“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
When you think about Southern roots and the charm of country music, Alabama’s Mountain Music stands out as a quintessential anthem. Released in 1982 as the title track of their third studio album, this song beautifully captures the essence of life in the South while blending nostalgia with a celebration of simple joys.
The track is a heartfelt nod to frontman Randy Owen’s upbringing in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama. With its banjo-laden intro and toe-tapping rhythm, it feels like a time machine, whisking you away to warm summer nights, lazy river days, and the sound of fiddles echoing in the hills. The band’s seamless harmonies and energetic delivery make it impossible not to tap your foot along.
What makes Mountain Music truly special is its relatability. Whether you’ve experienced Southern living firsthand or simply dream of escaping to a slower, more heartfelt way of life, the song resonates with its vivid imagery. Lines like “Play me some mountain music, like Grandma and Grandpa used to play” evoke a deep sense of family, tradition, and the beauty of simpler times.
This song wasn’t just a fan favorite—it was a massive success, earning Alabama a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became a defining moment in their career, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest bands in country music history.
But more than the accolades, Mountain Music is a love letter to the cultural heritage of the South. It reminds us of the power of music to connect us to our roots, evoke cherished memories, and bring people together. Whether you’re blasting it on a road trip or strumming along on a front porch, it’s a song that feels like home.
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Lyrics
Oh, play me some mountain music
Like grandma and grandpa used to play
Then I’ll float on down the river
To a Cajun hideaway
Drift away like Tom Sawyer
Ride a raft with ol’ Huck Finn
Take a nap like Rip Van Winkle
Daze dreamin’ again
Oh, play me some mountain music
Like grandma and grandpa used to play
Then I’ll float on down the river
To a Cajun hideaway
Swim across the river
Just to prove that I’m a man
Spend the day bein’ lazy
Just bein’ nature’s friend
Climb a long tall hick’ry
Bend it over, skinnin’ cats
Playin’ baseball with chert rocks
Usin’ sawmill slabs for bats
Play some back-home, come-on music
That comes from the heart
Play somethin’ with lots of feelin’
‘Cause that’s where music has to start
Oh, play me some mountain music
Like grandma and grandpa used to play
Then I’ll float on down the river
To a Cajun hideaway, hey, hey!
Oh, play me mountain music
Oh, play me mountain music
Oh, play me mountain music
Oh, play (yee-haw!)