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."
Where's the harm in voicing a doubt
You'll find me in the lavatory
And where's the harm in talking out loud when I'm on my own
What's so wrong with reading my stars
When I'll be in the lavatory
And what is so wrong with counting the cars when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So I say I'm in love with the world
And what is so wrong with voicing a doubt when I'm on my own
It's perfectly fine to sleep in a chair
From Monday 'til Saturday
And what is so wrong with talking out loud when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're, you're not the only one that I know
But I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So they rode out west to the seaside
And they gladly decided to stay
After two hours wandering outside
Ooh the sea air drove them away, yeah
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
You're not the only one
But I'm far too proud you're (son)
You're young
But I know, I know, I know, I know
I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
But if you do, don't you know
That I don't mind, no, no, no
You'll find me in the lavatory
And where's the harm in talking out loud when I'm on my own
What's so wrong with reading my stars
When I'll be in the lavatory
And what is so wrong with counting the cars when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So I say I'm in love with the world
And what is so wrong with voicing a doubt when I'm on my own
It's perfectly fine to sleep in a chair
From Monday 'til Saturday
And what is so wrong with talking out loud when I'm all alone
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're, you're not the only one that I know
But I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
So they rode out west to the seaside
And they gladly decided to stay
After two hours wandering outside
Ooh the sea air drove them away, yeah
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm too proud to talk to you anyway
You're not the only one that I know
And I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
You're not the only one
But I'm far too proud you're (son)
You're young
But I know, I know, I know, I know
I'm far too proud to talk to you any day
But if you do, don't you know
That I don't mind, no, no, no
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
You're Not the Only One I Know Lyrics as written by Harriet Wheeler David Gavurin
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This is one of those songs I find easy to put on repeat for hours.
As far as my interpretation goes, she's been hurt by the guy and wants him to come back but is far too proud to admit it. It's that feeling of loneliness and abandonment when the one you like and want so badly is no longer in your life. You wish they were feeling the same pain and would come back to you. It's hard to admit you miss someone once they've hurt and left you, though. Who wants to beg? I love the ending line, "But if you do, don't you know, that I don't mind." She's finally revealing how much she truly hopes and wants him to come back.
This line "you're not the only one that I know" is the way of trying to trick the guy and everyone else into thinking she's not upset about it and will easily move on.
"It's perfectly fine to sleep in a chair from Monday 'til Saturday." These are ways she deals with the sadness and disappointment. Of course it's not perfectly fine, but that's the only way it seems to be able to cope at the moment. She's losing the ability to be happy and function.
Just beautiful. Totally melancholy and brilliant lyrics capture it all.
Aside from the lyrical content, Harriet's vocals reach beautiful places in this one.
This has easily become one of my favorites. Here's a thank you to the Sundays. :)
This is a wondering synopsis of this song....I don't know about you, but a get a bit weepy whenever I listen to it....it's sooooo good. It's incredible that they (Sundays) NEVER played this live...what gives?
@Psychedelia Spot-on interpretation, all parts of it. I agree about her voice, it's really shown off in this song, and yes, I could also listen to it on repeat again and again. Nice handle, btw.
I agree wholeheartedly, with one exception. She wasn't hurt/ left by the fellah. She's the dumper, and is regretting that decision. But she's too proud to take it back.
@Psychedelia I hate to say this, but my take on this is simply that she likes a younger man and she's struggling with it. That's why she says that she doesn't mind at the end. Maybe I'm wrong. Love her voice, really incredible. There's no one like her, especially the way she delivers a line.