ALABAMA - MOUNTAIN MUSIC

MOUNTAIN MUSIC

ALABAMA

SONGWRITER: RANDY OWEN

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: MOUNTAIN MUSIC

LABEL: RCA NASHVILLE

GENRE: COUNTRY

YEAR: 1981

 

           Alabama is an American country and Southern rock band formed in Fort Payne, Alabama, in 1969. The band was founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass, backing vocals). They were soon joined by another cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wildcountry, the group toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s, and began writing original songs. They changed their name to Alabama in 1977 and following the chart success of two singles, were approached by RCA Records for a record deal.

        Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 number one hits, seven multi-platinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama's first single on RCA Records, "Tennessee River", began a streak of 21 number one singles, including "Love in the First Degree" (1981), "Mountain Music" (1982), "Dixieland Delight" (1983), "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" (1984) and "Song of the South" (1988). The band's popularity waned slightly in the 1990s although they continued to produce hit singles and multi-platinum album sales. Alabama disbanded in 2004 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.

          The band's blend of traditional country music and Southern rock combined with elements of bluegrass, folk, gospel and pop music gave it a crossover appeal that helped lead to their success. They also toured extensively and incorporated production elements such as lighting and "sets" inspired by rock concerts into their shows. The band has over 41 number one country records on the Billboard charts to their credit and have sold over 75 million records, making them the most successful band in country music history. AllMusic credited the band with popularizing the idea of a country band and wrote that "It's unlikely that any other country group will be able to surpass the success of Alabama."

          Alabama was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019 and were awarded with the first ever Life Time Achievement Award from this institution.

       Mountain Music is the sixth studio album by country music group Alabama, released in 1982. A crossover success, it ranked well as an album on both country and pop charts and launched singles that were successful in several markets. This is Alabama's most successful studio album. In 1998, the album was certified 5× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

          Early LP pressings of this album were mastered at a slower speed. Reissues made after have corrected this error.

You see that mountain over there,

yea, one of these days

I'm going to 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 the Cajun hideaway.

 

Drift away like Tom Sawyer.

Ride a raft with old Huck Finn.

Take a nap like Rip Van Winkle.

Lay streaming again.

 

Chorus:

Swim across the river.

Just to prove that I'm a man.

Spend the day be'in lazy.

Just be'in natures friend.

Climb a long tall hickery.

Bending over skin'n cats.

Playing baseball with shired rocks.

Using sawmill slats for bats.

 

Play some back home come on music

That comes from the heart.

Play somethin with lots of feeling.

Cause that's where music has to start.

 

Chorus

Hey Hey Hey

Oh play me mountain music.

Oh play me mountain music.

Oh play me mountain music.

Oh play.