The Mountain Song
side-b Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Standin' up at the mountain
Starin' down at the town
Countin' all of the houses
The people walkin' around
Oh lord
It's a beautiful day today
But all I see is frowns
Try to tell you all something
But nothin' comes out of my mouth
If no one hears you then you don't make a sound
(No one hears you then you don't make no sound)
You're like a tree in a forest when there's no one around
(Tree in the forest when there's no one around)
If no one hears you then you don't make a sound
(No one hears you then you don't make no sound)
You're like a tree in a forest when there's no one around
(Tree in the forest)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey
And if you ask me a question
Then I won't sell you no lies
But people hate when I'm honest
So they love when I'm high
But if that simple shade of gray
Creeps back into your eyes
You know I won't say nothin'
'Cause I don't want you to cry
Oh Lord
If no one hears you then you don't make a sound
(No one hears you then you don't make no sound)
You're like a tree in a forest when there's no one around
(Tree in the forest when there's no one around)
No one hears you then you don't make a sound
(No one hears you then you don't make no sound)
You're like a tree in a forest when there's no one around
(Tree in the forest)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey (Hey)
Hey (Hey)
Hey (Hey)
Hey

Overall Meaning

"The Mountain Song" by Side-B explores themes of loneliness, feeling unheard, and the struggle to communicate authentically in a world that often values pretense over honesty. The singer stands up on a mountain, observing the town below, counting the houses and people walking around. Despite the outward appearance of a beautiful day, all they see are frowns, symbolizing the general lack of happiness or contentment around them.


The lyrics suggest that the singer has something important to say, but they feel unable to articulate their thoughts. They compare themselves to a tree in a forest when there is no one around, highlighting the sense of being invisible or unheard. To be heard, to make a sound, they need the presence of others. This reflects the human need for connection and validation in order to feel seen and acknowledged.


The second verse touches on the singer's struggle with honesty. They claim that if asked a question, they won't tell lies, but they have observed that people prefer them when they are high or not being completely honest. This suggests a tension between being true to oneself and conforming to societal expectations. The mention of a "simple shade of gray" creeping back into someone's eyes implies a return to a state of ambivalence or conformity, where honesty is no longer possible.


Overall, "The Mountain Song" paints a picture of isolation, the longing for understanding, and the challenge of maintaining authenticity in a world that may not always value it.


Line by Line Meaning

Standin' up at the mountain
Observing from a higher perspective, gaining clarity


Starin' down at the town
Looking down at the daily struggles and routines of people


Countin' all of the houses
Noticing the multitude of lives and experiences


The people walkin' around
The individuals going about their lives


Oh lord
Expressing a sense of exasperation or longing for guidance


It's a beautiful day today
The weather is pleasant and serene


But all I see is frowns
Despite the beauty, people seem unhappy or unfulfilled


Try to tell you all something
Attempting to share a message or insight


But nothin' comes out of my mouth
Unable to communicate effectively or feeling unheard


If no one hears you then you don't make a sound
The importance of being heard for one's existence to matter


(No one hears you then you don't make no sound)
Reiterating the significance of being acknowledged


You're like a tree in a forest when there's no one around
Being unnoticed or forgotten resembles a tree in solitude


Hey, hey, hey, hey
Vocalizing or emphasizing a call for attention


And if you ask me a question
When inquiry is presented to me


Then I won't sell you no lies
I will speak the truth sincerely and honestly


But people hate when I'm honest
Authenticity is often met with disdain or rejection


So they love when I'm high
Others prefer when I am under the influence and not my true self


But if that simple shade of gray
However, if a hint of ambiguity or uncertainty arises


Creeps back into your eyes
Returns to reflect in your gaze or expression


You know I won't say nothin'
I will choose to remain silent


'Cause I don't want you to cry
In order to avoid causing you distress or sadness


No one hears you then you don't make a sound
Emphasizing the significance of being recognized and acknowledged


(No one hears you then you don't make no sound)
Restating the importance of being heard for one's existence


You're like a tree in a forest when there's no one around
Being unnoticed or overlooked like a solitary tree


Hey, hey, hey, hey
Repeating the call for attention or connection


Hey, hey, hey
Continuing the vocalization for acknowledgment


Hey (Hey)
Further emphasizing the call for attention


Hey (Hey)
Reiterating the need for recognition


Hey (Hey)
Continuing the appeal to be heard and seen


Hey
Persistently urging for attention and understanding




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: AJ Horton, Dylan Travison, Eric Mitchell, Erik Jones, Ian Justino

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@JHD

saw this on the greta van fleet reddit. Really enjoy this single. High Praise, especially that solo.

@SideBband

We’re so glad that you enjoyed the song (and the sick solo.) Thank you so much for listening!

@clairen.4029

I’m still waiting for an Eric acoustic cover 🙄

More Versions