at the back wall.
And when the bouquet flies each one tries to be the best catch
and next year's bride.
Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe take their places in a row.
They're standing by side to side for dollar dances with the bride.
Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo, Rose and Rock alone.
"He's a banker, she'll be well off now."
Sister Rose take your mother's place.
Trade your home and your maiden name for a list of vows and a veil of lace.
Made a wife of you today.
Now they cut the five tier cake, "That Colucci, he can bake."
A frosted tower of sugar and flour for the couple of the hour.
Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone.
She was born to wear that gown.
Sister Rose take your mother's place.
Trade your home and your maiden name for a list of vows and a veil of lace.
Made a wife of you today.
But you're my sister Rose the same.
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I read this as a fairly scathing analysis of 'traditional' marriage/weddings and especially of the seemingly inevitably way in which Sister Rose (and all of the 'single girls' who 'hear the call' from the onlookers) falls into (and are encouraged by society into) it, almost without thought.
It is a feminist song criticising the unquestioning changing of the bride's name, the pomp and pageantry of the dresses and dances, and the implicit subservience of the wife that all of this is there to legitimise. The line 'He's a banker, she'll be well off now' expresses clearly where the power is in this relationship.
Arguably the line about 'Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe' (embodiments of the USA and USSR?) suggests that marriage/family/etc is an important part of maintaining a much broader social and political status quo.
The final line suggests Mercahnt (or whoever she is giving voice to in the song) sees beyond all of the symbolic stuff on the wedding day and still sees and loves sister Rose for the person she is/was, not just as a wife, not just as 'Mrs Rocky'.