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."
Well, you done done me in, you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn
To win some or learn some
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours
Hmm (hey, hey)
Well, open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing
We're just one big family
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved
So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours
Do, do, do, do you, but do you, do you, do, do, but do you want to come on
Scooch on over closer, dear?
And I will nibble your ear
A-soo-da-ba-ba-ba-ba-bum
Whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa-whoa-whoa
Uh-huh, mmm-hmm
I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours
Well, open up your mind and see like me (I won't hesitate)
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free (no more, no more)
And look into your heart, and you'll find (it cannot wait)
That the sky is yours (I'm sure)
So please don't, please don't, please don't (no need to complicate)
There's no need to complicate (our time is short)
'Cause our time is short (this is)
This, oh this, this is our fate (our fate)
I'm yours
Bra-bop-mm, da-bap-bop-mm-day
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do, mm-mm-mm-mm (hey, hey)
Oh, I'm yours
Oh, I'm yours
Oh, whoa, baby, do you believe I'm yours?
You best believe, you best believe I'm yours, mmm-hmm
I tried to be chill, but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn
To win some or learn some
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours
Hmm (hey, hey)
Well, open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love, love
Listen to the music of the moment, people dance and sing
We're just one big family
And it's our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved, loved, loved
So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours
Do, do, do, do you, but do you, do you, do, do, but do you want to come on
Scooch on over closer, dear?
And I will nibble your ear
A-soo-da-ba-ba-ba-ba-bum
Whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa-whoa-whoa
Uh-huh, mmm-hmm
I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue
But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours
Well, open up your mind and see like me (I won't hesitate)
Open up your plans and, damn, you're free (no more, no more)
And look into your heart, and you'll find (it cannot wait)
That the sky is yours (I'm sure)
So please don't, please don't, please don't (no need to complicate)
There's no need to complicate (our time is short)
'Cause our time is short (this is)
This, oh this, this is our fate (our fate)
I'm yours
Bra-bop-mm, da-bap-bop-mm-day
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do, do-do-do, mm-mm-mm-mm (hey, hey)
Oh, I'm yours
Oh, I'm yours
Oh, whoa, baby, do you believe I'm yours?
You best believe, you best believe I'm yours, mmm-hmm
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Yo La Tengo
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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mr. mraz never ceases to amaze me. there's no way to listen to this song and not smile. i love the line "open up your plans and, damn, you're free." ...that completely describes the way i used to be. once you've been hurt, it's hard to open yourself up again... but at some point, you have to just give in and give somebody new a shot.
my favorite line is when he sings "it's your godforsaken right to be loved" ... his words have a way of making you feel special even when you may not always think you are.