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."
Too long you have cast a shadow
On the fields of the battle worn
Your existence a mockery of all we've fought and died for
Cower behind your juggernaut
This day he dies by my hand
Behold his legendary might brought low by pride
Cry war, cry hate
Step forward then to die
Cry war, cry hate
Step forward then to die
Cry death, cry defeat
Meet the wrath of God defied
Cry death, cry defeat
Meet the wrath of God defied
Your armor your shield your sword will not avail you
This battlefield will be your grave
The bane of Gath whose sword wrought terror in our hearts
For God and country we will slay
One shot ends this war
Fall the earth now greets your end
Fall rise and take back hard won ground
Fall by faith and stone laid down
Fall our heavy hearts now beat as those of heroes
Now you're pushin' up daisies baby
Oh, yeah
You were married to your destruction
You were married to your destruction
Tonight you shall wake up dead
Married to your destruction
You were married to your destruction
Tonight you shall wake up dead
And when the morning finds you
You will be no more
And when the morning finds you
You will be no more
Your armor your shield your sword will not avail you
This battlefield will be your grave
The bane of Gath whose sword wrought terror in our hearts
For God and country we will slay
One shot ends this war
Stand, fight, the city is ours
Stand, fight, the city is ours
Stand, fight, the city is ours
Stand, fight, the city is ours
On the fields of the battle worn
Your existence a mockery of all we've fought and died for
Cower behind your juggernaut
This day he dies by my hand
Behold his legendary might brought low by pride
Cry war, cry hate
Step forward then to die
Cry war, cry hate
Step forward then to die
Cry death, cry defeat
Meet the wrath of God defied
Cry death, cry defeat
Meet the wrath of God defied
Your armor your shield your sword will not avail you
This battlefield will be your grave
The bane of Gath whose sword wrought terror in our hearts
For God and country we will slay
One shot ends this war
Fall the earth now greets your end
Fall rise and take back hard won ground
Fall by faith and stone laid down
Fall our heavy hearts now beat as those of heroes
Now you're pushin' up daisies baby
Oh, yeah
You were married to your destruction
You were married to your destruction
Tonight you shall wake up dead
Married to your destruction
You were married to your destruction
Tonight you shall wake up dead
And when the morning finds you
You will be no more
And when the morning finds you
You will be no more
Your armor your shield your sword will not avail you
This battlefield will be your grave
The bane of Gath whose sword wrought terror in our hearts
For God and country we will slay
One shot ends this war
Stand, fight, the city is ours
Stand, fight, the city is ours
Stand, fight, the city is ours
Stand, fight, the city is ours
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
I think this song is about David and Goliath. "Cower behind your juggernaut," when Goliath was slain, I believe the Philistines all fled, their hope all lying on this one man, their most powerful fighter and, put simply, a giant. "One shot ends this war," and one shot was all it took. One, single stone from David's sling put the Philistine's champion face first in the dirt, illustrated by "Fall, the earth now greets your end." "Fall, by faith and stone laid down." Haha, need I say more?