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."
There's something wrong something so very wrong that's all that I know
Sitting up all night yeah I'm up all night where did my composure go
Everything is racing
Try to understand this
What have I started?
My passion takes advantage
On and on and on again, Underrated.
How could I have been so blind?
I've missed the signs so many many times took it all for granted
yet another mistake that I can't retake, blew all of my chances
I'm only dreaming my heart keeps scheming but I could never notice,
Notice that she's something
She's something, she's something, she's something Underrated
I've figured it out yeah I've figured it out there's nothing I can do.
C'uz it's too late oh it's too late at least I know she's something
She's something, she's something, she's something Underrated
How could I have been so blind?
Sitting up all night yeah I'm up all night where did my composure go
Everything is racing
Try to understand this
What have I started?
My passion takes advantage
On and on and on again, Underrated.
How could I have been so blind?
I've missed the signs so many many times took it all for granted
yet another mistake that I can't retake, blew all of my chances
I'm only dreaming my heart keeps scheming but I could never notice,
Notice that she's something
She's something, she's something, she's something Underrated
I've figured it out yeah I've figured it out there's nothing I can do.
C'uz it's too late oh it's too late at least I know she's something
She's something, she's something, she's something Underrated
How could I have been so blind?
Lyrics submitted by Dancing Potato
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction

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/

Trouble Breathing
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
While the obvious connections with suicide or alcoholism could be drawn easily, more subtly this song could be about someone who views the world through a negative lens constantly and how as much as the writer tries to show the beauty in the world, this person refuses to see it. It's one or another between the rope and the bottle. There is no good option for this person. They can't see it. Skiba sings it in a kind of exasperated way like He's tired of hearing this negative view constantly and just allowing that person to continue feeling the way they feel knowing he can't do anything about it. You can hear it when he says maybe you're a vampire.

Another Love
Tom Odell
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.

Sunglasses at Night
Corey Hart
Corey Hart
In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.
this song makes me happy! :D
one of these days, people are gunna listen to this song, and relate it to me, everyones been so blind so far, not realizing how underrated i really am......sigh i love ska
I like their ska. Old school ska its nice. Man everyone can relate to this song, I can at least. You see something so underrated and you just regret letting it go.
This song for some reason just gives me that feeling-- that happy feeling when all the hairs on my neck just stand up... I like the way the chorus is sung.
this song rawks so good.
I think it's about taking your gf for granted. Don't know what you got until it's gone. As always.
This song really hits a special spot. It's one of those songs that you can almost imagine perfectly what's going on--like one of those scenes from a movie like American Pie, Eurotrip, The Wedding Singer or something like that where the guy suddenly comes to the realization of taking someone for granted and chases after her. I just saw this:
youtube.com/watch=
on youtube, which I think portrays the scenario pretty well.
I saw the video just yesterday, actually.
It looked cool, and I'd only heard one other song by these guys; Super Orgy Porno Party (saw the video for that too).
This song is great. It's definetly about taking relationships for granted, and realizing how lucky you were after it ended. More specifically, about a girl.
Amazing song. ;D