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."
[Link (Egoraptor):]
"Aw yeah
It's me, Link again, baby
That's right I'm back!
Last time I quested for Zelda I got a little off track
But now my confidence is at an all-time high
Because Navi just anointed me the 'Hero of Rhyme!'"
[Navi (Danny Sexbang):]
"I said the 'Hero of Time!'"
[Link:]
That's right the Hero of Rhyme!
I don't need no sword or shield
I'm gonna be just fine
[Navi:]
Hey, listen I think—
[Link:]
Shh
I've got my beats and jams!
I'm taking Ganon down now
No thanks to you, Old Man!
[Old Man (Danny Sexbang):]
What?!
[Villager (Danny Sexbang):]
Link, thank God you're here, the countryside is terrified and shocked!
We're overrun with darknuts, peahats, leevers, gels, and octoroks!
You're our hero of the ages with a sword and helping hand!
We really need your skills!
[Link:]
Oh you need my skills?
Aw damn!
Moblins: no problem and octoroks don't know poppycock!
Gotta get that Triforce tomorrow, but first I gotta do my pop and lock!
When I see an iron knuckle I'mma buckle up my pants
'Cause those bitches don't fuck around when I kick on my Z-target dance!
But see, with me, I've gotta find a different way to defeat
Don't use my sword and shield but I know this flow is good enough to kill
The Hylian people rejoice: 'cause your hero is the illest motherfuckin' rapper with the illest fuckin' voice!
How was that?
Those raps do anything for you?
[Villager:]
Oh, god, everyone is dead!
[Link:]
Moving right along to Ganon's underground lair
[Villager:]
Everything's on fire!
[Link:]
Don't worry, I'm not scared
I'll save all of Hyrule with the tastiest rhymes I can spit
Now watch and learn, Navi!
[Navi:]
You're a stupid piece of shit!
[Link:]
Wanna go Ganon? Get your pig-ass over here and try me!
Just ignore the burning hellscape that's collapsing in behind me
You have never seen a rapper close to my skills whatsoever!
Oh I see you brought a giant glowing sword
That's cool, whatever
'Cause, hey!
I'm gonna be the last thing you see when you lose against me here in the ruins of the city
Yeah, ah! No better bigger battle than here 'cause by the time you swing your sword I'm gonna—
Oh!
Whoa
Chill out!
Gotta fill out this order form for a partner who can, maybe, I don't know, come out and help me out in a real bout!
[Navi:]
Hey listen, Link!
Your rapping doesn't stink, but Ganon's standing right there with a giant sword—
Oh
Ooh
Shh
Oh
"Aw yeah
It's me, Link again, baby
That's right I'm back!
Last time I quested for Zelda I got a little off track
But now my confidence is at an all-time high
Because Navi just anointed me the 'Hero of Rhyme!'"
[Navi (Danny Sexbang):]
"I said the 'Hero of Time!'"
[Link:]
That's right the Hero of Rhyme!
I don't need no sword or shield
I'm gonna be just fine
[Navi:]
Hey, listen I think—
[Link:]
Shh
I've got my beats and jams!
I'm taking Ganon down now
No thanks to you, Old Man!
[Old Man (Danny Sexbang):]
What?!
[Villager (Danny Sexbang):]
Link, thank God you're here, the countryside is terrified and shocked!
We're overrun with darknuts, peahats, leevers, gels, and octoroks!
You're our hero of the ages with a sword and helping hand!
We really need your skills!
[Link:]
Oh you need my skills?
Aw damn!
Moblins: no problem and octoroks don't know poppycock!
Gotta get that Triforce tomorrow, but first I gotta do my pop and lock!
When I see an iron knuckle I'mma buckle up my pants
'Cause those bitches don't fuck around when I kick on my Z-target dance!
But see, with me, I've gotta find a different way to defeat
Don't use my sword and shield but I know this flow is good enough to kill
The Hylian people rejoice: 'cause your hero is the illest motherfuckin' rapper with the illest fuckin' voice!
How was that?
Those raps do anything for you?
[Villager:]
Oh, god, everyone is dead!
[Link:]
Moving right along to Ganon's underground lair
[Villager:]
Everything's on fire!
[Link:]
Don't worry, I'm not scared
I'll save all of Hyrule with the tastiest rhymes I can spit
Now watch and learn, Navi!
[Navi:]
You're a stupid piece of shit!
[Link:]
Wanna go Ganon? Get your pig-ass over here and try me!
Just ignore the burning hellscape that's collapsing in behind me
You have never seen a rapper close to my skills whatsoever!
Oh I see you brought a giant glowing sword
That's cool, whatever
'Cause, hey!
I'm gonna be the last thing you see when you lose against me here in the ruins of the city
Yeah, ah! No better bigger battle than here 'cause by the time you swing your sword I'm gonna—
Oh!
Whoa
Chill out!
Gotta fill out this order form for a partner who can, maybe, I don't know, come out and help me out in a real bout!
[Navi:]
Hey listen, Link!
Your rapping doesn't stink, but Ganon's standing right there with a giant sword—
Oh
Ooh
Shh
Oh
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Mountain Song
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