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."
A. One by Four by Nine
Messenger:
Touch me now and feel my force
I will give you life
History will change its course
Man will survive
Computer:
Something's strange, I'm so confused, I don't know why
Storyteller:
Secrets have not been told
Computer:
I've been designed to tell the truth, I cannot lie
Storyteller:
When will the truth unfold?
Computer:
I heard the news, a mystery, a strange device
Storyteller:
What does the future hold?
Computer:
I'm so afraid, I just can't see through all these lies
Storyteller:
Behold this alien messenger
Computer:
Is this a cosmic design?
Storyteller:
The bringer of a new day
Computer:
One by four by nine
Messenger:
Reach out to me and seal your fate
A new phase is near
Come to me and cross the gate
No pain, no fear
B. Starchild
Commander:
A strange signal, beamed out in space
From the face of the moon
Harbinger of a new race
We'll be evolving soon
I see the future, a new star will rise
I see the world through the all-seeing eyes
Of the Starchild
I have entered another dimension
My perception expands
Transcending beyond comprehension
Evolution of man?
C. A New Sun
Messenger:
Time has come, a brand new sun
Shining down on you
The reign of peace has now begun
Dreams have come true
Computer:
I see the future, a new star will rise
I see the world through the all-seeing eyes
Of the Starchild
Messenger:
Touch me now and feel my force
I will give you life
History will change its course
Man will survive
Computer:
Something's strange, I'm so confused, I don't know why
Storyteller:
Secrets have not been told
Computer:
I've been designed to tell the truth, I cannot lie
Storyteller:
When will the truth unfold?
Computer:
I heard the news, a mystery, a strange device
Storyteller:
What does the future hold?
Computer:
I'm so afraid, I just can't see through all these lies
Storyteller:
Behold this alien messenger
Computer:
Is this a cosmic design?
Storyteller:
The bringer of a new day
Computer:
One by four by nine
Messenger:
Reach out to me and seal your fate
A new phase is near
Come to me and cross the gate
No pain, no fear
B. Starchild
Commander:
A strange signal, beamed out in space
From the face of the moon
Harbinger of a new race
We'll be evolving soon
I see the future, a new star will rise
I see the world through the all-seeing eyes
Of the Starchild
I have entered another dimension
My perception expands
Transcending beyond comprehension
Evolution of man?
C. A New Sun
Messenger:
Time has come, a brand new sun
Shining down on you
The reign of peace has now begun
Dreams have come true
Computer:
I see the future, a new star will rise
I see the world through the all-seeing eyes
Of the Starchild
Lyrics submitted by Idan
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