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."
Well, did you do something for yourself, Mom?
And get the hell out of the house.
Well, would you do something for your son, Mom?
And stop taking all these pills.
'Cause it's cold in December and there's reason to stay in
And I want to see you when you're on the deck of that ship.
Yeah, you're sailing away and the sun looks right on your face.
Without a reason to believe in something,
You can do most anything.
Well, that's what you told me someplace,
But I can't remember when.
It was a long time ago,
Maybe the first day of school or going to visit Dad.
I was scared but you told me I'd come home if I wanted.
I was only nine but I went.
So, go on and make your families proud
Just like you always do.
Just like they want you to.
My old girlfriend's studying medicine.
Would you save my life is I got sick?
Haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?
Of course if you had the right insurance for it.
And I think if we got back together again,
You know, give it a run, you know.
You were my first love.
You're very drunk and we were very young.
Plus I'm going to see this guy and it might be love.
Yeah, I think he might be the one.
If you get married can I come? I gotta see this.
Well, go on and dig your holes in this ground.
Yeah, go on and lay your tired bodies down.
Just like you're going to. Just like they expect you to.
And I've been thinking about moving away.
Now that we've had this talk, I definitely may.
Well, now go on and break your word and it'll break me down.
And I'll go on and I'll break every last thing in this house.
Just like I'm going to. Just like you expect me to.
Now go on and make your family proud.
Now go on and stake your claim to this ground.
Now go on and take that last dream down
And it'll get you through.
What did they put you through?
And get the hell out of the house.
Well, would you do something for your son, Mom?
And stop taking all these pills.
'Cause it's cold in December and there's reason to stay in
And I want to see you when you're on the deck of that ship.
Yeah, you're sailing away and the sun looks right on your face.
Without a reason to believe in something,
You can do most anything.
Well, that's what you told me someplace,
But I can't remember when.
It was a long time ago,
Maybe the first day of school or going to visit Dad.
I was scared but you told me I'd come home if I wanted.
I was only nine but I went.
So, go on and make your families proud
Just like you always do.
Just like they want you to.
My old girlfriend's studying medicine.
Would you save my life is I got sick?
Haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?
Of course if you had the right insurance for it.
And I think if we got back together again,
You know, give it a run, you know.
You were my first love.
You're very drunk and we were very young.
Plus I'm going to see this guy and it might be love.
Yeah, I think he might be the one.
If you get married can I come? I gotta see this.
Well, go on and dig your holes in this ground.
Yeah, go on and lay your tired bodies down.
Just like you're going to. Just like they expect you to.
And I've been thinking about moving away.
Now that we've had this talk, I definitely may.
Well, now go on and break your word and it'll break me down.
And I'll go on and I'll break every last thing in this house.
Just like I'm going to. Just like you expect me to.
Now go on and make your family proud.
Now go on and stake your claim to this ground.
Now go on and take that last dream down
And it'll get you through.
What did they put you through?
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More Featured Meanings
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this is easily my favorite Elected song and one of my favorite songs by any band, for that matter. it's not even a song, it's an experience. "now go on and make your family proud and go on and stake your claim in this ground now go on and take that last dream down and it'll get you through what did they put you through?" that whole part sends chills up my spine. you can feel that anger, that frustration. it's beautiful.