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."
When the whirlwind of noise surrounds and get intense,
and when words can’t hide their anger or intent.
I feel it in my bones and in my head, can’t make sense of what is said.
Ready for the take down, headed for a breakdown.
Fear has me backed against these walls that I follow and pace.
Time moves in and out of phase of everything that I face.
I feel it in my bones they rattle and shake, can’t find a trace of what it takes to stop this take down.
Can’t stop this breakdown!
Welcome to my scene. A place that’s in-between where squares fit the round.
Some affectionately call it ... my breakdown....
When I feel the pressure mounting and my hands begin to clutch, I reach my limit of pain and I’ve had enough.
It feels good to pound on tables and chairs and feel the frenzy start to wear.
Breakdown this take down, gotta stop this breakdown.
Welcome to my scene. A place that’s in-between where squares fit the round.
It’ll never be, never be more than this. Never.
and when words can’t hide their anger or intent.
I feel it in my bones and in my head, can’t make sense of what is said.
Ready for the take down, headed for a breakdown.
Fear has me backed against these walls that I follow and pace.
Time moves in and out of phase of everything that I face.
I feel it in my bones they rattle and shake, can’t find a trace of what it takes to stop this take down.
Can’t stop this breakdown!
Welcome to my scene. A place that’s in-between where squares fit the round.
Some affectionately call it ... my breakdown....
When I feel the pressure mounting and my hands begin to clutch, I reach my limit of pain and I’ve had enough.
It feels good to pound on tables and chairs and feel the frenzy start to wear.
Breakdown this take down, gotta stop this breakdown.
Welcome to my scene. A place that’s in-between where squares fit the round.
It’ll never be, never be more than this. Never.
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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