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."
When you walk through the garden
You gotta watch your back
Well, I beg your pardon
Walk the straight and narrow track
If you walk with Jesus
He's gonna save your soul
You gotta keep the devil
Way down in the hole
He's got the fire and the fury
At his command
Well, you don't have to worry
If you hold on to Jesus' hand
We'll all be safe from Satan
When the thunder rolls
We just gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
All the angels sing
About Jesus' mighty sword
And they'll shield you with their wings
And keep you close to the lord
Don't pay heed to temptation
For his hands are so cold
You gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
You gotta help me keep the devil
Down in the hole
You gotta watch your back
Well, I beg your pardon
Walk the straight and narrow track
If you walk with Jesus
He's gonna save your soul
You gotta keep the devil
Way down in the hole
He's got the fire and the fury
At his command
Well, you don't have to worry
If you hold on to Jesus' hand
We'll all be safe from Satan
When the thunder rolls
We just gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
All the angels sing
About Jesus' mighty sword
And they'll shield you with their wings
And keep you close to the lord
Don't pay heed to temptation
For his hands are so cold
You gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
You gotta help me keep the devil
Down in the hole
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Way Down in the Hole Lyrics as written by Thomas Alan Waits
Lyrics © Jalma Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
I'm pretty sure the season four theme was performed by some Baltimore locals. I am anxious to see who they use for season five. I'd be shocked if they broke tradition and used a different theme. As long as they don't go for some kind of bmore hip hop angle I'm sure it will be ok.
as far as the lyrics themselves are concerned, I interpret them as having to do with struggling with alcoholism.
I do assume that Tom Waits is being ironic here, in the same way The Violent Femmes seem ironic when they sing "Jesus Walking on the Water". However, regardless of how he intended it, you don't have to take it that way. I'm sure he was drawing from similar lyrics from old songs. My ipod has a lot of songs, but this was coincidentally followed by "A Sinners Death (I am Dying)" by Roy Acuff. Like Johnny Cash singing that God will "cut you down", Roy is not being ironic. Acuff or Cash could sing these lyrics and you would take the meaning at face value. It's a cool song since you can easily equate "the devil" and "temptation" with non-religious concepts like "alcoholsim" though, as someone above mentioned.
Actually, the Femmes aren't being sarcastic. At least, Gano isn't. He's a true believer. The others aren't. All the religious songs are genuine.
The Abyssinian Baptist Choir recorded a live album in the 50's I think entitled 'Shakin' the Rafters'. I don't know but I'd almost put money on Tom getting some inspiration from that album for this track, especially heard on his 'Big Time' version. Great track and shakin the rafters also a great listen for anyone interested in black gospel. One of my fav albums.
i think "the devil" is a metaphor for the bad things that happen in our life. we gotta keep it down in the hole so we only get good, enjoyable things
Franks Wild Years follow Frank, a man on the bottom rung. I like to think all songs relate to him somehow. This is the part where he turns to religion as a remedy for his problems, again falling to escapism.
If you watch the HBO series, "The Wire," then you already know that this song is the show's theme. For season one, they used an excellent cover version by the Blind Boys of Alabama. For season two, they changed it up and used the original version by Tom. Season three starts this fall, and I can't wait to see what they'll do with it next!
Jon Dee Graham also recorded a killer version of this song – you can find it on his album "Hooray For The Moon".
The Neville Brothers did the season 3 version. It was great. Awesome song all around.
I first heard Tom Waits thanks to The Wire...and all I have to say is I thought he was black
The Wire is the SHIT! Season 4 has a good version of this song.Couldnt wait for season 5!