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."
Room 421
An airport hotel
I know I should be sleeping
But it's too soon to tell
If I'll fly out tomorrow
If I'll see her tomorrow
I hope that I will.
No place like alone
And no sound like my own voice
Fading into
This quiet December night
But I'm doing alright
I I'll make a phone call or two
Could I get some room service please?
Send the maid in to see
About a few things I need
"Do you think you could
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Just make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul"
Miles from my own bed
Further from content
I guess I should get used to this
Still rain on the runway
But I'm doing okay
I've got cigarettes to kiss
"Could I get some room service please?
I am down on my knees
I am only here for tonight
Cause they fucked up my flight
Serenading the wall
And I thought I should call
You to ask for it all
For it all
For it all
Remember to
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul.
Dial seven for a savior
"Is this soul keeping please...
Could you put me through to Jesus
I I'll pay your long-distance fees"
He said "hello and god bless you.
There's a bible in the drawer."
I said "that wonderful sir. but I don't read it anymore"
I don't read it any more...
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Just make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul"
Yeah
Could you bring me my girlfriend
Yeah
Bring me a smile
Room 421
A Cleveland hotel
I know I should be sleeping
But it too soon to tell
If I'll fly out tomorrow
If I'll see her tomorrow
I hope that I will.
An airport hotel
I know I should be sleeping
But it's too soon to tell
If I'll fly out tomorrow
If I'll see her tomorrow
I hope that I will.
No place like alone
And no sound like my own voice
Fading into
This quiet December night
But I'm doing alright
I I'll make a phone call or two
Could I get some room service please?
Send the maid in to see
About a few things I need
"Do you think you could
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Just make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul"
Miles from my own bed
Further from content
I guess I should get used to this
Still rain on the runway
But I'm doing okay
I've got cigarettes to kiss
"Could I get some room service please?
I am down on my knees
I am only here for tonight
Cause they fucked up my flight
Serenading the wall
And I thought I should call
You to ask for it all
For it all
For it all
Remember to
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul.
Dial seven for a savior
"Is this soul keeping please...
Could you put me through to Jesus
I I'll pay your long-distance fees"
He said "hello and god bless you.
There's a bible in the drawer."
I said "that wonderful sir. but I don't read it anymore"
I don't read it any more...
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul
Bring me my girlfriend
And a bottle of wine
Bring me a future
Just make sure it's mine
Will you open the window
But leave out the cold
Could you make a phone call to Jesus
To clean up my soul"
Yeah
Could you bring me my girlfriend
Yeah
Bring me a smile
Room 421
A Cleveland hotel
I know I should be sleeping
But it too soon to tell
If I'll fly out tomorrow
If I'll see her tomorrow
I hope that I will.
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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No Surprises
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American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.