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."
One day I know
We'll find a place of hope
Just hold on to me
Just hold on to me
Walk tight, one line
You're wanted this time
There's no one to blame
Just hold on to me
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
And the bells keep ringing
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
I walk and I wade
Through full lands and lonely
I stumble, I stumble
With you I wait
To be born again
With love comes the day
Just hold on to me
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
One day they'll be a place for us (And the bells keep ringing)
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
Now is the time
To follow through
To read the signs
Now the message sent
Let's bring it to it's final end
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
One day they'll be a place for us (And the bells keep ringing)
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
One day they'll be a place for us (And the bells keep ringing)
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
(Come on) One
(My love) day
I (One day they'll be a place for us)
Know
(Come on) They'll be
(My love) A place
Called (One day they'll be a place for us)
Home
We'll find a place of hope
Just hold on to me
Just hold on to me
Walk tight, one line
You're wanted this time
There's no one to blame
Just hold on to me
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
And the bells keep ringing
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
I walk and I wade
Through full lands and lonely
I stumble, I stumble
With you I wait
To be born again
With love comes the day
Just hold on to me
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
One day they'll be a place for us (And the bells keep ringing)
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
Now is the time
To follow through
To read the signs
Now the message sent
Let's bring it to it's final end
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
One day they'll be a place for us (And the bells keep ringing)
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
(Come on) And I'm right on time
(My love) And the birds keep singing
And you're right on line
One day they'll be a place for us (And the bells keep ringing)
(Come on) And the battle is won
(My love) And the planes keep winging
And I'm right on time
One day they'll be a place for us (And the girl keeps singing)
(Come on) One
(My love) day
I (One day they'll be a place for us)
Know
(Come on) They'll be
(My love) A place
Called (One day they'll be a place for us)
Home
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Its great. I feel like it's 'busy', it reminds me of the city, its a city song..I dunno jus what i feel from it. She creates his whole atmosphere, he music engrosses me...all aspects of me, especially this song. It reminds me of not fitting in, being the outsider. Perhaps its about lovers who are distant I'm not quite sure, though I'd like to find out.