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."
I had a dream we went away
Left this city for a day
You took me southwards on a plane
And showed me Spain or somewhere
But in reality you're not so keen to show me anything
And I thought you liked me
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up, right up
Yeah, so what you gonna do
With all this stuff piling up, filling up and taking up
You misunderstand me
All I wanted was some evidence
That you really like me
(You really like me)
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up, right up
Maybe it's all too much
How come we're so messed up
Maybe I'm not in love
Maybe you're just too much
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up
Oh
Oh
Yeah
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
That I'm passing you by
So fill your little world right up, right up, right up
Oh
Come on and show me you ain't so tough
Left this city for a day
You took me southwards on a plane
And showed me Spain or somewhere
But in reality you're not so keen to show me anything
And I thought you liked me
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up, right up
Yeah, so what you gonna do
With all this stuff piling up, filling up and taking up
You misunderstand me
All I wanted was some evidence
That you really like me
(You really like me)
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up, right up
Maybe it's all too much
How come we're so messed up
Maybe I'm not in love
Maybe you're just too much
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up
Oh
Oh
Yeah
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
(I want you)
To fill my little world right up, right up
Hey, show some love, you ain't so tough
Come fill my little world right up, right up
Someday you're going to realize
That I'm passing you by
So fill your little world right up, right up, right up
Oh
Come on and show me you ain't so tough
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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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
Ok.....firstly I have read all the previous comments on here and this is my take on this song. The Feeling are a fantastic band and I see them live whenever I can. The lead singer, Dan Gillespie Sales is one hell of a singer songwriter. Dan is openly gay and has stated that he has never written about girls, although in this sing, like most of the others it doesn't matter if the words relate to a boy or a girls, its about a relationship. It is a guy singing to his 'partner' that he feels and shows more that person that that person feels for him. They have a relationship, but it is more one sided and he does not feel in control, he is on the back foot the whole time. He is asking the person to show him that they like him, take him somewhere, anywhere, make him feel great and wanted. He realises that one day, unless things change he will move on but then the other person may eventually realise what they had and what they lost. I'm sure we have all been in relationships like that during our lives.