On Episode 83 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Leslie Ballard and I chat about one of our favorites from the Parade album, the second single, “Mountains.” This superior collaboration with Wendy & Lisa is meant to uplift and bring joy to whoever hears it. We chatted about current events of 1985-1986 that led to writing the song’s lyrics and how its placement in the Under the Cherry Moon film was perfect for this banger.
“It’s only mountains and the sea. Love will conquer if you just believe.”
Infectious. Uplifting. Fun. Joyous. Funky. Brilliant. What else can be said about this Prince, Wendy, and Lisa composition that kicks off Parade’s side B? It’s simply perfect and musically one of the best tracks in Prince’s entire career and a low-key (it didn’t make The Hits and B-Sides collection, after all) fam favorite. But what about those lyrics? What is he trying to convey with all these metaphors?
Leslie and I give it the old college try, but lines such as “once upon a time in a land called fantasy, seventeen mountain stood so high” and “you said the devil told you another mountain would appear” further demand discussion. There’s plenty of opportunity for alternate meanings and possible analogies in this fable of a song. No matter what, the exuberant video as closing credits to Under the Cherry Moon will get you out of your seat.
The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:
- Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
- Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
- If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics
Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!
