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 was born to love no one
No one to love me
Only the wind in the long green grass
The frost in a broken tree.
I was made to love magic
All its wonder to know
But you all lost that magic
Many many years ago.
I was born to use my eyes
Dream with the sun and the skies
To float away in a lifelong song
In the mist where melody flies.
I was made to love magic...
I was born to sail away
Into a land of forever
Not to be tied to an old stone grave
In your land of never.
I was made to love magic...
No one to love me
Only the wind in the long green grass
The frost in a broken tree.
I was made to love magic
All its wonder to know
But you all lost that magic
Many many years ago.
I was born to use my eyes
Dream with the sun and the skies
To float away in a lifelong song
In the mist where melody flies.
I was made to love magic...
I was born to sail away
Into a land of forever
Not to be tied to an old stone grave
In your land of never.
I was made to love magic...
Lyrics submitted by lordofsandwiches
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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,
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/
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Yeah I was suprised when no one commented on this either. It's a really beautiful and sad song.
I think it's about a very lonley isolated depressed guy, much like Nick Drake, who seems to think he'll spend the rest of his life living in isolation. Hence,
"I was born to love no one No one to love me"
And his only companion in life is the beauty he finds in simple things, much like mParanoia pointed out.
"No one to love me Only the wind in the long green grass The frost in a broken tree."
This first stanza is very beautiful, and has a extremely endearing quality to it. I feel that there are many people who feel lost in the world and alone and find solace and comfort in simple beautiful things, perhaps painting or writing music like Nick Drake did. This is at least how I relate to it. I feel like somewhat of a loner myself and my solace is playing guitar, and sometimes I myself feel like there was no one made to love me and that I was born only to love the magic of playing to oneself in isolation.
"I was made to love magic All its wonder to know But you all lost that magic Many many years ago."
I think Nick Drake feels that this "magic" is something we experience very intensly during youth, but we slowly loose sight of it when we get older. And perhaps the only ones who carry it with them throughout their life drive themselves into isolation.
Very sad, very endearing, and very beautiful song. I might just learn this one on guitar.
Seriously? No one?
Well. Personally I think the song is about how Nick Drake believes that everyone in the world takes the beauty of the simpler things for granted, and how he tries to see it in ordinary things.
Very good description! I love the message of the song, that we have lost touch with the "magic" in the world.
This song is magic.
I was relating to that first stanza in the same way, taking time to relax and enjoy the little things. THe second stanza is my favorite because I love music, and I'm a beginner, but I'm teaching myself piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, and bass guitar when my friend who gave me the electric brings that in to work. Then I just have to buy an amp.
The feeling of inadequecy towards another and the acceptance of his circumstances. Born with a different purpose and seeing beyond.