Ain't No Mountain High Enough

by

Diana Ross

Album: Diana Ross      Released: 1970

US Chart: 1     UK Chart: 6

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This was written by the Motown husband and wife songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson. Nick Ashford was inspired by an experience when he first moved to New York. He was walking down a Manhattan thoroughfare, determined that New York City would not get the best of him; the words "Ain't no mountain high enough" popped into his head.

She had many hits with The Supremes, but this was Diana Ross' first US #1 solo hit. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 2)

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell recorded the original hit version peaking at #19 in the US in 1967. Uriel Jones of The Funk Brothers, who played the drums on Gaye and Terrell's original version, recalled in Mojo magazine February 2009: "Ashford and Simpson had written the song and they always came to the studio with charts. This time was no exception; they came with the song fully written out. The lyrics were written out too. They were one of the few producers and writers who had full charts and made us work from them. They knew 95 per cent what they wanted to hear. Johnny Bristol and Harvey Faqua were the actual producers in charge of the recording. We did the rhythm track first, then they put the horns on second. Then they recorded Tammi Terrell's vocal, then they did Marvin Gaye's next. Each vocal was done separately, the singer in the studio with the producer on their own, and they put it all together at the end. You know, I never heard the finished song until I switched on the radio and it was playing."

Amy Winehouse's 2007 single "Tears Dry On Their Own" is based around the backing instrumentation of this song. Ashford & Simpson were also credited on Jessica Simpson's 2006 transatlantic Top 20 single "A Public Affair," as towards the end of the song, the background vocalists can be heard singing a few lines of "aaah, aaah, aaah" in a clear duplication from "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

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Comments:

Berry Gordy didn't like this version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" because there was too much talking at the beginning. However, US disc jockeys liked this cut so much, until they created their own three-minute edits of the song to play on their shows. Motown caught wind of this action and released the official single edit that went to #1.
- John, Nashville, TN

it was rumored that Valerie Simpson was a featured background vocalist towards the ending of this song - I love the longer version better!!
- Kristin, Bessemer, AL

great song n its in a great movie "REMEMBER THE TITANS" I LOVE THAT MOVIE!
- f unit, DAPTO, Australia

Awesome song, but still I prefer listening to Human Nature's Motown version!
- Phil, Sydney, Australia

The third version by Michael "What a Fool Believes" McDonald is smooooth... It is played in the film The 40 Year Old Virgin where there is a electronic store that plays the Michael McDonald Soundstage over and over again. One of the characters says "If I Hear Yah Mo B There one more time... I'm gonna 'ya mo' this place" He is referring to the hit by Mike McDonald and James Ingram which isn't evenm on the DVD!
- Sara, Silver Spring, MD

There is a mountain high enough. Ironically, Diana Ross's ex-husband died climbing a mountain. http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=79&art_id=vn20040114032458688C253133
- Brett, Parma Heights, OH

Michael McDonald had a successful cover version of the song in 2004 for his Motown album.
- Sara, Silver Spring, MD

Was used in the Disney movie "Chicken Little" near the end. When they're watching the movie adaptation of their story, Runt says "Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low." The song begins playing.
- Patrick, Bremen, GA

This is one of the best songs every, I really like it and it makes me feel really happy when I hear it.
- Sara, Traverse City, MI

For what it's worth, this is my all-time favorite song.....yep, #1. In fact, it has been my all-time favorite since I first heard it on the radio back in the 1970s. I have yet to hear another song more masterfully done.....and I've been waiting a lonnnnnng time. Kudos to Ashford & Simpson for the brilliant makeover and Diana Ross for the awesome vocals! Much better than the original recorded by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (which incidentally, I also loved).
- Mike, Knoxville, TN

Really? I find this song to be passionate, not really peaceful....Especially when she builds up to "Just remember what I told you the day I set you free..." And launches into "Ain't no mountain high enough!" Pretty intense, I think. Maybe a little dramatic, but Diana usually is pretty dramatic.
- Bevy, Rialto, CA

i'm not really a fan of soul but this song is amazing i love it it's so peace ful
- Kirsty, bournemouth, England

I'm not really a fan of soul, but this song is a classic.
- Billy, Boston, MA

even "step mom" had this song..susan sarandon and julia synced this number well..yes ofcourse a road trip song...
- sum sum, New Delhi, India

I love this song:) It always make me fell incredible goooood:))
- Dorota, Sosnowiec, Poland

I love this song and it's great to listen to anywhere! Bothe versions are good. (Diana ross, or the version by marvin gaye and tammi terrell)
- eric, Alpharetta, GA

This is a great song for anyone who wants to sing it in the car, on trips, on church trips. It appeared in the movie Sister Act 2, it had a gospel twist to it, but it was still a great song!
- Paul, Madison, AL

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