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."
Madelyn, I share your hate for this world we're in,
But it makes me a better man.
It's an excuse that you make.
Madelyn, I know you want to let the bottles in.
I know you think that they're all your friends.
They're lying straight to your face.
I know about the devil in your bloodstream.
I know that the ghosts still visit nightly.
I know it must get lonely by the Chesapeake.
And Madelyn, are you really afraid of death
Or do you just say it if it's the right thing to say?
Madelyn, I know you're safe where you lay your head,
But if you wanted to come back, I've got a place you could stay.
If I'm not doing right by my family,
Then what's the point of it anyway?
I don't think there's a god.
I don't think that there's someone coming to save us
And I don't think that's the worst news of the day.
I don't think there's a god.
I don't think that there's someone coming to save me
And I don't think that's the worst news of the day.
So Madelyn, I know how your cold scars turn purple.
I know how the Irish goodbyes feel, I know where you've been.
And Madelyn, you and I got this East Coast blood between us.
It's bitter and vitriolic, I know how it ends.
If I'm not doing right by my family
Oh, I'm not doing right by family.
But it makes me a better man.
It's an excuse that you make.
Madelyn, I know you want to let the bottles in.
I know you think that they're all your friends.
They're lying straight to your face.
I know about the devil in your bloodstream.
I know that the ghosts still visit nightly.
I know it must get lonely by the Chesapeake.
And Madelyn, are you really afraid of death
Or do you just say it if it's the right thing to say?
Madelyn, I know you're safe where you lay your head,
But if you wanted to come back, I've got a place you could stay.
If I'm not doing right by my family,
Then what's the point of it anyway?
I don't think there's a god.
I don't think that there's someone coming to save us
And I don't think that's the worst news of the day.
I don't think there's a god.
I don't think that there's someone coming to save me
And I don't think that's the worst news of the day.
So Madelyn, I know how your cold scars turn purple.
I know how the Irish goodbyes feel, I know where you've been.
And Madelyn, you and I got this East Coast blood between us.
It's bitter and vitriolic, I know how it ends.
If I'm not doing right by my family
Oh, I'm not doing right by family.
Lyrics submitted by Surgical_Tools
Madelyn Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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This song is about somebody in the bands sister. Sounds like she has a addiction problem.
I don't think there's a god; I don't think that there's someone coming to save us And I don't think that's the worst news of the day
these lyrics are telling her a "GOD cant save her but maybe he can help.
Madelyn, are you really afraid of death or do you just say it if it's the right thing to say? "
He is scared she doesnt care if she dies, even if she says otherwise.
Maybe it is about a family member that died way back when and he is trying to relate to her? IDK
@Cuthroatclark <br /> <br /> I take the god part a little differently. I think it's more about how he(probably they) don't believe in god, but it doesn't matter anyhow. Like there's still stuff to live for anyway.
I agree that this sounds like its about his,or one of the bands sisters having an addiction. The way he talks about the bottles being her friends and he devil in her bloodstream must be a reference to alcohol, and the line about purple scars could be a reference to scars caused by injecting heroin? It also sounds like he feels guilty for not being there for her? the line 'im not doing right by my family' being constantly repeated makes it seem as if they are annoyed at him for something, maybe being constantly on tour while 'Madelyn' is addicted to drugs.
Anyway its a brilliant song, love the way his voice cracks in it, makes it that bit more emotional.
This song is about somebody in the bands sister. Sounds like she has a addiction problem.
I don't think there's a god; I don't think that there's someone coming to save us And I don't think that's the worst news of the day
these lyrics are telling her a "GOD cant save her but maybe he can help.
Madelyn, are you really afraid of death or do you just say it if it's the right thing to say? "
He is scared she doesnt care if she dies, even if she says otherwise.
Maybe it is about a family member that died way back when and he is trying to relate to her? IDK