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."
What did you want?
What were you waiting to see?
Just take a look around, you'll see the same old story
I'm unconscious again finding a means to an end
I'm trying to forget all about forgotten
So what's the use in making lies up, when promises have dried up
Go out in the end
Living in your misfortune and dying to break way someday
Find your way
The more I walk around these streets the more they all look this way
Crooked situations on a different day
How'd I survive? With friends by my side
Now pick me up to watch me fall down
Bottled up dreams will make it alright
I've got to make a choice and hope I make it right
It always seems to come around and kick you down
To let you know that nothing comes free
I don't know where I'm going, and can't wait to understand
In times like this I vouch for myself, because I know no one else can
I find myself in question
Sometimes I lose control
No big surprise I'm sure
Just saying I'm aware, this I know
What did you want?
What were you waiting to see?
Just take a look around, you'll see the same old story
I'm unconscious again finding a means to an end
I'm trying to forget all about forgotten
(You'll find your way)
Would someone tell me what is this?
Only my existence
The only way to face this is bumps and bruises
No resistance
I've got to try and face this
The more I pick up my feet the more I land on my face
It's dimmer situations
No resistance
I've got to try and face this
Bumps and bruises
Tell me what is this thing that I'm faced with
No more excuses
Bound to find your way
What were you waiting to see?
Just take a look around, you'll see the same old story
I'm unconscious again finding a means to an end
I'm trying to forget all about forgotten
So what's the use in making lies up, when promises have dried up
Go out in the end
Living in your misfortune and dying to break way someday
Find your way
The more I walk around these streets the more they all look this way
Crooked situations on a different day
How'd I survive? With friends by my side
Now pick me up to watch me fall down
Bottled up dreams will make it alright
I've got to make a choice and hope I make it right
It always seems to come around and kick you down
To let you know that nothing comes free
I don't know where I'm going, and can't wait to understand
In times like this I vouch for myself, because I know no one else can
I find myself in question
Sometimes I lose control
No big surprise I'm sure
Just saying I'm aware, this I know
What did you want?
What were you waiting to see?
Just take a look around, you'll see the same old story
I'm unconscious again finding a means to an end
I'm trying to forget all about forgotten
(You'll find your way)
Would someone tell me what is this?
Only my existence
The only way to face this is bumps and bruises
No resistance
I've got to try and face this
The more I pick up my feet the more I land on my face
It's dimmer situations
No resistance
I've got to try and face this
Bumps and bruises
Tell me what is this thing that I'm faced with
No more excuses
Bound to find your way
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Magical
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