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."
You're awful bright, you're awful smart
I must admit you broke my heart
The awful truth is really sad
I must admit I was awful bad
While lovers laugh and music plays
I stumble by and I hide my pain
The lights are lit, the moon is gone
I think I've crossed the Rubicon
I walk the streets of love and they're full of tears
And I walk the streets of love and they're full of fears
While music pumps from passing cars
A couple watch me from a bar
A band just played the wedding march
And the corner store mends broken hearts
And a woman asks me for a dance
Oh it's free of charge, just one more chance
I walk the streets of love and they're full of tears
I walk the streets of love for a thousand years
Oh tell me now
I, oh I walk the streets of love, yeah
And they're drenched with tears, oh
You had the moves, you had the cards
I must admit you were awful smart
The awful truth is awful sad
I must admit I was awful bad
And I walk the streets of love and they're drenched with tears
And I walk the streets of love for a thousand years, oh
I walk the streets of love and they're drenched with tears
Oh every night, oh there's only one and not enough for him
Oh I, yeah and they're full of tears
Oh everybody talk about it
Everybody be walking down it
Yeah but I found out, oh yes that I
Oh yes I do
Oh the streets of love, yeah, they're drenched, drenched with in tears
I, oh yeah I don't want to
I must admit you broke my heart
The awful truth is really sad
I must admit I was awful bad
While lovers laugh and music plays
I stumble by and I hide my pain
The lights are lit, the moon is gone
I think I've crossed the Rubicon
I walk the streets of love and they're full of tears
And I walk the streets of love and they're full of fears
While music pumps from passing cars
A couple watch me from a bar
A band just played the wedding march
And the corner store mends broken hearts
And a woman asks me for a dance
Oh it's free of charge, just one more chance
I walk the streets of love and they're full of tears
I walk the streets of love for a thousand years
Oh tell me now
I, oh I walk the streets of love, yeah
And they're drenched with tears, oh
You had the moves, you had the cards
I must admit you were awful smart
The awful truth is awful sad
I must admit I was awful bad
And I walk the streets of love and they're drenched with tears
And I walk the streets of love for a thousand years, oh
I walk the streets of love and they're drenched with tears
Oh every night, oh there's only one and not enough for him
Oh I, yeah and they're full of tears
Oh everybody talk about it
Everybody be walking down it
Yeah but I found out, oh yes that I
Oh yes I do
Oh the streets of love, yeah, they're drenched, drenched with in tears
I, oh yeah I don't want to
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
How could nobody have posted about this song? It's been on here for almost 2 months! I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.. After going to see the Stones in Moncton (amazing concert), I bought the new CD.. It's so good and this song just stuck out to me.. Although it's an ultimate break-up song and I haven't broken up with anyone lately, I can say that it tells you that all in love is not easy, especially when it seems like everyone around you is in it and you're not. I've cried so many times when I heard this song.. and I'm not usually one to cry. It could also mean that this person here has given up on love because it always ends in heartache, (which is true no matter how optimistic you are..).. Every good thing comes to an end and not every shows their honest intentions in life. I have learnt this time and time again, been played time and time again.. But this is no place for a personal story. This song means so much to me.
The honesty of it hits you slow and lingers like a ghost.<br /> RJ
I think the chorus says it all nicely. He feels so old and weary after his many relationships. So many have been sad that the streets are drenched with tears. His experience with love has been generally tragic.
I fell in love with this song very recently its sooo goood! Something happened between me and a guy friend and he told me that this song reminds him of me and wat happened. Its a great song and deserves way more comments than it has got! love it.
Great song...and for me is a great message...it represents my love life...so many heartaches and suddenly as you said everything turns to an end...it's sad but I love this song...it represents how hard is to find a true love...when there's so much to hate this days...
Just saw this song live two days ago, the Halifax concert. This song is so, so ,so much better live than studio version, so much better.
@TwistedSister
@TwistedSister I was there...in the rain, on September 18 if I remember correctly. This was my favourite song of the show. It made me think of my daughter who was 4 back then.
Great song, and I think the previous comments have been well said. I like the part - "A band just played the wedding march and the cornerstore mends broken hearts" It kinda illustrates two extremes: one couple getting married and being as happy as can be. Another guy experiencing heartache and dealing with it. It reminds me of some Merle Haggard lyrics - "Memories and drinks don't mix too well Jukebox records don't play those wedding bells"
Who said the stones are finished? Great song, cant stop listening to it, even the girls like it, that must be good..
I thought this was an old song of theirs. Shocked to find that its relatively new. Great ballad.