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."
I've been thinking back to when we used to share a drink on midnight walks
When you'd pretend your winter breath was cigarette smoke in your lungs
I'd fight the urge to give you all the worst advice about the ones you liked
(You called it chemistry, I called it earning bragging rights)
Knowing damn well if I told you how I felt, I'd crack the ice
Roll the dice
You're just a second away from being in love or alone
What you don't know, is that each second you wait is a breath you don't take. It's a moment you wasted
I've been thinking back to that night on your front step when I held you as you wept
We sat awhile in silence but I was screaming in my head
How to tell you, if I should...
What to say, if I even could...
And if that moment came, would it simply hang forever...
So I always try to live vicariously through my friends
(You call it chemistry, I call it perfect timing instead)
Watching all them fall in love, and wondering if I will again
You're just a second away from being in love or alone
What you don't know, is that each second you wait is a breath you don't take. It's a moment you wasted
You're playing catch with 22
For once it's out you've got to choose
But if you choose to hold it in
Then where's the chance to begin new love?
Who knows, maybe she's the one...
I bet there's so many more than just the one for all of us
You're just a second away from being in love or alone
What you don't know, is that each second you wait is a breath you don't take. It's a moment you wasted
Just falling asleep with you is enough to keep me hanging on
Whether or not we ever evolve
If all that we are is paint on a wall, waiting to peel off
Then poison the well and pour me a cup
Drink up!
When you'd pretend your winter breath was cigarette smoke in your lungs
I'd fight the urge to give you all the worst advice about the ones you liked
(You called it chemistry, I called it earning bragging rights)
Knowing damn well if I told you how I felt, I'd crack the ice
Roll the dice
You're just a second away from being in love or alone
What you don't know, is that each second you wait is a breath you don't take. It's a moment you wasted
I've been thinking back to that night on your front step when I held you as you wept
We sat awhile in silence but I was screaming in my head
How to tell you, if I should...
What to say, if I even could...
And if that moment came, would it simply hang forever...
So I always try to live vicariously through my friends
(You call it chemistry, I call it perfect timing instead)
Watching all them fall in love, and wondering if I will again
You're just a second away from being in love or alone
What you don't know, is that each second you wait is a breath you don't take. It's a moment you wasted
You're playing catch with 22
For once it's out you've got to choose
But if you choose to hold it in
Then where's the chance to begin new love?
Who knows, maybe she's the one...
I bet there's so many more than just the one for all of us
You're just a second away from being in love or alone
What you don't know, is that each second you wait is a breath you don't take. It's a moment you wasted
Just falling asleep with you is enough to keep me hanging on
Whether or not we ever evolve
If all that we are is paint on a wall, waiting to peel off
Then poison the well and pour me a cup
Drink up!
Lyrics submitted by darkforce100
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