"Mountain of Love" is a song written by Harold Dorman. Dorman released his version as a single in 1960. It was originally recorded in late 1959 at the Royal Recording Studios in Memphis before the backing vocals (and strings, much later) were overdubbed. It performed well, spending nineteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,Harold Dorman - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed August 16, 2015 peaking at No. 21 in May 1960,"The Billboard HOT 100", Billboard, May 23, 1960. p. 34. Accessed November 29, 2015 while reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart,"The Billboard Hot R&B Sides", Billboard, May 16, 1960. p. 44. Accessed November 29, 2015 and No. 25 on Canada's "CHUM Hit Parade". Chart No. 159. The song was his only Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the highest-charting single of his career.
Charley Pride version
In December 1981, Charley Pride released a cover version, which topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in March 1982. Charley Pride's version of "Mountain of Love" was his twenty-sixth No. 1 on the country chart.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1981–1982)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)76Canadian RPM Country Tracks1New Zealand Singles Chart41
Year-end charts Chart (1982)PositionUS Hot Country Songs (Billboard)38
Other cover versions In 1960, Kenny Lynch released a cover of the song, which reached No. 33 on Record Retailer chart in the UK. In 1964, Johnny Rivers released his remake using members of the Wrecking Crew as a single. It reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It later appeared on his debut album In Action! In Canada it reached No. 4 on the RPM charts. The Beach Boys recorded an acoustic rendition of the song for their 1965 album Beach Boys' Party! Music critic Richie Unterberger describes it as "a rousing run through" and one of the highlights of the album. In 1968, singer Ronnie Dove had a minor hit when he released his version as the B-side of "Never Gonna Cry (The Way I'll Cry Tonight)" on Diamond Records. Ronnie Dove's version spent six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 67. In Canada it reached No. 51 on the RPM charts and No. 13 on the CHUM charts. This recording featured A-list session musicians, such as Boots Randolph on saxophone and Glen Campbell on guitar.Ronnie Dove - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed August 16, 2015 It was originally issued as an album track on Ronnie Dove Sings the Hits for You two years earlier, and was the original B-side of this single. Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town (on their 2007 album, Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town). Bobby G. Rice took a rendition to No. 20 on the country music charts in 1971. A cover by Molly & the Heymakers peaked at No. 79 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada in 1992.
References