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."
VERSE 1: PRESSURE
This will be my last confession,
This industry can leave harsh impressions,
I have little faith forgive me for my past discretions,
But we live and learn that history and past are lessons,
The day this is work the love of it dies,
A handful make it, the others will strive,
And hunger can drive hatred but such is just life,
I guess jealousy's the curse that the struggle inspires,
These critics seek to break and divide,
I know I'm bitter but my faith is divine,
Take it in stride yeah I act like I hate it at times,
But I found love through this music and a place to reside,
For every friend I have an eager opponent,
For every cent I spent on meager components,
I gave something back so I don't feel the need for atonement,
Cause we all get our hands dirty when we're seizing the moment,
We always took the lead peers would follow,
And paid for everything that we cleared or borrowed,
If my son can benefit from what you see here my sorrows,
Justified, just that I might not be here tomorrow,
CHORUS
When it rains it pours, when you're soaked and the world,
Tries to fuck with ya, trust in ya own and yourself,
My biggest fears to die not knowing you well,
And I aint afraid to die I'm afraid of going to hell
VERSE 2: PRESSURE
This will be my last confession,
Liberty can leave harsh impressions,
I have little faith forgive me for my past discretions,
But we live and learn that history and past are lessons,
I've always played the hand I was given,
No exceptions here humanity's driven,
You see all men are born equal, just the standard of living,
That differs between the Jewish, Adriatic and Christian,
I'm a logical man given to science,
Forgive me I know religion inspires,
But too many have government and political ties,
And use state of the art war fare to bridge their divides,
There's hate crime wars on day time talks,
And rape trials walk in state wide courts,
We don't pray no more we only break thy laws,
So what this world don't give us we going to take by force,
Assertion, aggressions, murder then vengeance,
We treat peace like it's a term of acceptance,
Exception we're not accepting if we're searching for penance,
So these words are for my son so he can learn from my lessons,
CHORUS
So when it rains it pours, when you're soaked and the world,
Tries to fuck with ya, trust in ya own and yourself,
My biggest fears to die not knowing you well,
And I aint afraid to die I'm afraid of going to hell
This will be my last confession,
This industry can leave harsh impressions,
I have little faith forgive me for my past discretions,
But we live and learn that history and past are lessons,
The day this is work the love of it dies,
A handful make it, the others will strive,
And hunger can drive hatred but such is just life,
I guess jealousy's the curse that the struggle inspires,
These critics seek to break and divide,
I know I'm bitter but my faith is divine,
Take it in stride yeah I act like I hate it at times,
But I found love through this music and a place to reside,
For every friend I have an eager opponent,
For every cent I spent on meager components,
I gave something back so I don't feel the need for atonement,
Cause we all get our hands dirty when we're seizing the moment,
We always took the lead peers would follow,
And paid for everything that we cleared or borrowed,
If my son can benefit from what you see here my sorrows,
Justified, just that I might not be here tomorrow,
CHORUS
When it rains it pours, when you're soaked and the world,
Tries to fuck with ya, trust in ya own and yourself,
My biggest fears to die not knowing you well,
And I aint afraid to die I'm afraid of going to hell
VERSE 2: PRESSURE
This will be my last confession,
Liberty can leave harsh impressions,
I have little faith forgive me for my past discretions,
But we live and learn that history and past are lessons,
I've always played the hand I was given,
No exceptions here humanity's driven,
You see all men are born equal, just the standard of living,
That differs between the Jewish, Adriatic and Christian,
I'm a logical man given to science,
Forgive me I know religion inspires,
But too many have government and political ties,
And use state of the art war fare to bridge their divides,
There's hate crime wars on day time talks,
And rape trials walk in state wide courts,
We don't pray no more we only break thy laws,
So what this world don't give us we going to take by force,
Assertion, aggressions, murder then vengeance,
We treat peace like it's a term of acceptance,
Exception we're not accepting if we're searching for penance,
So these words are for my son so he can learn from my lessons,
CHORUS
So when it rains it pours, when you're soaked and the world,
Tries to fuck with ya, trust in ya own and yourself,
My biggest fears to die not knowing you well,
And I aint afraid to die I'm afraid of going to hell
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