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."
No more tears, my heart is dry
I don't laugh and I don't cry
I don't think about you all the time
But when I do, I wonder why
You had to go out of my door
And leave just like you did before
I know I said that I was sure
But rich men can't imagine poor
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
Little me and little you
Kept doing all the things they do
They never really think it through
Like I can never think you're true
Here I go again, the blame
The guilt, the pain, the hurt, the shame
The founding fathers of our plane
That stuck in heavy clouds of rain
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
Think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
I don't laugh and I don't cry
I don't think about you all the time
But when I do, I wonder why
You had to go out of my door
And leave just like you did before
I know I said that I was sure
But rich men can't imagine poor
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
Little me and little you
Kept doing all the things they do
They never really think it through
Like I can never think you're true
Here I go again, the blame
The guilt, the pain, the hurt, the shame
The founding fathers of our plane
That stuck in heavy clouds of rain
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
Think of all the stories that we could have told
One day, baby, we'll be old
Oh, baby, we'll be old
And think of all the stories that we could have told
Lyrics submitted by arthguinness
Reckoning Song [Acoustic Version] Lyrics as written by Hadas Kleinman Asaf Avidan
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, 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,
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.
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.
This is a great song! I'm surprised that non one else has commented on it yet! Asaf's voice is brilliant... I thought it was a female singer when I first heard it! I first heard this song after going through a difficult break up. It used to make me very sad. But now – after accepting it – this song makes me happy that I’m not as blue as I once was! Time is a great healer!
The song is pretty self-explanatory but I’m going to offer my take on the lyrics anyway!
No more tears, my heart is dry I don't laugh and I don't cry I don't think about you all the time But when I do – I wonder why
(This guy is warn out from the upset He’s emotionless – he’s a bit ‘muh!’ He’s slowly recovering and realizing that he is But when he thinks of her – he’s still annoyed he’s still not over it!)
You have to go out of my door And leave just like you did before I know I said that I was sure But rich men can't imagine poor.
(you’ve left once before – now you’re leaving again he couldn’t realize when he had her just how rubbish it would be to not have her. He was ignorant to this emotion much like a rich man ignorant to being skint in the future)
One day baby, we'll be old Oh baby, we'll be old And think of all the stories that we could have told
(one day all the aftermath will be a thing of the past but the good memories will remain as such – and had he/she got through this – they’d have had some belting stories to tell the Grand kids. I.e. he’s not fully over it yet! Still clinging on to old times and stories! Trying to convince! Alas – those stories won’t be told!)
Little me and little you Kept doing all the things they do They never really think it through Like I can never think you're true
(They were just doing what everyone else was doing – getting on with the trials and tribulations of life – you don’t think about it potentially being stuck in a rut…. Until… bang… you do realize! And it’s too late and he can’t believe what she’s saying is true!)
Here I go again – the blame The guilt, the pain, the hurt, the shame The founding fathers of our plane That's stuck in heavy clouds of rain.
(He’s had had this before last time she walked out! Mixture of weird emotions! Not sure about the founding fathers! Heavy clouds of rain – feeling miserable as sin!)
One day baby, we'll be old Oh baby, we'll be old And think of all the stories that we could have told.
(One day they’ll be old… and guess what… they could’ve told many stories. Sadly she doesn’t care about that is is thinking about the hear and now)
I feel for this chappy but with a voice like that he’s nothing to worry about and I’m sure he’s sat in a swimming pool right now surrounded by hot ladies!
This is a great song! I'm surprised that non one else has commented on it yet! Asaf's voice is brilliant... I thought it was a female singer when I first heard it! I first heard this song after going through a difficult break up. It used to make me very sad. But now – after accepting it – this song makes me happy that I’m not as blue as I once was! Time is a great healer!
The song is pretty self-explanatory but I’m going to offer my take on the lyrics anyway!
No more tears, my heart is dry I don't laugh and I don't cry I don't think about you all the time But when I do – I wonder why
(This guy is warn out from the upset He’s emotionless – he’s a bit ‘muh!’ He’s slowly recovering and realizing that he is But when he thinks of her – he’s still annoyed he’s still not over it!)
You have to go out of my door And leave just like you did before I know I said that I was sure But rich men can't imagine poor.
(you’ve left once before – now you’re leaving again he couldn’t realize when he had her just how rubbish it would be to not have her. He was ignorant to this emotion much like a rich man ignorant to being skint in the future)
One day baby, we'll be old Oh baby, we'll be old And think of all the stories that we could have told
(one day all the aftermath will be a thing of the past but the good memories will remain as such – and had he/she got through this – they’d have had some belting stories to tell the Grand kids. I.e. he’s not fully over it yet! Still clinging on to old times and stories! Trying to convince! Alas – those stories won’t be told!)
Little me and little you Kept doing all the things they do They never really think it through Like I can never think you're true
(They were just doing what everyone else was doing – getting on with the trials and tribulations of life – you don’t think about it potentially being stuck in a rut…. Until… bang… you do realize! And it’s too late and he can’t believe what she’s saying is true!)
Here I go again – the blame The guilt, the pain, the hurt, the shame The founding fathers of our plane That's stuck in heavy clouds of rain.
(He’s had had this before last time she walked out! Mixture of weird emotions! Not sure about the founding fathers! Heavy clouds of rain – feeling miserable as sin!)
One day baby, we'll be old Oh baby, we'll be old And think of all the stories that we could have told.
(One day they’ll be old… and guess what… they could’ve told many stories. Sadly she doesn’t care about that is is thinking about the hear and now)
I feel for this chappy but with a voice like that he’s nothing to worry about and I’m sure he’s sat in a swimming pool right now surrounded by hot ladies!