Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)
"Up to the Mountain" | |
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Contemporary folk | |
Songwriter(s) | Patty Griffin |
"Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" is a
Patty Griffin original and Solomon Burke recording
The song has been variously described as "gospely"[1] or "folkie spiritual".[2] In writing about King, Griffin followed other songwriters, such as U2 with "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "MLK", James Taylor with "Shed a Little Light", and Stevie Wonder, whose song "Happy Birthday" about King provided a boost in bringing about the Martin Luther King Jr. Day national holiday. Griffin's take on King uses visual, naturalistic imagery to describe various states of mind expressed in the speech, but with a generality that could extend to other contexts as well:
- Some days I look down,
- Afraid I will fall—
- And though the sun shines ...
- I see nothing at all.
"Up to the Mountain" first appeared in public during Griffin's concert appearances in the spring of 2005; she has performed it both with her own
Griffin recorded it herself officially in a slow rendition built around
Kelly Clarkson performance
"Up to the Mountain" | |
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Promotional single by Kelly Clarkson featuring Jeff Beck | |
Released | April 26, 2007 |
Recorded | 2007 |
Genre | Pop |
Length | 3:32 |
Label | RCA/19 |
Songwriter(s) | Patty Griffin |
"Up to the Mountain" gained visibility through a live rendition by
A live recording of the Clarkson-Beck performance was made available for download on
The song was also included on Scottish singer Susan Boyle's November 2009 debut album, I Dreamed a Dream,[7] which became the biggest-selling album in the world for that year.[8] She commented regarding her choice of the song: "Reassurance, love and the ability to keep going no matter what 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' life throws at you.... God is our Light."[9]
Chart
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 56 |
Crystal Bowersox version
"Up to the Mountain" | ||||
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Single by Crystal Bowersox | ||||
Released | May 28, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 3:53 | |||
Label | 19 Recordings | |||
Songwriter(s) | Patty Griffin | |||
Crystal Bowersox singles chronology | ||||
|
The song's Idol visibility continued in May 2010, when
After Bowersox finished up as runner-up to Lee DeWyze, her recording of "Up to the Mountain" was released as a single on May 28, 2010.[12]
Chart performance
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
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Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] | 47 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14] | 57 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c Keefe, Jonathan (March 5, 2007). "Music Review: Patty Griffin: Children Running Through". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Glock, Allison (June 6, 2007). "Rebel Yell". Elle. Archived from the original on July 10, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ a b Gonulsen, Jason (February 19, 2007). "Features – Patty Griffin: Sun Shining Through". Glide Magazine. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ Allmusic. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
- ^ Groom, Helen (March 12, 2007). "Folk and Country Review – Patty Griffin, Children Running Through". BBC. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ a b Gross, Joe (June 9, 2007). "The Songwriter's songwriter". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ^ a b c Ditzian, Eric (May 25, 2010). "Crystal Bowersox's 'Up To The Mountain': Behind The 'American Idol' Cover". MTV News. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
- ^ "'American Idol's' Future 'Guaranteed' Sans Cowell". Broadway World. January 20, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
- ^ Hutt, Brian (November 17, 2009). "Faith 'is the backbone of who I am', says Boyle". Christian Today. London. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
- ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
- ^ a b Rodham, Sarah (May 25, 2010). "'Idol' Recap – Top Two – A 'Beautiful Day' for Lee? Or a trip to the 'Mountain'-top for Crystal?". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
- The Sandusky Register. May 28, 2010. Archived from the originalon March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
- ^ "Crystal Bowersox Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ Trust, Gary (June 3, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: Lee & Crystal Rock On". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2010.