As a solo artist, in addition to "V.I.P.", which she recorded as a member of the group Glass House and was featured on their second album, Payne has had club hits, such as "I'm Not In Love" (featuring sister Freda Payne and former Supreme Mary Wilson on backing vocals) in 1982, followed two years later by "One Night Only", a song from Act II of the play and movie "Dreamgirls", which, interestingly, is a show based loosely on the history of the Supremes and the advancing of the Motown sound into the Disco era. The 12" Megatone Label Disco Single also featured former Supreme Cindy Birdsong on background vocals. In 1986 Payne recorded a solo album for Superstar International Records which contained several duets with Philip Ingram. The following year, Payne signed with British producer Ian Levine for his Motown reunion project, Motorcity Records. While with this label, Payne released two solo singles "Chasing Me Into Somebody Else's Arms" and "Pure Energy" (co-written by Payne), as well as covers of two Diana Ross tunes, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Still Waiting". Other product recorded for Motorcity included "Who's Wrong, Who's Right" and "One More Time".
In August 2001, Scherrie was invited to perform at the annual prestigious open-air festival Sunset Junction Street Fair in Los Angeles. Scherrie performed a dynamic and versatile set showcasing her talents perfectly. Scherrie performed Supremes' classics like 'Stoned Love' and 'My World Is Empty Without You' as well as a couple of her own solo hits 'I'm Not In Love' and firm fan favorite "Another Life From Now." Scherrie made a return visit to Sunset Junction the following year, performing a similar set.
On January 14, 2007, Scherrie was the special guest star at the 'If My Friends Could See Me Now' fund-raiser in Los Angeles, California. To a thunderous ovation, Scherrie wowed the audience with a high energy version of her own hit 'One Night Only', from the musical 'Dreamgirls'. Backing Scherrie up were long-time friends Pam Vincent and Joyce Vincent Wilson, both formerly of Tony Orlando and Dawn.
In 2009, Scherrie continues to perform with fellow former Supremes member Lynda Laurence as the FLOS (Formerly of The Supremes) and third member Joyce Vincent. Scherrie and Lynda's trio perform all over the world to enthusiastic audiences performing the classic Supremes' hits. Payne also continues her successful solo career. Visit http://www.myspace.com/scherriepayne her official MySpace.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Scherrie Payne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough;
Baby if you need me call me no matter where you are,
No matter how far;
Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry;
You don't have to worry,
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe.
Remember the day I set you free
I told you you could always count on me
From that day on, I made a vow,
I'll be there when you want me,
Some way, some how.
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Ain't no valley low enough,
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe.
My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart
If you ever need a helping hand,
I'll be there on the double
As fast as I can.
Don't you know that there
Ain't no mountain high enough,
Ain't no valley low enough,
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe.
No wind no rain or winters cold can stop me baby,
'Cause you are my goal.
If you're ever in trouble;
I'll be there on the double.
Just send for me, oh baby.
If you need me call me no matter where you are,
No matter how far;
Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry;
You don't have to worry,
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Ain't no valley low enough,
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe.
Scherrie Payne's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is a powerful love song that uses the metaphor of mountains, valleys and rivers to emphasize the strength of the singer's commitment to her lover. The song's opening lines: "Listen baby, ain't no mountain high, Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough," are a bold declaration of the singer's undying love for her partner. She promises to come to his aid whenever he needs her, be it in the midst of a deep valley or across a wide river.
The second verse of the song pays tribute to the singer's past commitment to her partner. She reminds him of the day when she set him free, assuring him that he can always count on her. The vow she made to him is reiterated in the chorus, which insists that nothing can stop her from getting to him if he ever needs her. The final verse brings the song's message home, with the singer using the image of wind, rain, and winter to illustrate the difficulties they might face, but still will overcome.
Overall, 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is a song that celebrates the enduring quality of true love. It showcases the idea that no obstacle in the world can keep two people apart when their love is strong enough.
