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."
Childhood living is easy to do
The things you wanted I bought them for you
Graceless lady you know who I am
You know I can't let you slide through my hands
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away
I watched you suffer a dull aching pain
Now you've decided to show me the same
No sweeping exits or offstage lines
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away
I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie
I have my freedom but I don't have much time
Faith has been broken tears must be cried
Let's do some living after we die
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day
The things you wanted I bought them for you
Graceless lady you know who I am
You know I can't let you slide through my hands
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away
I watched you suffer a dull aching pain
Now you've decided to show me the same
No sweeping exits or offstage lines
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away
I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie
I have my freedom but I don't have much time
Faith has been broken tears must be cried
Let's do some living after we die
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses we'll ride them some day
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar, edited by sinbeach, 3d1mandakng, glynnw
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More Featured Meanings
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
Another Love
Tom Odell
Tom Odell
I think the meaning is pretty clear. This person got really burned in a previous relationship, and because of this is unable to love and show care in his present one, even though he so badly wants to. It's lovely song, and very sad. You can really feel how defeated and frustrated he is with himself.
Yup, I would 100% agree with that, and the chorus is saying, no matter how much he gets hurt, or how bad she treats him, nothing will stop him from loving her (wild horses couldnt drag me away) I love this song so much, it really suits Mick Jaggers unique voice, and the acoustic guitars are beautiful
i love this song i think it talks about getting hurt by somebody who went through something bad but no matter what happens you'll always be there for them
This song is simply beautiful. The expression of unconditional love, heartfelt...
thank you... I am feeling it...
with all the support to you... have love always in your heart..<br />
I first heard the Stones version as a teen in the late 1980s and have heard all the other versions and will just add my personal interpretation of the song.
"No sweeping exits or off stage lines could make me feel bitter,or treat you unkind"
No matter what differences or rivalries there may be,there is a loyalty to this particular person that others may not be afforded - the singer has perhaps been bitter toward some,and unkind at times,but there is one person he/she will never feel that bitterness to,no matter what(my own interpretation).
"I know I've dreamed you,a sin and a lie; I have my freedom,but I don't have much time. Faith has been broken;tears must be cried, let's do some living after we die"
The singer has idealized both the person and the situation they have desired,and is aware of it.They are free of certain restraints and conventions but are growing older and time is catching up.The faith in the outcome they desired is fading,acceptance of fate and reality is imminent,and we are not getting any younger,damn it,so let's make the best of what time we may or may not have left.
Just my personal interpretation of this awesome song.
i think this song is about a guy who's involved with this girl who has suffered through something and takes it out on him. However, as much as she hurts him he still loves her and does whatever he can to make her happy. i think it a really sweet song but also really sad
This song was played at my brother's funeral, so this is kind of a special song to me. It seems to be a pretty big song for a funeral, as my friends dad had it at his funeral as well. I think it's about going through a hard time in any relationship and knowing there is not much time to fix things. The line "let's do some living after we die" I think is explaying that a potentially perfect relationship was never able to happen for what ever reason, so there must be a chance for it after death. Great song.
Jagger states: "Everyone always says this was written about Marianne but I don't think it was; that was all well over by then. But I was definitely very inside this piece emotionally." Keith Richards wrote the melody and came up with the phrase "Wild Horses".
i absolutely love this song...possibly one of the best "love songs" ever. just shows how versatile the stones are. it's sad but hopeful at the same time. whatever girl this song was written about was extremely lucky.
it's all soul. awesome.
Call me crazy, but I think this song is about drug addiction. Its about a struggle to be clean but no matter what wild horses can keep the person away. No matter how much pain is caused no matter what happens they just can't seem to beat the addiction. The faith broken and tears cried refers to all the pain the addiction has caused his loved ones, and being able to ride the wild horses someday, well that's when he'll finally over come the addiction and 'break in those wild horses' Just my point of view.
I don't know much of the Rolling Stones' music, but seeing a few comments on here, I am discovering them. Really beautiful song!
Oh please, not every Stones/Beatles, etc, song is abt drugs
Hey you guys, the thing about writing or poetry is that it's a form of art, and the interpretations varies from different perspectives. So if for Mr. General Comment he associates it with drug addiction as his interpretation, then that is also correct. And if for other people they interpret it as something else, then that is all also correct. :) There is no right or wrong answer, specially in art. it all depends on the audience. that is the job of the artist. to speak to the audience in a poetic form so that it could reach as far as many different interpretations out there. there has to be some sort of infinity with art. :)
@kristel101 Not every interpretation should be given consideration, though. Many interpretations of songs are gonzo, to say the least. Oftentimes, interpretations are way too "deep", or too "shallow". And sometimes, even when the artists themselves explicitly say what the song's about (often, the artists say it numerous times over the course of decades), people still spread the same old false stories about the song, or make up new, crazier theories about it.<br /> <br /> In addition, it doesn't depend entirely on the audience to interpret art, unless the artist has intentionally made something vague and/or complex in order to garner different reactions/interpretations.<br /> <br /> Ultimately, your viewpoint on this is similar to a lot of erroneous, New Age-y Internet beliefs. Specifically, you have fallen into the belief that all opinions are equal, and no one's opinion is ever wrong. And that's simply not the case, with song interpretations or most everything else. [As an example, if a person's "opinion" is that black people are not as smart as white people, that person's wrong, regardless of it being their "opinion". Due to the fact that its an uneducated opinion, and completely unsupported by fact.]<br /> <br /> With all that said, though: for this particular song, I think A FEW different interpretations are fine, considering the semi-vague, poetic nature of the lyrics. However, we cannot allow all interpretations to be given equal consideration, because not all of them make sense/are supported by the facts.
@jjones28 I agree that the song is about drug addiction (potentially alcoholism), but I assume that the drug addict is the graceless lady and the torment exquisitely conveyed is that of a lover watching her spiral out of control. I feel as though the song is assuring her that he will be there for her regardless, hoping in a fleeting chance that she can break the cycle but preparing for the worst. <br /> <br /> The notion of weathering a charge of wild horses feels like a fair comparison to dealing with a loved one who's lost in a drug-fueled rage.
@jjones28 Of course it’s about drugs, heroin in particular and addiction. The lady is the drug and other references are allusions or metaphors also to the drug dealer. The voice in this piece knows his addiction will kill him but he’s got a few more good times left in him.
@jjones28 Spot on....you nailed it.
I love this song, absolutely gorgeous. I originally heard the Charlotte Martin cover (beautiful, very well done, sounds very different) so I wanted to find the original. I was surprised how emotion was in it, this song moves me to tears. I see it as a promise-no matter what happens, no matter what they do, no matter what tries to divide them, he'll always love her. (or her him, depending on the version...^^;; )
@EssEssDee Martin's cover really doesn't sound all that different, compared to something like Adam Levine/Alicia Keys' cover. I would also have to disagree with you on the quality Martin's cover. I mean, its good, but I don't think its "beautiful" or "very well done".<br /> <br /> However, your interpretation is spot on. Nice job.