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."
This is the hard part - the part that keeps me awake.
This is the hardest part - the part where I'd come in, if I thought you'd notice, if I'd rehearsed my lines. I'll try to write them down on my palm next time.
Since I've been here, it's gotten colder. Wake up freezing, the leaves are turning. Your soft caress, content and in my memory, so picturesque.
Pale cheeks glow red, let's sleep til it's over. You'd rest your head, on my shoulder. Like now was then, and this was more than a memory, so picturesque.
I can almost hear the wind above the ringing in my ears - the same familiar scent from about this time last year.
Looking outside, the clouds that cover gray. The rain from last November may never wash away.
This is the hardest part - the part where I'd come in, if I thought you'd notice, if I'd rehearsed my lines. I'll try to write them down on my palm next time.
Since I've been here, it's gotten colder. Wake up freezing, the leaves are turning. Your soft caress, content and in my memory, so picturesque.
Pale cheeks glow red, let's sleep til it's over. You'd rest your head, on my shoulder. Like now was then, and this was more than a memory, so picturesque.
I can almost hear the wind above the ringing in my ears - the same familiar scent from about this time last year.
Looking outside, the clouds that cover gray. The rain from last November may never wash away.
Lyrics submitted by scarsandtrophies
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/

Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.

Sunglasses at Night
Corey Hart
Corey Hart
In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.

Indigo
Of Mice & Men
Of Mice & Men
This track is about is about questioning why the sky would choose to be blue if it had the choice to be anything else, “blue also meaning sad,” states frontman Aaron Pauley. “It's about comforting a loved one in a time of loss by telling them you feel blue, too.”
this is a very old song in the history of TSD. it remains unreleased however, we play it live almot every show.
who is we ohwellhello??
Holy crap! This is a great song! TSD should definitely record this song, and put it out on something.
oh sigh. i think i found a new one to add to my favorites. i usually hate rhyme..but this makes me smile and frown all in the same "Your soft caress, content and in my memory, so picturesque." holy cow. i adore it. simply adore. i think and write like this..only..its last july. or august..my time in rome. my navona nights. sigh, indeed. i love this.
I miss this song. I may never hear it again, and that isn't cool:(