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."
Oh, life is bigger
It's bigger
Than you and you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
Consider this
Consider this
The hint of the century
Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies
Come flailing around?
Now I've said too much
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
But that was just a dream
That was just a dream
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
But that was just a dream
Try, cry
Why try?
That was just a dream, just a dream, just a dream
Dream
It's bigger
Than you and you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
Every whisper
Of every waking hour
I'm choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I've said too much
I set it up
Consider this
Consider this
The hint of the century
Consider this
The slip that brought me
To my knees, failed
What if all these fantasies
Come flailing around?
Now I've said too much
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
But that was just a dream
That was just a dream
That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don't know if I can do it
Oh no, I've said too much
I haven't said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try
But that was just a dream
Try, cry
Why try?
That was just a dream, just a dream, just a dream
Dream
Lyrics submitted by parsprototo, edited by togardenofeden
Losing My Religion Lyrics as written by Peter Lawrence Buck William Thomas Berry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I have a very very strange interpretation, but please hear me out. This song is about someone coming to terms with thier homosexuality. Losing my religion, is in a way to describe them admitting thier homosexuality. Now, saying that they said to much is telling themself that no, they're not gay!! they're straight!! And the person is in love with someone from the same sex, and thier mind and heart are dueling which ultimately ends with the admittance. The part about but that was just a dream, I'd say that maybe, the whole image of thier heterosexuality was just a dream...and nothing more. Also, around this time, Micheal Stipe was coming to terms of being gay. But, that's just my strange opinion.
You have an adequate sense of decoding lyrics. I I also have the same beliefs as you, I think the song most defiantly is turning toward homosexuality. Very good song.
Yes Tas has it right. I actually couldn't have said it better. I just found out that Stipe is gay and it has me rethinking all of his lyrics.
wow i never would have thought of it that way lol..<br /> it makes alot of sence...i have to <br /> agree with "TasChiBandGirl"...=]]..*
ok i jus heard this song like this morning.. and thats exactly what i thought this song was about...and then when i seen the video it made complete sense...
I totally agree that this is a coming out song...def helped me through some hard times!
Interesting interpretation. Except MS is Bi, not gay. Important distinction.
i never thought of it like this, but it sounds quite accurate and am glad you backed up your argument with evidence.
Interesting, but I disagree. As other comments say, 'Losing my Religion' is a common expression in Georgia meaning to lose your temper. Considering that the band is from Georgia, it seems odd that they would use this expression implying a different meaning. To me, it seems like he is angry at himself or the situation he is in; he loves someone who is not trying at all, or not interested. Maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend who has lost interest and isn't making an effort anymore. Something that is likely to make anyone angry.<br /> <br /> I thought that I heard you laughing<br /> I thought that I heard you sing<br /> I think I thought I saw you try<br /> <br /> But that was just a dream<br /> That was just a dream
@TasChiBandGirl When REM was at their height, people were not "coming out" as easily and readily as today. But rumors of homosexuality followed Stipe around, pretty much from the beginning of their airplay. I've never really understood this song. It is extremely vague. The best love songs and the best love is always laid out in the open. I think hindsight now, may add way more to your interpretation, as well as give your thoughts more credence.<br /> <br /> <br />
@TasChiBandGirl II feel the same way about the song. I put the George Michael song Last Christmas in the same class. Unrequited gay love.
@TasChiBandGirl II feel the same way about the song. I put the George Michael song Last Christmas in the same class. Unrequited gay love.
@TasChiBandGirl II feel the same way about the song. I put the George Michael song Last Christmas in the same class. Unrequited gay love.
@TasChiBandGirl II feel the same way about the song. I put the George Michael song Last Christmas in the same class. Unrequited gay love.
@TasChiBandGirl II feel the same way about the song. I put the George Michael song Last Christmas in the same class. Unrequited gay love.
I've always felt this was the meaning of this song. Not so much coming out broadly to the world, but coming out to a person that you are attracted to, not sure if they are also gay:<br /> <br /> "Oh no, I've said too much<br /> I haven't said enough"<br /> <br /> "I think I thought I saw you try"<br /> <br /> "Consider this the hint of the century"<br /> <br /> "What if all these fantasies<br /> Come flailing around?<br /> Now I've said too much"<br /> <br /> "But that was just a dream<br /> That was just a dream ....."<br /> <br /> If this were a traditional unrequited love song, there would always be a chance, but if the person you were attracted to wasn't attracted to your gender, then 'it is just a dream'.<br /> <br /> Anyway, that's my take. Incredible song.