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."
Dig dig deep for yourself
Dig dig deep for your soul
Dig dig deep the black abyss
Dig dig deep for your own soul
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
Six dead horses chase you down
Fourteen guns in your own town
Thirteen men run after you
Ten million babies your dad gave you
Like the little beast in a smokened room
sat writhing in pain all afternoon
salt from his tears bringing the blood to the surface
like dark haired fears make their way to the surface
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
And you don't have to stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
Like the little beast in a smokened room
sat writhing in pain all afternoon
salt from his tears bringing the blood to the surface
like dark haired fears make their way to the surface
Just the sight of the belt makes his kids start to sting
Then one day we're feeling everything
Trees outside weather the bark on the wood
like the callous on your heart dropped place where it stood
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
And you don't have to stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand
Dig dig deep for your soul
Dig dig deep the black abyss
Dig dig deep for your own soul
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
Six dead horses chase you down
Fourteen guns in your own town
Thirteen men run after you
Ten million babies your dad gave you
Like the little beast in a smokened room
sat writhing in pain all afternoon
salt from his tears bringing the blood to the surface
like dark haired fears make their way to the surface
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
And you don't have to stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
Like the little beast in a smokened room
sat writhing in pain all afternoon
salt from his tears bringing the blood to the surface
like dark haired fears make their way to the surface
Just the sight of the belt makes his kids start to sting
Then one day we're feeling everything
Trees outside weather the bark on the wood
like the callous on your heart dropped place where it stood
What the hell's it mean?
And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me."
What the hell's it mean?
And you don't have to stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand, stand by me
And you don't have to stand
Lyrics submitted by mikepeterson
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More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
Dig dig deep for yourself Dig dig deep for your soul Dig dig deep the black abyss Dig dig deep for your own soul
What the hell's it mean? And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me." What the hell's it mean?
Six dead horses chase you down Fourteen guns in your own town Thirteen men run after you Ten million babies your dad gave you
Like the little beast in a smokened room sat writhing in pain all afternoon salt from his tears bringing the blood to the surface like dark haired fears make their way to the surface
What the hell's it mean? And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me." What the hell's it mean?
And you don't have to stand by me And you don't have to stand, stand by me And you don't have to stand, stand by me And you don't have to stand
What the hell's it mean? And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me." What the hell's it mean?
Like the little beast in a smokened room sat writhing in pain all afternoon salt from his tears bringing the blood to the surface like dark haired fears make their way to the surface
Just the sight of the belt makes his kids start to sting Then one day we're feeling everything Trees outside weather the bark on the wood like the callous on your heart dropped place where it stood
What the hell's it mean? And I said, "Hey, you're looking at me." What the hell's it mean?
And you don't have to stand by me And you don't have to stand, stand by me And you don't have to stand, stand by me And you don't have to stand
I think that's almost close to perfection.
Personally, I think the song is about an abusive fathers and how pain becomes a registered response (flinching before something even happens) amongst the children which then later in life leads to paranoia (everyone is out to hurt you) and difficulty overcoming fears. But, the gift of this is letting go of the past by confronting it, overcoming those fears, and you gain the ability of intuition.