Mountains
Prince [bootlegs] Lyrics


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Once upon a time in a land called Fantasy
Seventeen mountains stood so high
The sea surrounded them and together they would be
The only thing that ever made you cry
You said the devil told you that another mountain would appear
Every time somebody broke your heart
He said the sea would one day overflow with all your tears
And love will always leave you lonely

I say it's only mountains and the sea
Love will conquer if you just believe (oh, yeah)
It's only mountains
And the sea
There's nothing greater, you and me

Once upon a time in a haystack of despair
Happiness sometime hard to find (yeah)
Africa divided, hijack in the air
It's enough to make you want to lose your mind

I say it's only mountains and the sea
Love will conquer if you just believe (oh, yeah)
It's only mountains
And the sea
There's nothing greater, oh-oh, you and me

Guitars and drums on the one, huh, whoo
Whoo
(Bobby on the drum, ah)

It's only mountains (oh, yeah)
And the sea (and the girls sing)
There's nothing greater, you and me

Starvation, ow





Mountains

Overall Meaning

in Prince's song "Mountains" are used as a metaphor for the obstacles we face in life, specifically heartbreak and loneliness. The lyrics suggest that the devil told the singer that every time someone broke their heart, a new mountain would appear. This mountain represents the pain and struggle that comes with heartbreak, and how it may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, something too difficult to overcome.


The sea surrounding the mountains represents the vastness of emotion and the feeling of being overwhelmed or drowned in sadness. However, Prince suggests that these obstacles can be overcome with love and faith, and that they are not as great and powerful as they may seem. The chorus is an assertion that love is stronger than mountains and the sea, and that a belief in this truth is crucial to finding happiness and fulfillment.


Interestingly, "Mountains" was originally intended to be a response to Warner Bros. Records, Prince's former label. The label had rejected his album "Dream Factory" in the mid-1980s, and Prince had vowed to create a hit song that they could not refuse. He succeeded, and the label released the album as "Sign o' the Times" instead.


Line by Line Meaning

Once upon a time in a land called Fantasy
In a world of imagination, the scene is set


Seventeen mountains stood so high
The tall mountains stood tall and grand


The sea surrounded them and together they would be
The sea surrounded the mountains and they stood tall together


The only thing that ever made you cry
The only thing that brought you sadness


You said the devil told you that another mountain would appear
You thought any more disappointment would make things worse


Every time somebody broke your heart
Any time someone hurt your feelings


He said the sea would one day overflow with all your tears
He threatened that sadness would eventually overwhelm you


And love will always leave you lonely
The idea that love will never give you true happiness


I say it's only mountains and the sea
These obstacles aren't insurmountable


Love will conquer if you just believe
Believe in the power of love to overcome


It's only mountains
These obstacles


And the sea
The vastness we can conquer


There's nothing greater, you and me
Together, we can accomplish anything


Once upon a time in a haystack of despair
In the depths of sadness and hopelessness


Happiness sometime hard to find
Joy can be elusive


Africa divided, hijack in the air
The political climate was tumultuous and scary


It's enough to make you want to lose your mind
It can drive one to the brink of sanity


Guitars and drums on the one, huh, whoo
A musical interlude


It's only mountains (oh, yeah)
We can conquer these obstacles


And the sea (and the girls sing)
And we'll all be singing together


There's nothing greater, you and me
Together, we can accomplish anything


Starvation, ow
A sudden cry of distress




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LISA COLEMAN, PRINCE ROGERS NELSON, WENDY MELVOIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@DABUAS69

This world is far less cool place without Prince. R.I.P. to a true legend.

@zorkwork3841

You're so right..I don't think Prince would like the current world we're living in..too much hate and division...Love you Prince..talent...brains..looks..real deal

@Samdemaeyer

@@zorkwork3841indeed

@jeffreysherring2636

💟

@tonyktown

This was probably THE GREATEST overlooked songs from that era. The level of Prince's genius will never be replicated. I hope where ever Princes spirt elevated to, it's an eternal 80's realm.

@melodyal3357

this is such lovely comment:))💜

@johnredding9048

Girls and boys and anotherloverholein ur head are also exquisite! Great album.

@BostonHollyAndSnoop

He dancing and singing with my dogg, Snoop, my Mother and my best friend Mark. My Mother died in April, my Dogg died in April, then Prince. My Dogg born 6/7, BMF Mark on June 7, Prince, June 7. (even my grandfather born June 7 lol). But I dread April(s).

@mishawilliams4319

One of my favorite songs from Prince so happy fun 😊

@thegrimyeaper

Prince never wanted his music on YouTube. His spirit is PISSED.

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