When the Country Gentleman Conquered the Rock and Roll Mountain
For those of us who remember a time when the AM radio dial was a glorious, unpredictable mix of genres, the song “Mountain of Love” carries a unique sonic memory—a bouncy, almost frantic rock-and-roll novelty tune first made popular by Harold Dorman and later by Johnny Rivers. But when you hear that deep, warm, Mississippi baritone cut through the airwaves, smooth as aged whiskey, there is only one artist it could be: the late, great Charley Pride. His version, recorded decades into his illustrious career, wasn’t just a cover; it was a masterful reclamation, turning a frantic pop hit into a joyful, shimmering declaration of country-politan devotion.
This triumphant version of “Mountain of Love,” released by Charley Pride in late 1981, marked a significant achievement: it became his 26th career chart-topper when it climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on March 20, 1982. The single was the leadoff track from his 1982 album, Charley Sings Everybody’s Choice, an album title that aptly summarized the track’s universal appeal. While Pride had already established his immortal status in the 1970s with classics like “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” this early 80s hit proved that his star still burned bright, successfully navigating the evolving sound of Nashville toward a more polished, contemporary style.
The original song, penned by Harold Dorman, uses a wonderfully vivid and slightly exaggerated metaphor to express overwhelming heartbreak. The narrator is literally standing atop a mountain, crying so much that his tears are forming a river down the mountainside. It’s a tall tale of romantic woe. Charley Pride, however, transforms this melancholy setting into a place of determined optimism. While the lyrics retain that initial picturesque lament—“Standing on a mountain, lookin’ down on a city / The way I feel is a dog-gone pity”—Pride’s vocal performance injects a confident swagger. His version leans heavily into the climb—the effort and success of reaching a higher place, both physically and emotionally, for the sake of love.
This is where the magic of Charley Pride truly shines. He was a pioneer who broke unimaginable barriers in country music, but his enduring appeal was always rooted in his genuine warmth and magnificent voice. In his hands, the song’s rapid-fire lyrics and slightly busy, updated production (complete with the energetic backing vocals and strings that characterized the era’s sound) simply frame his effortless mastery. For listeners of the time, and for those reminiscing now, it’s a nostalgic snapshot: a veteran star adapting to the times yet delivering a performance so authentically him that it felt instantly familiar. “Mountain of Love” wasn’t just a number one song; it was a celebration of perseverance, both in love and in a career that scaled heights few have ever reached. It’s a piece of a truly golden age, forever linked to the rich, resonant sound of one of country music’s ultimate gentlemen.