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."
It's like a pencil with erasers at both ends
I want it all but we're dealing in percents
And these activities that you have engaged in
This is the politics of seeing you dance with him
We begin with concluding remarks
Break up the pieces and examine the parts
Your words always cut when they are cliche
So here's my knife because I came for the buffet
This is the way it goes with you apart of it
Nervously saying words that oh-so-tightly fit
A mark beneath the chin
I've caught you once again
It's in the way you sell every word and phrase
And leaving me to know how much the meaning weighs
Saying that but meaning this
Using hands for emphasis
You'd like to think that you're the best part of me
But I confess there is nothing left of you here
These parallels and silly games hide yoru face and say the name
There's that smile again, you fake it and I follow you right in
What a fool I've been, to fall for it every time
I want it all but we're dealing in percents
And these activities that you have engaged in
This is the politics of seeing you dance with him
We begin with concluding remarks
Break up the pieces and examine the parts
Your words always cut when they are cliche
So here's my knife because I came for the buffet
This is the way it goes with you apart of it
Nervously saying words that oh-so-tightly fit
A mark beneath the chin
I've caught you once again
It's in the way you sell every word and phrase
And leaving me to know how much the meaning weighs
Saying that but meaning this
Using hands for emphasis
You'd like to think that you're the best part of me
But I confess there is nothing left of you here
These parallels and silly games hide yoru face and say the name
There's that smile again, you fake it and I follow you right in
What a fool I've been, to fall for it every time
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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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
My guess is that this song is about a girl cheating on him, repeatedly, and him finally standing up. Allow me to explain.
"A mark beneath your the, I've caught you once again"--A mark beneath the chin is most likely a hickey. I've caught you once again is obvious. This isn't the first time it's happened.
"there's that smile again (there's that smile again), you fake it and I follow you right in"--she pretends it's all okay and that she's sorry and tries to make nice. This ties in nicely with the theory of her cheating multiple times, he believes in second chances.
Now for the part where he stands up to her and puts his foot down.
'Your words always cut when they're cliché But here’s my knife because I came for the buffet"--Words cut, knives cut. Here's my knife (this is what I say). This is where it may get a little tricky. I came for the buffet. First off, buffets can be (and for this example are) all you can eat (long time). To me this says : I'm sick of it, your words have hurt. Now it's my turn to talk (that was the knives). This isn't going to be a short talk, there's a lot to be said, I'm ending it now (the buffet).
I think that matthiasnotjudas is correct, it is definitely about a girl cheating on him. I love this song because it just gets right to the point. It is strong worded, and not easily digestable.
I am not sure what the ending tag means, "Your black dress and your eyes are telling white white lies". Awesome tag, though.
we began with concluding remarks -something along the lines of "it's over"
pick up the pieces and examine the parts -it's obviously a broken relationship, he's trying to figure out how to put it back together...
Simply amazing. Look at the writing. Can you feel the rhythmin the song through his vocals? Wow. This album is a giant step forward for the guys. What do you think it means?
"(Ahhhh) There’s that smile again (there’s that smile again) You fake it and I follow you right in What a fool again To fall for it each time"
By the way, he says "what a fool again" not "what a fall again"
"A mark beneath the chin (Uh Uh) And I’ve caught you once again"
I'm not sure about this, but does a mark beneath the chin, mean he could be cutting her throat every time he catches her cheat because he can't stand it?
But yeah, this is about a guy and his girlfriend keeps cheating on him, and he keeps putting up with it until now. And he used to fall for it because all she did was tell lies. I like it lots.
Dude, <br /> <br /> "A mark beneath the chin (Uh Uh)<br /> And I�ve caught you once again"<br /> <br /> He obviously means she had a hicky and he saw it.
gjf, exactly
gjf, exactly
It’s in the way you sell every word and phrase And leaving me to know how much the meaning weighs
I LOVE THOSE LINES... so many times people just lead you on and lie and say things that get your hopes up, but you can never quite figure them out
I personaly love this song! I love Emery,too. My good friend who introduced me to them said that this song was about satan. i don't know, but i still love this song
is 'outro' a word?
Black Dress? White means purity. Well, my pastor told my friend she couldn't get married in a white dress, it had to be black, because she was already living with the guy ect... White Eyes? Well they're the lies that seem to be unhurtful, but lies will be lies....if this song is about the girl cheating on the guy....then yeah...sometimes we still give into temptation, he got married with her, but he still sees those "white white lies..."