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."
He was drawn-out in the dark up in Penetration Park
He says he's got your medication
She was sitting on the edges of his vision trying to start a revolution
But he's done with all the parties, he's covered in contusions
Your life leaves life lines, your rug leaves bright bruises
She said she was cruising
But she came back all proud and out of focus with a cool car
Drank and broke us
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
There are so many nights when this is just how it happens
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
He was dreadlocked in the dorms in the Colorado corn
He says he's got your vegetation
She was sitting on the edge of the bed smoking trying to reach emancipation
And he's done with DVDs, he's fully entertained
He's bleaching out the blood stains, he's got diamonds in the drain
She said that she was coming but she mostly made hard, fast noises
It kinda sounded like The Locust
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
There are so many nights where this is just how it happens
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
It was song number three on John's last CD
"Gonna make it through this year, if it kills me"
And it almost killed me
And song number four on that first D4
You want the scars but you don't want the war
That's just hardcore
These kids are clever to the core
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
He says he's got your medication
She was sitting on the edges of his vision trying to start a revolution
But he's done with all the parties, he's covered in contusions
Your life leaves life lines, your rug leaves bright bruises
She said she was cruising
But she came back all proud and out of focus with a cool car
Drank and broke us
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
There are so many nights when this is just how it happens
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
He was dreadlocked in the dorms in the Colorado corn
He says he's got your vegetation
She was sitting on the edge of the bed smoking trying to reach emancipation
And he's done with DVDs, he's fully entertained
He's bleaching out the blood stains, he's got diamonds in the drain
She said that she was coming but she mostly made hard, fast noises
It kinda sounded like The Locust
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
There are so many nights where this is just how it happens
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
It was song number three on John's last CD
"Gonna make it through this year, if it kills me"
And it almost killed me
And song number four on that first D4
You want the scars but you don't want the war
That's just hardcore
These kids are clever to the core
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
Guys go for looks, girls go for status
Lyrics submitted by SphagnumEsplanade
Girls Like Status Lyrics as written by Tad Kubler Craig Finn
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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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,
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.
The Hold Steady referencing the Mountain Goats AND linking that reference to their first album? Life cannot possibly get any better.
also: it's "song number four on that first D4"
scott minto is an excellent rugby league player
Thanks, it won't let me edit it however.
anyone know what album this is off? apparently its boys and girls but its not on my copy..... its not even on their website
it's a b-side from boys and girls - shows up on a buncha live bootlegs, including the postive rage album
This is from either the Japanese or Australian version of Boys & Girls.
I assume the "D4" line is a reference to Dillinger Four's Portrait of the Artist...: songmeanings.net/lyric.php
I think the line "kinda sounded like a locus" is actually "kinda sounded like the Locust" as in the noise band. It'd fit with all the other music references.
Wow, I always liked this song, and I never ever listened to the last chorus and caught all the Mountain Goats references. That's the only MG album I like, too, the first one, so cool.
a) The Sunset Tree is FAR from the first Mountain Goats album. b) If it's the only one you like, you need your ears (and head, and heart) examined.
I knew it, a mountain goats reference. yes!