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."
The love of my lifi just want you
To know that no matter whatno
Matter what you goin' through, no matter
What's happenin'no matter what people say
You're perfect you understand
Me? You're perfect
I look at your face and see flawlessness
Perfection, a wonderful and gorgeous kid
A gentle soul with a smile that radiates
A laugh that makes time stand still
And takes all pain away
But the doctor's say you need therapy
Using words like
"delayed development" and it's scaring me
And now they saying it's autism
To me that means you just
Unique like all God's children
You're not saying things that
You're used to
And you don't follow certain things that
You should be used to
Deep down, I feel like it's my fault
Cause a child doesn't just learn things
A child is taught
I feel I failed you as a teacher
Failed you a father
I'm trying so hard to reach ya
Mommy and I will try our best to guide you
And one day you will let out all
The gifts that are inside you
You are the reason that my heart should beat
So you don't never have to talk to me
Cause daddy knows what you're saying
Even if you don't speak
I'll be here when you ready
I'll be here when you ready my love
And I hope you don't mind that
I put this on a record
But I love you so much I
Had to put this on record
I promise you'll never be given
Up on or neglected and daddy would die first
Before you're disrespected
And yeah, some folks may chatter
But as long as you happy baby
Boy that's all that matters
All these doctors and hospitals is heavy
You look at me like, "Daddy
I'm cool i'ma talk when I'm ready"
We live in a society quick to diagnose
But what they don't see is the
Person I see at home
And that is my son, a magical soul
So words don't matter here
Cause when he needs me I know
And God don't make mistakes or accidents
But I know one day we
Gon' look back at this, we passing this
But this ain't no race we go at your pace
Take your time
Don't worry we'll wait my love
My love
I admit, your mother and I are scared
We were somewhat aware but we
Both feel a bit unprepared
The tears we shared because you is so loved
And your mama's strength is helping
Us out so much
She's making the appointments and
Doing the research
And daddy just praying every day
'til his knees hurt
We don't want you to feel upset
Your pain is ours
The thought alone just hurts my chest
Yeah you need less sugar and better rest
To be around kids your own age and
Not left to the TV set
We just don't want it hard for you
I wrote this song for you
But I know ain't nothing wrong with you
Uh huh there ain't nothing wrong with you
Boy not at all minor setback
You know what I'm saying? That's it baby
That's it we keep it moving i
See a genius when I look at your
Face you my everything my heart
To know that no matter whatno
Matter what you goin' through, no matter
What's happenin'no matter what people say
You're perfect you understand
Me? You're perfect
I look at your face and see flawlessness
Perfection, a wonderful and gorgeous kid
A gentle soul with a smile that radiates
A laugh that makes time stand still
And takes all pain away
But the doctor's say you need therapy
Using words like
"delayed development" and it's scaring me
And now they saying it's autism
To me that means you just
Unique like all God's children
You're not saying things that
You're used to
And you don't follow certain things that
You should be used to
Deep down, I feel like it's my fault
Cause a child doesn't just learn things
A child is taught
I feel I failed you as a teacher
Failed you a father
I'm trying so hard to reach ya
Mommy and I will try our best to guide you
And one day you will let out all
The gifts that are inside you
You are the reason that my heart should beat
So you don't never have to talk to me
Cause daddy knows what you're saying
Even if you don't speak
I'll be here when you ready
I'll be here when you ready my love
And I hope you don't mind that
I put this on a record
But I love you so much I
Had to put this on record
I promise you'll never be given
Up on or neglected and daddy would die first
Before you're disrespected
And yeah, some folks may chatter
But as long as you happy baby
Boy that's all that matters
All these doctors and hospitals is heavy
You look at me like, "Daddy
I'm cool i'ma talk when I'm ready"
We live in a society quick to diagnose
But what they don't see is the
Person I see at home
And that is my son, a magical soul
So words don't matter here
Cause when he needs me I know
And God don't make mistakes or accidents
But I know one day we
Gon' look back at this, we passing this
But this ain't no race we go at your pace
Take your time
Don't worry we'll wait my love
My love
I admit, your mother and I are scared
We were somewhat aware but we
Both feel a bit unprepared
The tears we shared because you is so loved
And your mama's strength is helping
Us out so much
She's making the appointments and
Doing the research
And daddy just praying every day
'til his knees hurt
We don't want you to feel upset
Your pain is ours
The thought alone just hurts my chest
Yeah you need less sugar and better rest
To be around kids your own age and
Not left to the TV set
We just don't want it hard for you
I wrote this song for you
But I know ain't nothing wrong with you
Uh huh there ain't nothing wrong with you
Boy not at all minor setback
You know what I'm saying? That's it baby
That's it we keep it moving i
See a genius when I look at your
Face you my everything my heart
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Talk To Me Lyrics as written by George Wallace
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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/
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.