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."
Insane love is awakening,
that's what they said in a movie,
that's what they said in a movie.
It was a movie with dancing,
it was a movie with dancing and the red-chested singing of golden voices
making their turquoise announcements of love.
Ask them or not the name of this world,
that's what they said in a movie,
that's what they said in a movie.
And I can only assume, I can assume only that the answer was blue
or I can only assume that the answer was green and blue.
Insane love is awakening,
that's what they said in a movie,
that's what they said in a movie.
They said, 'Ask them or not the name of this world.'
And I can only assume that the answer was blue or I can only assume was the breaking of an astronomical truce.
Or I can only assume that the answer was white
and phrased in a riddle in the shape of pure light
issued from a killer draped in blue silk flashing silver.
Or I can only assume that the answer was white
and phrased in a riddle in the shape of pure light,
issued from a killer draped in blue silk flashing silver.
Or I can only assume that the answer was blue,
it seemed like a lie but the truth was the truth.
It came from a child draped in white silk flashing silver.
Or I can only assume that the answer was blue
it seemed like a lie but the truth was the truth.
It came from a child draped in white silk flashing silver.
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer, like the knife of a killer
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer, like the knife of a killer
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer, like the knife of a killer, oh-oh!
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer.
And only when the cameras were shut down, only when the cameras were shut down
And only when the cameras were shut down.
And only when the cameras were shut down.
that's what they said in a movie,
that's what they said in a movie.
It was a movie with dancing,
it was a movie with dancing and the red-chested singing of golden voices
making their turquoise announcements of love.
Ask them or not the name of this world,
that's what they said in a movie,
that's what they said in a movie.
And I can only assume, I can assume only that the answer was blue
or I can only assume that the answer was green and blue.
Insane love is awakening,
that's what they said in a movie,
that's what they said in a movie.
They said, 'Ask them or not the name of this world.'
And I can only assume that the answer was blue or I can only assume was the breaking of an astronomical truce.
Or I can only assume that the answer was white
and phrased in a riddle in the shape of pure light
issued from a killer draped in blue silk flashing silver.
Or I can only assume that the answer was white
and phrased in a riddle in the shape of pure light,
issued from a killer draped in blue silk flashing silver.
Or I can only assume that the answer was blue,
it seemed like a lie but the truth was the truth.
It came from a child draped in white silk flashing silver.
Or I can only assume that the answer was blue
it seemed like a lie but the truth was the truth.
It came from a child draped in white silk flashing silver.
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer, like the knife of a killer
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer, like the knife of a killer
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer, like the knife of a killer, oh-oh!
Flashing silver like the knife of a killer.
And only when the cameras were shut down, only when the cameras were shut down
And only when the cameras were shut down.
And only when the cameras were shut down.
Lyrics submitted by Serilazareth
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
"Ask them or not the name of this world"
should me "Ask the moonlight the name of this world"
Spencer was on some pretty great drugs when he wrote this.