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."
When you're feeling down
I'm comin' round
To pick you up
And take you out
It won't be long
'Till those blues are gone
The city's waiting
Beckoning for us
It leads us on
Let it lead us on
It's the perfect night
To just drive on by
Let the dashboard underscore
Everything we've seen
While the world plays for our pleasure
On our windshield silver screen
And I don't know just where we're going
And I don't care where we've been
But we just coast on through
Cause while I'm here with you, you know
There's no place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
Such a quiet joy
Knowing that I'm your pick-up fix
And you're my favourite boy
You're feeling tired
And I'm bleary-eyed
And the highway lines
Pass by in two/four double-time
And we don't even recognize
A single name on the street signs
Nothing else is calling us
But all we've left behind
Is like a hell-hound on our trail
And a burden on our mind
Cause we know
We gotta go home.
Such a quiet joy
Driving anywhere
Knowing that you are there.
But you don't call,
You don't call me no more
And I waited all day
You know you'll always
Be my favorite boy
I'm comin' round
To pick you up
And take you out
It won't be long
'Till those blues are gone
The city's waiting
Beckoning for us
It leads us on
Let it lead us on
It's the perfect night
To just drive on by
Let the dashboard underscore
Everything we've seen
While the world plays for our pleasure
On our windshield silver screen
And I don't know just where we're going
And I don't care where we've been
But we just coast on through
Cause while I'm here with you, you know
There's no place I'd rather be
No place I'd rather be
Such a quiet joy
Knowing that I'm your pick-up fix
And you're my favourite boy
You're feeling tired
And I'm bleary-eyed
And the highway lines
Pass by in two/four double-time
And we don't even recognize
A single name on the street signs
Nothing else is calling us
But all we've left behind
Is like a hell-hound on our trail
And a burden on our mind
Cause we know
We gotta go home.
Such a quiet joy
Driving anywhere
Knowing that you are there.
But you don't call,
You don't call me no more
And I waited all day
You know you'll always
Be my favorite boy
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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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Great sounds in this song (love the harmonics), and the general coolness of the track. This song especially (and many of his songs to some degree) really show a Massive Attack influence, and it comes out in the pairing of the vocals over the worldly rhythm samples. Definitely can hear/see the Gabriel influences too... my new favorite artist!
As for the meaning, yeah I was thrown off for half a second by the "boy" reference, but with lyrics it's always important to remember that the context is flexible, and often undefined. Empathy suggests this could be written from the girl's perspective, or it could be a platonic (or more) relationship between men, or it could be a kid and his dog (written from either perspective)... None of these relationships is any more valid than another.
Focus on the sentiment, not the detriment!
This song is brilliant on many levels and to me ultimately sums up spending time with my son. driving and exploring the country and our relationship within the confines of a domestic break up. It has the feel of a sunday night before having to go back to school and trying to hold onto every second before the inevitable parting, very much gotyes "Gracelands".
"The song on my record, 'Night Drive', which vaguely examines platonic feelings of love between two mates, has been interpreted by some folks as a gay song. But it’s written fairly openly, so perhaps that‘s understandable."
Quoted from an interview rainbownetwork.com/UserPortal/Article/Detail.aspx
I believe it's about somebody coming back from a broken heart. Their own alter ego is bring himself back from despair. If you've ever been seperated from someone you love, you'll know the feeling of turning the corner and starting life with out them being there. It's hard road at first, but there is hope, once you've reached that point. "Your my favourite boy" is himself, bring himself back from the brink of despair! Been there, its a shit state to be in, but with time and we do eventually claw our way back into getting on life and allow ourselves to be happy again. My interpretation anyway, yours may differ. By the way Goyte has a girlfriend, she's beautiful!
This song is awesome, I love nothing more than driving especially on a hot summer nite around 11-12 when there is little or no traffic, driving round with no destination just enjoying it all with someone special. By The Way does anyone know if Gotye is gay? the lines "favourite boy" surprised me. Awesome artist
Yeah this is my favourite song off the album. Magic.
That line kinda surprised me too, but maybe he wrote it for a girl to perform or something. Don't know if he's gay.
I thought that perhaps that this isn't actually a song to a lover, but it could be a song to a friend... it makes sense, if you listen the right way. It doesn't, however, quite fit with the last stanza.
Any more thoughts?
The favourite boy line threw me a little too... i liked to think it was about a girl he loved, or even just a special girl friend. Maybe i'm just sexist.
He may be gay, i wouldn't have a clue. But i don't really think you have to be gay to write a song about a guy, even in an intimate way. I'm no expert, nor am i a writer, but i think that one of the greatest things about writing is being able to write using different perspectives, seeing from a different view, and being able to express the same emotion as if he really did feel that way about the guy.
This would have to be one of my favourite Gotye songs. It's absolutely beautiful, expecially the way his voice blends with the drums. Bliss
maybe a father-son song?
He has a girlfriend of 5 years (maybe 4 or 6... I can't remember)
Though as there is nothing vaguely sexual in the entire song, I don't think that it is about a relationship but a plutonic friendship.