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."
How could it all fall in one day?
Were we too sure of the sun?
If you need to, keep time on me
If you need to, keep time on me
Who knows what state is in store?
If they all turn, will you run?
If you need to, keep time on me
If you need to, keep time on me
When I need to, I'll keep time on you
Wide oceans roar
A frightened fool stokes heatless fire
But if you need to, keep time on me
If you need to, keep time on me
How could it all fall in one day?
Were we too sure of the sun?
If you need to, keep time on me
Were we too sure of the sun?
If you need to, keep time on me
If you need to, keep time on me
Who knows what state is in store?
If they all turn, will you run?
If you need to, keep time on me
If you need to, keep time on me
When I need to, I'll keep time on you
Wide oceans roar
A frightened fool stokes heatless fire
But if you need to, keep time on me
If you need to, keep time on me
How could it all fall in one day?
Were we too sure of the sun?
If you need to, keep time on me
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
If You Need to, Keep Time on Me Lyrics as written by Robin Pecknold
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
In the liner notes it says "January 20th, 2017." That was the inauguration of Donald Trump.
"How could it all fall in one day? Were we too sure of a sun?"
Basically I read it like this- Trump getting elected was a scary moment. Even Clinton would've been scary. I don't think either option would've been a nice shower of 'sunlight.' Either way, Trump got elected and it was a discouraging moment to be an American.
While this song was more than likely written from the perspective of friendship, an older married friend of mine told me his (personal) interpretation of this song: in a biblical marriage, it is very rare that either spouse will be going through the same season of doubt at exactly the same time. If the husband is doubting, he can rely on his wife's faith. If the wife is doubting, she can rely on the husband's faith. It's not meant to be a total fix, but in a moment of discouragement, that's what people do when they love each other. We lean on each other when we can't see the sunlight, ultimately to hold on to the hopeful truth of Jesus Christ. At least that's what my life looks like.
I love the lyric "wide oceans roar, a frightened fool stokes heatless/heedless fire." I read that as an appropriate commentary for all the roaring of social media during the election process. The fire was constant, and didn't seemed to help anything. Of all the noise, very little of it had any real impact (so it was "heatless") and frightened fools were constantly voicing their opinion, without giving much thought to what they were saying (heedless).
I think this is a beautiful song about lovingly supporting each other during dark days.
@bluecassette Well put, my friend. Well put.