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."
You tumbled into my life at a sentimental time
You had your hair in braids, you looked so fine
When I first met you I was a long-gone daddy
By the time I left the bar, I made sure I had your addy
Stuffed inside my pocket on a wrinkled piece of paper
I knew from that day on, my love would never taper
Never gonna let you get out of my world
Holy moly baby, make my toenails curl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
We do the crossword over scrambled eggs at noon
And then retire to my feather-bedded room
I could spend a couple years just discovering your body
The way you bruise my bones is just like sexual karate
I got rugburns on my rugburns, feeling kind of flirty
I never thought I’d ever hear a woman talk so dirty
I’m never gonna let you get out of my world
Holy moly baby, make my toenails curl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
Sometimes I feel like a freaky super fly
And other times I just hang my head and I just cry
We fight like dogs, we fight like cats,
Egads woman! You drive me bats!
We gotta take a time out every once in awhile
But you know, for you babe, I’d walk the country mile
I’m never gonna let you get out of my world
Holy moly baby, make my toenails curl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
You had your hair in braids, you looked so fine
When I first met you I was a long-gone daddy
By the time I left the bar, I made sure I had your addy
Stuffed inside my pocket on a wrinkled piece of paper
I knew from that day on, my love would never taper
Never gonna let you get out of my world
Holy moly baby, make my toenails curl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
We do the crossword over scrambled eggs at noon
And then retire to my feather-bedded room
I could spend a couple years just discovering your body
The way you bruise my bones is just like sexual karate
I got rugburns on my rugburns, feeling kind of flirty
I never thought I’d ever hear a woman talk so dirty
I’m never gonna let you get out of my world
Holy moly baby, make my toenails curl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
Sometimes I feel like a freaky super fly
And other times I just hang my head and I just cry
We fight like dogs, we fight like cats,
Egads woman! You drive me bats!
We gotta take a time out every once in awhile
But you know, for you babe, I’d walk the country mile
I’m never gonna let you get out of my world
Holy moly baby, make my toenails curl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
I gotta tell you now, my brain is gonna swirl
‘cause I’m in love with my pixy stick girl
Lyrics submitted by blinxbcr
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.