A cool, coastal breeze runs through “Mountains” as it boasts in love’s ability to overcome barriers and make a difference in the world. “I say it’s only mountains and the sea,” the Revolution harmonize in unison. “Love will conquer if you just believe.” Perhaps with his global, multi-cultural audience in mind, Prince avoids religion-specific references in pursuit of something more universal. Legend has it that not only did Wendy & Lisa compose the music, but it also functioned as an audition for trumpet extraordinaire Atlanta Bliss. All things considered, “Mountains” is a sliver of smooth soul-pop-funk perfection that soared as high as #23 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in May 1986.

Love it, especially the 12", which is one of my very favorite extended versions.

U know, I just noticed watching this video, Atlanta Bliss and Eric Leeds are doing the wooden leg at 3:02 LMAO. Too cute.

This is my favorite Prince single of all time. I was fortunate enough to see the Revolution in San Antonio in June of this year and got to meet the band. I got to tell Wendy how much I love the song and thanked her and the band for bringing so many great touches to what was already wonderful about Prince and his music.

Awesome song, great video, incredible 12"!

[Edited 8/10/17 10:52am]

This one is my fave too. Never gets old. Cool coastal breeze...perfect description. I remember when I bought the Parade cassette at the wrecka stow back in 86 and they had THIS song on. I loved it from day one.

I was dancin like a fool when I saw the Revolution play this at the Metro.

best song of the 80's?

Definitely in the top 5 songs recorded in Prince's career. I think the 12" extended mix is peak Revolution, peak Prince-as-band-leader, peak everything.

The extended version is marvelous, that's the way to listen to this masterpiece, not much the album version.

I love both versions of this great song. love the video too - especially where Lisa blows her hair above her eye..

(that is.. very sexy..)

.

is it me, or is that extended version at a slightly faster tempo??

mltijchr said:

I love both versions of this great song. love the video too - especially where Lisa blows her hair above her eye..

(that is.. very sexy..)

.

is it me, or is that extended version at a slightly faster tempo??

I like both too...and yes, I think the extended version is a bit faster.

paisleypark4 said:

This is one of my favoriate pix of Prince, luv it!!

I am in love with this 12" single played it to death back in the 80s and with Alexa de Paris on side B it is heaven. Definately good times!

It's only Mountains...

Mountains =

Doozer said:

Off topic or rather an topic within the topic. Did Prince make a trend wearing that hat. I swear I've seen alot of both women and men wearing a similar style of hat in our days. Did Prince pioneer that hat (whatever you call it). I believe it was featured in numerous videos and movies during 1986 and 1987 even. And then it just went away.

TheBahtMaster said:

Doozer said:

This is my favorite Prince single of all time. I was fortunate enough to see the Revolution in San Antonio in June of this year and got to meet the band. I got to tell Wendy how much I love the song and thanked her and the band for bringing so many great touches to what was already wonderful about Prince and his music.

Awesome song, great video, incredible 12"!

[Edited 8/10/17 10:52am]

Controversy is great

Mountains is on of my favourite songs ever made.

Everything is perfect.

When that beat starts! the horns. The voices together.

I like the 12" too, but think the drums are better on the album version.

Wolfie87 said:

Off topic or rather an topic within the topic. Did Prince make a trend wearing that hat. I swear I've seen alot of both women and men wearing a similar style of hat in our days. Did Prince pioneer that hat (whatever you call it). I believe it was featured in numerous videos and movies during 1986 and 1987 even. And then it just went away.

No one?

Wolfie87 said:

nextedition said:

Mountains is on of my favourite songs ever made.

Everything is perfect.

When that beat starts! the horns. The voices together.

I like the 12" too, but think the drums are better on the album version.

100% agree.

I handcrafted my own extended version with the same intro, but the album version..which then fades right into the regular extended version. The new snare is just a little too industrial for me.

I love Mountains . I gotta pull out the extended version n give it another chance. I always got bored with after a while, aimless noodling, but there must something I'm missing . Video is da also. Great 1!

I remember when first hearing this one, I said, "This one will be a single with an extended version" that ending just reminded me of I Wanna Be Your Lover too

Such a happy bright hopeful song full of love

nextedition said:

Mountains is on of my favourite songs ever made.

Everything is perfect.

When that beat starts! the horns. The voices together.

I like the 12" too, but think the drums are better on the album version.

I support this post... wholeheartedly..

paisleypark4 said:

nextedition said:

Mountains is on of my favourite songs ever made.

Everything is perfect.

When that beat starts! the horns. The voices together.

I like the 12" too, but think the drums are better on the album version.

100% agree.

I handcrafted my own extended version with the same intro, but the album version..which then fades right into the regular extended version. The new snare is just a little too industrial for me.

The snare on the 12" was boosted for club play, I'm sure. I believe the extended version made the top 20 on the Billboard dance charts.

I do prefer listening to the album version within the context of the album though. It has a much fuller sound.

sexton said:

paisleypark4 said:

100% agree.

I handcrafted my own extended version with the same intro, but the album version..which then fades right into the regular extended version. The new snare is just a little too industrial for me.

The snare on the 12" was boosted for club play, I'm sure. I believe the extended version made the top 20 on the Billboard dance charts.

I do prefer listening to the album version within the context of the album though. It has a much fuller sound.

Fuller than the 12" version? how so?

Interesting, all the love for this song. I've never minded the track, but never really loved it either. I always just skip the first 4 minutes and then... then it is just pure magic. Parade was the high point for his extended versions. Sure, there are great ones before and after the album, but Parade stands alone where for every single he knocked the extended version out of the park. The crazyness of the extended portion of Kiss (and I only recently found out he played it live too in the early shows of the Parade tour!), the marvelous treatment that Anotherloverholenyohead gets and the magic trip that is the Mountains 12".

.

While I may be alone in feeling that the extended part far exceeds the actual song, I do love the era a lot too. Prince before the fall...