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Composition: correct slight inaccuracy that says the verses AND chorus are in 15/16 time, when in fact only the verses are. The cited video interview confirms this.
 
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{{short description|2008 single by Biffy Clyro}}
{{Short description|2008 single by Biffy Clyro}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Mountains
| name = Mountains
Line 9: Line 9:
| artist = [[Biffy Clyro]]
| artist = [[Biffy Clyro]]
| album = [[Only Revolutions (Biffy Clyro album)|Only Revolutions]]
| album = [[Only Revolutions (Biffy Clyro album)|Only Revolutions]]
| B-side = {{ubl|Little Soldiers|Paperfriend|Robbery}}
| B-side = {{ubl|"Little Soldiers"|"Paperfriend"|"Robbery"}}
| released = 18 August 2008
| released = 18 August 2008
| recorded = March 2008
| format = [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Gramophone record|7"]], [[Music download|Digital download]]
| recorded = [[Sunset Sound Recorders]], [[Hollywood]], [[California]]<br/>Early March 2008
| studio = [[Sunset Sound Recorders]] ([[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California)
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Alternative rock]]
| genre = [[Alternative rock]]
| length = 3:20
| length = 3:23
| label = [[14th Floor Records|14th Floor]]
| label = [[14th Floor Records|14th Floor]]
| writer = [[Simon Neil]] / [[Biffy Clyro]]
| writer =
* [[Simon Neil]]
* Biffy Clyro
| producer = [[Garth Richardson]] / [[Biffy Clyro]]
| producer =
* [[Garth Richardson]]
* Biffy Clyro
| prev_title = [[Who's Got a Match?]]
| prev_title = [[Who's Got a Match?]]
| prev_year = 2008
| prev_year = 2008
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| type = single
| type = single
| tracks =
| tracks =
#"[[The Captain (Biffy Clyro song)|The Captain]]"
# "[[The Captain (Biffy Clyro song)|The Captain]]"
#"[[That Golden Rule]]"
# "[[That Golden Rule]]"
#"[[Bubbles (song)|Bubbles]]"
# "[[Bubbles (song)|Bubbles]]"
#"[[God and Satan (song)|God and Satan]]"
# "[[God and Satan (song)|God and Satan]]"
#"Born on a Horse"
# "Born on a Horse"
#"'''Mountains'''"
# "'''Mountains'''"
#"Shock Shock"
# "Shock Shock"
#"[[Many of Horror]]"
# "[[Many of Horror]]"
#"Booooom, Blast & Ruin"
# "Booooom, Blast & Ruin"
#"Cloud of Stink"
# "Cloud of Stink"
#"Know Your Quarry"
# "Know Your Quarry"
#"Whorses"
# "Whorses"
}}
{{Extra album cover
| header = "Mountains"
| type = single
| cover = BiffyClyroMountains1.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption = 7" Picture Disc #1
}}
{{Extra album cover
| header = "Mountains"
| type = single
| cover = BiffyClyroMountains2.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption = 7" Picture Disc #2
}}
}}
}}
}}
"'''Mountains'''" is a song by Scottish band [[Biffy Clyro]], released as a single on 18 August 2008. Originally released as a non-album single, it would later be included on the band's fifth studio album, ''[[Only Revolutions (Biffy Clyro album)|Only Revolutions]]'', in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stereokill.net/2009/09/05/biffy-clyro-artwork-track-listing/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090908060755/http://stereokill.net/2009/09/05/biffy-clyro-artwork-track-listing/|archive-date = 8 September 2009|title = Stereokill.net - life without a pause // Alternative music criticism, news, reviews, features}}</ref> It was originally entitled "Teeth or Mountains" and was first played live at the Electric Festival in Getafe, Spain, on 30 May 2008.


"'''Mountains'''" is a single by [[Scotland|Scottish]] band [[Biffy Clyro]], released on 18 August 2008. Originally released as a non-album single, "Mountains" is the band's highest-charting single to date on the [[UK Singles Chart]], peaking at number five. It topped the [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Singles Chart]], giving Biffy Clyro their third number one there. Outside the United Kingdom, "Mountains" reached number 55 in Australia and number 42 in Ireland. It was later included on the band's fifth studio album, ''[[Only Revolutions (Biffy Clyro album)|Only Revolutions]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090908060755/http://stereokill.net/2009/09/05/biffy-clyro-artwork-track-listing/]</ref>
"Mountains" is the band's highest-charting single on the [[UK Singles Chart]], peaking at number five. It topped the [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Singles Chart]], giving Biffy Clyro their third number one there. Outside the United Kingdom, "Mountains" reached number 55 in Australia and number 42 in Ireland.


==Release and reception==
"Mountains" was originally entitled "Teeth or Mountains", and was first played live at the Electric Festival in Getafe, [[Spain]], on 30 May 2008.

