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."
She said I watch him walk down Main Street
A sweet one man parade
He'd tip his hat and just like that
Another score he'd made
I'd watched the girls all watch him
Moths drawn to the flame
The money showed, the laughter flowed
From the way he played the game... he played the game
Some said he was a rambler
Some said he was a rake
Some said he was a gambler,
Some said he was a fake
But I knew him like no one else
A gentle man was he
His days belonged to himself
His nights belonged to me... belonged to me
And they're talkin' in the town square
And they're talkin' in the shops
I hear them talkin' everywhere
Their talkin' never stops
But all their words of wisdom
Won't make you go away
The day they closed the factory down
They had nothin' ...nothing left to say
She said I take care of my mother now
Since my father died
I'm raisin' baby brother Tim
The way my father tried
His thirty years in the factory
Ended in that furnace blast
But they settled up for ten bucks a week
And the bitterness is past... It did not last
So they're movin' somewhere else now
With their clothes and fabric press
They found themselves a better town
Where they'll make shirts for less
And that is why he said last night
I won't watch the old town die
But I would not take what he tried to leave
When he told me goodbye... Aw it's goodbye
And they're talkin' in the town square
And they're talkin' in the shops
I hear them talkin' everywhere
Their talkin' never stops
But all their words of wisdom
Won't make you go away
The day they closed the factory down
They had nothin' ...nothing left to say
So they're talkin' of the changes
That closin' brings about
They're talkin' of the hard times
And the young folks movin' out
Yes they're talkin' as if talkin'
Can make everything all right
But all the talkin' ever done
Won't bring him back tonight... Aw tonight
And they're talkin' in the town square
And they're talkin' in the shops
I hear them talkin' everywhere
Their talkin' never stops
But all their words of wisdom
Won't make you go away
The day they closed the factory down
They had nothin' ...nothing left to say
A sweet one man parade
He'd tip his hat and just like that
Another score he'd made
I'd watched the girls all watch him
Moths drawn to the flame
The money showed, the laughter flowed
From the way he played the game... he played the game
Some said he was a rambler
Some said he was a rake
Some said he was a gambler,
Some said he was a fake
But I knew him like no one else
A gentle man was he
His days belonged to himself
His nights belonged to me... belonged to me
And they're talkin' in the town square
And they're talkin' in the shops
I hear them talkin' everywhere
Their talkin' never stops
But all their words of wisdom
Won't make you go away
The day they closed the factory down
They had nothin' ...nothing left to say
She said I take care of my mother now
Since my father died
I'm raisin' baby brother Tim
The way my father tried
His thirty years in the factory
Ended in that furnace blast
But they settled up for ten bucks a week
And the bitterness is past... It did not last
So they're movin' somewhere else now
With their clothes and fabric press
They found themselves a better town
Where they'll make shirts for less
And that is why he said last night
I won't watch the old town die
But I would not take what he tried to leave
When he told me goodbye... Aw it's goodbye
And they're talkin' in the town square
And they're talkin' in the shops
I hear them talkin' everywhere
Their talkin' never stops
But all their words of wisdom
Won't make you go away
The day they closed the factory down
They had nothin' ...nothing left to say
So they're talkin' of the changes
That closin' brings about
They're talkin' of the hard times
And the young folks movin' out
Yes they're talkin' as if talkin'
Can make everything all right
But all the talkin' ever done
Won't bring him back tonight... Aw tonight
And they're talkin' in the town square
And they're talkin' in the shops
I hear them talkin' everywhere
Their talkin' never stops
But all their words of wisdom
Won't make you go away
The day they closed the factory down
They had nothin' ...nothing left to say
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by KOBENSKI
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
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.
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 a song about about a one-horse town when the one horse decides to up and leave.