“Mountain” – Mississippi Queen

Mountain Is Their Biggest Hit

Mississippi Queen is an American rock classic done by the American rock band ‘Mountain’. It was the most successful single of the band hitting number 21 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. It was one of the songs that made up the band’s debut album. The song, Mississippi Queen, has been recorded by several artists, including Ozzy Osbourne, who hit with the song in 2005.

The song was recorded when mountain band was debuting their album ‘Climbing’ and according to Corky Laing, drummer, he claimed to have composed the lyrics before joining the band. He later pulled out the lyrics when guitarist Leslie West was looking for some lyrics for a guitar part he was playing, and they made the song together.

Others credited with some lyrics were lyricist David Rea and bassist Felix Pappalardi, who was their producer also. When the band proceeded to record the song, their producer, Pappalardi, insisted on several takes. When Laing grew weary because of Pappalardi demands, he began using the cowbell to count off the song. Felix liked it so much that he made it the track intro. That was how the hit, Mississippi Queen- Mountain, was made.

+ Mountain Lyrics Below +

Mississippi Queen
If you know what I mean
Mississippi Queen
She taught me everythin’

Way down around Vicksburg
Around Louisiana way
Lived a Cajun lady
Aboard the Mississippi Queen

You know, she was a dancer
She moved better on wine
While the rest of them dudes
Were’a gettin’ their kicks
Boy, I beg your pardon, I was gettin’ mine

Mississippi Queen
If you know what I mean
Mississippi Queen
She taught me everythin’

This lady she asked me
If I would be her man
You know that I told her
I’d do what I can

To keep her lookin’ pretty
Buy her dresses that shine
While the rest of them dudes
Were makin’ their bread
Boy I beg your pardon, I was losin’ mine

You know, she was a dancer
She moved better on wine
While the rest of them dudes
Were’a gettin’ their kicks
Boy I beg your pardon, I was gettin’ mine
Whoah, Mississippi Queen