Vintage 1980s ALABAMA Band Color Print - Press Release

About the Song

In the realm of country music, few bands have achieved the level of success and critical acclaim as Alabama. With their distinctive blend of Southern harmonies, relatable lyrics, and energetic performances, they captivated audiences for decades, leaving an indelible mark on the genre. Among their extensive discography, the song “Mountain Music” stands as a true gem, a timeless classic that encapsulates the essence of their music and the spirit of country life.

Released in 1982 as the title track of their sixth studio album, “Mountain Music” quickly ascended to the top of the country charts, becoming Alabama’s first number-one single. Its popularity extended beyond the genre, crossing over to the pop charts and earning the band a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Group or Duo with Vocal. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to transport listeners to a simpler time, evoking images of rustic cabins, crackling bonfires, and the close-knit communities that define rural America.

“Mountain Music” opens with a gentle acoustic guitar strumming, setting the stage for Randy Owen’s warm, inviting vocals. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in the mountains, where the pace of life is slower, the air is cleaner, and the people are more genuine. Owen sings of the joys of family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life, all set against the backdrop of the majestic mountains.

The song’s chorus is a rousing declaration of love for “Mountain Music”, the soundtrack of a life lived in harmony with nature and tradition. The band’s tight harmonies and instrumental flourishes add depth and dimension to the melody, creating an irresistible anthem that has resonated with audiences for generations.

“Mountain Music” more than just a song; it’s a celebration of a way of life, a tribute to the enduring power of music to connect people and evoke cherished memories. Its lyrics capture the essence of country living, while its melody and harmonies embody the spirit of Southern hospitality and warmth. For Alabama, “Mountain Music” became a signature tune, a symbol of their enduring legacy and their deep connection to their Southern roots.

Key takeaways:

  • “Mountain Music” is a country classic by Alabama that celebrates the simple joys of life in rural America.
  • The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of life in the mountains, with themes of family, friends, and the beauty of nature.
  • The chorus is a rousing declaration of love for “Mountain Music”, the soundtrack of a life lived in harmony with tradition.
  • The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level.

Alabama - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Video 

Lyrics: Mountain Music

[Spoken:]
“You see that mountain over there? Yeah?
Well, one of these days I’m gonna climb that mountain”.[Chorus:]
Oh, play me some mountain music,
Like grandma and grandpa used to play.
Then I’ll float on down the river
To a Cajun hideaway.Drift away like Tom Sawyer, ride a raft with ol’ Huck Finn.
Take a nap like Rip Van Winkle, daze dreamin’ again.

[Chorus:]
Oh, play me some mountain music,
Like grandma and grandpa used to play.
Then I’ll float on down the river
To a Cajun hideaway.

Swim across the river, just to prove that I’m a man.
Spend the day bein’ lazy, just bein’ nature’s friend.
Climb a long tall hick’ry. Bend it over, skinnin’ cats.
Playin’ baseball with chert rocks, usin’ sawmill slabs for bats.

[Bridge:]
Play some back-home, come-on music
That comes from the heart.
Play something with lots of feelin’,
‘Cause that’s where music has to start.

[Chorus:]
Oh, play me some mountain music,
Like grandma and grandpa used to play.
Then I’ll float on down the river
To a Cajun hideaway, hey hey.

Oh play me mountain music.
Oh play me mountain music.
Oh play me mountain music.
Oh play me mountain music.

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.