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."
(He who makes a beast out of himself)
(Gets rid of the pain of being a man)
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay
I tried to drive on through the night
The heat stroke ridden weather, the barren empty sights
No oasis here to see, the sand is singing deathless words to me
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
As I adjust to my new sights
The rarely tired lights will take me to new heights
My hand is on the trigger and I'm ready to ignite
Tomorrow might not make it, but everything's all right
Mental fiction follows me, show me what it's like to be set free
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear
Now take a trip with me
But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay
These eyes won't see the same, after I flip today
Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die
We look up towards the sky for answers to our lives
We may get some solutions but most just pass us by
Don't want your absolution 'cause I can't make it right
I'll make a beast out of myself
Gets rid of all the pain of being a man
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear
Now take a trip with me
But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
I've known it from the start all
These good ideas will tear your brains apart
Scared but you can follow me
I'm too weird to live but much too rare to die
(Gets rid of the pain of being a man)
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay
I tried to drive on through the night
The heat stroke ridden weather, the barren empty sights
No oasis here to see, the sand is singing deathless words to me
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
As I adjust to my new sights
The rarely tired lights will take me to new heights
My hand is on the trigger and I'm ready to ignite
Tomorrow might not make it, but everything's all right
Mental fiction follows me, show me what it's like to be set free
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear
Now take a trip with me
But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay
These eyes won't see the same, after I flip today
Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die
We look up towards the sky for answers to our lives
We may get some solutions but most just pass us by
Don't want your absolution 'cause I can't make it right
I'll make a beast out of myself
Gets rid of all the pain of being a man
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear
Now take a trip with me
But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
I've known it from the start all
These good ideas will tear your brains apart
Scared but you can follow me
I'm too weird to live but much too rare to die
Lyrics submitted by TheMaNamedAce, edited by RunristarN
Bat Country Lyrics as written by Jr. Brian Haner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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he is talking about how the world changes when you are on Amphetamines