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 know I never meant to see you again
and I only passed by as a friend
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why
Now I, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Yes I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
You said you didn't need me in your life
I guess you were right
Well I never meant to cause you no pain
But it looks like I did it again
Now I, I wish ....
Though your hurt is gone, mines hanging on, inside
And I know it's eating me through every night and day
I'm just waiting on your sign
'Cos I know, I know I never meant to cause you no pain
And I realize I let you down
But I know in my heart of heart of hearts
I know I'm never gonna hold you again
Now I...
and I only passed by as a friend
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why
Now I, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Yes I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
You said you didn't need me in your life
I guess you were right
Well I never meant to cause you no pain
But it looks like I did it again
Now I, I wish ....
Though your hurt is gone, mines hanging on, inside
And I know it's eating me through every night and day
I'm just waiting on your sign
'Cos I know, I know I never meant to cause you no pain
And I realize I let you down
But I know in my heart of heart of hearts
I know I'm never gonna hold you again
Now I...
Lyrics submitted by Battah
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Mountain Song
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This song, is the best of the best! I have been listening to I Wish it Would Rain Down, since a young girl. My dad would have this song on replay throughout his divorce with my mom. If anything explains the meaning of this song, then that should right there. I am now 23 and must have listened to this song more times then i could remember. I just wanted to state out that there is no bigger legend in this world then Phil Collins himself. He is one of the greatest musicians, his music goes through your soul and brings out every emotion that you are feeling inside. This song is simply about heartache, true love that's been lost and the pain that goes on inside your self, when healing from the hurting of someone you love who is no longer apart of your life anymore. "Though your hurt is gone, mines hanging on, inside. And I know it's eating me through every night and day I'm just waiting on your sign." although he says he is waiting on her sign, hoping she would return again he knows very well that, that will never happen. "But I know in my heart of heart of hearts, I know I'm never gonna hold you again."
What no comments??!!! This song reminds me of how I felt when I graduated from high school, I must have listend to it a million times around then. Its a break up song, but it was how I felt about leaving the school and group of friends that I didnt want to leave........great song.
Phil Collins rocks! I may be the only 25 year old out there who will admit it, but it's true! This song is the epitome of a break up song! This song can make even the happiest person teary! Eric Clapton's guitar only adds to the song's greatness!
crow_heart I am also a 16 year old girl who'll admit it, sorry. This song reminds me of when I was little and we'd be driving about and it was playing and we'd all sing along. You know, the happy times in life, when nothing mattered. Now, if I go for a cycle, or even a drive, I'll sing it. To me it's about escaping all the troubles you have, and just being free for 5mins 25secs, and wishing that it could last forever. Like the feeling you get when it's a really hot, humid day and there's a brief downpour. It feels so good and you wish it would just stay raining. But hey, that's just me. BJS xXx
It's only a guess, but Phil Collins is a bit of a Motown afficianado, I believe, and there is a Tempations song, "I wish it would rain", in which the lyricist wishes it would rain so nobody will see him crying, and I bet Phil Collins borrowed that part of that Lyric to express that sentiment.
The songs are different in other respects, but I bet that is the meaning of the refrain, "I wish it would rain down".
@gbar1 i think its a copy of purple rain...one more
Well then i have to be the only 19 yr old thats brave enough to admit phil collins is a genius, i grew up with his music, this is my fave song. I see this song as a break up song, when your feeling like everything could just come crashing down, sometimes u just wish it would so you can come out of it stronger.
I love this song. My favourite PC song. It´s heartbreaking.Sometimes when I´m low and it´s raining I´d like to go out and shout at the top of my voice the last verses as PC does. (Is it me or Clapton´s guitar really cries?) I miss the times when Phil was so torn to write this kind of songs. Now he´s so happy that only seems to be able to work in Disney soundtracks. Anyway I admire you, Phil. You still have so much credit...
well.. then i may be the only 16 year old girl who admits that phil collins music it's just beautiful! i love it! - the lyrics, the music and phil collins is so nice ^^
and I underbid you: I'm 15 ^^ the music really is beautiful and the way he sings "I wish it would rain down" makes you truly believe him. awesome.
im 15.
its obviously about breaking up with someone.
my fav lines are:
"You know I never meant to see you again and I only passed by as a friend All this time I stayed out of sight I started wondering why"
when its describing like the day after n how different they act. avoiding eachother..