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."
Cold, daring
No flies on me
Sorry, angel
I must take what I see
Green earrings
I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember
The look in your eyes
I don't mind
Greek medallion
Sparkles when you smile
Sorry, angel
I get hungry like a child
Green earrings
I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember
The look in your eyes
I don't mind
No flies on me
Sorry, angel
I must take what I see
Green earrings
I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember
The look in your eyes
I don't mind
Greek medallion
Sparkles when you smile
Sorry, angel
I get hungry like a child
Green earrings
I remember
The rings of rare design
I remember
The look in your eyes
I don't mind
Lyrics submitted by w4nn4b3p07h34d
Green Earrings Lyrics as written by Walter Carl Becker Donald Jay Fagen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This dude is caught up in a total moment: Sparkly earrings, a smile, lust and impulse. At that moment, she turns and gives him a look: I don't mind! Yes, I know you are consumed at this point, but I don't mind. That's all.. It happened in a split second. He's looking at her, and she's looking through him.
this song is about a jewel thief who will even steal from his lover.
@aic22 Not a jewel thief - a junkie who steals the earrings and then shows no remorse (just like addicts do). How do I know? This line: Sorry, angel<br /> I get hungry like a child. Who else gets hungry like a child than a junkie needing a fix?
ummmm....no really it's about a jewel thief
Definately about a klepto of some sort. The jewelry mentioned could just be an example.
Look up the word "double entendre" in the dictionary. This song is one of Dan's classic examples of it.
If you follow the Dan you know what the song is about. I must take what i see.The rings of rare design. You figure out the rest.Some of you people took one too many acid trips!! A jewel thief.
This may be taking it wayyy too far, but it could be about rape. The look in your eye BUT I don't mind, means it's something that he should mind.
Rapists have often used metaphors of raping people to being like a child and getting hungry, where there is no self control.
Maybe the chick's name is Angel?
It's not a jewel thief as jewel thieves don't have conversations with their marks. This is a theft by someone the victim knows, and knows well. DF gives us a clue that's usually overlooked. The line is: "Sorry, angel I get hungry like a child" Who gets hungry like a child? A junkie! This song is about a junkie stealing his girlfriend's earrings for a hit and has no remorse when she confronts him about it. Drugs are the subject of about 50% of all first generation SD songs, so it certainly fits that pattern.
Love this song; it has plenty of memories since I first heard it on RS. Playing it in my Mini to my girlfriend led me to buy her some but I never stole from her like this song. But she stole something from me... Poignant and yet murky as usual with BnF, someone coveting I presume his GF's jewelry to pawn. He must be desperate so he takes them knowing their worth. Maybe he gave them to her as a present? He wants them back maybe because they split up... maybe he has also taken some other things from her like a medallion (or is that another Dan euphemism?) but the "look in your eyes" likely means she knows what he is up to... what price a relationship eh folks?
This has nothing to do with actual jewels or theft or anything material. The lyrics speak to a \'love lost\' and what takes away or has left from the affair or relationship.\n "I must take what I see..." - I remember, The look in your eyes\nI don\'t mind"\n\nThe GREEN EARRINGS are a metaphor for the bitter-sweet parting and loss. It\'s the tangible memory piece in the protagonist\'s mind. \n\n\nThis fits with the Steely Dan oeuvre and vibes dealing with love\'s lost and remembrance. --> "I must take what I see"
I absolutely love this song. And my true soulmate actually brought me a pair of green earrings, rings of a rare design!!!! Great song!!!!
Absolutely about a jewel thief.