About the Song
Johnny Rivers, a chameleon of the 1960s music scene, tackled many genres with infectious energy. However, his 1964 hit, “Mountain of Love”, showcases a different side of his artistry. This song is a poignant ballad filled with longing and regret, exploring the aftermath of a lost love.
“Mountain of Love” opens with a melancholic imagery: “Standing on a mountain looking down on a city / The way I feel is a doggone pity.” The narrator, perched high above the world, reflects on the relationship’s demise. The city below becomes a symbol of the life they once shared, now reduced to a distant memory.
Rivers’ vocals perfectly capture the emotional weight of the lyrics. He alternates between a soulful croon and a powerful belt, conveying the pain of loss and the lingering hope for reconciliation. Lines like, “Teardrops fallin’ down a mountainside / Many times I’ve been here, many times I’ve cried” express a vulnerability that resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak.
The song delves deeper into the past happiness of the couple. The lyrics, “We used to be so happy when we were in love / High on a mountain of love,” create a stark contrast to the present loneliness. The “mountain of love” becomes a metaphor for the once-strong relationship, now reduced to crumbled pieces.
The societal pressures of marriage are hinted at in the lines, “Wedding bells are ringin’ and they shoulda been ours / That’s why I’m so lonely, my dreams gone above / High on a mountain of love.” Perhaps societal expectations or external factors contributed to the relationship’s demise, adding another layer of complexity to the narrator’s emotions.
Despite the melancholic tone, “Mountain of Love” isn’t without a glimmer of hope. The repeated refrain, “You should be ashamed / Used to be a mountain of love / But you just changed your name,” can be interpreted as a plea for the lost love to reconsider. Perhaps there’s a chance to rebuild the “mountain of love” if they can acknowledge their past mistakes.
“Mountain of Love” remains a powerful ballad that transcends its time. Johnny Rivers’ heartfelt performance and the relatable theme of lost love resonate with listeners across generations. The song serves as a reminder of the bittersweet nature of love, the pain of heartbreak, and the enduring hope for reconciliation. So, the next time you hear this song, take a moment to reflect on your own experiences of love and loss, and appreciate the emotional journey Johnny Rivers takes us on with “Mountain of Love.”
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Lyrics: “Mountain Of Love”
Standing on the mountain looking down on the city
The way I feel is a doggone pity.
Teardrops falling down a mountainside
Many times I’ve been here
Many times I’ve cried
We used to be so happy
When we were in love
High on a mountain of love.Night after night I’ve been standing here alone
Weeping my heart out to cold gray dawn
Praying that you’re lonely and you’ll come here too
Hoping just by chance that I get a glimpse of you
Trying hard to find you
Somewhere I love
High on a mountain of love.A mountain of love
A mountain of love
You should be ashamed
We used to be a mountain of love
But you just changed your nameWay down below there’s a half a million people
Somewhere there’s a church with a big tall steeple
Inside a church there’s an altar filled with flowers
Wedding bells are ringing and they should have been ours
That’s why I’m so lonely
My dreams gone above
High on a mountain of love.A mountain of love
A mountain of love
You should be ashamed
We used to be a mountain of love
But you just changed your nameWay down below there’s a half a million people
Somewhere there’s a church with a big tall steeple
Inside a church there’s an altar filled with flowers
Wedding bells are ringing that should have been ours
That’s why I’m so lonely
My dreams gone above
High on a mountain of love.High on a mountain of love.
High on a mountain of love.
High on a mountain of love [fade]