Matt Quinn and Sam Cooper first met in high school in Philadelphia and later reconnected in Los Angeles in 2016. Their shared love for music led them to collaborate once again. They named the project after a mountain in Valley Forge National Park near their hometown. Their debut single, "Astrovan," gained rapid streaming success, attracting the attention of drummer Sotiris Eliopoulos and keyboardist Jackie Miclau.
The band made their debut in 2016 with the release of their single "Astrovan," which was recorded in Los Angeles by Quinn, Cooper, and Byrnes.
In 2017, Mt. Joy signed with Dualtone Records, further solidifying their presence in the music industry. This was followed by the release of three singles in 2017: "Sheep," "Cardinal," and "Silver Lining," with the latter reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Triple A charts.
Throughout 2017, the now five-piece band recorded additional tracks with producer Jon Gilbert at his home studio in Pasadena, California, and released their self-titled debut album, Mt. Joy, on March 2, 2018. The song "Silver Lining" went to #1 on the Billboard Triple A charts.
Following their initial success, Mt. Joy embarked on extensive touring, performing at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, and Lollapalooza, while also opening for notable bands like The Head and the Heart, The Shins, Whitney, and The Revivalists. They also headlined their own North American and European tours.
Unfortunately, their tour with The Lumineers was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred, Mt. Joy released their second studio album, "Rearrange Us," on June 5, 2020. The album was produced by Tucker Martine, known for his work with My Morning Jacket and Modest Mouse. The songs on "Rearrange Us" range from folk-stomps to psychedelic reflections and gospel elegies.
In April 2022, the band announced their third full-length album, Orange Blood, which was released on June 17, 2022. The album was recorded at Headroom Studios in Philadelphia. Four singles were released ahead of the album, "Lemon Tree", "Orange Blood," "Evergreen," and "Bathroom Light." Their headlining tour for the album started in June 2022 and runs through November 2022.
Bang
Mt. Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's not bad, could it be worse?
The ice cream man's got a new line of work
We go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost there but it won't come today
They're holding court on Montrose and 21st
It goes bang, bang, bang, bang
Nothing changed, they just gaslight the blame
They ought to make a dance
For when the world shits its pants
You go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost there but it won't come
You go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost there but it won't come
And we'll remember everything
The dogs in the rain
And the sunken eyes
Feelin' so strange
Like, how many more
How many more
How many more
How many more
How many more
How many more
How many more
How
It goes bang, bang, bang, bang
Heartless thieves, it ain't me but it might as well be
In Mt. Joy's song "Bang," the lyrics describe a feeling of being stuck in a situation that isn't necessarily bad, but isn't going anywhere either. The ice cream man has a new job, symbolizing how even those who once had simple jobs are having to adapt to new situations due to economic difficulties. The idea of going "up, up, up" suggests a striving for progress or success, but always falling short of "almost there." The lyrics then switch to an outside perspective, with the mention of Montrose and 21st and cops who want things to get worse, implying a lack of effort to make things better. The repetition of "bang, bang, bang" creates a sense of violence or danger, but ultimately, nothing changes and blame is shifted onto others.
The second half of the song has a more introspective tone, with the suggestion to "make a dance for when the world shits its pants." This can be seen as a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult times. The repetition of "how many more" highlights a frustration with the current situation and a longing for change. The final stanza brings the song back to the violence and lack of action, with the phrase "heartless thieves" and the acceptance that even if it's not the singer's fault, they still feel complicit in the situation.
Overall, "Bang" is a commentary on the current state of the world and the frustration that comes with the lack of progress and action. It touches on economic difficulties, societal issues, and a longing for change that ultimately seems out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are going nowhere
Despite our lack of progress, we remain stagnant.
And it's not bad, could it be worse?
Although we have not achieved much, it is not the worst outcome.
The ice cream man's got a new line of work
Even the ice cream man has lost his job and been forced to take on new work.
We go up, up, up, try holdin' on
We strive towards success, but it remains out of our grasp.
To almost there but it won't come today
Our goal feels just within reach, but we cannot attain it yet.
They're holding court on Montrose and 21st
There is criminal activity taking place in the Montrose and 21st area.
And the cops don't care, they want it to get worse
The authorities are indifferent to the crime and may even be complicit in its perpetuation.
It goes bang, bang, bang, bang
Violence and chaos are common occurrences.
Nothing changed, they just gaslight the blame
Rather than addressing the underlying issues, the blame is shifted onto others and the situation remains the same.
They ought to make a dance
In the face of disaster, we may as well try to find humor in the situation.
For when the world shits its pants
For when everything seems to be falling apart.
And we'll remember everything
Despite the difficulties, we will not forget the experiences we have had.
The dogs in the rain
We recall the hardships we have endured.
And the sunken eyes
We see the toll that difficult times have taken on people's faces.
Feelin' so strange
These experiences have left us feeling disoriented and confused.
Like, how many more
We wonder how much more we can endure.
How many more
The repetition of this question reflects our desperation and exhaustion.
How many more
We are grappling with our sense of hopelessness.
How many more
We are confronting the seemingly endless cycle of hardship.
How many more
We are questioning the fairness of our circumstances.
How many more
We are essentially asking 'when will it end?'.
How many more
This haunting question remains unanswered.
How
We are left to wonder.
It goes bang, bang, bang, bang
This violent and chaotic situation persists.
Heartless thieves, it ain't me but it might as well be
Although we may not be the direct cause of the harm being inflicted, we still feel the impact and carry the weight of it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Bicusdikus2240
These guys are very underrated
@noie_the_animal
My favorite band, it's all so good!
@sealylibby
Here we are going nowhere
And it's not bad, could it be worse?
The ice cream man's got a new line of work
[Refrain]
We go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost there, but it won't come today
[Post-Refrain]
They're holding court on Montrose and 21st
And the cops don't care, they want it to get worse
It goes bang, bang, bang, bang
Nothing changed, they just gaslight the blame
[Verse 2]
They ought to make a dance
For when the world shits its pants
You go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost there but it won't come
[Refrain]
You go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost there, but it won't come
You go up, up, up, try holdin' on
To almost therе, but it won't come
And we'll remеmber everything
The dogs in the rain and the sunken eyes
Feelin' so strange
[Bridge]
Like, how many more?
How many more?
How many more?
How many more?
How many more?
How many more?
How many more?
How...?
[Outro]
It goes bang, bang, bang, bang
Heartless thieves, it ain't me but it might as well be
@chattclouds8281
Excellent.
@trevorking9465
stop saying they are underrated just be happy we are listening
@RadikalAnderWurzel
Thank you
@keegancarrokl2497
Third let’s gooo
@maryj4535
Oh yes first again