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."
If you feel that it's real I'm on trial
And I'm here in your prison
Like a coin in your mint
I am dented and I'm spent with high treason
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Well I know he's not old
And I'm told, and I'm told he's a virgin
For he may be she
What I'm told and I'm never, never for certain
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
(Na na na, na na na)
(Na na na na na na na na)
(Na na na) take me, (na na na) take me
(Na na na na na na na na) ooh, oh
(Na na na) take me, (na na na) take me
(Na na na na na na na na) yeah, yeah
(Na na na) take me, (na na na) take me
(Na na na na na na na na)
(Na na na, na na na)
(Na na na na na na na na)
And I'm here in your prison
Like a coin in your mint
I am dented and I'm spent with high treason
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Well I know he's not old
And I'm told, and I'm told he's a virgin
For he may be she
What I'm told and I'm never, never for certain
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na, na na na
Na na na na na na na na
(Na na na, na na na)
(Na na na na na na na na)
(Na na na) take me, (na na na) take me
(Na na na na na na na na) ooh, oh
(Na na na) take me, (na na na) take me
(Na na na na na na na na) yeah, yeah
(Na na na) take me, (na na na) take me
(Na na na na na na na na)
(Na na na, na na na)
(Na na na na na na na na)
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Bernie has admitted in an interview that he, himself, has NO IDEA what this song means.
Heard that too, they were nonsense lyrics that sounded good in a song.
I wish I had some clue what this song means. There seems to be a few references to pontius pilot, but it's hardly enough to base an actual interpretation on.
Elton John has gone on record saying that there is no meaning to this song. It was all constructed based on rhyming. Sorry to disappoint.
I've heard Bernie Taupin say that too. slagonia, it's funny you mention Pontius Pilate, because he says "Pilot of your soul", and there's a hymn that says "Jesus, Saviour Pilot Me." I think he wants to know who's controlling this lady, whether it's Jesus, Satan, Buddha, some goddess, or whoever. When he figures it out, he wants to throw off that control and be her man (escape from a prison of judgment). Just my theory...
We should not try discussing or questioning anyone's spiritual convictions in such an open forum, because that is our true self identity, our discovery through life's journey, and only we should know what this truly means. IT'S PRIVATE. PERIOD. Personally, I feel our believes and life's answers lie deep within us. Whenever life personal challenges us, we should find the answers from within.Find the "medium" to accomplish this, whether it be through nature, through music, through poetry that's the key.<br /> <br /> "Take me to the pilot of your soul" is the soul (personified) of Sir Elton's song: clearly and cleaverly it sums up a somewhat complex equation of our existance, the sum of our very being. "Who", or what force, is the driver (pilot) of our souls? We define this through time and by searhing to find the answers. SOme of us are fortunate to realize (during our lives, via self-actualization (Maslow), what our fully reach our true potential; this is the blueprint of our souls. When we set aside fear, we can <br /> be brave to define our truth. Once we reach a comfortable place with this journey, <br /> the rest comes naturally.<br /> <br /> Conviction of the heart is our true guide, our direct heading (moral compass) when we're faced with any challenges, both on the surface and from within. "The Human COndition" describes the joys and terrors of being humen. Once, or "if" we find our way back to our heart, the rest is magic.<br /> <br /> On a light note: No need to go much further. "Take Me To Your Pilot" is an awesome rock song! One of Sir Elton's less heard pieces.
@RealLove101 -- He (the OP) never questioned anyone's spiritual convictions. He wasn't even trying to discuss spirituality with the people here. You idiot.<br /> <br /> And literally nothing you said had anything to do with robv156's post, until your final paragraph (which isn't even correct; this was the B-side of "Your Song", so a helluva lot of people heard it back in the day, and it's still listened to by a lot of people, if YouTube and Spotify are anything to go by). Don't mindlessly rant anymore, please and thanks.
Funny, but I thought the lyrics had to do with transgenders ("for he may be she")...being a virgin (new to it); people being unable to see (glass eye); being viewed as imperfect to others (dented); being on trial and spent with treason (society's condemnation and the prison of being in the wrong body), etc.
Oh, and the "pilot" is the one who will navigate through the process.
@smellingtheroses12 <br /> <br /> Never heard of this song before and I agree it is about transgender or someone with unexplained sexual identityand or preferences ... remember soooo long ago. Pretty bored pandemic.<br />
Take Me To the Pilot If you feel my lust, I am your prisoner, guilty for what I am about to do and it's a violation of the sexes, against the natural order Behind your eye glasses is your throne (your mind that controls your body) Dangerous desires, thoughts, your lust - TAKE CONTROL OF ME ...
Take me to the Pilot (light, passion, fire) of your soul Chamber = orifice to sodomize you They are strangers meeting for the first time A young virgin boy who dresses like a girl - but he can't know for sure Take me to your passionate place so I can sodomize you. That's it!
I really liked this song for almost 50 years and never knew what it was about. It saddens me to find out - well what would you expect from Elton? Of course it has to be obscurely written, twisted, because it is nasty - but it makes perfect sense.
I would like to talk to Bernie about it, because I know where this whole thing came from. It wouldn't do any good to expand on it, since everyone would think I was out on a fragile limb but it does have a definite background. We all have the same story, back in there someplace but it seems like Bernie had a happening that opened up his memory. Great song, terrible history.