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."
Same river, we swim like some sliver, in skin
Now it's in the river again
But it's moving and it feels so cold
Maybe you will, catch it still
In the same river we swam was no different
Than the same river we swam in again
Breathing spores, longing for
My lungs to be filled with your fungus no more
I cried as my cells divide
The feeling multiplies over time
And the boy sees me humming this simple song
And the boy comes close, he brings his sister along
The ecstatic unburdened youth, they're never wrong
And the boy starts singing along
After all, a voice, it's just a light, all the time in front of you
Facing faces, placing places, changing every time you do
Set off by soundless voices, singing rounded noises
Singing, "au revoir" forever
The same river we swam in was no different
Than the same river we swam in again
Because it's moving and it feels so cold
Maybe you will catch it still
Now it's in the river again
But it's moving and it feels so cold
Maybe you will, catch it still
In the same river we swam was no different
Than the same river we swam in again
Breathing spores, longing for
My lungs to be filled with your fungus no more
I cried as my cells divide
The feeling multiplies over time
And the boy sees me humming this simple song
And the boy comes close, he brings his sister along
The ecstatic unburdened youth, they're never wrong
And the boy starts singing along
After all, a voice, it's just a light, all the time in front of you
Facing faces, placing places, changing every time you do
Set off by soundless voices, singing rounded noises
Singing, "au revoir" forever
The same river we swam in was no different
Than the same river we swam in again
Because it's moving and it feels so cold
Maybe you will catch it still
Lyrics submitted by FiberOpticJesus
We Swim Lyrics as written by Nicholas Shanahan Thorburn
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
this song is amazing.. so epic.. the piano is unbelievable.
i think 'a voice, it's just a light' is 'your voice is just a lie'
Oh man, I saw that too, and I thought it was so much more powerful. I was kind of dissapointed when I read the booklet and it said light.
To go off what the others have said, it seems like "Your voice is just a light" is meant to be heard as lie. This leads me to think that it's about someone who has lied to you, or even a compulsive liar.
Towards the end, "set off by soundless voices singing rounded noises singing au revoir forever", seems to me like he figured out the lies on his own and burned the bridge.
The repeat of the chorus verse though (The same river!!), especially since it is repeated so forcefully makes me think they ended up crossing paths again and it was completely different than their first time around, leading him to think they hadn't actually changed at all.
Any other thoughts?