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 never understood until you showed me - I never looked at myself until you made me. I never looked outside, I never stopped to think. Trapped in a darkened state with candles you gave me.
The match I found inside - the spark spread my eyes wide. Burned everything in sight - burned all the times I'd lied. To those that I held dear - My skin began to sear. And I see it come near - as I embrace my tears!
Please - Look at yourself! Take a step back - notice the blood on your hands! Fear, bound into love, shackled my heart - Left me askew and blinded. Change comes like a storm - It peels back the skin - it gives me a view to renew life. Now, please give me a chance to build monument To a life I can be proud of...
And all these things I took for granted... And all the souls I snapped into place. Regret is bitter, and I am sorry. And I am learning something new all the time. And I am learning...
To be brave and fight, with a strong hand And to love and accept with a gentle hand. To learn from mistakes, and relationships, And not let life's lessons pass me by. I refuse to die never having lived. I'll no longer take without giving. Eyes are open wide - statues never cry. Statues never breathe - That's Not Living.
Fear becomes hate. It happened to me. Lift yourself up. Separation is self-created.
Love is the therapy for bitterness. Open your eyes. Let it in.
The match I found inside - the spark spread my eyes wide. Burned everything in sight - burned all the times I'd lied. To those that I held dear - My skin began to sear. And I see it come near - as I embrace my tears!
Please - Look at yourself! Take a step back - notice the blood on your hands! Fear, bound into love, shackled my heart - Left me askew and blinded. Change comes like a storm - It peels back the skin - it gives me a view to renew life. Now, please give me a chance to build monument To a life I can be proud of...
And all these things I took for granted... And all the souls I snapped into place. Regret is bitter, and I am sorry. And I am learning something new all the time. And I am learning...
To be brave and fight, with a strong hand And to love and accept with a gentle hand. To learn from mistakes, and relationships, And not let life's lessons pass me by. I refuse to die never having lived. I'll no longer take without giving. Eyes are open wide - statues never cry. Statues never breathe - That's Not Living.
Fear becomes hate. It happened to me. Lift yourself up. Separation is self-created.
Love is the therapy for bitterness. Open your eyes. Let it in.
Lyrics submitted by amandemo
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