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."
I was dancing when I was twelve
I was dancing when I was aaah
I danced myself right out the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself right out the womb
I was dancing when I was eight
Is it strange to dance so late
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it wrong to understand
The fear that dwells inside a man
What's it like to be a loon
I liken it to a balloon
I danced myself out of the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself into the tomb
But when again once more
I danced myself out of the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself out of the womb
I was dancing when I was aaah
I danced myself right out the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself right out the womb
I was dancing when I was eight
Is it strange to dance so late
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself into the tomb
Is it wrong to understand
The fear that dwells inside a man
What's it like to be a loon
I liken it to a balloon
I danced myself out of the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself into the tomb
But when again once more
I danced myself out of the womb
Is it strange to dance so soon
I danced myself out of the womb
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
one of the most beautiful songs ever written
On the Acoustic Warrior album, Marc says, "This is a song about reincarnation" before playing Cosmic Dancer.
First off, just12: Marc Bolan did not die from "an OD of the quintessential disco drug," he died as a passenger in a car his girlfriend accidentally drove into a tree. Yes, he was involved with drugs for a time, but was actually clean and coming back at the time of his death. (look at any Bolan fan site).
Anyway, I love this song, even before I knew it was about reincarnation (according to Marc), but that makes me like it even more. To me, the song is about living your life fully, from birth to death, and then some--to recognize that death isn't the end of life, just a small part in the tapestry of a cosmic dance.
How can no one comment on T Rex ? One of the greatest bands there ever was and no one says anything about them. Urgh. Sums up Britain. We'd rather listen to "Crazy Frog".
This is one of my favorite T.Rex songs. It is definately not about the car accident thing. Marc died in a car accident while his wife was driving but she survived. I don't think his kid was in the car and Rolan Bolan is very much alive.
The mood of the song is so strange and the idea of dancing from the womb to the tomb is perfect Bolan. That carefree perfect expression in dancing.
The Cosmic Dancer is Shiva from the Hindu religion, representing the act of creation and destruction so I am guessing that this song is about Bolan as an artist or poet, a sort of song about destiny. I know he used to call himself the Bolan Child and thought he was destined to become something big.
THIS SONG IS WONDERFUL
Ahhh this song brings back memories of billy elliot movie. yeh it is about reincarnation, as far as i know. youre right
@lolamonera Billy Elliot is my favorite film, and I loved that this song is on the soundtrack. The whole soundtrack is great!
To me it's about enjoying something so much that you give it your all and refuse to let go.
mmm pretty, i don't know what it means, but it reminds me of jamie bell jumping on the bed in "billy elliot" maybe it's just someone who loves dancing, loves it so much they're just COSMIC aahhh!!
Some one who loves dancing and have been doin it al their lives. Duno but this song is ace!!!!!!! Luv it. But I luv all the songs that r in Billy elliot