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."
Oh baby why do I miss you like I do
Oh I miss my sweet
And the birds all singing blue
And white
And white
Call me on your way back home, dear
Cause I miss you
Honey I ain't nothing new
Oh baby why did I treat you like I did
Honey I was just a kid
Bubblegum on my shoe
But you love me and I love you
Call me on your way back home, dear
Cause I miss you
And I just wanna die without you
Oh I just wanna die without you
Yeah I just wanna die without you
Without you Honey I ain't nothing new
Oh I miss my sweet
And the birds all singing blue
And white
And white
Call me on your way back home, dear
Cause I miss you
Honey I ain't nothing new
Oh baby why did I treat you like I did
Honey I was just a kid
Bubblegum on my shoe
But you love me and I love you
Call me on your way back home, dear
Cause I miss you
And I just wanna die without you
Oh I just wanna die without you
Yeah I just wanna die without you
Without you Honey I ain't nothing new
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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.
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/
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.
Beautiful song. I agree with ajdaho.
This part always reminds me of my 'first love' and I think it can remind alot of people of their first love:
'Oh baby why Did I treat you like I did Honey, I was just a kid Bubblegum on my shoe But you loved me And I loved you.'
It's easy to look back on memories and blame yourself, especially in this sort of subject. I used to think that if my 'first love' and I would of been older and more mature it would of worked, but it actually wouldn't have, but it's easy to look back and say things could of been different. And it can make you feel like total shit, and I can totally understand that.
A very, very beautiful song and by far my favourite Ryan Adam's song.
I think this is the most genuine and heartfelt of any of Ryan Adams' songs. It's so heartbreaking.
Amazing song. It's funny because I have been listening to this song for so long and, honestly, it takes on different personal meanings depending on where I am in life. Of course, there is the pit of dispair, she left me/it didn't work out and now all I want is one more minute with her feeling. But, examined another way, this song also makes me think of those first few dates with someone new. They leave your place and you are so excited about everything and you can't wait to see them again and you stay awake hoping they might call to say goodnight. Anyway, I don't think that is what Ryan had in mind but I guess that is just my way to put a positive spin on the lyrics so that the song is not so depressing.
could be the most beautiful song ever. at least the most beautiful song about sadness.
this song is soo sweet.
i love this song. its so beautiful. even his sigh at the beginning is wonderful. this is just so GOOD that it sometimes makes me cry. you cant help loving ryan adams.
i love this song. its so beautiful. even his sigh at the beginning is wonderful. this is just so GOOD that it sometimes makes me cry. you cant help loving ryan adams.
..whoops
This is exactly what it feels like when you're still in love with someone you fell out of love with. I know that doesn't make any sense, but that's also exactly why this song is so brilliant.
I know the sound of her voice is all it takes.
This song reminds me of borderline suicidal chain smoking English lit majors, the smell of last night on wrinkled shirts and crawling up into a little ball and feeling sorry for myself. No really, it's a good thing.