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."
You stay the night at his house
With no ride to work
And I'm the one who tells you
He's another jerk
But you're the one who can succeed
You've only got to prove your need,
And you do
You really do
The sex you're trading up for
What you hope is love
Is just another thing that
He'll be careless of
But though there are caveats galore
You've only got to love him more,
And you do
You really do
Even when it's all too clear
You write a little note that
You leave on the bed
And spend some time dissecting
Every word he said
And if he seemed a little strange
Well, baby, anyone can change
And you do
You do
You really do
With no ride to work
And I'm the one who tells you
He's another jerk
But you're the one who can succeed
You've only got to prove your need,
And you do
You really do
The sex you're trading up for
What you hope is love
Is just another thing that
He'll be careless of
But though there are caveats galore
You've only got to love him more,
And you do
You really do
Even when it's all too clear
You write a little note that
You leave on the bed
And spend some time dissecting
Every word he said
And if he seemed a little strange
Well, baby, anyone can change
And you do
You do
You really do
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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,
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.
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/
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.
Generally speaking, I agree with deediddum.
but though there are caveats galore you've only got to love him more-- and you do you really do even when it's all too clear
The narrator is telling her friend that the relationship is clearly riddled with problems. The friend refuses to acknowledge this or thinks she can change the man if she loves him more. So the narrator is saying to the friend, "even though it's clear that he's a jerk and that this will not work out, you think you can change the outcome by loving him more." The narrator knows this is headed for disaster--the guy is a jerk, and nothing will change that. The friend is only setting herself up for a fall.
and if he seemed a little strange well, baby--anyone can change and you do you do you really do
I absolutely love this verse. It's just so goddamn sad.. Here the narrator is playing with that idea of "I can change him." The friend thinks she can change him if she loves him enough blah blah blah. But instead of him changing, the only one who will change is the friend. She will change herself to suit him, and it will only do more damage to her in the long run.
Yep, that's clearly it. Great song. And username :)
She loves him, he doesnt love her the same way (uses her as affair?)...but she doesnt (want) to recognize his intentions about the relationship; she is blind for love and doesnt (want to?) recognize that it would never "work" out, no matter how hard she tried. ...neverless, anyone can change: "and if he seemed a little strange well, baby--anyone can change and you do you do you really do"
What a beautiful song. While I agree with the gist of what Agatha has said, although personally I think this song is more objective than subjective, she is not singing about herself. Instead it is that classic situation where someone can clearly see that a friend is in a relationship that will not work out. That frustration of knowing they are making a mistake but knowing a friend can only tell them this...no more. Only the girl herself can change the relationship "you've only got to love him more-- and you do you really do".
Totally agree with EnidCaulfield and love the username too. Oh the stupid stupid crap we put up with for love...