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."
Haji was a punk just like any other boy
And he never had no trouble 'til he started up his oi band
Safe in the garage or singing in the tub
'Til Haji went too far and he plugged in at the pub
'Twas a cold Christmas Eve when Trevor and the skins
Popped in for a pint and to nick a bag of crisps
Trevor liked the music but not the Unity
He unwound Haji's turban and he knocked him to his knees
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
But oi to the world and everybody wins
Haji was a bloody mess, he ran out through the crowd
He said, "We'll meet again we are bloody but not unbowed"
Trevor called his bluff and told him where to meet
Christmas day on the roof down at twenty Oxford Street
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
But oi to the world and everybody wins
On the roof with the nun chucks Trevor broke a lot of bones
But Haji had a sword like that guy in Indiana Jones
Police sirens wailing, a bloody dying man
Haji was alone and abandoned by his band
Trevor was there fading and still so full of hate
When the skins left him there and went down the fire escape (oi oi)
And Haji saw the north star shining more then ever
So he made a tourniquet from his turban saving Trevor
They repelled down the roof with the rest of the turban
And went back to the pub where they bought each other bourbon
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
Oi to the world and everybody wins
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
But oi to the world and everybody wins (oi oi)
And he never had no trouble 'til he started up his oi band
Safe in the garage or singing in the tub
'Til Haji went too far and he plugged in at the pub
'Twas a cold Christmas Eve when Trevor and the skins
Popped in for a pint and to nick a bag of crisps
Trevor liked the music but not the Unity
He unwound Haji's turban and he knocked him to his knees
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
But oi to the world and everybody wins
Haji was a bloody mess, he ran out through the crowd
He said, "We'll meet again we are bloody but not unbowed"
Trevor called his bluff and told him where to meet
Christmas day on the roof down at twenty Oxford Street
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
But oi to the world and everybody wins
On the roof with the nun chucks Trevor broke a lot of bones
But Haji had a sword like that guy in Indiana Jones
Police sirens wailing, a bloody dying man
Haji was alone and abandoned by his band
Trevor was there fading and still so full of hate
When the skins left him there and went down the fire escape (oi oi)
And Haji saw the north star shining more then ever
So he made a tourniquet from his turban saving Trevor
They repelled down the roof with the rest of the turban
And went back to the pub where they bought each other bourbon
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
Oi to the world and everybody wins
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say oi to the punks and oi to the skins
But oi to the world and everybody wins (oi oi)
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
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.
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.
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.
this isn't really a NO DOUBT song its by THE VANDALS it's fron the c.d. Oi to the World
I like the Vandals version much more.
I agree. Dave's more fun than Gwen.
well, it's covered by No Doubt and they made a video for it too so it's under the No Doubt section
no doubt is the definition of sellout...ska gone pop, my friends.
finally! i thiought i was the only one who hated their new style!!!
Hahaha, no. Most people hate their new stuff. They started to crap when Eric Stefani left the band. But whatever, I like this cover - I think that the Vandals version is really good, but this one is cool too because they made it more ska. =Þ
yes, their new stuff is worse than i thought they'd ever get, and usually covers aren't as good as the original.
Most people don't hate their new stuff.
No Doubt, esp. Gwen, have always been known to be highly influenced by the music and culture around them. It's really silly to bash them. At least I can count on No Doubt's style & lyrics to be non-pornographic, non-political, non-controversal, and almost entirely non-religious.
Though I'm sure you'll consider my opinion bias.