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."
I've been up at this all night long
I've been drowning in my sleep
I've prayed for your safe place
And it's time for us to leave
Time is running
Is running on empty and the gas is running out
I've decided that tonight is the night that I
Let love aside
Full speed ahead this seems to be the place
I've seen this once before
Planned perfection sought in my dreams
Hoping this would take you home
My knuckles have turned to white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time
Around this turn where
The cross will cast your shadow
The people will all gather
To remember such a day
Where the flames grew as high as trees
And the world stopped, it stopped
For you and me
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time
Shut your eyes
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight
So hold on tight
Kiss me one last time
Shut your
I will now bring new meaning to the word alone
Endless nights of dreaming of life
And the days we should have spent here
Drowning in my sleep
I'm drowning in my sleep
Drowning in my sleep
I'm drowning in my sleep
Glass shatters and comes to a halt)
I thought we'd be there by now
I thought it would be so much quicker than this
Pain has never been so brilliant
I made sure you were buckled in
Now you can walk hand in hand
Hand in hand with him
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time (shut your eyes)
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight (so hold on tight)
So hold on tight
Kiss me one last time
Shut your
I've been drowning in my sleep
I've prayed for your safe place
And it's time for us to leave
Time is running
Is running on empty and the gas is running out
I've decided that tonight is the night that I
Let love aside
Full speed ahead this seems to be the place
I've seen this once before
Planned perfection sought in my dreams
Hoping this would take you home
My knuckles have turned to white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time
Around this turn where
The cross will cast your shadow
The people will all gather
To remember such a day
Where the flames grew as high as trees
And the world stopped, it stopped
For you and me
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time
Shut your eyes
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight
So hold on tight
Kiss me one last time
Shut your
I will now bring new meaning to the word alone
Endless nights of dreaming of life
And the days we should have spent here
Drowning in my sleep
I'm drowning in my sleep
Drowning in my sleep
I'm drowning in my sleep
Glass shatters and comes to a halt)
I thought we'd be there by now
I thought it would be so much quicker than this
Pain has never been so brilliant
I made sure you were buckled in
Now you can walk hand in hand
Hand in hand with him
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time (shut your eyes)
My knuckles have turned white
There's no turning back tonight (so hold on tight)
So hold on tight
Kiss me one last time
Shut your
Lyrics submitted by staywhatyouare2
It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door Lyrics as written by Christopher Dudley Aaron Gillespie
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
wow...when i first read what you wrote...i thought you were crazy...but then i read the lyrics and it definatlely goes along with that...interesting...