The classic-era lineup of the group was Leslie West on guitar, Felix Pappalardi on bass, Corky Laing on drums (the original drummer was N. D. Smart), and Steve Knight on piano and organ. West's raw vocals, Laing's flowing drumming, and Pappalardi's heavy but not overly imposing bass lines were the elements of Mountain's distinctive sound.
Mountain played at the Woodstock Festival but the band did not appear in the film of the event nor was it included on the first album. The group's first album, Climbing! was released in 1970 and featured the band's best-known song, "Mississippi Queen"; the song reached the middle of the top-40 charts and the album reached the top 20 on the US album charts.
The follow-up album Nantucket Sleighride (1971) also reached the top 20 on the US albums chart but failed to yield a hit single. (The title track from Nantucket Sleighride was used as the theme tune to the UK political and current affairs television program Weekend World, which was aired between 1972 and 1986). After these early releases the band continued to receive a certain measure of critical acclaim but never achieved great commercial success.
The band was inspired by legendary power trio Cream, which Pappalardi was an "unofficial" member of; he was featured heavily on Cream's second LP, Disraeli Gears. Following Mountain's initial breakup in 1972, West and Laing formed West, Bruce and Laing with Cream bassist Jack Bruce. They produced three albums.
In 1974 West and Pappalardi reformed Mountain with Allan Schwartzberg on drums and Robert Mann on keyboards. A tour yielded the live Twin Peaks followed by the studio album Avalanche, with Laing and rhythm guitarist David Perry, who as an African American was also credited for "added color." It was the last heard of from Mountain until the mid 1980s when West, sometimes with and sometimes without Laing, has worked under the name Mountain, New Mountain or the Leslie West Band.
On April 17, 1983 Gail Collins Pappalardi, Felix's wife and songwriting partner, shot him once in the neck in their fifth-floor East Side Manhattan apartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene and Gail was charged with second-degree murder, but acquitted. Richie Scarlet has taken over as bass player on the band's recent tours.
Mountain is ranked number 98 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock".
There are other artists with the same name:
2. Romanian electronic producer; an alias of candlestickmaker.
check out: http://asiluum.com/site/2010/11/08/mountain-contorsionist-split/
3. Møuntain - post-rock from Austria
https://www.last.fm/music/M%C3%B8untain
4. Mountain is a Nigerian musician based in Lagos.
5. Kamiyama Shigeta – better known to you or I as Mountain, is a drum & bass producer from the hustling hub of activity that is Osaka, Japan.
Born into a musical family Kamiyama grew up immersed in various forms of music. At age 18 he finds Dance music and after picking the basics of a DAW, he starts producing Drum and Bass under this alias. He begins DJing in his hometown too – racking up support slots for the likes of: Sigma, Netsky, London Electricity, Metrik & the beast that is Andy C.
Hard Times
Mountain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The struggle lives hard times, we do or die
My whole crews fly hands high to the sky
So maintain son elevate try to build
But now you're still 'cause incarceration is for real
Yeah son you know its on
Now who would be the clown in the nine-six to mess around and catch a fist
I got physical that alert me when some herb tried to jerk me
Or put the squeeze on it, break down the cipher
But it won't work, were tight like the Q-Tip in the fight
Now is you insane is your brain intact
We be official when it comes to this no B.S. rap
Here comes the lyrical, aerial raid right where you rest at
Now test that
I snatch your heart right through your chest black
Gettin ill thoughts when I sleep at night
I gotta maintain, blot the blood stains on my brain
From the clappin, we can make it happen
Remember you ain't a killer, you only rappin
I hate it, rappers overexaggeratin
And never shot a gun in they life, they only masterbatin
So come clean and keep it real if you like my sound
And wave your hands in the air and put the nines down
[Chorus: x2]
Brothas fought daily in the streets, we reek havoc
On every block someones flippin like an acrobat
I'm kinda young but I still gotta hold my own
And I'm a maintain what's mine till the day I'm grown
I keep my crew up, people say I got a gang
But I don't smoke I don't shoot and my crew don't slang
We just hang tryin to get up in this rap game
So I can gain so fame and build my crews name
Rollin with juvenile thugs wit bad grades and bad ways
Who woulda thought that I had some AIDS
Dream totes and aspirations
Brothas are tired of being broke so maybe that's why they free-basing
Wastin time doing nothing
Livin like an outcast gotta get up get out and get something
[Chorus: x2]
Look into my eyes see if you can see what I can see
In my reality the whole world is after me
Schemin on the key but yo I got this locked down
Me and lost and found comin out the underground
Takin no prisoners my listeners we keep it real
My thoughts are militant, when I'm in the killin field
Click click, my minds automatic, so where's the static
I got some joints up in my attic if you want to grab it
I form a cipher where my peace brothers don't sleep
You try to creep I guarantee that's when you feel the heat
I come correct in this rap game
Rappers act insane
Meanwhile I'm blowin the mic an back in the frame
They can't see me, they can't feel the real G
I represent, commercial rap will never kill me
[Chorus: x4]
The Mountain's song "Hard Times" is a reflection of the struggles that people go through in order to survive. The chorus is a call to arms for individuals to maintain their composure and remain resolute in the face of adversity. The "struggle lives hard times" refers to the difficulties that life can present, but it is up to each individual to rise above it and "elevate" themselves. However, the reality of the world is that "incarceration is for real," and one wrong move can lead to a lifetime of confinement. The song is a cautionary tale about the consequences of not keeping a level head and succumbing to the pressures of circumstance.
The verses of the song are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors. The line "waste time doing nothing, living like an outcast gotta get up get out and get something" is a call to action to stop wasting time and channel one's energy into something productive. The rapper's thoughts are "militant" and he is "in the killin field," a metaphor for the competitive and cutthroat nature of the rap game. However, despite the challenges, the rapper remains true to himself and his craft, and "commercial rap will never kill me."
