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."
Bill: So you need to kick up your heels;
baby, I can understand.
Don't you know how it's making me feel?
I wanna be your only man.
Jason: When it comes right down to the wire,
I just need a touch of your fire.
But you're livin' it up,
you're givin' it up.
Bill: Seems I'm always waiting for you
to find your yesterday.
I think I know what you're tryin' to do;
I got a better way.
Jason: Baby, soon enough it will end;
you'll be reachin' out for a friend.
But now you're livin' it up,
you're givin' it up all the time.
Please be mine.
So good at the runaround; you're still making me wait outside,
Holding on to broken promises.
So good at the runaround; I don't want to stand in line. It's my turn, baby,
please just let me in.
Bill: Though you're always out on the town,
I feel your lonliness.
While your life is leading you 'round,
it's just like an empty kiss.
Jason: When it comes right down to the truth,
well, it comes right down to you.
You've been givin' it up,
and losin' in love every time.
Please be mine.
So good at the runaround; you're still making me wait outside,
Holding on to broken promises.
So good at the runaround; I don't want to stand in line.
It's my turn, baby, please...
So good at the runaround; I still fall for the same old lies,
Holding on to broken promises.
So good at the runaround; I don't want to lose this time.
It's my turn, baby, let me in,
just let me in. Baby, please just let me in.
baby, I can understand.
Don't you know how it's making me feel?
I wanna be your only man.
Jason: When it comes right down to the wire,
I just need a touch of your fire.
But you're livin' it up,
you're givin' it up.
Bill: Seems I'm always waiting for you
to find your yesterday.
I think I know what you're tryin' to do;
I got a better way.
Jason: Baby, soon enough it will end;
you'll be reachin' out for a friend.
But now you're livin' it up,
you're givin' it up all the time.
Please be mine.
So good at the runaround; you're still making me wait outside,
Holding on to broken promises.
So good at the runaround; I don't want to stand in line. It's my turn, baby,
please just let me in.
Bill: Though you're always out on the town,
I feel your lonliness.
While your life is leading you 'round,
it's just like an empty kiss.
Jason: When it comes right down to the truth,
well, it comes right down to you.
You've been givin' it up,
and losin' in love every time.
Please be mine.
So good at the runaround; you're still making me wait outside,
Holding on to broken promises.
So good at the runaround; I don't want to stand in line.
It's my turn, baby, please...
So good at the runaround; I still fall for the same old lies,
Holding on to broken promises.
So good at the runaround; I don't want to lose this time.
It's my turn, baby, let me in,
just let me in. Baby, please just let me in.
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
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