== Release and reception ==
[[File:Biffy Clyro signing autographs.jpg|left|thumb|The band signing copies in [[Glasgow]], 25 August 2008]]
[[File:Biffy Clyro signing autographs.jpg|left|thumb|The band signing copies in [[Glasgow]], 25 August 2008]]
Taking a short break from touring with [[Say Anything (band)|Say Anything]] in March 2008, the band recorded the song in [[Los Angeles]], with producer [[Garth Richardson]] - producer of the band's previous album, ''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]''.
Taking a short break from touring with [[Say Anything (band)|Say Anything]] in March 2008, the band recorded the song in [[Los Angeles]], with producer [[Garth Richardson]], who produced the band's previous album, ''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]''.


After appearing in many of the band's summer setlists, the song made its radio debut on [[Zane Lowe]]'s [[BBC Radio 1]] show on Friday 19 June 2008 and was introduced as "The Hottest Record in the World Today".
After appearing in many of the band's summer setlists, the song made its radio debut on [[Zane Lowe]]'s [[BBC Radio 1]] show on Friday 19 June 2008 and was introduced as "The Hottest Record in the World Today".


To coincide with the single's physical release, the band embarked on a promotional tour across the UK performing acoustic sets in record stores and signing copies of the single.<ref>http://www.biffyclyro.com/?section=news&nid=162</ref>
To coincide with the single's physical release, the band embarked on a promotional tour across the UK performing acoustic sets in record stores and signing copies of the single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biffyclyro.com/?section=news&nid=162|title = Biffy Clyro - the Myth of the Happily Ever After – out now}}</ref>


== Composition ==
==Composition==
The song is notably more radio-friendly than the band's previous releases, due to its fairly normal song structure and heavy emphasis on melody. It is also one of their first songs to feature a piano. Despite its radio-friendly style, the song incorporates an unusual time signature of {{Music|time|15|16}} throughout the verses and chorus,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egn68EARuNU|title=BIFFY CLYRO Only Revolutions - Track By Track|date=16 January 2010}}</ref> while the post-choruses switch between {{Music|time|4|4}} and {{Music|time|3|4}}.
The song is notably more radio-friendly than the band's previous releases, due to its fairly normal song structure and heavy emphasis on melody. It is also one of their first songs to feature a piano. Despite its radio-friendly style, the song incorporates an unusual time signature of {{Music|time|15|16}} throughout the verses,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egn68EARuNU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/egn68EARuNU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=BIFFY CLYRO Only Revolutions - Track By Track|website=[[YouTube]]|date=16 January 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> while the post-choruses switch between {{Music|time|4|4}} and {{Music|time|3|4}}.


== Use in media ==
==Use in media==
The song was used for the credits for [[XXXX Gold Beach Cricket]].
The song was used for the credits for [[XXXX Gold Beach Cricket]]. Mountains was included on ''[[Colin McRae: DiRT 2]]'' in a video tribute to the late Scottish rally driver [[Colin McRae]].<ref>{{YouTube|_5Ofq7N4UnU}}</ref> This song also appears on ''[[Shift 2: Unleashed]]'' and ''[[SBK X: Superbike World Championship]]''.


==B-sides==
Mountains was included on [[Colin McRae: DiRT 2]] in a video tribute to the late Scottish rally driver [[Colin McRae]].<ref>{{YouTube|_5Ofq7N4UnU}}</ref>
"Paperfriend" was a track recorded for ''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]'' in 2007 that didn't make the cut. Lyrics from the track, "Help Me Be Captain", can be heard in the song. "Little Soldiers" appeared in the band's acoustic sets promoting the single.


==Track listings==
This song also appears on [[Shift 2: Unleashed]].
Songs and lyrics are by [[Simon Neil]], music by [[Biffy Clyro]]. All songs were published by Good Soldier Songs.
*'''UK CD single''' {{small|(14FLR 32CD)}}<ref name="ukcd">{{cite AV media notes|title=Mountains|others=[[Biffy Clyro]]|year=2008|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=[[14th Floor Records]]|id=14FLR 32CD}}</ref>
# "Mountains"
# "Little Soldiers"


*'''UK 7-inch picture disc 1''' {{small|(14FLR32V1)}}<ref name="uk71">{{cite AV media notes|title=Mountains|others=Biffy Clyro|year=2008|type=UK 7-inch picture disc|publisher=14th Floor Records|id=14FLR32V1}}</ref>
==B-Sides==
:A. "Mountains"
"Paperfriend" was a track recorded for ''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]'' in 2007 that didn't make the cut. Lyrics from the track, "Help Me Be Captain", can be heard in the song.
:B. "Paperfriend"


