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 believe in a few things
God the devil and love
cause I've looked up from the bottom
and I've stared down from above
I have faith in a few things
divinity and grace
but even when I'm on my knees
I know the devil prays
and you're working your way
from the ground on down
I hate to say I love you
because it means that I
will be with you forever
or will sadly say goodbye
I love to say I hate you
because it means that I
will live my life happily without you
or will sadly live a lie
and you're working your way
from the ground on down
life is short
and if your lookin' for extension
with your time
you had best do well
cause there's good deeds
and there is good intention
they're as far apart
as heaven and hell
and you're working your way
from the ground on down
God the devil and love
cause I've looked up from the bottom
and I've stared down from above
I have faith in a few things
divinity and grace
but even when I'm on my knees
I know the devil prays
and you're working your way
from the ground on down
I hate to say I love you
because it means that I
will be with you forever
or will sadly say goodbye
I love to say I hate you
because it means that I
will live my life happily without you
or will sadly live a lie
and you're working your way
from the ground on down
life is short
and if your lookin' for extension
with your time
you had best do well
cause there's good deeds
and there is good intention
they're as far apart
as heaven and hell
and you're working your way
from the ground on down
Lyrics submitted by Holden666
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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 Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Sunglasses at Night
Corey Hart
Corey Hart
In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.
Great song, I can't believe no one has commented on it yet! To me it's about the constant struggle within between good and evil. Ben is saying that he's been through it all and he's telling you that you might want to change your ways, because just getting by without making a difference for the good isn't enough. Otherwise, you're just on your way down and he doesn't want love someone like that.
Great song, great poetic lyrics. When you hear him sing this song, a blunt kind of anger comes out in his voice. Hes calling out people who think that they are doing good but really are just doing bad. Hes calling out someone saying they are working their way from the ground on down, as in their intentions are bad, and in doing what they intend to do they are just digging themselves deeper.
Also, he condemns people who talk good but dont actually do good: "but even when I'm on my knees I know the devil prays" hes saying when he prays and asks God for things he realizes bad people do the same thing and realizing this the only difference is in who actually does good things later.
"cause there's good deeds and there is good intention they're as far apart as heaven and hell" Hes saying theres a big difference between talking righteously and actually living a righteous, good life. Hitler thought he had good intentions, so did Ghandi. Ones in heaven, one in hell.
What i get out of this song, regardless your intentions, religion, beleifs, whatever none of that counts to whether or not you are a good person, IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU ACT, WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND, WHO YOU LOVE, TANGIBLE THINGS. powerful message
...also lol i could go on forever Some things that are worth noting that relate to the song: There was a prophet called Malachi who came to the Israelites condemning them for "empty worship". For going to the temple and praying, then going home and causing harm to others. He says that true worship involves a good life as well as a good prayer life. This song shows the same message. Mohandas Gandhi once said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Perfect for the song, so many people who consider themselves christian yet do not live that way.
But then again, we are all only human, im sure ben harper isn't perfect either so maybe im just holding people to way to high of a moral standard