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."
Hey, I know what you used to
We gon' do something different tonight
Oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Now we gonna do this thing a lil' different tonight
You gon' come over and pick me up in your ride
You gon' knock then you gon' wait
Ooh, you gon' take me on a date
You gonna open my door and I'ma reach over and open yours
Gon' pay for dinner take me to see a movie
And whisper in my ear how bad you really wanna do me
Girl, now take me home and get up in my pants
Pour me up a shot and force me to the bed
I'm always on the top, tonight I'm on the bottom
'Cause we trading places
When I can't take no more, tell me you ain't stopping
'Cause we trading places
Now put it on me, baby, 'til I say, "Ooh-wee"
And tell me to shut up before the neighbors hear me
This is how it feels when you do it like me
We're trading places
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
We're trading places
I plan on waking you up to a cup of Folgers
Pancakes and eggs, I owe ya breakfast in bed, oh baby
And your orange juice sitting on a coaster
Toast on the side, baby, strawberry and grape jelly
You finished? Let me get that tray
Pull the curtain from the window
Time to get up, baby, let me make this bed up, baby
Today we going shopping, blowin' thirty on me
Make it sixty, spend it like you really love me
Skip dinner and we gon' rent a movie
You order Chinese food right before you do me
You coming on strong, baby, let me wash me hands
She said, "Hurry up then get your to bed"
You get on top, tonight I'm on the bottom
'Cause we trading places
When I can't take no more, tell me you ain't stopping
'Cause we trading places
Now put it on me, baby, 'til I say, "Ooh-wee"
And tell me to shut up before the neighbors hear me
This is how it feels when you do it like me
We're trading places
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it (get it, get it, get it)
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
We trading places (yeah)
Wash the car (yeah)
I'm gonna walk the dog (yeah)
Take out the trash (yeah)
With nothing but your t-shirt on (ooh, yeah)
I'm gonna press your shirt (yeah)
I'm gonna wrinkle mines up (yeah)
In the kitchen goin' crazy we don't give a, what (yeah)
Where you want me?
Ooh-oh, oh, oh, baby
Give it to me baby, baby
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, baby
Baby, yeah, ooh
Oh, oh, oh
Ohh
Oh, ooh, oh
You get on top, tonight I'm on the bottom
'Cause we trading places
And when I can't take no more, you say you ain't stopping
'Cause we trading places
Now we gon' do this thing a lil' different tonight
Trading places
Stay tuned for part two
You've been me, I-I've been you
But we gon' switch this thing back
I'ma put it on your (on your)
We gon' do something different tonight
Oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Now we gonna do this thing a lil' different tonight
You gon' come over and pick me up in your ride
You gon' knock then you gon' wait
Ooh, you gon' take me on a date
You gonna open my door and I'ma reach over and open yours
Gon' pay for dinner take me to see a movie
And whisper in my ear how bad you really wanna do me
Girl, now take me home and get up in my pants
Pour me up a shot and force me to the bed
I'm always on the top, tonight I'm on the bottom
'Cause we trading places
When I can't take no more, tell me you ain't stopping
'Cause we trading places
Now put it on me, baby, 'til I say, "Ooh-wee"
And tell me to shut up before the neighbors hear me
This is how it feels when you do it like me
We're trading places
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
We're trading places
I plan on waking you up to a cup of Folgers
Pancakes and eggs, I owe ya breakfast in bed, oh baby
And your orange juice sitting on a coaster
Toast on the side, baby, strawberry and grape jelly
You finished? Let me get that tray
Pull the curtain from the window
Time to get up, baby, let me make this bed up, baby
Today we going shopping, blowin' thirty on me
Make it sixty, spend it like you really love me
Skip dinner and we gon' rent a movie
You order Chinese food right before you do me
You coming on strong, baby, let me wash me hands
She said, "Hurry up then get your to bed"
You get on top, tonight I'm on the bottom
'Cause we trading places
When I can't take no more, tell me you ain't stopping
'Cause we trading places
Now put it on me, baby, 'til I say, "Ooh-wee"
And tell me to shut up before the neighbors hear me
This is how it feels when you do it like me
We're trading places
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it (get it, get it, get it)
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
Gon' get it, get it get it, get it get it
We trading places (yeah)
Wash the car (yeah)
I'm gonna walk the dog (yeah)
Take out the trash (yeah)
With nothing but your t-shirt on (ooh, yeah)
I'm gonna press your shirt (yeah)
I'm gonna wrinkle mines up (yeah)
In the kitchen goin' crazy we don't give a, what (yeah)
Where you want me?
Ooh-oh, oh, oh, baby
Give it to me baby, baby
Oh, oh, oh, ooh, baby
Baby, yeah, ooh
Oh, oh, oh
Ohh
Oh, ooh, oh
You get on top, tonight I'm on the bottom
'Cause we trading places
And when I can't take no more, you say you ain't stopping
'Cause we trading places
Now we gon' do this thing a lil' different tonight
Trading places
Stay tuned for part two
You've been me, I-I've been you
But we gon' switch this thing back
I'ma put it on your (on your)
Lyrics submitted by IconArtist
Trading Places Lyrics as written by Carlos Alexander Mckinney Christopher A. Stewart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
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/
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.
Umm...yeah he did. Call me gay (as my blond gf with double ds sleeps next to me) but am I crazy to think this song is about Usher getting it in the ass from a chick either by way of her hand or a dyldo? I mean...tonight you're the top, I'm the bottom? You been me I been you so now Ima put it in your ass?