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."
Come closer to the window-frame
Window to the dark and the field of snow
I saw you running like summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh! open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
You left your brother in a northern town
Took the ferry o'er the water on the bay
His body covered by the colors going down
A statue in the square before the wind could change
Oh, turn the water over
If you want to flow down
Oh! open up the shutters
See the falling snow
The falling snow
Come softly to the window frame
Window through the dark and the fields of snow
I saw you running like a summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh, open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
Window to the dark and the field of snow
I saw you running like summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh! open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
You left your brother in a northern town
Took the ferry o'er the water on the bay
His body covered by the colors going down
A statue in the square before the wind could change
Oh, turn the water over
If you want to flow down
Oh! open up the shutters
See the falling snow
The falling snow
Come softly to the window frame
Window through the dark and the fields of snow
I saw you running like a summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh, open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
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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.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I agree with the other two comments, but the great thing about Alex's songs is that their interpretations can extend to a more general feeling that everyone experiences. This song speaks about being haunted by death and regret, and specifically how to overcome grief and regret. To "turn a new leaf" so to speak.
He is seeing the "summer-flame" in a dark time in his life, which I think winter for him embodies. He is nostalgic for the person running through the grass, whoever it may be (apparently his brother, who had died).
The whole album, to me, is his catharsis.
Yet, he advises ones struggling to "see the moonlight on the snow."
What a lovely song. The nature themes are woven so beautifully throughout the album, and the strings complement them so perfectly.
If you can't tell already, I'm in love with Sea Wolf.