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."
Yeah
Yeah
Mama
My daughter spoiled like I used to be, I used to think
Niggas was thorough, shit was for life, retro, my wife
Mama won't change, bro in the game
Pops preaching the same thing they ain't had before the fame
(I just need my space right now)
Running the mileage up, grab the thermometer
Look at these niggas face, they mad 'cause my dollars up
Bank account super cocky like Ye with the collar up
Niggas calling me opp like they really took shots at us
Started seein' that money, was motivated for this moment
I'm talking to my opponent, I'm in the mirror, I noticed (yeah)
Never was supposed to win, these niggas dyin' to show it (dyin')
Loyalty, these bitches playin', you know they dyin' to know me
Spent some money on Rollies, I ain't got no time to be wastin'
In penthouses in the sky, I'm counting money and pacin'
My wrist is getting too crowded, I spent your chain on a bracelet
We wanted the elevation, ain't know this shit came with hatred (yeah)
Lightskin bitch, got her pregnant, she got a baby
Tellin' me her situation, I know this shit 'bout some paper
Brown pretty ting from the west, say it's my baby
DNA test say it's good, congrats, you made it
And you can't really tell me this shit ain't 'bout no coke
'Cause I know how it go (I know how this shit go)
I took off on tour, no pressure, man
I'm used to takin' risks on the road (for real)
Fuck these niggas, I'ma go and get this shit
Get this shit on my own (phew)
You can't take the heat, get the fuck up out the kitchen
While I stand at the stove
My brother sent a text, took it as disrespect
Say I don't say enough about him when I spit these raps
He know I love him from the bottom, I'm just speaking facts
I wish I listened to you early, man, these streets is real
Right now, I'm thinking back, gunshots and raids
All of them nights I prayed, I'm seeing for better days (for real)
Long walks to school, practices in them games
Hating in our hood, call on me and I came (yeah)
Let a nigga play, we gon' demonstrate, I'm spendin' everything
Know your daughter like mines too, she getting everything (yeah, yeah)
If them tables were turned, nigga (damn), I know you'd do the same
I just waited my turn, nigga, bro, you can get the Range
Fuck the beef, fuck the words, nigga, you seen a nigga pain
If it's one thing I learned, nigga, for me you'll never change
You know Face, he one thorough nigga, I'm bleeding for the game
That Patron kinda fucked me up, I'm breathing kinda strange
Many nights with no paper on me, that money never made me (Damn)
Learned to talk with no heart, B, our love was devastated
Team was fucking with my head, damn, I damn near couldn't take it
Woke up to a cold world, it's like they stripped me naked
Street dreams and I was hungry, we set up in a vacant
I just sleep when that load there, we pressin' in the basement
Niggas probably wouldn't knew me, the years that I was facin'
You ain't gotta go see LeBron, you wanna witness greatness
I just need my space right now
I know, I need some motherfuckin' space too
I need space, what the fuckin' word, nigga? Yeah
She can't spit on me, nigga
No faith when I'm in my body, know that
Yeah
Mama
My daughter spoiled like I used to be, I used to think
Niggas was thorough, shit was for life, retro, my wife
Mama won't change, bro in the game
Pops preaching the same thing they ain't had before the fame
(I just need my space right now)
Running the mileage up, grab the thermometer
Look at these niggas face, they mad 'cause my dollars up
Bank account super cocky like Ye with the collar up
Niggas calling me opp like they really took shots at us
Started seein' that money, was motivated for this moment
I'm talking to my opponent, I'm in the mirror, I noticed (yeah)
Never was supposed to win, these niggas dyin' to show it (dyin')
Loyalty, these bitches playin', you know they dyin' to know me
Spent some money on Rollies, I ain't got no time to be wastin'
In penthouses in the sky, I'm counting money and pacin'
My wrist is getting too crowded, I spent your chain on a bracelet
We wanted the elevation, ain't know this shit came with hatred (yeah)
Lightskin bitch, got her pregnant, she got a baby
Tellin' me her situation, I know this shit 'bout some paper
Brown pretty ting from the west, say it's my baby
DNA test say it's good, congrats, you made it
And you can't really tell me this shit ain't 'bout no coke
'Cause I know how it go (I know how this shit go)
I took off on tour, no pressure, man
I'm used to takin' risks on the road (for real)
Fuck these niggas, I'ma go and get this shit
Get this shit on my own (phew)
You can't take the heat, get the fuck up out the kitchen
While I stand at the stove
My brother sent a text, took it as disrespect
Say I don't say enough about him when I spit these raps
He know I love him from the bottom, I'm just speaking facts
I wish I listened to you early, man, these streets is real
Right now, I'm thinking back, gunshots and raids
All of them nights I prayed, I'm seeing for better days (for real)
Long walks to school, practices in them games
Hating in our hood, call on me and I came (yeah)
Let a nigga play, we gon' demonstrate, I'm spendin' everything
Know your daughter like mines too, she getting everything (yeah, yeah)
If them tables were turned, nigga (damn), I know you'd do the same
I just waited my turn, nigga, bro, you can get the Range
Fuck the beef, fuck the words, nigga, you seen a nigga pain
If it's one thing I learned, nigga, for me you'll never change
You know Face, he one thorough nigga, I'm bleeding for the game
That Patron kinda fucked me up, I'm breathing kinda strange
Many nights with no paper on me, that money never made me (Damn)
Learned to talk with no heart, B, our love was devastated
Team was fucking with my head, damn, I damn near couldn't take it
Woke up to a cold world, it's like they stripped me naked
Street dreams and I was hungry, we set up in a vacant
I just sleep when that load there, we pressin' in the basement
Niggas probably wouldn't knew me, the years that I was facin'
You ain't gotta go see LeBron, you wanna witness greatness
I just need my space right now
I know, I need some motherfuckin' space too
I need space, what the fuckin' word, nigga? Yeah
She can't spit on me, nigga
No faith when I'm in my body, know that
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
A1 Since Day 1 Lyrics as written by Evan Jarrod Marcellus Register
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Beautiful song. :)