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."
Welcome to the abandoned land
Come on in child, take my hand
Here there's no work or play
Only one bill to pay
There's just five words to say
As you go down, down, down
You're gonna burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
You can't believe all the things
I've done wrong in my life
Without even trying
I've lived on the edge of a knife
Well, I've played with fire
But I don't want to get myself burned
To thine own self be true
So I think that it's time for a turn
Before I burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
Take a good look in your heart
Tell me what do you see?
It's black and it's dark
Now is that how you want it to be?
It's up to you
What you do will decide your own fate
Make your choice now
For tomorrow may be far too late
And then you'll burn in hell
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell) lay no evil down on me
You're gonna burn in hell
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell)
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you think no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
Come on in child, take my hand
Here there's no work or play
Only one bill to pay
There's just five words to say
As you go down, down, down
You're gonna burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
You can't believe all the things
I've done wrong in my life
Without even trying
I've lived on the edge of a knife
Well, I've played with fire
But I don't want to get myself burned
To thine own self be true
So I think that it's time for a turn
Before I burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
Take a good look in your heart
Tell me what do you see?
It's black and it's dark
Now is that how you want it to be?
It's up to you
What you do will decide your own fate
Make your choice now
For tomorrow may be far too late
And then you'll burn in hell
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell) lay no evil down on me
You're gonna burn in hell
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell)
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you think no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
Is is just me. or does this song have a Christian Meaning? gasp Like even Dimmu Borgir wouldn't give two shits, cause its such an awesome song! TURN IT UP!
That is because Dee Snider is Christian....look up a clip of him speaking to committee that was first trying to control music lyrics
also check out several other songs "The Beast", "Sin After Sin", "Power and the Glory"