*'''UK 7-inch picture disc 2''' {{small|(14FLR32V2)}}<ref name="uk72">{{cite AV media notes|title=Mountains|others=Biffy Clyro|year=2008|type=UK 7-inch picture disc|publisher=14th Floor Records|id=14FLR32V2}}</ref>
"Little Soldiers" appeared in the band's acoustic sets promoting the single.
:A. "Mountains"
:B. "Robbery"


*'''Digital download'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/mountains-single/287374463|title=Mountains – Single|publisher=[[Apple Music]]|access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref>
==Track listing==
# "Mountains" – 3:23
*'''CD''' <small>14FLR32CD</small>
#"Mountains" – 3:23
#"Little Soldiers" – 2:46
*'''7" Picture Disc #1''' <small>14FLR32V1</small>
#"Mountains" – 3:23
#"Paperfriend" – 4:07
*'''7" Picture Disc #2''' <small>14FLR32V2</small>
#"Mountains" – 3:23
#"Robbery" – 1:54
*'''[[iTunes]] Exclusive'''
#"Mountains (Acoustic Version)"

<small>Songs and lyrics by [[Simon Neil]], music by [[Biffy Clyro]]. All songs published by Good Soldier Songs.</small>


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Credits are lifted from the CD and 7-inch release liner notes.<ref name="ukcd"/><ref name="uk71"/><ref name="uk72"/>
<ref>Biffy Clyro – "Mountains" CD single liner notes (14FLR32CD)</ref><ref>Biffy Clyro – "Mountains" 7" single #2 (14FLR32V2)</ref><ref>Biffy Clyro – "Mountains" 7" single #1 (14FLR32V1)</ref>
* [[Simon Neil]] – [[Electric guitar|guitar]], [[piano]], [[vocals]], writer
* [[Simon Neil]] – [[Electric guitar|guitar]], [[piano]], [[vocals]], writer
* [[Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)|Ben Johnston]] – [[Drum Kit|drums]], vocals
* [[Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)|Ben Johnston]] – [[Drum Kit|drums]], vocals
Line 115: Line 96:
* Mark Williams – mixing (of "Little Soldiers" & "Robbery)
* Mark Williams – mixing (of "Little Soldiers" & "Robbery)
* Frank Arkwright – mastering (of "Little Soldiers", "Robbery" & "Paperfriend")
* Frank Arkwright – mastering (of "Little Soldiers", "Robbery" & "Paperfriend")
* [[Alex H. N. Gilbert]] – artist and repertoire, and additional production
* Alex H. N. Gilbert – artist and repertoire, and additional production
* OXEN – cover art and design
* OXEN – cover art and design


Line 123: Line 104:


===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2008)
!scope="col"|Chart (2008)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Australiapandora|55|url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20090120-0000/issue986.pdf|urltitle=Issue 986|rowheader=true|access-date=31 October 2020}}
{{single chart|Australiapandora|55|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090119130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20090120-0000/issue986.pdf|urltitle=Issue 986|rowheader=true|access-date=31 October 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardeurodigital|9|artist=Biffy Clyro|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Ireland3|42|artist=Biffy Clyro|rowheader=true|access-date=24 January 2020}}
{{single chart|Ireland3|42|artist=Biffy Clyro|rowheader=true|access-date=24 January 2020}}
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===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2008)
!scope="col"|Chart (2008)
!scope="col"|Position
!scope="col"|Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (Official Charts Company)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf|title=Official Singles Chart 2008|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|accessdate=27 June 2018}}</ref>
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf|title=Official Singles Chart 2008|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|accessdate=27 June 2018}}</ref>
|97
|align="center"|97
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
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==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Mountains|artist=Biffy Clyro|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2018|accessdate=6 October 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Biffy Clyro|title=Mountains|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|id=10182-2041-1|access-date=29 September 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|biffy-clyro|mountains}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Biffy Clyro}}
{{Biffy Clyro}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mountains (Biffy Clyro Song)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mountains (Biffy Clyro Song)}}
[[Category:Biffy Clyro songs]]
[[Category:Biffy Clyro songs]]
[[Category:14th Floor Records singles]]
[[Category:2008 singles]]
[[Category:2008 singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Simon Neil]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Garth Richardson]]
[[Category:2008 songs]]
[[Category:2008 songs]]
[[Category:14th Floor Records singles]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Scotland]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Scotland]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Garth Richardson]]
[[Category:Songs written by Simon Neil]]

Latest revision as of 11:25, 19 February 2024

"Mountains"
Single by Biffy Clyro
from the album Only Revolutions
B-side
  • "Little Soldiers"
  • "Paperfriend"
  • "Robbery"
Released18 August 2008
RecordedMarch 2008
StudioSunset Sound Recorders (Hollywood, California)
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:23
Label14th Floor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Biffy Clyro singles chronology
"Who's Got a Match?"
(2008)
"Mountains"
(2008)
"That Golden Rule"
(2009)
Only Revolutions track listing
  1. "The Captain"
  2. "That Golden Rule"
  3. "Bubbles"
  4. "God and Satan"
  5. "Born on a Horse"
  6. "Mountains"
  7. "Shock Shock"
  8. "Many of Horror"
  9. "Booooom, Blast & Ruin"
  10. "Cloud of Stink"
  11. "Know Your Quarry"
  12. "Whorses"

