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."
Someone said they left together
I ran out the door to get her
She was holding hands with Trevor
Not the greatest feeling ever
Said, "Pull yourself together
You should try your luck with Heather"
Then I heard they slept together
Oh, the less I know the better
The less I know the better
Oh, my love, can't you see yourself by my side?
No surprise when you're on his shoulder like every night
Oh, my love, can't you see that you're on my mind?
Don't suppose you could convince your lover to change his mind?
So goodbye
She said, "It's not now or never
Wait ten years, we'll be together"
I said, "Better late than never
Just don't make me wait forever"
Don't make me wait forever
Don't make me wait forever
Oh, my love, can't you see yourself by my side?
I don't suppose you could convince your lover to change his mind?
I was doin' fine without you
'Til I saw your face, now I can't erase
Givin' in to all his bullshit
Is this what you want? is this who you are?
I was doin' fine without you
'Til I saw your eyes turn away from mine
Oh, sweet darling, where he wants you
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"
I ran out the door to get her
She was holding hands with Trevor
Not the greatest feeling ever
Said, "Pull yourself together
You should try your luck with Heather"
Then I heard they slept together
Oh, the less I know the better
The less I know the better
Oh, my love, can't you see yourself by my side?
No surprise when you're on his shoulder like every night
Oh, my love, can't you see that you're on my mind?
Don't suppose you could convince your lover to change his mind?
So goodbye
She said, "It's not now or never
Wait ten years, we'll be together"
I said, "Better late than never
Just don't make me wait forever"
Don't make me wait forever
Don't make me wait forever
Oh, my love, can't you see yourself by my side?
I don't suppose you could convince your lover to change his mind?
I was doin' fine without you
'Til I saw your face, now I can't erase
Givin' in to all his bullshit
Is this what you want? is this who you are?
I was doin' fine without you
'Til I saw your eyes turn away from mine
Oh, sweet darling, where he wants you
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"
Said, "Come on Superman, say your stupid line"
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher, edited by johnde, dopamineclouds, jorgek92a, AvnFlu, FalconoftheSun, JinglePoo, Dr3aMWeav3r, drippingblood
The Less I Know the Better Lyrics as written by Kevin Richard Parker
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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I think this song is about the strength of sexual lust in teenagers and how it is an overpowering force that dominates relationships at an adolescent age. The meaning of the song is definitely stronger and slightly different if you watch the music video. As an adolescent myself, it's really obvious that in social situations, sex is at the forefront of the mind of both girls and guys. This is not true for all, however. This sex drive overpowers relationships at an age when everyone is losing their virginity and trying to be cool. the song's meaning can be applied universally to all relationships, but it is especially relevant to young social dynamics.
The protagonist represents a boy desperately in love, wanting not just sex, but her company as a partner ("can't you see yourself by my side"). He feels frustrated and restricted by the distraction that sex is for his love.
The most potent symbol in the music video is the gorilla. I think the gorilla represents the primordial instinct within all of us (especially teenagers), which is sex. The girl is absorbed by this instinct, represented in the scene where the big hand of the gorilla takes her away and also when she does a gorilla dance (perhaps a metaphor for sex, the thing he probably shouldn't know about.)
Anyway, the story is of a frustrated boy, who we assume to be rational and interested in an emotional and two-sided relationship. He can't access her though, because sex with Trevor (the anonymous symbol of a sexier male than him) is more exciting for her adolescent mind. It's possible that even she recognises that her teenage sex drive is too powerful to resist, and that she actually wants a more rational and caring partner: she decides to put off stability in her relationship until "ten years" later when sex isn't the most important thing for her.
This frustrating restriction is best symbolised by the gorilla hand costumes in one of the shots, which suggests her body is inaccessible, consumed by sex with Trevor.
As a teenager myself looking for a partner, this music video and song is relatable - I've met a few girls who I really like, but I get the sense that access to them is restricted by their sex drive and possibly some sort of feeling of expectation to have sexual relations with the hottest guys possible?
Like the protagonist, I really just want to get to know a girl, but at a young age they aren't interested in an emotional connection with anyone.
Anyone agree or relate?