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."
Wes Riddle dedicates this song he wrote for a girl named Emily Shickel, who has helped him through many rough times and has been there for him. Wes has many feelings for Emily, and he wanted to thank her with this song. The lyrics may of been written by Wes, but the song is Emily Shickel's forever. Here is "Thank You."
(Verse 1) Every day went fast as all my past would slowly drift away
I felt my spirit ache and my life shake as I could never pray
Minutes in the hour would all devour what’s inside of me
My life did hurt as our great earth would turn and feel so free
But then I had turned to you
I knew it struck you from out of the blue
You cared for me, it was a clue
That I had to say and will keep saying to you
(Chorus) Thank you, for what you do
I really need you to help me find what’s true
Now my sad past has gone at last and now I just wanted to say
Thank you
(Verse 2) Now music melodies and memories float all inside my head
You and the rain have washed all of the pain that used to make me dread
You’ve been so kind it’s helped my mind feel what is true inside my heart
When my last breath lead me to death, please, don’t forget my part
Because I had turned to you, my friend
I really need to see your face again
I hope that you will help me ‘til the end
With this I’ll say and will keep saying to you
(Chorus) Thank you, for what you do
I really need you to help me find what’s true
Now my sad past has gone at last and now I just wanted to say
Thank you
(Bridge) You have been there for me
If it weren’t for you I don’t know where I would be
Thanks for all the things you have done
If you were not here I would just…
Run, run away, and leave here today
But because you have helped me I will stay and say
(Chorus) Thank you, for what you do
I really need you to help me find what’s true
Now my sad past has gone at last and now I just wanted to say
Thank you
(End) Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you
Thank you from me
Thank you... Emily
(Verse 1) Every day went fast as all my past would slowly drift away
I felt my spirit ache and my life shake as I could never pray
Minutes in the hour would all devour what’s inside of me
My life did hurt as our great earth would turn and feel so free
But then I had turned to you
I knew it struck you from out of the blue
You cared for me, it was a clue
That I had to say and will keep saying to you
(Chorus) Thank you, for what you do
I really need you to help me find what’s true
Now my sad past has gone at last and now I just wanted to say
Thank you
(Verse 2) Now music melodies and memories float all inside my head
You and the rain have washed all of the pain that used to make me dread
You’ve been so kind it’s helped my mind feel what is true inside my heart
When my last breath lead me to death, please, don’t forget my part
Because I had turned to you, my friend
I really need to see your face again
I hope that you will help me ‘til the end
With this I’ll say and will keep saying to you
(Chorus) Thank you, for what you do
I really need you to help me find what’s true
Now my sad past has gone at last and now I just wanted to say
Thank you
(Bridge) You have been there for me
If it weren’t for you I don’t know where I would be
Thanks for all the things you have done
If you were not here I would just…
Run, run away, and leave here today
But because you have helped me I will stay and say
(Chorus) Thank you, for what you do
I really need you to help me find what’s true
Now my sad past has gone at last and now I just wanted to say
Thank you
(End) Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you
Thank you from me
Thank you... Emily
Lyrics submitted by TheIntimindator27
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.