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."
If I could walk a straight mile
I could write it down in shorthand I could show you.
If you want me to.
And if I had an hourglass
I'd save the grains of time I spent with you
That's what I'd do.
But I remember you always said it could be great.
And I knew It could be.
Well there's a way you look at things
That no one needs to know but you.
And you shared it with me.
Like every time the leaves would fall,
You promised me that they'd be back again.
And I believed in you.
You always said it could be great.
But I had no time too waste, now it seems that I've come too far.
As bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Written down in hard-bound books,
The way things used to be, they ain't for me.
I'd swear they're all for you.
We said sugar, gramps said shoot,
Her mom said shit, I don't know what she'll do.
As if it's up to you.
As bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Your lucky star will burn ya.
Your lucky star will turn you 'round.
They're gonna turn you around
I could write it down in shorthand I could show you.
If you want me to.
And if I had an hourglass
I'd save the grains of time I spent with you
That's what I'd do.
But I remember you always said it could be great.
And I knew It could be.
Well there's a way you look at things
That no one needs to know but you.
And you shared it with me.
Like every time the leaves would fall,
You promised me that they'd be back again.
And I believed in you.
You always said it could be great.
But I had no time too waste, now it seems that I've come too far.
As bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Written down in hard-bound books,
The way things used to be, they ain't for me.
I'd swear they're all for you.
We said sugar, gramps said shoot,
Her mom said shit, I don't know what she'll do.
As if it's up to you.
As bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Bright as you are don't get burned by your lucky star.
Your lucky star will burn ya.
Your lucky star will turn you 'round.
They're gonna turn you around
Lyrics submitted by 3ssence
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
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.
Somewhere Only We Know
Keane
Keane
Per the FAQ on Keane's website, Keane's drummer Richard Hughes, stated the following:
"We've been asked whether "Somewhere Only We Know" is about a specific place, and Tim has been saying that, for him, or us as individuals, it might be about a geographical space, or a feeling; it can mean something individual to each person, and they can interpret it to a memory of theirs... It's perhaps more of a theme rather than a specific message... Feelings that may be universal, without necessarily being totally specific to us, or a place, or a time..."
With the nostalgic sentiment and the overall tone of the song, I think Keane is attempting to express a Portuguese term known as 'saudade', which does not have a direct English translation but roughly means "that which we remember because it is gone."
"And if I had an hourglass I'd save the grains of time I spent with you That's what I'd do. But I remember you always said it could be great. And I knew It could be. Well there's a way you look at things That no one needs to know but you. And you shared it with me. "
those are arguably my favorite lines from any song, ever.
Again, Robby's a genious.
You're a smart person, but love can make you hostage, so just watch out, don't let the person you love fuck you up...because they are going to change everything.
That's what this song is saying to me.
Eh, I used to love this song a lot... and considered it among my favorites by Goo, just 'cause of the lyrics. I've heard it, though, and,while I don't really like how it sounds terribly much, I will always like this song.
Man my username is based on this song! XD
great song, it's like the robbie's version of "cuz you're gone"
it's obviously about a girl who the singer loved so much, not necesary in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, maybe just afriend; unfortunetely he realized of his feelings too late, so the only thing he can do is wishing his best to his beloved girl.