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.
Younger Days
Mt. Joy Lyrics
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As our love comes crashing down
You could be the flame that burns out
Or you could turn and burn it down
And in my life I've found the sweetest killers hanging around
Waiting on your undeserving lips to smile on a life you know exists
So if you worry, don't worry 'bout me
The California coastline on your own time
And if you worry, don't worry 'bout me
I always wanted to be free
In the simple way
I found in all those younger days
If I don't wake up trace me on the asphalt
Let the morning rain wash me away
There's two ways it goes now
As our love comes crashing down
You could be the flame the burns out
Or you could turn and burn it down
And look at what you have now
The silver dagger in your mouth
Waiting on the words to come down
That this ain't working out
If you worry, don't worry 'bout me
I always wanted you to see
The California coastline on your own time
And if you worry, don't worry 'bout me
I always wanted to be free
In the simple way
I found in all those younger days
If you worry, don't worry about me
If you worry, don't worry about me
If you worry, don't worry about me
If you worry, don't worry about me
(Am I blue enough? Am I blue enough?)
If you worry, don't worry about me
If you worry, don't worry about me
If you worry, don't worry about me
If you worry, don't worry about me
(Am I blue enough? Am I blue enough?)
The first verse of “Younger Days,” by Mt. Joy, describes a relationship that is about to end. The lyrics suggest that the ending of a relationship can either be gradual or abrupt. The singer acknowledges that there are “sweetest killers” always present in life, waiting for the “undeserving lips to smile on a life [they] know exists.” In other words, the singer knows that his lover may choose to leave him abruptly, or she could decide to slowly end things.
The chorus encourages his lover not to worry about him, as he always wanted her to see the beauty of the Californian coastline on her own time. The singer emphasizes his desire to be free in a simple way, which he found in his younger days. The younger days might represent a simpler time in the singer’s life, where he lived his life on his own terms.
In the second verse, the singer describes a scenario where he's already dead. If he does not wake up, he tells his lover to trace him on the asphalt and allow morning rain to wash him away. The lyrics then revert to weightier matters as the chorus repeats itself. The song ends with the singer repeating, “If you worry, don’t worry about me,” with a final question: “Am I blue enough?”
Line by Line Meaning
There's two ways it goes now
There are two possible outcomes or directions now.
As our love comes crashing down
As our relationship is failing.
You could be the flame that burns out
You could be the one who exhausts the passion or falls out of love.
Or you could turn and burn it down
Or you could intentionally destroy our relationship.
And in my life I've found the sweetest killers hanging around
I've encountered enticing but ultimately dangerous people.
Waiting on your undeserving lips to smile on a life you know exists
These people are waiting for you to pay attention to them, even though you know they don't deserve it.
So if you worry, don't worry 'bout me
If you're concerned, don't be concerned about me.
I always wanted you to see
I've always wished for you to experience or envision.
The California coastline on your own time
The scenic Pacific coastline at your leisure.
And if you worry, don't worry 'bout me
Once again, if you're worried, don't worry about me.
I always wanted to be free
I've always desired freedom.
In the simple way
In a straightforward, uncomplicated fashion.
I found in all those younger days
I discovered during my youth.
If I don't wake up trace me on the asphalt
If I don't survive, find me on the ground.
Let the morning rain wash me away
Allow the rain to cleanse and purify me.
And look at what you have now
Consider what you possess currently.
The silver dagger in your mouth
The metaphorical weapon or statement you're prepared to use.
Waiting on the words to come down
Waiting for the right words or occasion to use that weapon or statement.
That this ain't working out
To express that our relationship isn't working and we should break up.
Am I blue enough? Am I blue enough?
A rhetorical question reflecting the singer's sadness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Ryan Quinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind