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."
Box Chevy, no tint
Floatin' inside, aquarium
Yeah that's him,
Compository sketches is all
They can't catch us, Jet Setta's
I jointed the mile high club somewhere over Texas
Plotted my climb since the homie played the black Lexus
I told em put it all on spitta
Guaranteed winner, then a go getta
Ain't gotta go no where, I already came here with it
Pull up at the picnic El Camino on 13's
Red nose pit bulls in the back, No leash
Mu'fuckas well-trained, on the low I be havin' that high grade
Talkin' bout how a nigga smoke n maintain
That's word from a bird and a fuzzy herb tree
Fly tell that you ain't heard that from me
True vision and the impeccable timing
Shine so the blinded don't look twice
My Fresh don't it look nice
Yo D.N.A. ain't the same pimp so naw you don't look right
Fuck it, I fast forward past yours,
You wanted something to look up to so ask for it
Mississippi country bumpkin with nothin' to loose
I BB a king so let me sing you the blues
Let me lay down the rules,
Get money by all means,
Survive at all costs put god 'bove all things
I fall Short, pimpin' women with small shorts
Reachin' out for a smile like children and small folk
Always above the rim like what do you ball for?
If you ain't spending money then what did u call for
I look good for the fuck, but baby it's all spoke
The game is a bitch and shawty she all choke
Came through to conquer
We killin' this since contra
No sponser and I'm smokin' on a mini launcher
Eight grams nigga fuck with me
Gotta have 8 lungs to come puff with me
I don't blow Reggie Bush, neva' would
This heavy kush, oh you got some too? Very good
With a grinder, we grinders, top rhymers
Definers, drop gems so timeless
Burn like a C.D., get topped like Z.Z.
Flow like agua and I'm cold like a ski beat
Lord, got them hood niggas quotin my bars
And them bloggers like oh my gawd...
Smoke Robinson, earl james, and George Kush
Round table eatin' pasta like mobsta's
Make a killin' off sour D
They lied money really do grow off trees, yes
Floatin' inside, aquarium
Yeah that's him,
Compository sketches is all
They can't catch us, Jet Setta's
I jointed the mile high club somewhere over Texas
Plotted my climb since the homie played the black Lexus
I told em put it all on spitta
Guaranteed winner, then a go getta
Ain't gotta go no where, I already came here with it
Pull up at the picnic El Camino on 13's
Red nose pit bulls in the back, No leash
Mu'fuckas well-trained, on the low I be havin' that high grade
Talkin' bout how a nigga smoke n maintain
That's word from a bird and a fuzzy herb tree
Fly tell that you ain't heard that from me
True vision and the impeccable timing
Shine so the blinded don't look twice
My Fresh don't it look nice
Yo D.N.A. ain't the same pimp so naw you don't look right
Fuck it, I fast forward past yours,
You wanted something to look up to so ask for it
Mississippi country bumpkin with nothin' to loose
I BB a king so let me sing you the blues
Let me lay down the rules,
Get money by all means,
Survive at all costs put god 'bove all things
I fall Short, pimpin' women with small shorts
Reachin' out for a smile like children and small folk
Always above the rim like what do you ball for?
If you ain't spending money then what did u call for
I look good for the fuck, but baby it's all spoke
The game is a bitch and shawty she all choke
Came through to conquer
We killin' this since contra
No sponser and I'm smokin' on a mini launcher
Eight grams nigga fuck with me
Gotta have 8 lungs to come puff with me
I don't blow Reggie Bush, neva' would
This heavy kush, oh you got some too? Very good
With a grinder, we grinders, top rhymers
Definers, drop gems so timeless
Burn like a C.D., get topped like Z.Z.
Flow like agua and I'm cold like a ski beat
Lord, got them hood niggas quotin my bars
And them bloggers like oh my gawd...
Smoke Robinson, earl james, and George Kush
Round table eatin' pasta like mobsta's
Make a killin' off sour D
They lied money really do grow off trees, yes
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More Featured Meanings
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.