Orleans found its core audience touring the clubs and college circuit of the Northeast US, crossing paths with other up-and-comers such as Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, and Hall & Oates. Rolling Stone called Orleans "the best unrecorded band in America". Showcase performances in NYC gave rise to a recording contract with ABC Dunhill Records and the release of an eponymous debut album in 1973. But it was not until Orleans was produced by Chuck Plotkin, then head of A&R for Asylum Records, that the band scored its first Top 40 hit with "Let There Be Music" in early 1975.
The follow up single "Dance With Me" brought Orleans into the Top 5 and the mainstream of American pop music. Atypical of the high-energy, earthy, R&B/Rock 'n' Roll mix of styles they had been previously identified with, "Dance With Me" cast the band in a more "soft-rock" light and landed them a tour with Melissa Manchester, when they really were more at home on tour with bands such as Little Feat.
It was the smash hit "Still the One" that cemented Orleans' relationship with the American public. While the single was climbing the charts all the way to #2, the band did a major cross-country tour with label-mate Jackson Browne. However, within a year internal stresses prompted guitarist/songwriter Hall to leave the band in search of a solo career, as "Still the One" played ceaselessly as the ABC TV network theme song. Since then it has been used for countless commercials and movie soundtracks.
The Hoppen brothers and Kelly reunited the band and, in 1979, produced the Top 10 hit "Love Takes Time", continuing to tour with the likes of Stephen Stills and Chicago. Collectively, the three Orleans' hits have been aired over 7 million times.
One of the many signatures of Orleans was and still is harmony guitar riffs and two serious players trading rhythm and lead between them, all seamlessly. Larry and John were, for most of this still–active band’s 35-year-and–counting career, those players. When John Hall left for a solo stint in 1977, Orleans found Dennis “Fly’ Amero, a lefty, upside-down Strat player (in the manner of Jimi Hendrix) who took over for several years.
After original drummer Wells Kelly passed away in October 1984, Larry, Lance and John played at his Memorial event. Out of this, they decided to work together as Orleans again, starting with a Nashville album. From 1985 through 2006 (when John got elected to the US Congress – D, NY-19) the group always included the three original members. Over those years, another 8 albums were released, always containing new material.
In 2001 the band added Lane Hoppen, the third brother, as a permanent member. Shortly after, Charlie Morgan – drummer with Elton John for 13 years – also joined the group. Early in 2006, as John Hall began his election campaign, Fly Amero was asked back by the band – including John - roughly 25 years after Fly’s first ‘term’. Fly agreed, and a smooth transition ensued. (Orleans’ 2006 “We’re Still Havin’ Fun” DVD features BOTH John and Fly.)
Fly and Larry’s guitar chemistry is obvious, as is the whole group’s camaraderie. Besides being a great guitarist, songwriter and singer with a strong blues/R&B soulful tilt, Fly is great with a crowd and has a Gold Record for comedy music featuring his parody lyrics.
Here in 2008, John is up for Congressional re-election and Fly is a permanent Orleans member, as are Charlie, Lane and original mainstays Lance and Larry (who is the voice on all the radio hits, by the way).
Thirty-five years in, Orleans’ trademarked slogan couldn’t be more appropriate: “We’re Still Havin’ Fun”. It’s also the title of their new (and debut) DVD and latest CD (related to the DVD). For much more on this classic American band, visit www.OrleansOnline.com
mountain
Orleans Lyrics
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And it's time to leave it all behind
Seems like you never learned your lesson
How could you ever be so blind
Every little thing we build together
Only waits until we tear it down
Hear the thunder, hear the howling wind
You know too well how it all will end
Before it all will fall apart again
So you think that we are different
I'm afraid that never was the case
I must admit I used to think the same thing
I know the truth is hard to face
We might be good at making something out of nothing
But we prefer to kill the things we love
Hear the thunder, hear the howling wind
You know too well how it all will end
So hold it close and never let it go
Before it all will fall apart again
The lyrics of the song "Mountain" by Orleans explore the concept of relationships and the self-destructive tendencies that can often arise within them. The song begins by addressing the idea of moving on from a past situation and leaving it behind, but with the realization that the person has not learned from their mistakes and remains oblivious to the consequences of their actions. The lyrics suggest that every effort made to build something together ultimately leads to its own destruction.
The imagery of thunder and howling wind in the song serves as a metaphor for the impending collapse of the relationship. It implies that the outcome is predictable and known to both parties. Despite this knowledge, there is a plea to hold onto the relationship tightly and not let it fall apart again, acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining and preserving something that is inherently destined to fail.
The second verse delves deeper into the idea that the individuals involved have a history of repeating patterns in relationships. It highlights the shared responsibility of both parties in the destruction of their connections, emphasizing that they are not fundamentally different from each other. This realization is accompanied by the acknowledgment that the truth is difficult to face, perhaps because it requires self-reflection and acceptance of personal flaws.
Overall, "Mountain" portrays a sense of resignation and awareness of the destructive nature of relationships. It conveys a bittersweet sentiment of clinging to something precious while knowing its inevitable fate.
Line by Line Meaning
So you think the wait is over
You believe that the period of anticipation is finished
And it's time to leave it all behind
And now is the moment to abandon everything
Seems like you never learned your lesson
It appears as though you have not acquired knowledge from past experiences
How could you ever be so blind
How is it possible for you to lack awareness
Every little thing we build together
Every small creation we construct in collaboration
Only waits until we tear it down
Only delays until we dismantle it
Hear the thunder, hear the howling wind
Perceive the sound of thunder, hear the fierce gusts of wind
You know too well how it all will end
You possess knowledge of how all of this will ultimately conclude
So hold it close and never let it go
Therefore, embrace it tightly and never release it
Before it all will fall apart again
Before everything crumbles and disintegrates once more
So you think that we are different
You believe that we possess dissimilar qualities
I'm afraid that never was the case
I regret to inform you that it was never true
I must admit I used to think the same thing
I must confess that I once held the same belief
I know the truth is hard to face
I am aware that confronting the truth can be challenging
We might be good at making something out of nothing
We may have the skill to create something significant from an insignificant starting point
But we prefer to kill the things we love
However, we tend to destroy the very things we hold dear
Hear the thunder, hear the howling wind
Perceive the sound of thunder, hear the fierce gusts of wind
You know too well how it all will end
You possess knowledge of how all of this will ultimately conclude
So hold it close and never let it go
Therefore, embrace it tightly and never release it
Before it all will fall apart again
Before everything crumbles and disintegrates once more
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Sebastian Schwarz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind