Born in Franklin, Tennessee, Knight made his professional vocal debut with the Paramounts, a quintet consisting of school friends. Signed to Dot Records in 1960, they recorded "Free Me" in 1961, a US R&B hit single that outsold a rival version by Johnny Preston.
After this initial success, their subsequent releases flopped, resulting in a breakup of the group. They also broke their recording contract with Dot and were prevented from recording for 4 1⁄2 years. Knight attended Tennessee State University, where he studied chemistry and sang with the Fairlanes, a vocal trio.
In 1967, after Knight was seen performing with the Fairlanes in Nashville at a Vanderbilt University fraternity, he was offered a contract as a solo artist by the Rising Sons label. His first recording, "Everlasting Love", written by label owners Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden, was a success, reaching number 14 on the US R&B chart and 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. This enduring song was an even bigger success in the UK the following year when a version by Love Affair reached No. 1, ironically preventing Knight's version from progressing further than No. 40.
Knight scored two further pop hits at home, "Blessed Are The Lonely" and "Isn't It Lonely Together". In 1973/1974, thanks to heavy rotation by Northern soul music admiring deejays he hit the UK Singles Chart again with the re-issue of his late 1968 recording "Love on a Mountain Top", reaching #10 in early 1974 in the UK Singles Charts. The song was also written by Cason and Gayden. The re-issued "Everlasting Love" went even higher in the UK in 1974, reaching the Top 20. His final UK chart record was "Better Get Ready For Love" which reached #53 in May 1974.
He also worked for Vanderbilt University as a chemical lab technician, a chemistry teacher, and a member of the grounds crew.
Knight died at home in Tennessee, aged 72.
Love On A Mountain Top
Robert Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So high that we won't ever stop (high that we won't ever stop)
Making love on a mountain (do do do do do stop)
Drinking love from a fountain (do do do do do)
Oooh-a-who yeah
You know your daddy's funny he don't go for me
He warned you honey, that our love can't be
But you don't care
And tonight you'll steal away and meet me up there
And we make love on a mountain top (love on a mountain top)
So high that we won't ever stop (high that we won't ever stop)
Making love on a mountain (do do do do do stop)
Drinking love from a fountain (do do do do do)
Your loving this poor boy like I'm some kind of king
When you know I'll never have a doggone thing
But high up on the mountain girl you'll find so much
It's worth a million dollars just to have your touch
And we make love on a mountain top (love on a mountain top)
So high that we won't ever stop (high that we won't ever stop)
Making love on a mountain (do do do do do stop)
Drinking love from a fountain (do do do do do)
Love on mountain top
Love on mountain top
And we make love on a mountain top (love on a mountain top)
So high that we won't ever stop (high that we won't ever stop)
Making love on a mountain (do do do do do stop)
Drinking love from a fountain (do do do do do)
Love on a mountain top
Love on a mountain top
Love on a mountain top, baby baby
Love on a mountain top
Love on a mountain top, baby baby
Love on a mountain top
Love on a mountain top
Robert Knight's song "Love on a Mountain Top" describes a forbidden love that transcends social and racial boundaries. The lyrics speak of a couple who come from different sides of the mountain, and the girl's father disapproves of their relationship. However, they don't let that stop them and instead meet secretly on a mountain top to make love and drink from a fountain of love. The high altitude of the mountain serves as a metaphor for the depth of their passion, which is so intense that they won't ever stop.
The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and longing, as the couple knows that their love is destined to fail because of their different backgrounds. Despite this, they are willing to risk it all to be together, even if only for a moment. The idea of a love that is destined to fail but is pursued anyway is a common theme in soul music of this era.
The song features a catchy melody with a danceable rhythm, making it a popular choice for Northern Soul clubs in the UK in the late '60s. Its popularity there led to Knight recording a follow-up album, which included a longer version of "Love on a Mountain Top." The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Dolly Parton and Nick Lowe.
Line by Line Meaning
Love on a mountain top
Expressing the physical location where the singer and their lover engage in intimate activities.
So high that we won't ever stop
Metaphorically describing the extent of their passion and affection with the exaggeration of being endless.
Making love on a mountain
Repetition of the first line, emphasizing the importance of the location in their relationship.
Drinking love from a fountain
Metaphorically, taking in love from an abundant source, which in this case, is their time together on the mountain.
You know your daddy's funny he don't go for me
Acknowledging the disapproval of the artist's lover's father towards their relationship.
He warned you honey, that our love can't be
Implying that the father of the singer's lover potentially questioned the longevity and appropriateness of the relationship due to differences in social status or background.
I'm from the other side of the mountain girl
Expressing the difference in social status or background between the singer and their lover.
But you don't care
Despite the differences, the artist's lover continues to be with them and disregards the father's warnings.
And tonight you'll steal away and meet me up there
Suggesting that their meetings may be secretive or disapproved of by others.
Your loving this poor boy like I'm some kind of king
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for the intense love the artist's lover has towards them, regardless of their social standing.
When you know I'll never have a doggone thing
Admitting the singer's lack of material wealth likely due to their social status, occupation, or other factors out of their control.
But high up on the mountain girl you'll find so much
Suggesting that despite being materially poor, the artist brings a lot of emotional value into their lover's life especially when they are on the mountain together.
It's worth a million dollars just to have your touch
Emphasizing the value and significance of the lover's touch that can't be quantified despite their lack of wealth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES E. BUZZ CASON, MAC GAYDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@biffmatic2002
You just cant beat classics like this. I just love this one.
@drisc57
People have asked me how I come to love Soul Music well this record is the reason. When I was just 14 years old my elder brother brought home two records Archie Bell and the Drells Here I go again and this wonderful record and from that defining moment I was hooked, many thanks to Ian Levine for posting this and countless other brilliant sounds.
@LKayL1
This is one of my favourite songs of all time. Robert looks great!!
@keithwalker4121
+LKayL1 mine too, it's gives me such a great feeling.
@peluedennis7314
Sip Sir ! Just went home to be with the Lord....
@steveps36
Robert's the coolest guy on the planet !!!!
@neilcornes6149
Timeless song, can't help myself from dancing every time I hear it!
@timeofmylife8425
i lent this record to a girl i fancied as an excuse to talk to her its still "our song" 45 married years later
@blackbirdtwigg
Thanks for posting this Ian,Brings back some fantastic memories !!! Good to know Robert's still going strong.
@timburton5395
What a tune - Blackpool Mecca, went there many times, in fact celebrated my 21st there in 1973.
How time has passed us by !