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."
When it hits me what she's gone
I think I'll run for president
Get my face put on the million dollar bill
So when these rich men that she wants
Show her ways they can take care of her
I'll have found a way to be there with her still
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be an astronaut
Make the moon my home and leave the earth behind
So when eh steps out into the night
She'll be facing me every time she shines
When it hits me that she's left me alone
When I finally move on with my life
Her goodbye written into stone
And her shadow grown into a night
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be a movie star
Play the finest men the world has ever seen
So when these lovers that she's found
Show her ways they learned to talk to her
Behind each perfect word there'll be a little bit of me
I think I'll run for president
Get my face put on the million dollar bill
So when these rich men that she wants
Show her ways they can take care of her
I'll have found a way to be there with her still
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be an astronaut
Make the moon my home and leave the earth behind
So when eh steps out into the night
She'll be facing me every time she shines
When it hits me that she's left me alone
When I finally move on with my life
Her goodbye written into stone
And her shadow grown into a night
When it hits me that she's gone
I think I'll be a movie star
Play the finest men the world has ever seen
So when these lovers that she's found
Show her ways they learned to talk to her
Behind each perfect word there'll be a little bit of me
Lyrics submitted by matthewconte
Million Dollar Bill Lyrics as written by Taylor Goldsmith
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
I got these straight from the liner notes, although there were some clear mistakes in the liner notes, so maybe that's not the best source. Anyway, I think these are accurate, not to mention that there is a lot of beauty in what Taylor is saying with this song. Just a few different verses basically saying "Yeah you left me, but I still really want to be a part of your life" and so he says it in these ridiculous but very poetic ways like "I'm going to fly to the moon so when you look out on it you'll be seeing me." I like it.
There's a line missing in the second verse. Should be this: So when she steps out into the night and finds the light that makes her prettiest, she'll be facing me every time she shines.
Such a gorgeous song.
It's one of my favorite songs... ever. I don't get tired of it. They have a live version available on youtube (Live from Rhythm & Roots) that's just mesmerizing. This song is one that makes me both happy, sad, and peaceful all at the same time. If you have ever truly, deeply loved someone and had to separate from them because they wanted or needed something/someone else to be happy... you'll identify. You can love a person with your entire heart and not be enough for them, or even be destructive together. It can be for any myriad of reasons... but the take away is that no matter what, you continue to love them and to hope to always be with them in some small way. It takes a lot of reflection, healing, and emotion work to get to this stage of acceptance after such heartbreak. In my opinion, it's one of the purest love songs that there is.