Fact 1: The song was originally written by Ashford & Simpson for Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye in 1967, but it didn't become a hit until 1970 with Diana Ross's version.
Fact 2: The song's lyrics were inspired by conversations between Ashford & Simpson and New York City's geography.
Fact 3: The Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell version charted at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 while Diana Ross's version peaked at #1.
Fact 4: Payne's version was released in 1979 and peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Fact 5: The song has been covered and remixed by various artists, including Michael McDonald, Whitney Houston, and The Supremes.
Fact 6: The song's title has become a widely recognized catchphrase and has been used in commercials, TV shows, and films.
Fact 7: The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the popular 2000 film Coyote Ugly.
Fact 8: The song's bridge features the repeated line "My love is alive," which has been sampled and used in other songs by different artists.
Fact 9: In 1980, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson performed a duet version of the song.
Fact 10: The song's success earned Ashford & Simpson the "Songwriters of the Year" award at the 1971 BMI Awards.
Chords (as played by Diana Ross):
Verse:
C#m G#m B7 F#, C#m G#m B7 F#
C#m G#m B7 F#, C#m G#m B7 B7
Chorus:
E G#m A B
E G#m A B
Bridge:
C#m G#m A E
C#m G#m A B7
Line by Line Meaning
Listen baby, ain't no mountain high,
Hey, my dear, no obstacle is insurmountable for me,
Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough;
No matter how deep a valley or how wide a river, they cannot separate us,
Baby if you need me call me no matter where you are,
Honey, you can always count on me. Call me whenever you need me, regardless of your location,
No matter how far;
Regardless of the distance,
Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry;
Just say my name, and I will come to you immediately. No need to hesitate,
You don't have to worry,
There's no reason for you to be anxious,
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Because, my love, no mountain is too high to climb,
Ain't no valley low enough,
No valley is too deep to cross,
Ain't no river wide enough
No river is too wide to ford,
To keep me from getting to you babe.
Preventing me from reaching you is impossible.
Remember the day I set you free
Recall the day I freed you,
I told you you could always count on me
I assured you that you could rely on me at any time,
From that day on, I made a vow,
Ever since then, I promised myself,
I'll be there when you want me,
I'll come to you whenever you need me,
Some way, some how.
In some manner, in any way possible.
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Because, my love, no mountain is too high to climb,
Ain't no valley low enough,
No valley is too deep to cross,
Ain't no river wide enough
No river is too wide to ford,
To keep me from getting to you babe.
Preventing me from reaching you is impossible.
My love is alive
My love is as strong and lively as it can be,
Way down in my heart
Deep in my heart,
Although we are miles apart
Even though we are separated by a great distance,
If you ever need a helping hand,
If you ever need a helping hand,
I'll be there on the double
I'll be there once you ask me,
As fast as I can.
As quickly as I am capable of.
Don't you know that there
Don't you already recognize that there is,
Ain't no mountain high enough,
No mountain is too high to climb for me,
Ain't no valley low enough,
No valley is too deep to cross,
Ain't no river wide enough
No river is too wide to ford,
To keep me from getting to you babe.
Preventing me from reaching you is impossible.
No wind no rain or winters cold can stop me baby,
Neither wind, rain, nor cold winter weather shall halt me,
'Cause you are my goal.
Because you are my destination,
If you're ever in trouble;
If you ever find yourself in difficulty,
I'll be there on the double.
I promise to be there ASAP.
Just send for me, oh baby.
Just reach out to me, darling.
If you need me call me no matter where you are,
If you require my assistance, give me a call no matter where you happen to be,
No matter how far;
Despite the distance.
Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry;
Just say my name, and I will come to you quickly.
You don't have to worry,
You can be rest assured,
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Because, my love, no mountain is too high to climb,
Ain't no valley low enough,
No valley is too deep to cross,
Ain't no river wide enough
No river is too wide to ford,
To keep me from getting to you babe.
Preventing me from reaching you is impossible.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phillip Shamas
The Little Lady with the Big Voice!