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."
Time, flowing like a river
Time, beckoning me
Who knows if we shall ever meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea
Goodbye my love, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my love, The tide waits for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Goodbye my friends, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my friends, stars wait for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Time, beckoning me
Who knows if we shall ever meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea
Goodbye my love, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my love, The tide waits for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Goodbye my friends, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my friends, stars wait for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea
till it's gone forever
Gone forever
Gone forevermore
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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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.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Back when this song would come on the radio, I thought it was the same song as "Us and Them" by Pink Floyd. I was pretty young though. It's a great, under-played song. I agree with SomeRandomGirl, it is a very touching, albeit sad song; especially the "'till it's gone forever" part.
Sailors totally get this. The pull to the sea is a strong but dangerous thing. She (the sea) is a great temptress. We will go even if we understand we may never come back alive. We're willing to give up lovers and family to feel the freedom that comes from sailing alone on the sea.
Beautiful, melancholic song. The symbolic river of time flows to the sea and appears to be gone forever, but we learned in grade school about evaporation, precipitation and the river's renewal through the water cycle. Maybe the river time isn't gone forever after all. Who knows when we shall meet again after we die? I don't see anything atheistic about this song.
*(Who knows if we shall meet again) in the first verse
*(Who knows where we shall meet again) in the last verse
I love this song, it just sounds beautiful. It is sad though.. =/.
NICE SONG for an atheist
definitely a depressive atheist song
@most_wretched ~<br /> <br /> Not sure what your meaning is behind "for an atheist."? What would one expect had they asked an "atheist songwriter" to write a song about their thoughts on<br /> death/dying? "For an atheist" (IMO), the song is clear and understandable. However, <br /> For this "Christian listener," it's sad and leaves me concerned for the songwriters soul. Beautiful music & have liked song since I was a teen in the 80's. But I thought it was about a break-up. NOT until today 8/9/16, did I realized the meaning after looking up the lyrics. <3 Wishin' ya'll love & eyes 2 see with - and ears to hear.. <3
I always thought this song had to do with someone dealing with depression and contemplating suicide?! The song came from the record, "The Turn of a Friendly Card" which deals with gambling. Maybe the subject of the song got in over his head and he's saying goodbye to his loved ones?!?!
Gone forever....the song is poetry.
Such a pretty but sad song. I thought it was about one lover telling another goodbye but then when it mentions friends, sounds like a terminally ill person saying farewell to everyone.
I think this song is about a lost love and the nostalgic feeling of time passing without any chance to meet again with him / her. It is a beautiful and sad song though.