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."
On the other side of a street I knew
Stood a girl that looked like you
I guess that's déjà vu
But I thought this can't be true
'Cause you moved to west L.A or New York or Santa Fe
Or wherever to get away from me
Oh, but that one night
Was more than just right
I didn't leave you 'cause I was all through
Oh, I was overwhelmed, and frankly, scared as hell
Because I really fell for you
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a 2-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it, sue me
Mm, the way you do me
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
On the other side of a downward spiral
My love for you went viral
And I loved you every mile you drove away
But now, here you are again
So, let's skip the "How you been?"
And get down to the "more than friends" at last
Oh, but that one night was still the highlight
I didn't need you until I came to
And I was overwhelmed, and frankly, scared as hell
Because I really fell for you
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a 2-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it, sue me
Mm, the way you do me
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Please believe that when I leave
There's nothing up my sleeve but love for you
And a little time to get my head together too
On the other side of a street I knew
Stood a girl that looked like you
I guess that's déjà vu
But I thought this can't be true
'Cause
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a 2-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it, sue me
Mm, the way you do me
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Stood a girl that looked like you
I guess that's déjà vu
But I thought this can't be true
'Cause you moved to west L.A or New York or Santa Fe
Or wherever to get away from me
Oh, but that one night
Was more than just right
I didn't leave you 'cause I was all through
Oh, I was overwhelmed, and frankly, scared as hell
Because I really fell for you
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a 2-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it, sue me
Mm, the way you do me
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
On the other side of a downward spiral
My love for you went viral
And I loved you every mile you drove away
But now, here you are again
So, let's skip the "How you been?"
And get down to the "more than friends" at last
Oh, but that one night was still the highlight
I didn't need you until I came to
And I was overwhelmed, and frankly, scared as hell
Because I really fell for you
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a 2-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it, sue me
Mm, the way you do me
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Please believe that when I leave
There's nothing up my sleeve but love for you
And a little time to get my head together too
On the other side of a street I knew
Stood a girl that looked like you
I guess that's déjà vu
But I thought this can't be true
'Cause
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
Just a shy guy looking for a 2-ply
Hefty bag to hold my love
When you move me, everything is groovy
They don't like it, sue me
Mm, the way you do me
Oh, I swear to you
I'll be there for you
This is not a drive by
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Mountain Song
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Jane's Addiction
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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.
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Another disclaimer: this song means nothing personal to me. I heard it today (first time). I didn't think I cared too much for the band until this song played over the radio. It's wonderful. I foresee it getting more air time. Obviously about a fearful guy/girl who is in love and promises that he'll stay (in spite of his fears) rather than leave ("drive by"). So impressed with the sound of this song...
Pat Monahan has stated this song is about a one-night stand. The person here obviously wants it to go much further.
I also noticed today on the radio that the chorus has a deliciously dirty double-entendre: "Just a shy a guy looking for two-ply / hefty bag to hold my love." Apart from the surface meaning, I think the "two-ply hefty bag" he refers to is a vagina... and the "love" he wants her to hold is his baby gravy. :P Pat does seem like one to have a line like this in a song!
Not very deep, but it's catchy and witty. Love it.
Ok.
Ok?
More likely the hefty bag is a condom.
@TabbyFL55 I like your dirty mind
It sounds a little like "he" might have been stalking her. She did move away to get away from him after their night together ... if that did actually happen anywhere except in his head.
Love the catchy beat. Fun song. Fascinating how nobody listens to/comments on this one. One huge red flag missed...
I can't stand this song because it's on that blasted Ford commercial that is on the TV 24/7 and it's on the radio every day. If it weren't for that though, it's a cute and catchy song. But is the girl on the other side of the street the same girl?