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."
Niggas say they gone see me
I heard they had some envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
Niggas swear they gone see me
I heard they had that envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
They say they gonna see me, but don' ever talk
Wrote my name upon the board then smudge it down like chalk
Cause they couldn't find the way to pull up on the lot
Have your ass leaking on the ground like Vegas slot
Pulling strings just to keep in contact
I can't even move niggas on attack
Watch me smile while I hit the jackpot
You would think I'm harden cause I cook with the step back
Tryna pushup on the Don
Get yo ass clapped on
Stones to rock
Block to block
Bitch you know I put this on
We are not on speaking terms
So keep your ears open listen to the 3rd party hoe
Niggas say they gone see me
I heard they had some envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
Niggas swear they gone see me
I heard they had that envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
They the type to burn a bridge walk off the ledge and say you did it
Flip the script and always tripping, be falling for basic bitches
Probably make you wash the dishes, scrub that shit until it's glisten
I don't see the problem with it but when it come up they act like children
Fuck 'em if they on some other shit I won't miss 'em
If they dead to me they a zombie when they in my vision
Words are nothing your actions defined you with precision
And I can't see you in my visions of some money missions
Yeah
When I'm on the beat just know I'm gonna fuck it up
Ideas in my mental and they just keep on building up
Shout out to my dawgs feel no ones realer than us
Gonna keep filling our pockets until these bitches bust
I heard they had some envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
Niggas swear they gone see me
I heard they had that envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
They say they gonna see me, but don' ever talk
Wrote my name upon the board then smudge it down like chalk
Cause they couldn't find the way to pull up on the lot
Have your ass leaking on the ground like Vegas slot
Pulling strings just to keep in contact
I can't even move niggas on attack
Watch me smile while I hit the jackpot
You would think I'm harden cause I cook with the step back
Tryna pushup on the Don
Get yo ass clapped on
Stones to rock
Block to block
Bitch you know I put this on
We are not on speaking terms
So keep your ears open listen to the 3rd party hoe
Niggas say they gone see me
I heard they had some envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
Niggas swear they gone see me
I heard they had that envy
They keep my songs on repeat
Cause' we ain't on speaking terms
I just had to watch 'em all cross me
So ain't no more talking
I just watch them bridges burn
They the type to burn a bridge walk off the ledge and say you did it
Flip the script and always tripping, be falling for basic bitches
Probably make you wash the dishes, scrub that shit until it's glisten
I don't see the problem with it but when it come up they act like children
Fuck 'em if they on some other shit I won't miss 'em
If they dead to me they a zombie when they in my vision
Words are nothing your actions defined you with precision
And I can't see you in my visions of some money missions
Yeah
When I'm on the beat just know I'm gonna fuck it up
Ideas in my mental and they just keep on building up
Shout out to my dawgs feel no ones realer than us
Gonna keep filling our pockets until these bitches bust
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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."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Distance causes loneliness. A long distance relationship. Or more likely, a relationship that was ended by her as she moved away. He is still holding on and somewhat bitter. Feels lonely but also out of pride says that he has learnt to live by ignoring his loneliness and she (who perhaps is still in touch with him as a 'friend') shouldn't worry.