Line by Line Meaning
The struggle lives hard times, we do or die
We're faced with difficult challenges and must survive, even if it means fighting for our lives.
My whole crews fly hands high to the sky
We stick together and are proud of who we are and what we stand for.
So maintain son elevate try to build
Stay positive and strive to improve your situation, even when faced with obstacles.
But now you're still 'cause incarceration is for real
However difficult it may get, don't make decisions that could lead to jail time.
Yeah son you know its on
Be ready for anything and always on guard.
Now who would be the clown in the nine-six to mess around and catch a fist
Don't provoke violence or you will get hurt.
I show no mercy if you irk me
If you make me angry, I won't hesitate to retaliate.
I got physical that alert me when some herb tried to jerk me
I defend myself when someone tries to take advantage of me.
Or put the squeeze on it, break down the cipher
Trying to deceive us won't work, we're too strong and united as a group.
But it won't work, were tight like the Q-Tip in the fight
Our bond is unbreakable, like the connection between a Q-Tip and cotton.
Now is you insane is your brain intact
Are you crazy or thinking clearly?
We be official when it comes to this no B.S. rap
We take our music seriously and don't tolerate fake artists.
Here comes the lyrical, aerial raid right where you rest at
Our lyrics hit hard and come at you no matter where you are.
Now test that
Try to challenge us and see what happens.
I snatch your heart right through your chest black
Our music evokes powerful emotions and can touch people deeply.
Gettin ill thoughts when I sleep at night
The harsh realities of life keep me up at night and weigh heavy on my mind.
I gotta maintain, blot the blood stains on my brain
I need to keep myself focused and clear-headed despite the violence and chaos around me.
From the clappin, we can make it happen
We can turn our struggles into successes through hard work and dedication.
Remember you ain't a killer, you only rappin
Don't try to act tough if you're not really about that life.
I hate it, rappers overexaggeratin
I don't like when other artists fake their experiences and try to sound tougher than they really are.
And never shot a gun in they life, they only masterbatin
They're just playing pretend and it's obvious they're not the real deal.
So come clean and keep it real if you like my sound
If you respect and appreciate our music, then be honest and genuine about who you are.
And wave your hands in the air and put the nines down
Celebrate our music and don't resort to violence or illegal behavior.
Brothas fought daily in the streets, we reek havoc
We face challenges and struggle every day in the dangerous environment we live in.
On every block someones flippin like an acrobat
People are involved in illegal activity all around us and it's hard to avoid.
I'm kinda young but I still gotta hold my own
I may be young, but I need to be able to protect myself and stand up for what I believe in.
And I'm a maintain what's mine till the day I'm grown
I'll hold onto what's important to me and work to improve my situation until I reach adulthood.
I keep my crew up, people say I got a gang
I look out for my friends and family, but some people perceive us as a gang because of the way we dress and act.
But I don't smoke I don't shoot and my crew don't slang
We may look like a gang, but we're not involved in drugs or violence.
We just hang tryin to get up in this rap game
We're focused on music and trying to make it in the industry.
So I can gain so fame and build my crews name
I want to become successful as an artist and help my friends and family gain recognition.
Rollin with juvenile thugs wit bad grades and bad ways
I associate with troubled youth who have had a rough upbringing and are struggling in school and life.
Who woulda thought that I had some AIDS
I'm dealing with my own personal struggles and challenges, including illness.
Dream totes and aspirations
I have dreams and goals for my future, even though I face many obstacles.
Brothas are tired of being broke so maybe that's why they free-basing
People are turning to drugs as a means of escape from their difficult circumstances.
Wastin time doing nothing
People are aimlessly wasting their lives and not making an effort to improve their situation.
Livin like an outcast gotta get up get out and get something
It's time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start taking action to change our lives for the better.
Look into my eyes see if you can see what I can see
My experiences have given me a unique perspective on life that I hope to convey through my music.
In my reality the whole world is after me
I feel like the world is against me and I face challenges at every turn.
Schemin on the key but yo I got this locked down
People may be trying to sabotage me, but I'm prepared and won't let them bring me down.
Me and lost and found comin out the underground
My crew and I are emerging from obscurity and making our mark in the music industry.
Takin no prisoners my listeners we keep it real
We make honest and authentic music that resonates with our audience.
My thoughts are militant, when I'm in the killin field
I take a serious and disciplined approach to my music and strive for excellence.
Click click, my minds automatic, so where's the static
My creativity flows easily and I don't let anyone stand in the way of my success.
I got some joints up in my attic if you want to grab it
I have plenty of material and can share it with others if they're interested.
I form a cipher where my peace brothers don't sleep
I create a sense of community and togetherness with my friends and fellow artists.
You try to creep I guarantee that's when you feel the heat
Don't mess with me or my crew, or you'll face the consequences.
I come correct in this rap game
I'm serious about my music and I'm not playing games.
Rappers act insane
Many artists act fake and try to portray an image of toughness or craziness.
Meanwhile I'm blowin the mic an back in the frame
I'm focused on my own success and won't let anyone distract me from my goals.
They can't see me, they can't feel the real G
Some people can't understand or relate to my experiences and struggles.
I represent, commercial rap will never kill me
I'm true to myself and my music, and won't compromise for commercial success.
Chorus: x4
The main message of the song, emphasizing the struggles and challenges faced by the artist and his crew.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network
Written by: Larry Mizell, Christopher Brian Bridges, Premro Vonzellaire Smith, Laurence Mizell Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Butcher
on One Last Cold Kiss
This is not 'Two Island Swans' by Christ Moore, but it is the original version by Mountain Man
Dave Butcher
on You Better Believe It
Mountain at their best