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."
'Twas Halloween and the ghosts were out
And everywhere they'd go, they'd shout
And though I covered my eyes, I knew
They'd go away
But fear's the only thing I saw
And three days later it was clear to all
That nothing is as scary as election day
But the day after is darker
And darker and darker it goes
Who knows, maybe the plans will change
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged
The newsmen know what they know, but they
Know even less than what they say
And I don't know who I can trust
For they come what may
'Cause we believed in our candidate
But even more it's the one we hate
I needed someone I could shake
On election day
But the day after is darker
And deeper and deeper we go
Who knows, maybe it's all a dream
Who knows if I'll wake up and scream
I love the things that you've given me
I cherish you, my dear country
But sometimes I don't understand
The way we play
I love the things that you've given me
And most of all that I am free
To have a song that I can sing
On election day
And everywhere they'd go, they'd shout
And though I covered my eyes, I knew
They'd go away
But fear's the only thing I saw
And three days later it was clear to all
That nothing is as scary as election day
But the day after is darker
And darker and darker it goes
Who knows, maybe the plans will change
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged
The newsmen know what they know, but they
Know even less than what they say
And I don't know who I can trust
For they come what may
'Cause we believed in our candidate
But even more it's the one we hate
I needed someone I could shake
On election day
But the day after is darker
And deeper and deeper we go
Who knows, maybe it's all a dream
Who knows if I'll wake up and scream
I love the things that you've given me
I cherish you, my dear country
But sometimes I don't understand
The way we play
I love the things that you've given me
And most of all that I am free
To have a song that I can sing
On election day
Lyrics submitted by spastic_kitty
My Dear Country Lyrics as written by Norah Jones
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
bush bashing, anyone?
she bashed bush in no way, you retard. she's saying the politics game is silly and yet she loves this country. how could you misinterpret that?
This song is amazing.
However, I think "Who knows, maybe the plans will change; Who knows, maybe he's not deranged" is a dig at Bush.
I think that Velocity should not be so quick to throw that word around.
And by "that word," I mean "retard", which no self-respecting liberal, or for that matter, decent person would use.
You are forgetting that this is the internet, jimikungfu.
retards
I think she left very little question about the intention of her song. I'm guessing she wrote it about the end of Bush's first term, when hopes and fears were high, depending on how a person thought the election might turn out. Then, of course, Bush is elected back in. The media colouring world events with their own slant, the disappointment after election day, the disillusionment with the way the country voted, etc. I think this is a pretty thinly veiled dig at Bush.
pdaoust summarizes very well, IMHO. The right for Norah to express her displeasure is clear, in our free country. It's a beautiful thing. The attempt to quash dialog on the subject that Norah obviously felt compelled to write/sing about goes against that right, and is wrong ( :)). I suspect velocityJE is Left and not Right. velocity, would you care to disclose? Perhaps there are other artist's lyrics we can apply the Maladroit Test to...
it seemed like a dig a bush to me. I also hoped the plans would change, and am also someone am thankful for what the people of our country (troops! not presidents) give to me. manly to be able to say this. like she might have in her song. beautifully written.
it's not about bush. it's not about anyone specifically
she's saying how she loves the country but hates the way we do things.
she's saying that there's never any good candidates to choose from when election time comes around.