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."
I sail to the moon
I spoke too soon
And how much did it cost
I was dropped from
Moonbeam
And sailed on shooting stars
Maybe you'll
Be president
But know right from wrong
Or in the flood
You'll build an Ark
And sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
I spoke too soon
And how much did it cost
I was dropped from
Moonbeam
And sailed on shooting stars
Maybe you'll
Be president
But know right from wrong
Or in the flood
You'll build an Ark
And sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Sail us to the moon
Lyrics submitted by ruben, edited by bildorf, kirk113448
Sail to the Moon Lyrics as written by Edward John O'brien Colin Charles Greenwood
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Mountain Song
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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.
When We Were Young
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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.
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.
Okay, let me share my views on this song (which is, in my opinion, the best song by radiohead and possibly the best song ever made).
It's a song for his son, to teach him 'right from wrong'. Radiohead doesn't like the way the world is right know and they make songs about that, so the president thing is about nearly every president.
The most important message in this song is probably something like 'pride comes before the fall'. The moon part is about reaching out to far and actually thinking you can do it (i spoke too soon) and then 'falling' (how much did it cost, i was dropped from moonbeams...)
The ark story, in a way, has the same meaning. All the people were proud and ignorant, except for Noah.
The message to his son is always to keep a clear mind. That way he will be able to make most of his life, and will maybe even reach what his father couldn't (the moon).
Part of an interview with radiohead about Hail to the Thief: "We don't have to stand on a soap-box and preach because hopefully we're channelling it through the new record. We didn't start out to make a protest record at all. That would have been too shallow. As usual, it was simply a case of absorbing what's going on around us. The title of the record goes so much deeper than just being some anti-Bush propaganda. If we got into a situation where people start burning our records, then bring it on. That's the whole point. The Gloaming has begun. We're in the Darkness. This has happened before. Go read some history. If we were threatened in any way for simply making a piece of art - that would be bad. Then it would be time to move to somewhere obscure. Like the moon."
Or it's a call for future generations, knows right from wrong.
And his son's name is Noah, coincidence? Don't think so.
This song was composed because of a bet with Jonny. After an argument where he claimed I lacked instrumental talent, I sulked many nights away on the piano.
Despite the piano part for most of Kid A and Amnesia blew bloody wankers, this is a sheer masterpiece. Revel in my complex arpeggios, my Debussy alluded harmonies, my nuance in layering.
As if he knows anything about guitars, ruddy radgie.
Guys, this isn't him. Thom always talks in broken English. He would never use words like nuance or revel. This meaning might be true though, just not Thom
@thom yorke hahahahaah greetings from the future my 2003 friend you made me guffaw. Hahahah it’s completely realistic of a scenario
Actually, as "dreamy" as Street Spirit may sound, it is really an evil song about death and how it's suffocating because you cannot get away from it. It will happen to everyone. I read a quote where Thom claims he did not write the song but rather he was the tool for writing it. He hates to play it and believes that the audience is far too detached or simply does not understand what it really means. Otherwise, no one would be able to sit there and sing it with him with such vigor...while smiling no less.
I read that this is a song for Thom Yorke's son. I do believe he is named Noah; 'You'll build an ark'... I wasn't keen on it at first but it's definitly grown on me, it seems more magical now I know it is sort of a lullaby. Reminds me of story books and kids poems.
erm, for the record it starts with:
'i sucked the moon'
don't know why he sucked it...anyone?
@SnapHappyActivist He sucked it like a teat. It illuminated his lofty dreams, but now his dreams are dashed and he's back on Earth where there's so little hope.
yea, just to elaborate on the point made by 'nobody', the song is, in my opinion, definately about his son, Noah and the fact that they will try and teach him 'right from wrong' while he's young so that they can look after him, but then, as Thom and his partner grow old Noah will look after them, hence, 'building them and ark and sailing them to the moon.'
Maybe you'll be president But know right from wrong
That's one of my favourite Radiohead lyrics of all time, it's so appropriate with the way the world is now.
I myself am a huge radiohead fan, and I really find it quite insulting that poeple would think Thom Yorke would write a song about something so simplistic. I'm sure he simply wants the listener to interpert the lyrics for what they feel. Make the song their own.
When I listen to this song I can see Thom Yorke in a little row boat floating towards the moon. This has got to be one of their most amazing songs aside from a select few on this album. It makes me emotional. I only wish it was longer.
judging on his comments, i have serious doubts that he IS the real thom yorke, cam-win. ;) i've already had a hell of a laugh with most of them though hehe.
I can't believe there aren't any posts here. Great song I think the song is about reliving a childhood fantasy he had of sailing to the moon. His naievty is expressed when he says 'all the presidents should fly with everyone on the moon', obviously not to be taken literally. It comes off as sort of a shagging, romantic, seductive song and I don't think his desire to sail to the moon is altogether genuine- none the less a great song and one of the best off HTTT