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.
Orange Blood
Mt. Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do-do, do-do, do-do, do-do
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la, oh
Orange blood from the clouds burning up
Do-do, do-do, do-do, do-do, do
Minha namorada, você é perfeita
Eu quero você muito mais
Then any language could describe
Yes, and I know that worry eats at your mind
Let the desert sun decorate time
As we go, driving on the interstate
Acid took us on a date
Orange blood dripping from the sun
Tell me you're the one
Leave the record on, singing every song like
Ohh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Ohh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that feeling when it's all out
We're all so human with our guards down
Free from the chains of our ego
The pain's what makes us equal
Yes, and I know that worry eats at your mind
Let the desert sun decorate time
As we go, driving on the interstate
Acid took us on a date
Orange blood dripping from the sun
Tell me you're the one
Leave the record on, singing every song like
Ohh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Ohh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I, oh, I, oh, I, oh, I
(Ahh)
(Ahh)
You know I'd like to free you from your pain now
Oh, I'd like to free you from your pain now
Said meet me in the middle with your guard down
Meet me in the middle with your guard down
A changed you could change me
Could change everything I'll ever be
Start a family, move east
Catch us hanging on a string with ease
The lyrics of "Orange Blood" by Mt. Joy seem to describe a transformative experience influenced by the sun and the desert. The idea of "orange blood" coming from the sun and clouds references the intense, almost apocalyptic quality of the desert sun, which seems to have a transformative effect on the singer and others. It appears that the transformative experience is being under the influence of acid, as the singer sings about "acid took us on a date." The experience seems to change the way the singer views themselves and their connection to others, as they sing about being free from the chains of the ego and the pain that makes us all equal.
The singer's connection to their partner is also referenced in the song, with the line "Minha namorada, você é perfeita," which translates to "my girlfriend, you are perfect" in Portuguese. This could potentially indicate that the transformative experience is being shared by both the singer and their partner. The refrain of "oh, I like that" seems to reinforce the idea of a positive change or feeling, with the singer expressing happiness about being free from their pain and "all human with our guards down."
Overall, "Orange Blood" seems to be about the experience of being transformed by an intense, possibly drug-fueled experience in the desert, and the subsequent feelings of freedom and connection to others that result from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Orange blood from the clouds in the sun
The sunset turns the sky orange, creating a unique beauty that can be compared to blood.
Orange blood from the clouds burning up
The sun burning brightly in the sky creates an orange hue that can be compared to blood.
Minha namorada, você é perfeita
Eu quero você muito mais
Then any language could describe
My girlfriend, you're perfect. I want you more than words can describe.
Yes, and I know that worry eats at your mind
Let the desert sun decorate time
I understand that worry plagues your mind, but let's enjoy the beauty of the desert sun and take our time.
As we go, driving on the interstate
Acid took us on a date
Orange blood dripping from the sun
Tell me you're the one
As we drive on the interstate, we took acid and were amazed by the sky's orange hue. We share a special connection and I want to know if you feel the same.
Leave the record on, singing every song like
Ohh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Let's keep listening to music and singing along together, enjoying each moment.
Oh, I like that feeling when it's all out
We're all so human with our guards down
Free from the chains of our ego
The pain's what makes us equal
I love that feeling of complete vulnerability where our egos don't matter. It's our shared pain that makes us equal.
You know I'd like to free you from your pain now
Oh, I'd like to free you from your pain now
Said meet me in the middle with your guard down
Meet me in the middle with your guard down
I want to help you move past your pain and meet each other in the middle with our guards down.
A changed you could change me
Could change everything I'll ever be
Start a family, move east
Catch us hanging on a string with ease
If you change, it has the potential to completely transform who I could become. We could start a family and move east, and live a life where we effortlessly fit together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Caleb Nelson, Matthew Quinn, Samuel Cooper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angel Ruiz
Orange blood, from the clouds in the sun
Dudu, dudu, dudu, dudu, lala, lala, la, lala, lala
Oh, orange blood, from the clouds burning up
Dudu, dudu, dudu, dudu, du
Minha namorada, você é perfeita
Eu quero você muito mais, then any language could describe
[Pre-Chorus]
Yes, and I know that worry eats at your mind
Let the desert sun decorate time
[Chorus]
As we go, driving on the interstate, acid took us on a date
Orange blood, dripping from the sun
Tell me you're the one, leave the record on, singing every song like
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I likе that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I likе that, oh, I like that
[Verse 2]
Oh, I like that feeling when it's all out
All so human with our guards down
Free from the chains of our ego
The pain is what makes us equal
[Pre-Chorus]
Yes, and I worry eats at your mind
Let the desert sun decorate time
[Chorus]
As we go, driving on the interstate, acid took us on a date
Orange blood, dripping from the sun
Tell me you're the one, leave the record on, singing every song like
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I like that, oh, I like that
Oh, I, oh, I, oh, I, oh, I, oh, I
[Outro]
You know I'd like to free you from your pain now, oh, I'd like to free you from your pain now
Said meet me in the middle with your guard down, meet me in the middle with your guard down
A changed you could change me, could change everything I'll ever be
Start a family, move East, catch us hanging on a string with ease
Logan McLaren
I can’t explain how happy I was the first time I heard this song. This is pure greatness from Mt. Joy. Highly recommend seeing them live
Elana McKellar
I’m going in August!!! So stoked
Sunshine Annie
Just saw them at Innings fest this weekend… sooo groovy and wavy live! ❤
Souls John
At times lysergic, calming, lyric screaming, humming, and flowing, all in one song. You’ve done it again Mt. Joy
Samuel Ewing
Will almost definitely be the greatest citrus themed album of all time. Seriously, though great work and keep it coming.
Tim Smith
This is one of very best rock bands of this decade.
The Bag of Pants
How is this song not more popular. I don’t really even consider myself a Mt. joy fan but this song is so different and so deep the amount of range in this song is so beautiful everytime I listen to it I discover something new I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of this song, a true masterpiece. After listening to this you can’t tell me Mt. Joey isn’t one of the best in the current business.
Raffael Rogeski
Portuguese verse made my heart full of joy
Hope you come to Brazil someday 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
cosmic_drifter_007
He wants to go to Brazil. I love his Portuguese too!
cosmic_drifter_007
Excuse me, Raffael, what is he saying in Portuguese?