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."
Hey, you say you like the way the cowboys tip their hats and say,
"How's it goin' ma'am?"
But you're never quite clear if their glares are sincere
Or really only just second hand
To you it's all roses, its a lavender haze
The man is a marvel, but it's a shame about his brains
But that's OK,
They say "he's got straight teeth and it's good sex".
You look to the sky, You look to the man
You claim innocence and not to understand
Or do you, do you?
There's a big man wearing a white suit and patent leather shoes
He want to take his monkeys to see the kids at the zoo
'Cause the gypsy on the corner said
"Hey, Mister you can't lose."
And it's your first day at the track
You feel that heat of your back
We all want to find a way to beat the system
Find some rhythem in the madness
Get down on your knees and pray
Say, "I'll do whatever you want, God
Just let me have my way"
Well will you, will you?
Come on all you merry men
Rally your cry
Dance with the devil for tomorrow we'll surely...
Hey, hey blow the men down
You with all your cigarettes and cool stares,
Filled with blank glares and loaded regrets.
Just like the girls today today with nothing to say
No more pigtails and pony rides
They're sophisticated
They sip on lattes
And have their eyes on a bigger prize
We shake our fists and say, "Well good golly we're mad
That God kills children with our very own hands"
We claim innocence and not to understand
Or do we, do we?
Come on all you merry men
Rally your cry
Dance with the devil for tomorrow we'll surely
Hey, hey blow the men down
Blow the men down
Hey
"How's it goin' ma'am?"
But you're never quite clear if their glares are sincere
Or really only just second hand
To you it's all roses, its a lavender haze
The man is a marvel, but it's a shame about his brains
But that's OK,
They say "he's got straight teeth and it's good sex".
You look to the sky, You look to the man
You claim innocence and not to understand
Or do you, do you?
There's a big man wearing a white suit and patent leather shoes
He want to take his monkeys to see the kids at the zoo
'Cause the gypsy on the corner said
"Hey, Mister you can't lose."
And it's your first day at the track
You feel that heat of your back
We all want to find a way to beat the system
Find some rhythem in the madness
Get down on your knees and pray
Say, "I'll do whatever you want, God
Just let me have my way"
Well will you, will you?
Come on all you merry men
Rally your cry
Dance with the devil for tomorrow we'll surely...
Hey, hey blow the men down
You with all your cigarettes and cool stares,
Filled with blank glares and loaded regrets.
Just like the girls today today with nothing to say
No more pigtails and pony rides
They're sophisticated
They sip on lattes
And have their eyes on a bigger prize
We shake our fists and say, "Well good golly we're mad
That God kills children with our very own hands"
We claim innocence and not to understand
Or do we, do we?
Come on all you merry men
Rally your cry
Dance with the devil for tomorrow we'll surely
Hey, hey blow the men down
Blow the men down
Hey
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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,
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.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
raise your hand if you're MADLY in love with this song OOOOOOOO! MMEE!!! this song kicks major booty. i don't even have a clue what the words mean cause i don't care cause the sound is so damn good. sigh wow. this. song. RULES.
This song is challenging society in general. There are many verses that seem to question the thoughts and actions of people. She always ends the verse/chorus with "do you?" or "will you".
I think this song is about the things we tell ourselves even when we know we are doing the wrong thing.
"We claim innocence and not to understand, but do we?"
This song, like other songs of this album, is about the lost of innocence. Only in this song she is angry about the lost, and accuse people of forgetting what it's like to be pure hearted and innocence.
I think it definitely focusses on the way people view God in their lives. I love the line "I'll do whatever you want God, just let me have my way." People tend to think they know what's best and don't have faith in devine order.
I also love the line "We shakes our fist and say 'Well, good golly we're mad that God kills children with our very own hands.'" Because even though we tend to believe that we know what's right, when bad things happen, we always blame God. Even when we made a choice that lead us there.
The verse about "The girls to day with nothing to say" is so perfectly written. It may be my very favorite Jewel lyric ever.
The lines: "Just like the girls today With nothing to say No more pigtails and pony rides They're sophisticated They sip on lattes and have their eyes On a bigger prize"
Because really, when I was young and innocent all I wanted to do was have my hair braided and ride ponies. Now I've ditched the stables for the local starbucks and the hottie working there. It completely summarizes my personal loss of innosense.