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."
Hold your head up, there's a light in the sky.
I know you're fed up, but you must try to survive.
Each moment's precious, don't let life pass you by-
keep focused, keep your eyes on the prize.
A friend of mine once told me,
we have many paths in this journey.
They act in different directions
so when you question don't be worried,
it's not a wrong one-
beauty can be found in all of them.
You'll meet people whose paths intersect
but you don't know how long you'll walk with them,
cos' the truth is, and it's so hard, but you'll never know
how long we'll continue with our loved ones down this rugged road.
The path veers and it's clear that we must steer alone.
I've learned if you can't hold on to that moment that exists--
Let it go.
Cos' freedom is god.
Freedom is acknowledging the mask you have on
and possessing the strength to take it off.
Freedom is accepting every step of the path
and when it's hard having faith in the ability to embrace that
that's where you are,
and this is it.
The same shit that we work towards,
but go against in the same sense.
My friend hit me to some game and truth unravelled, she said
"the brighter the light, the darker the shadow",
and since i'm on cliche terms, knowing is half the battle.
But i don't know,
so i just go with what was destined.
Life can be a burden or a blessing,
the choice is yours to be connected.
It's there if you want it, you got it, now let it.
Hold your head up, there's a light in the sky.
I know you're fed up, but you must try to survive.
Each moment's precious, don't let life pass you by-
keep focused, keep your eyes on the prize.
I feel like I have nothing to give right now,
this is my trial, tribulations, and it must go down,
but where's the up?
I'm stuck with the broken smile,
no jokin' now, wantin' to grab a swish and smoke this out.
The moment of a man choosing what path I will go down
do I give in, give up, or get up and live right now?
With a split gut, pick myself up and spit my style,
this is the only thing that can holds my ground.
You're born into this world alone and alone you'll go out
all I have is myself and everyone else I doubt.
You can only trust yourself and depend on the help of the pound
inside the chest that beats with the breath of the now.
No sunshine when she's gone, I can only see clouds.
No homies can hold me down, the spirit's testing me now
but I can withstand this world, but it seems so foul
flood of emotions, it's like I'm being held down to drown.
Hell's right around the corner, but I can turn it around.
You always have a choice, no matter the situation, you're not bound,
to nothing, no one. You're chosen for this job,
this is your life, you can't escape this bitch when it's hard.
Just know that it passes, but you'll collect scars-
they never go away, but they will make you who you are.
This is a beautiful struggle, I share it in song cos'
I can't control this, remember: the moment's beyond us.
Hold your head up, there's a light in the sky.
I know you're fed up, but you must try to survive.
Each moment's precious, don't let life pass you by-
keep focused, keep your eyes on the prize.
I know you're fed up, but you must try to survive.
Each moment's precious, don't let life pass you by-
keep focused, keep your eyes on the prize.
A friend of mine once told me,
we have many paths in this journey.
They act in different directions
so when you question don't be worried,
it's not a wrong one-
beauty can be found in all of them.
You'll meet people whose paths intersect
but you don't know how long you'll walk with them,
cos' the truth is, and it's so hard, but you'll never know
how long we'll continue with our loved ones down this rugged road.
The path veers and it's clear that we must steer alone.
I've learned if you can't hold on to that moment that exists--
Let it go.
Cos' freedom is god.
Freedom is acknowledging the mask you have on
and possessing the strength to take it off.
Freedom is accepting every step of the path
and when it's hard having faith in the ability to embrace that
that's where you are,
and this is it.
The same shit that we work towards,
but go against in the same sense.
My friend hit me to some game and truth unravelled, she said
"the brighter the light, the darker the shadow",
and since i'm on cliche terms, knowing is half the battle.
But i don't know,
so i just go with what was destined.
Life can be a burden or a blessing,
the choice is yours to be connected.
It's there if you want it, you got it, now let it.
Hold your head up, there's a light in the sky.
I know you're fed up, but you must try to survive.
Each moment's precious, don't let life pass you by-
keep focused, keep your eyes on the prize.
I feel like I have nothing to give right now,
this is my trial, tribulations, and it must go down,
but where's the up?
I'm stuck with the broken smile,
no jokin' now, wantin' to grab a swish and smoke this out.
The moment of a man choosing what path I will go down
do I give in, give up, or get up and live right now?
With a split gut, pick myself up and spit my style,
this is the only thing that can holds my ground.
You're born into this world alone and alone you'll go out
all I have is myself and everyone else I doubt.
You can only trust yourself and depend on the help of the pound
inside the chest that beats with the breath of the now.
No sunshine when she's gone, I can only see clouds.
No homies can hold me down, the spirit's testing me now
but I can withstand this world, but it seems so foul
flood of emotions, it's like I'm being held down to drown.
Hell's right around the corner, but I can turn it around.
You always have a choice, no matter the situation, you're not bound,
to nothing, no one. You're chosen for this job,
this is your life, you can't escape this bitch when it's hard.
Just know that it passes, but you'll collect scars-
they never go away, but they will make you who you are.
This is a beautiful struggle, I share it in song cos'
I can't control this, remember: the moment's beyond us.
Hold your head up, there's a light in the sky.
I know you're fed up, but you must try to survive.
Each moment's precious, don't let life pass you by-
keep focused, keep your eyes on the prize.
Lyrics submitted by mipake
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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,
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/
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This song is amazing I can't believe no one commented yet. its obvious what this song is about too. he lost his girl and he's talking about how it's never the end of the road and getting through a hard time of depression. This holds very true to my life as well.
my favorite song from his album, simply amazing!