Mountain Music
Momus Lyrics


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I've got that mountain music in me
But not since I was born
I learned about it yesterday
From a CD-ROM

I've got that mountain music in me
I'll play it till I'm dead
Like a synthesizer sequencer
I've got it in my head

Singing ah ah yuppy digital deck
Johnny Cash, Jupiter, 24 track

Anyone can do it
That's the beauty, see
A Pakistani Indian
Or a kid from Tennessee

Well you can play that music straight
But mix a synthesizer in
And it might become a symbol of the world we're living in

I've got that mountain music in me
Deep in memory
Time-stretched in my sampler
On my Rio mp3

I've got the mountains on a Minidisc
Right next to my heart
And when I press the play button
I hear the music start

It never was so simple
It never was so pure
The folks who made it never were
So ignorant and poor

They traveled round the world
And never stayed where they belonged
And if they had we'd never have
These lovely mountain songs

'Moon Of Alabama' is my favorite country tune
It's got lyrics by a communist and music by a Jew
And when those fellers wrote it they were living in Berlin
I guess that is a symbol of the world we're living in

Singing
Ay ay yuppy, digital deck
Johnny Cash, Casio, Dylan and Beck

Grand Ol' Oprah Winfrey, Massive Attack
Johnny Cash, Casio, Bruce Haack





Ay ay yuppy, Dylan and Beck
You and me might as well be on Star Trek

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Momus's song Mountain Music reflect on the modern and digital age's influence on traditional and folk music. The singer states that he has the "mountain music" inside him, despite not being born in the mountains. He learned about it only yesterday, from a CD-ROM. The whole idea of the song is that it is possible to preserve these mountain songs digitally, and it doesn't need to originate only from the mountains. The singer compares his music to being like a synthesizer sequencer, always running in his head. Mountain music is an expression of purity, and it is a symbol of the traditional world we are living in. In contrast, the singer's music reflects the contemporary world, which he finds equally fascinating.


The singer notes that these songs were never simple or pure. The people who made it were not ignorant of money or poor. They traveled the world and never stayed where they belonged. If they had, then the mountain songs wouldn't exist today. This verse speaks to the deep meaning and history behind the traditional type of music, although the artist also acknowledges that modern influences can integrate with the music and still make it unique.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got that mountain music in me
I am deeply connected to and influenced by mountain music.


But not since I was born
I didn't grow up with this music, I discovered it later in life.


I learned about it yesterday
I am still relatively new to this music and its history.


From a CD-ROM
I learned about this music through modern technology, not from first-hand experience or traditional sources.


I'll play it till I'm dead
I will always be passionate about this music and incorporate it into my life as long as I live.


Like a synthesizer sequencer
My love for this music is just as strong and ever-present as my love for my electronic music equipment.


I've got it in my head
The music is constantly on my mind and I cannot shake its influence.


Singing ah ah yuppy digital deck
Using modern, electronic music equipment is part of my musical style.


Johnny Cash, Jupiter, 24 track
I am inspired by various genres and music equipment, from classic country to machines like Jupiter synth and 24-track recording devices.


Anyone can do it
This music is not exclusive to a particular group or culture, and anyone can enjoy and perform it.


That's the beauty, see
The accessibility and inclusivity of this music is what makes it beautiful and special.


A Pakistani Indian
Someone from a South Asian background can be just as connected to this music as someone from a Southern American background.


Or a kid from Tennessee
A person of any age or background can find a deep connection with this music, including someone from the very place where it originated.


Well you can play that music straight
This music can be performed in a very traditional way by sticking to its roots.


But mix a synthesizer in
Incorporating modern technology into the music can give it new life and meaning.


And it might become a symbol of the world we're living in
The fusion of old and new elements in the music is representative of the world we live in and the way that we are constantly evolving.


Deep in memory
My love for this music is rooted in my personal history and experiences.


Time-stretched in my sampler
I use modern electronic devices to manipulate and stretch the music to create new sounds and moods.


On my Rio mp3
I can carry this music with me wherever I go, thanks to modern technology.


I've got the mountains on a Minidisc
The music connects me to the mountainous regions where it originated and continues to thrive.


Right next to my heart
This music has a deep emotional connection for me and is very important in my life.


And when I press the play button
Listening to this music brings me great joy and happiness.


I hear the music start
The music has a powerful and transformative effect on me.


It never was so simple
The history and evolution of this music is complex and multi-layered.


It never was so pure
The music has been influenced by many different cultures and sources over time, so it is not 100% pure or traditional.


The folks who made it never were
The creators of this music were often marginalized and faced many struggles and hardships in their lives.


So ignorant and poor
This music was often created by people who were not formally educated or financially stable, but it was still valuable and meaningful.


They traveled round the world
The creators of this music were curious about the world and drew inspiration from many different cultures beyond their own.


And never stayed where they belonged
These musicians were not bound by national or cultural boundaries and often traveled to many different places to perform their music.


And if they had we'd never have
If the creators of this music had been more limited in their travels and experiences, we would not have the rich and diverse music that we have today.


These lovely mountain songs
The music from the mountains is beautiful and full of meaning and should be celebrated and preserved.


'Moon Of Alabama' is my favorite country tune
This specific song is particularly special and meaningful to me above all others in the genre.


It's got lyrics by a communist and music by a Jew
The political and cultural diversity of the creators of this song illustrate the cultural melting pot that gave rise to this music.


And when those fellers wrote it they were living in Berlin
The specific geopolitical context in which this song was written further illustrates the diverse origins and influences that gave rise to this music.


I guess that is a symbol of the world we're living in
The diverse and complex backgrounds and influences that gave rise to this song are representative of the diverse world that we live in today.


Grand Ol' Oprah Winfrey, Massive Attack
Even diverse artists and musical styles that seem unrelated can come together in beautiful and unexpected ways, much like the many cultures and backgrounds that gave rise to mountain music.


Johnny Cash, Casio, Dylan and Beck
I draw inspiration from a wide range of diverse musical styles and equipment, much like the diverse cultural influences that gave rise to mountain music.


You and me might as well be on Star Trek
The variety and diversity of musical styles and traditions that are available to us today is almost as vast and diverse as the many worlds and species that exist in the Star Trek universe.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NICHOLAS CURRIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Aldo Charles


on Morality Is Vanity

I’ve been listening to this song last two weeks.

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