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.
Ruins
Mt. Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll just melt all the plastic to the sea
And maybe California is the only place
Where this old engine, it just glides through the ruins
Fare you well, all that gives us hell
Out the mouth of the Mississippi
In the passenger seat, your feet out the window
Like, maybe your love, it gets torn from the bone
In the eyes of the Lord
And this old engine, it just glides through the ruins
And fare you well, all that gives us hell
Out the mouth of the Mississippi
In love, we got to try
A little love, we, you just got to try
In love, we got to try, Lord
A little love, we, we just got to try
In love, we got to try
Guess in love, we, we just got to try
Mmm
The lyrics of this song by Mt. Joy are a mix of optimism and despair. The opening line is seemingly hopeful, with the singer telling someone not to cry and assuring them that the river will be alright. However, the next line ("We'll just melt all the plastic to the sea") is deeply concerning, as it suggests a disregard for the environment and a willingness to accept the consequences of pollution. The line "maybe California is the only place" implies that the rest of the world is beyond saving and the only hope is to escape to a place that's still okay.
The chorus has a sense of resignation to it, as the singer bids farewell to all that gives them hell and continues on their journey through the ruins. The metaphorical engine that "just glides through the ruins" seems to represent a coping mechanism or a way of navigating through tough times. The second verse introduces a personal relationship, with the singer's partner caught dreaming with their feet out the window. The line "maybe your love, it gets torn from the bone in the eyes of the Lord" suggests a sense of helplessness or inevitability when it comes to the pain of romantic love. The second chorus repeats the phrase "in love, we got to try" several times, perhaps as a reminder to keep going and not give up hope despite the challenges.
Overall, the song seems to capture a feeling of being both overwhelmed by the state of the world and determined to find moments of joy and connection despite it all. It's a reminder to keep trying and not let despair take over completely.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't cry, the river will be alright
Don't worry, nature will eventually fix itself
We'll just melt all the plastic to the sea
We'll destroy the environment even further
And maybe California is the only place
Perhaps California is the only safe place left
Where this old engine, it just glides through the ruins
Despite the destruction, the engine still works effortlessly
Fare you well, all that gives us hell
Goodbye to everything that causes us pain and suffering
Out the mouth of the Mississippi
Away from the source of our problems
Halfway home, I caught you dreamin'
I found you lost in thought on our way back
In the passenger seat, your feet out the window
You were relaxed and carefree
Like, maybe your love, it gets torn from the bone
Perhaps love is so strong that it can damage us to our core
In the eyes of the Lord
According to religious beliefs
And this old engine, it just glides through the ruins
Despite everything falling apart, the engine still runs smooth
And fare you well, all that gives us hell
Saying goodbye to everything that causes us pain and hardship
In love, we got to try
We have to keep striving for love
A little love, we, you just got to try
Even a small amount of love is worth trying for
Guess in love, we, we just got to try
We have to keep trying, even if we're uncertain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keegan Carrokl
This song is absolutely amazing. By far the best song in the album. Love y’all wish I could afford to see you at the windjammer
Travis Scott
You can not say that cause it'll change the 1,000,000th time you play this vinyl lol
sealylibby
Don't cry, the river will be alright
We'll just melt all the plastic to the sea
And maybe California is the only place
[Refrain]
Where this old engine, it just glides through the ruins
Fare you well, all that gives us hell
Out the mouth of the Mississippi
[Verse 2]
Halfway home, I caught you dreamin'
In the passenger seat, your feet out the window
Like, maybe your love, it gets torn from the bone
In the eyes of the Lord
[Refrain]
And this old engine, it just glidеs through the ruins
And fare you well, all that givеs us hell
Out the mouth of the Mississippi
[Bridge]
In love, we got to try
A little love, we, you just got to try
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Outro]
In love, we got to try, Lord
A little love, we, we just got to try
In love, we got to try
Yes, in love, we, we just got to try, hm-mmm, mmm
SG02
Low key the best song on the record
Nizio
I love this! And the art is incredible too! Best wishes from Poland!
Beq
i get MAJOR lumineer vibes and i love it.
Rakman
Definitely, but the insane dynamics and amazing guitar solo is what makes them and this song just hit different.
SaiAung ThantZin
I think I’m the only one who listen Mt. Joy in Myanmar 🇲🇲
Rakman
Then it’s your job to spread the vibes
Mary J
First