Move Me No Mountain

"Move Me No Mountain" is a song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Aaron Schroeder. It was originally recorded in 1974 by Love Unlimited, a group organized and produced by Barry White. In 1975, Ragovoy arranged and produced a recording of the song by Dionne Warwick. Warwick's version used a slightly different melody in the song's chorus than the melody sung by Love Unlimited, and this variation has been used on subsequent recordings of the song. In 1980, Chaka Khan recorded a version of the song with production by Arif Mardin.

Soul II Soul version (1992)

"Move Me No Mountain"
Single by Soul II Soul featuring Kofi
from the album Volume III Just Right
Released1992
Genre
Length3:25
LabelVirgin
Producer(s)
Soul II Soul singles chronology
"Joy"
(1992)
"Move Me No Mountain"
(1992)
"Just Right"
(1992)
Music video
"Move Me No Mountain" on YouTube

"Move Me No Mountain" was recorded in 1992 by British R&B band Soul II Soul. It was released as the second single from their third album, Volume III Just Right and features British singer Kofi (aka Carol Simms). It was a moderate hit in Europe, peaking at number 7 in Greece, number 10 in Portugal, number 31 in the United Kingdom and number 62 in the Netherlands. Outside Europe, "Move Me No Mountain" peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the US, number 40 in New Zealand and number 96 in Australia. A black-and-white music video was made to accompany the song. It features Kofi performing the song behind or in front of a waterfall.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard commented that "empowered with the silky tones of new vocalist Kofi, second single from "Just Right" is a hearty mix of the act's signature nouveau soul and state-of-the-charts house beats." He also noted English DJ Joey Negro's "chipper remixes."[1] John Martinucci from Gavin Report called the song a "laid back house-flavored track with Kofi's smooth vocals", adding that former Snap! member Penny Ford "assists with background vocals."[2] Andy Beavers from Music Week stated that this cover version "is one of the standout tracks" of the album, adding it as "an obvious choice" featuring "sweet soulful vocals".[3] Orla Swift from Record-Journal described the song as "gospel-inflected" and also she picked it as "one of the album's strongest cuts".[4] Miranda Sawyer from Select wrote that it "skips along very nicely — sweet lovers' rock vocals (from reggae star Kofi) soaring over Soul II Soul's effortlessly clubby beat."[5] Another editor, David Lubich commented in his review of Just Right, that the song shows "a glimpse of vocal talent".[6]

Track listing

12" single, UK (1992)
No.TitleLength
1."Move Me No Mountain" (Club Mix) 
2."Move Me No Mountain" (Hackney E9 Mix) 
3."Move Me No Mountain" (Dub) 
4."Move Me No Mountain" (Removed Club Mix) 
5."Move Me No Mountain" (Dum Dum Dub) 
CD single, UK (1992)
No.TitleLength
1."Move Me No Mountain" (Album Edit)3:25
2."Move Me No Mountain" (Club Mix)4:22
3."Move Me No Mountain" (Radio Mix)2:56
4."Move Me No Mountain" (Hackney E9 Mix)4:06
5."Move Me No Mountain" (Dub)3:38
6."Move Me No Mountain" (Removed Club Mix)6:23
7."Move Me No Mountain" (Dum Dum Dub)5:18

Charts

Chart (1992) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 96
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 99
Europe (European Dance Radio)[9] 2
Greece (Virgin)[10] 7
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[11] 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 62
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 40
Portugal (AFP)[14] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 31
UK Dance Singles (Music Week)[16] 6
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[17] 29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] 33

References

  1. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 4 July 1992. p. 68. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  2. Martinucci, John (26 June 1992). "Urban: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 20. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  3. "Dance - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. 30 May 1992. p. 10. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  4. "Soul II Soul's 'Just Right' just fine". Record-Journal. 8 May 1992. p. 25. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  5. "Reviews: New Singles". Select. 1 July 1992. p. 89. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  6. "Reviews: New Albums". Select. 1 May 1992. p. 73. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  7. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 July 1992. p. 18. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  9. "EDR Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 July 1992. p. 23. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  10. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 27. 4 July 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  11. "Soul II Soul - Move Me No Mountain" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Soul II Soul – Move Me No Mountain" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  13. "Charts.nz – Soul II Soul – Move Me No Mountain". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  14. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 30. 25 July 1992. p. 12. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  16. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 13 June 1992. p. 18. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  17. "Soul II Soul Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  18. "Soul II Soul Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
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