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."
Walk the streets, what do I see
Shit on legs approaching me
Alright I really want it
Oh yeah I gotta have it
Come on baby and dance again
Jerk that head and be my friend
Merging Zeus and Spartacus
In rendezvous with anus
B.O.S. Buns of steel
Spandex ass to make me kneel
Gonna give you electric shock
Gonna give you electric rock
Looking good and feeling clean
Classic buttocks on the scene
Cars go by they're out of luck
Eyeball ass, eyeball stuck!
Shit on legs approaching me
Alright I really want it
Oh yeah I gotta have it
Come on baby and dance again
Jerk that head and be my friend
Merging Zeus and Spartacus
In rendezvous with anus
B.O.S. Buns of steel
Spandex ass to make me kneel
Gonna give you electric shock
Gonna give you electric rock
Looking good and feeling clean
Classic buttocks on the scene
Cars go by they're out of luck
Eyeball ass, eyeball stuck!
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

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.

Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.

System
Mel And Kim
Mel And Kim
Just listening for the 784,654th time....and it's just perfect in every way. Just incredible. The only reason it was remade was to scoop up a boatload of money from a more modern and accepting audience. But it is a completely different song than the other one that sounds slapped together in a few takes without a thought for the meaning.
This song captivates me still, after 50+ years. Takes me to the deep South and the poverty of some who lived thru truly hard times. And the powerful spirit of a poor young girl being abandoned to her future with only a red dress and her wits to keep her alive.
She not only stayed alive, she turned her hard beginnings around, became self sufficient, successful and someone with respect for herself. She didn't let the naysayers and judgers stop her. She's the one sitting in the drivers seat at the end.
So, not a song about a poor girl, but a song of hope and how you can rise up no matter how far down you started.
There is a huge difference between a singer who simply belts out a song that is on a page in front of them, and someone who can convey an entire experience with their voice. Telling not just a story with words, but taking you inside it and making you feel like you are there, with their interpretation.
This is a great song, I love it. I like the HIM version more than the original by Turbonegro. It's amazing. <3
I don't know if there's like..a hidden meaning or something, but at first glance I think it's obviously about assramming...
Good song though :p
IT's a great song, the lyrics may not be the best you have seen but it has a great sound to it ! i love it.
-6six6
There's no hidden meaning....its all about assramming. ;) This is a Turbonegro song, and its not the only song they have dedicated to the ass. its all a part of their brilliant homo-image. Anyway, Him did a cover of this song on the "Alpha motherfuckers" ablum....wich is a tribute album to Turbonegro...
I love Turbonegro!!! and this cover is awesome. Only HIM could of taken this song and turn it from Death Punk to Goth Metal. Go get 'Alpha Motherfuckers: Tribute To Turbonegro'
I think it is hilarious how Bam Margera suddenly became obsessed with Turbonegro after HIM did this song.
What a little fag.
my god, ive seen this quiffporn guy on quite a few him streaks now... always taking the piss.... what a reject. my dear quiffporn, do you have nothing better to do then to add 'witty' comments on every song that you dislike? if you have some witty comments built up you just HAVE to say, i suggest, maybe practicing them to a wall, or maybe going to see a therapist.
better still, go take the piss out of justin timberlake!
Dude, I wasn't even having a go at HIM this time...
Also. none of my posts are witty, they are generally the most simplistic forms of literary bottom feeding humour, I could imagine at the time (I guess if you found them witty, that says more about your lack of wit than anything else...), and toung in cheek at best.
My mom always taught me that life is easiest if you lie on your back at the bottom of the pool and let used condoms and the weak minded, float into your open mouth.
She was really onto something...
I guess a life at the bottom of the pool (or a lifetime of ingesting used sanitary towels and hypodermic needles) has sapped my ability to spell or construct proper sentances...