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 have the sweetest of sights, you've got to know it
It's turned me sideways
I had some fire in my eyes once you got me going
It's seeping south and out my mouth
Rest easy tonight 'cause I'm starting to write it down
Somehow saying the things that your ears won't believe
Is all for the principle
I had the flattest of sights, that's all I'm showing
I took those walls off
I am from left to the right, ripped, round, and roaring
From safe and sound to proud and loud
Rest easy tonight 'cause I'm starting to write it down
Somehow saying the things that your ears won't believe
Is all for the principle
Rest easy tonight, yeah, 'cause I'm starting to, I'm starting to
Rest easy tonight 'cause I'm starting to write it down
Somehow saying the things that your ears won't believe
I'll try not to scream if you're trying to sleep
It's all based on the principle
Yeah, based on the principle
It's turned me sideways
I had some fire in my eyes once you got me going
It's seeping south and out my mouth
Rest easy tonight 'cause I'm starting to write it down
Somehow saying the things that your ears won't believe
Is all for the principle
I had the flattest of sights, that's all I'm showing
I took those walls off
I am from left to the right, ripped, round, and roaring
From safe and sound to proud and loud
Rest easy tonight 'cause I'm starting to write it down
Somehow saying the things that your ears won't believe
Is all for the principle
Rest easy tonight, yeah, 'cause I'm starting to, I'm starting to
Rest easy tonight 'cause I'm starting to write it down
Somehow saying the things that your ears won't believe
I'll try not to scream if you're trying to sleep
It's all based on the principle
Yeah, based on the principle
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
Artistic License Lyrics as written by Gryskiewicz Golla
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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/
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.
This has to be my fav. song on the new album together with Cut! Print it. I love the last chorus.
Honestly, it's my least favorite on the new cd. Neither the music nor the lyrics say anything special to me; they don't make me feel anything the way that almost ALL of tsl's other songs do. anyone else feel this way?
Like marco, this is my favorite song on the cd.. to me, it has a lot of meaning and unlike watchme, I feel A LOT when I listen to this song :)
"It's seaping south and out my mouth" Sound exactly like the "were so close" from photography on the album....
this song is alright. kenny sounds really super cute in this song. Especially his' OOoOh'ing, and when he says 'roaring'. Gosh i love mister Vasoli.
the songs kind of obviously about songwriting. so well put, "I'll try not to scream if you're trying to sleep"
"I am, from left to the right, ripped, round, and roaring, From safe and sound to proud and loud," OH EM EF GEEE!
its kinda ironic in a way like when he says "i'll try not to scream if your trying to sleep" and hes almost screaming, i think ken has a problem with screaming, his nature tells him to scream so sometimes in songs he should stop himself.
i dont know how the title has much to do with the song though
Love this song. I especially love the way that he sings "I am from left to the right, ripped round and ROARRRRRINGGGGGGGGG." Such emotion.