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."
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
They told me you ain't good enough
Don't look good enough
Don't sing good enough
Maybe you should give it up
And if I would've
Then I never could've received
None of the things
That He planned for me
So I waited a little longer
Grew a little stronger
And then I realized
Something was happening
It's so incredible, it's unexplainable
You ought to try Him for yourself
And see because
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Sometimes I think about, yeah
How we used to be
And can't help but remembering, yeah
How it was never easy for me, no, no
But the way God works
It's so amazing, He never forgot me
I can't forget Him
That's enough for me to lift my hands
And I'm sorry if you don't understand
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
All my fears
(It's over now)
And all my pain
(It's over now)
All my doubts
(It's over now)
They went away
(It's over now)
No more fear
(It's over now)
And I'm glad
(It's over now)
Yes, so glad
('Cause all I wanna do is)
(Dance, dance, dance)
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
They told me you ain't good enough
Don't look good enough
Don't sing good enough
Maybe you should give it up
And if I would've
Then I never could've received
None of the things
That He planned for me
So I waited a little longer
Grew a little stronger
And then I realized
Something was happening
It's so incredible, it's unexplainable
You ought to try Him for yourself
And see because
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Sometimes I think about, yeah
How we used to be
And can't help but remembering, yeah
How it was never easy for me, no, no
But the way God works
It's so amazing, He never forgot me
I can't forget Him
That's enough for me to lift my hands
And I'm sorry if you don't understand
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
All my fears
(It's over now)
And all my pain
(It's over now)
All my doubts
(It's over now)
They went away
(It's over now)
No more fear
(It's over now)
And I'm glad
(It's over now)
Yes, so glad
('Cause all I wanna do is)
(Dance, dance, dance)
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Maybe you don't understand
Why I gotta dance
There was something had me down
But it's over, now
I'ma throw my hands up
Wave 'em all in the air
'Cause all I wanna do is
Dance, dance, dance
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dance Dance Dance Lyrics as written by Erica Monique Atkins-campbell Erica Atkins-campbell
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.