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."
A love-light shallow glow
Stop and stare - the human rodeo
Effervescent so sublime - in time
Pull up our roots together
Beneath the brittle stars
You and me - the light from a neon bar
Focus the microscope there's hope
But it could all come down tomorrow
And if it does come
And if it does come
Where will you be?
Will you be with me?
Where's the evidence- circumstantial
Been through it time and time again
I don't wanna be on a corner
Hanging out with all God's lonely men
Why keep it all uptight?
Why keep it deep inside?
Maybe you and me share a chemistry
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Downstream white-water ride
Deep and low - the current of our pride
Break-neck high-speed what we need
To both cut loose together
And you should know
And you should know
I want you here with me
First thing I see
Getting heavily elemental
Recycled I'll come 'round again
Immobility begs a question:
Does gravity mean to be my friend?
Is there an end in sight
Beyond our time and tide
Maybe you and me could solve a mystery
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
And if it does come
If it does come
Where will you be?
Will you be with me?
For the last time
For the last time
I want you every day
No more to say
Where's the evidence- circumstantial
Been through it time and time again
I don't wanna be on a corner
Hanging out with all God's lonely men
Why keep it all uptight?
Why keep it deep inside?
Maybe you and me share a chemistry
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Getting heavily elemental
Recycled I'll come 'round again
Immobility begs a question:
Does gravity mean to be my friend?
Is there an end in sight
Beyond our time and tide
Maybe you and me could solve a mystery
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Stop and stare - the human rodeo
Effervescent so sublime - in time
Pull up our roots together
Beneath the brittle stars
You and me - the light from a neon bar
Focus the microscope there's hope
But it could all come down tomorrow
And if it does come
And if it does come
Where will you be?
Will you be with me?
Where's the evidence- circumstantial
Been through it time and time again
I don't wanna be on a corner
Hanging out with all God's lonely men
Why keep it all uptight?
Why keep it deep inside?
Maybe you and me share a chemistry
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Downstream white-water ride
Deep and low - the current of our pride
Break-neck high-speed what we need
To both cut loose together
And you should know
And you should know
I want you here with me
First thing I see
Getting heavily elemental
Recycled I'll come 'round again
Immobility begs a question:
Does gravity mean to be my friend?
Is there an end in sight
Beyond our time and tide
Maybe you and me could solve a mystery
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
And if it does come
If it does come
Where will you be?
Will you be with me?
For the last time
For the last time
I want you every day
No more to say
Where's the evidence- circumstantial
Been through it time and time again
I don't wanna be on a corner
Hanging out with all God's lonely men
Why keep it all uptight?
Why keep it deep inside?
Maybe you and me share a chemistry
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Getting heavily elemental
Recycled I'll come 'round again
Immobility begs a question:
Does gravity mean to be my friend?
Is there an end in sight
Beyond our time and tide
Maybe you and me could solve a mystery
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Let's go see Mr. Hyde
Lyrics submitted by Major Valor
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
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental 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.
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.