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."
Quiet
It's 4 AM
I was
Sound asleep
Trying
To hunt the sheep
There is a choice
Within a voice
Lurking somewhere between
Hidden parts
And facial scars
And remnants of the deepest needs
I am convinced
In sleeplessness
That we need some source of rest
Following
With frequency
Won't become a place to lay our heads
I've searched
And tried
And tumbled in the midst
I've swallowed pride
And nullified
What's left of innocence
Reparations
Won't be made
We'll set a precedent
Never to late
To recreate
So here's your evidence
Am I getting through?
Is this loud enough?
Any means
It's 4 AM
I was
Sound asleep
Trying
To hunt the sheep
There is a choice
Within a voice
Lurking somewhere between
Hidden parts
And facial scars
And remnants of the deepest needs
I am convinced
In sleeplessness
That we need some source of rest
Following
With frequency
Won't become a place to lay our heads
I've searched
And tried
And tumbled in the midst
I've swallowed pride
And nullified
What's left of innocence
Reparations
Won't be made
We'll set a precedent
Never to late
To recreate
So here's your evidence
Am I getting through?
Is this loud enough?
Any means
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
To interpret the title "The Hand, the Furnace, the Straight Face", I think it has to do with the seeming contradiction of God's predestination and God's punishment. For example, God predestines some to hell and punishment.
The hand is God's omnipotence–God's power. "Couldn't God have made it so that all people go to heaven?" The furnace is hell. The straight face is the question of whether God is fair in doing this. "If God punishes people for doing things that he knew they would do before he created them, is that fair?"
So this song title speaks of the Problem of Evil. "The Hand, the Furnace, the Straight Face".
Hm, I just watched a vodcast where Project 86 explained it. And I was wrong. The meaning of the title is about strength under pressure. Being able to stick your hand into the furnace while keeping a straight face.