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."
As by the door to get to Heaven
Seven trumpets big and bright
You hear it coming in the middle of the night
A caution to the children
Time to turn your crimson white
We've all got reservations
Trials will come suddenly
And without explanation
But you were born with goodness
You were born with goodness
Wherever you go now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you
On that dusty road
And if you get blind, well that's alright
Wicked winds blow with grace and might
Cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Break your word over me
Sinking in the quicksand
Break your word
Don't you see?
You're breaking me down now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you on that dusty road
When no one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
No one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Seven trumpets big and bright
You hear it coming in the middle of the night
A caution to the children
Time to turn your crimson white
We've all got reservations
Trials will come suddenly
And without explanation
But you were born with goodness
You were born with goodness
Wherever you go now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you
On that dusty road
And if you get blind, well that's alright
Wicked winds blow with grace and might
Cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Break your word over me
Sinking in the quicksand
Break your word
Don't you see?
You're breaking me down now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you on that dusty road
When no one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
No one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
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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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
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.
I love this song! I can't get it out of my head. It's like straight out of the Book of Revelation.
To me, it sounds like "And if you get blind, well that's alright" and "When you touch the stone."
And I'm pretty sure "I break your word over me" is just "Break your word, over me." I see it as him singing from God's perspective and "I break.." wouldn't really make sense.
Corrected.
The way i interpret this song is a narrative from a person who has died, addressing the person they love. A few reasons for this, when he mentions trials coming suddenly and without explanation, I imagine he is talking about untimely deaths; when he talks about being born with goodness, this is reassurance to the person that they are capable of coping. As well as this i think the line 'Wherever you Go Now' is juxtaposed with the chorus to say 'wherever you go now I'm right behind you'. 'In the light of hope' is maybe referencing the person's faith that Flowers is singing to, kind of like, "you're hoping to be with me again, and i am with you, which is why it is light'. 'When you touch the stone' I think is the person visiting his gravestone and clinging on to his memory through their grief. When Flowers says 'No-one expects you to deny and, and no-one accepts your reasons why' i think hes talking about how other people expect the person to move on, and don't see why they keep clinging to his memory. That's me done, sorry if i bored you. But it's an amazing song :)
This song reminds me of 2 people of whom I'm aware of, who had something special in common, and both adore each other, no matter what's gone on in their lives. One is darkened and trapped by friends/environment, and doesn't see clearly of the situation. The other, perhaps- from a strong faith, is trying to reach out; someone who's seen who he really is and loves him unconditionally and is never giving up, always behind him no matter what. There is often a misconception from the other ones' part of the one's beliefs. It's not about waiting for him to be dead and meet again after. The faith doesn't encourage only to live when you're dead, but to live now and forever. <br /> I thought this song was a great inspiration for both.
Mormons believe in the 2nd coming of Christ, that he will come again. They believe that when he comes back, the angels will sound the trumpet, that's why they have an angel on top of their temple with the trumpet. They clothe in white in their temples. They too believe Jesus is always by them/behind them. Could be what this song means?
this song's my favourite in the album! If you get blind well tha's all right...it's like someone who's not from the same faith or background and perhaps lost in other paths, but there's always that friend who wants to walk with her/him even in dusty roads, an always be right behind. Not sure what it means: break your words over me, you're breaking me down now... could be the other person not allowing the other one to reach out and is cutting off from him/her, and the other one not giving up. Truly amazing song about true friendship!!!
This is my favourite! There is such a deep feeling in this song!
Doubting what the other thinks is only gonna bring more darkness and confusion. Being there for one another and believe in each other is the way. That's what the song is about. Make contacts.
Again a song of strong relationship, a promise to be there for each other in everything-i'm right behind you in the light of hope, i'll be beside you on that dusty road...; pretty straight forward. Most of Flamingo's album is orientated towards his faith and beliefs. I don't know much about his beliefs, but the Mormons are well known for sticking for each other. They're a solid community. There's definitely a sense of momonism in his album to be fair. I don't mind it, I like his songs and admire him.
It sounds a lot like the story of the Brother of Jared from the Book of Mormon. The brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumr) was an ancient prophet and had great faith. The Lord commanded him to build a ship that was completely sealed, the brother of Jared asked the Lord to touch some stones that he brought with him to the top of a mountain that they might glow and produce light. The Lord did this and afterwords he was permitted to see the spirit body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Interesting parallels.
I don't know what this song means, but it sucks. Let's not forget Flowers said that he wanted to write more spiritual lyrics, and there whatever it means to him, am not religious, I don't understand spiritual meanings/language, but agree with many, this song leaves you with a wam feeling.
While I'm not super Christian, I find myself drawn to this song. As somebody who knows what type of person Brandon Flowers is, I cannot believe that this song is ENTIRELY and only restricted to religious meaning. Look at his body of works (via The Killers and in his solo career): his lyrics are complex, and there is more than one dimension to most songs. I believe that this song is no different. There is absolutely no doubt that this song is dedicated to his religious faith...but at the same time,I choose to listen to it through the ears of a romantiscist. As so many other of the Flowers'/The Killers' songs have been made of, I believe this song carries some romanticism about it, although...again, I can't deny that it is deeply sprinkled with religious/spiritual inspiration.
Bottom line: Am I the only one who believes that Brandon Flowers is smart enough to realize that when he's writing these songs he is placing multi-dimensional emotions/emphases on them??????!
That's absolutely right, he used some religious references & personal feelings for someone he might care about. Perhaps romantic, or not, but sounds to me like someone who's protective, and he's always gonna be there for ya.