"Mountains" is a song by Scottish band Biffy Clyro, released as a single on 18 August 2008. Originally released as a non-album single, it would later be included on the band's fifth studio album, Only Revolutions, in 2009.[1] It was originally entitled "Teeth or Mountains" and was first played live at the Electric Festival in Getafe, Spain, on 30 May 2008.

"Mountains" is the band's highest-charting single on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number five. It topped the Scottish Singles Chart, giving Biffy Clyro their third number one there. Outside the United Kingdom, "Mountains" reached number 55 in Australia and number 42 in Ireland.

Release and reception

[edit]
The band signing copies in Glasgow, 25 August 2008

Taking a short break from touring with Say Anything in March 2008, the band recorded the song in Los Angeles, with producer Garth Richardson, who produced the band's previous album, Puzzle.

After appearing in many of the band's summer setlists, the song made its radio debut on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on Friday 19 June 2008 and was introduced as "The Hottest Record in the World Today".

To coincide with the single's physical release, the band embarked on a promotional tour across the UK performing acoustic sets in record stores and signing copies of the single.[2]

Composition

[edit]

The song is notably more radio-friendly than the band's previous releases, due to its fairly normal song structure and heavy emphasis on melody. It is also one of their first songs to feature a piano. Despite its radio-friendly style, the song incorporates an unusual time signature of 15
16
throughout the verses,[3] while the post-choruses switch between 4
4
and 3
4
.

Use in media

[edit]

The song was used for the credits for XXXX Gold Beach Cricket. Mountains was included on Colin McRae: DiRT 2 in a video tribute to the late Scottish rally driver Colin McRae.[4] This song also appears on Shift 2: Unleashed and SBK X: Superbike World Championship.

B-sides

[edit]

"Paperfriend" was a track recorded for Puzzle in 2007 that didn't make the cut. Lyrics from the track, "Help Me Be Captain", can be heard in the song. "Little Soldiers" appeared in the band's acoustic sets promoting the single.

Track listings

[edit]

Songs and lyrics are by Simon Neil, music by Biffy Clyro. All songs were published by Good Soldier Songs.

  • UK CD single (14FLR 32CD)[5]
  1. "Mountains"
  2. "Little Soldiers"
  • UK 7-inch picture disc 1 (14FLR32V1)[6]
A. "Mountains"
B. "Paperfriend"
  • UK 7-inch picture disc 2 (14FLR32V2)[7]
A. "Mountains"
B. "Robbery"
  • Digital download[8]
  1. "Mountains" – 3:23

Personnel

[edit]

Credits are lifted from the CD and 7-inch release liner notes.[5][6][7]

  • Simon Neilguitar, piano, vocals, writer
  • Ben Johnstondrums, vocals
  • James Johnstonbass, vocals, recording (of "Little Soldiers" & "Robbery")
  • Garth Richardson – producer
  • Andy Wallace – mixing
  • David Schiffman – engineering
  • Ben Kaplan – engineering
  • Mike Fraser – engineering (of "Paperfriend")
  • John O'Mahony – mix engineer
  • Howie Weinberg – mastering
  • Mark Williams – mixing (of "Little Soldiers" & "Robbery)
  • Frank Arkwright – mastering (of "Little Soldiers", "Robbery" & "Paperfriend")
  • Alex H. N. Gilbert – artist and repertoire, and additional production
  • OXEN – cover art and design

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] Platinum 600,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Stereokill.net - life without a pause // Alternative music criticism, news, reviews, features". Archived from the original on 8 September 2009.
  2. ^ "Biffy Clyro - the Myth of the Happily Ever After – out now".
  3. ^ "BIFFY CLYRO Only Revolutions - Track By Track". YouTube. 16 January 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  4. ^ Video on YouTube
  5. ^ a b Mountains (UK CD single liner notes). Biffy Clyro. 14th Floor Records. 2008. 14FLR 32CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ a b Mountains (UK 7-inch picture disc). Biffy Clyro. 14th Floor Records. 2008. 14FLR32V1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ a b Mountains (UK 7-inch picture disc). Biffy Clyro. 14th Floor Records. 2008. 14FLR32V2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ "Mountains – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Issue 986" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Biffy Clyro Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Biffy Clyro". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  13. ^ "Biffy Clyro: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart 2008" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  15. ^ "British single certifications – Biffy Clyro – Mountains". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 September 2023.