River Deep – Mountain High

River Deep – Mountain High is a song written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich and made famous by the duo Ike & Tina Turner. The song was produced by Phil Spector and features Ike Turner on guitar and Tina Turner on vocals, with backing vocals by The Blossoms and The Wrecking Crew providing the instrumental track. The song's production involved Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and Leon Russell on keyboards.

Background

The song was written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich during a period of great creativity for the songwriting team, which also included hits like Da Doo Ron Ron for The Crystals and Be My Baby for The Ronettes. The song's writers were influenced by the Wall of Sound production technique, which involved layering multiple instrumental and vocal tracks to create a dense, rich sound, similar to that used by The Righteous Brothers in their hit song You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. The song's production was also influenced by the work of Motown Records producers like Berry Gordy and Lamont Dozier.

Composition

The song's composition features a complex structure, with multiple key changes and a dramatic buildup of instrumentation and vocals, similar to that used in The Beatles' A Day in the Life and The Rolling Stones' Sympathy for the Devil. The song's lyrics are a declaration of devotion, with Tina Turner's powerful vocals conveying a sense of urgency and passion, similar to that of Aretha Franklin in her hit song Respect. The song's instrumental track features a prominent drum part, played by Hal Blaine, and a soaring string section, arranged by Jack Nitzsche. The song's composition was influenced by the work of classical music composers like Wagner and Mahler, as well as the jazz and blues traditions of Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith.

Recording

The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, with Phil Spector producing and Larry Levine engineering, using a combination of mono and stereo recording techniques. The song's instrumental track was recorded by The Wrecking Crew, a group of session musicians that included Glen Campbell on guitar, Carol Kaye on bass, and Leon Russell on keyboards. The song's vocal tracks were recorded by Ike & Tina Turner, with Tina Turner's powerful vocals taking center stage, similar to those of Janis Joplin in her hit song Piece of My Heart. The song's recording was influenced by the work of Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, as well as the gospel music tradition of Mahalia Jackson.

Release and Reception

The song was released as a single in 1966 on Philles Records, but it failed to chart in the United States, despite receiving critical acclaim from music critics like Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus. The song was more successful in the United Kingdom, where it reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart, and was praised by BBC disc jockeys like John Peel and Tony Blackburn. The song's release was influenced by the British Invasion of the US music scene, which included bands like The Kinks and The Who.

Legacy

Despite its initial commercial failure, the song has since become a classic of rock music and soul music, influencing a wide range of artists, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Eric Burdon and The Animals, and has been featured in various films and television shows, such as The Sopranos and Forrest Gump. The song's legacy was recognized by its inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame and its ranking on lists of the greatest songs of all time, such as those compiled by Rolling Stone and NME. The song's influence can be heard in the work of contemporary artists like Amy Winehouse and Adele.

Covers and Samples

The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Deep Purple, The Shadows of Knight, and Annie Lennox, who have all put their own unique spin on the song's classic arrangement, similar to that of Jimi Hendrix's cover of All Along the Watchtower. The song's instrumental track has been sampled by numerous hip hop and electronic music artists, including DJ Shadow and The Chemical Brothers, who have incorporated the song's distinctive drum break and bassline into their own music, similar to that of The Wu-Tang Clan's use of samples in their hit song C.R.E.A.M.. The song's influence can also be heard in the work of contemporary bands like The Black Keys and The White Stripes. Category:Rock music Category:Soul music