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."
What's the point of fame if it's been abused?
What's a kid like me even got to lose?
Here I am on your bed again
It's too big for the room it's in
Wash your face and mouth just a little bit
Everybody knows that you're good at it
But nothing hurts like an answer phone
Drinkin' some, waking up alone
Maybe if I try just a little more
I can take myself from this dirty floor
Walk through buildings of elegance
Just like you are intelligent
But still I fall from grace with this microphone
How'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly, yeah
I know my place, but it don't know me
I know my place, but it don't know me
No one wants to hear that you're breaking up
It wasn't long ago we said, "start me up"
Now all your dreamin' will have to wait
What you deserve you'll anticipate
Play your forty-five records late at night
Open all the windows, turn out the light
Mysterious creatures will fill the room
A midnight show just put on for you
But still I fall from grace with this microphone
How'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly, yeah
I know my place, but it don't know me
I know my place, but it don't know me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
What's a kid like me even got to lose?
Here I am on your bed again
It's too big for the room it's in
Wash your face and mouth just a little bit
Everybody knows that you're good at it
But nothing hurts like an answer phone
Drinkin' some, waking up alone
Maybe if I try just a little more
I can take myself from this dirty floor
Walk through buildings of elegance
Just like you are intelligent
But still I fall from grace with this microphone
How'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly, yeah
I know my place, but it don't know me
I know my place, but it don't know me
No one wants to hear that you're breaking up
It wasn't long ago we said, "start me up"
Now all your dreamin' will have to wait
What you deserve you'll anticipate
Play your forty-five records late at night
Open all the windows, turn out the light
Mysterious creatures will fill the room
A midnight show just put on for you
But still I fall from grace with this microphone
How'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly, yeah
I know my place, but it don't know me
I know my place, but it don't know me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay 'cause I know it's the best for me
Lyrics submitted by khff2, edited by spacejunkie
Cold Fame Lyrics as written by Matt Hayward Emma Richardson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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,
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
Commenting late, but this song is so beautiful. The lyrics are so perfectly written to achieve the sad, hopeless, directionless feelings that I think it's meant to evoke (it sure does for me). At the same time, there's a glimmer of hope in finding what you're meant to do with your life ("I know my place, but it don't know me"). There's also a little hope in the fact that anyone who is in this position can relate to the song, or to each other--we all have periods of despair when we try to figure out WTF we're doing with our lives, and why, and if it's worth it. I just wish more people I knew realized how beautiful this song is! Again, the lyrics are brilliant, they make me feel so much better when I'm feeling low or lost.
Couldn't have said it better, well said, Beautiful tune.<br />
Great song. Suprised at no comments. Anyway, song about breaking up and being sad and alone and finding yourself, but at the same time being ok with it.
Cold flame in my brain, but it's okay cuz I kow its the best for me: I think this is about liking someone alot but knowing they dont like you but being ok with it because you are ok with being alone and can find yourself while being alone.
This is what I got from it. As always open for interpretation. Either way, great song.
Just got put on to this song, pretty good. I like "Play your 45 with this late at night, open all the windows, turn out the light. Mysterious creatures will fill the room, a midnight show just put on for you." Reminds me when I would get toke up and listen to music and bug out... Also the line "how'd you find yourself if you never roam?" probably the excuse the girl uses to break up with him...
knowing one day you will be famous but just aren't there yet.
I think maybe that one person is content to be in one place. And the other still feels like they need to go out and do something for themselves. (how'd you find yourself if you never roam) Those two had to come the conclusion that they couldn't be together with two very different paths to follow.
It's about the strains that becoming famous can cause, especially as it relates to touring and relationships. The person you were with was, and still is, a big fan and supporter, but they are content to stay where they are. It kind of has a "please come to Boston" feel in some respects. It seems like the person on the other end of this is still the "number one fan of the man from Tennessee". As an FYI, I believe some of thee lyrics are wrong - it's "what's the point of fame if it's been abused", "nothing hurts like an answered phone", and "play your 45 records late at night".
I like this interpretation, partially because im on the other side of this song. Partner off travelling with his band whilst i have to stay home. Its not that i want to stay, but that commitments make me, but its hard, and i understand what he's saying.
"Answer phone" is another name for answering machine. Which makes sense in the context of the song. Nothing hurts like calling someone when you feel in need of some company or a friendly voice, and you get an answering machine.
Ahem- the lyrics "play your 45 with this late at night" are supposed to be "play your 45 records late at night".
Beautiful song, by the way. :]