Moving Mountains (song)

"Moving Mountains"
Single by Usher
from the album Here I Stand
B-side "Love in This Club Part II"
Released May 23, 2008
Format Digital download, CD single
Recorded Triangle Sound Studios, Chalice Recording Studios
Genre R&B
Length 4:58
4:00 (radio edit)
Label LaFace
Writer(s) Usher, The-Dream, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Kuk Harrell
Producer(s) The-Dream, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart
Certification Gold (RIANZ)
Usher singles chronology
"Love in This Club Part II"
(2008)		 "Moving Mountains"
(2008)		 "What's Your Name"
(2008)

"Moving Mountains" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Usher. It was released on May 23, 2008, as the third single from his fifth studio album, Here I Stand. It was written by Usher with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Kuk Harrell and The-Dream, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream. "Moving Mountains" is a slow tempo ballad, with lyrics describing a love struggle. The song received mostly positive attention from critics, with comparisons made to 2004's "Burn".

The song appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as well as the single charts of several European countries. It peaked highest in New Zealand, where it reached number six on the singles chart and was certified gold. The music video for "Moving Mountains" was filmed in front of a green screen as a sequel to the video of "Love in This Club".

Background and composition

"Moving Mountains" was written by The-Dream, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Usher, and produced by The-Dream and Stewart.[1] Recorded at Triangle Sound Studios and Chalice Recording Studios,[1] it was leaked in February 2008,[2] before being officially released for sale on May 23, 2008.[3]
"Moving Mountains"
The song's chorus, demonstrating its slow tempo and Usher's use of falsetto
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"Moving Mountains" is a slow jam ballad,[4] and contains synth beats and electronic influences.[5][6] Portions of the song follow a chord progression used in OneRepublic's "Apologize".[7] Partway through the song the beat is adjusted, while the musical instruments are accentuated.[8] Usher's voice ranges from tenor to falsetto.[5] The song's lyrics are of a "struggle to get through to his girl",[9] and contain an extended metaphor, relating his fight for love to that of moving mountains, wishing for the situation to change.[10] Fraser McAlpine from BBC called it "a cold, sad song with cold, sad lyrics".[7]

Critical reception

"Moving Mountains" received mostly positive reviews from critics. Leah Greenblatt called it "an easy pick" as a single,[4] while Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine lauded it as "further evidence that Usher always delivers musically".[11] "Moving Mountains" was dubbed by The Guardian's Rosie Swash "a marked improvement on the sex-pestery" of "Love in This Club",[12] and the AbsolutePunk reviewer called it "one of Usher’s most impressive efforts to date", likening the song to Usher's 2004 single "Burn".[13] However, while Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy was impressed with the technicalities of Usher's vocals, he found it "hard to take Usher completely seriously when he insists on wailing each line", advising Usher to "stick to party bangers in the future".[14]

Chart performance

"Moving Mountains" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-two on the chart date June 14, 2008.[15] It peaked at number sixty-seven on August 2, 2008, falling off the chart two weeks later, after spending a total of nine weeks on the chart.[16] The song is Usher's lowest-peaking song on the Hot 100.[17] It fared better on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, where it peaked at number eighteen and spent seventeen weeks on the chart.[16] It placed at number eighty-four on the end-of-year R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18] "Moving Mountains" reached number fifty-six on the Pop 100.[19]

The song appeared on the UK Singles Chart in July 2008 at number sixty-seven, rising to peak at number twenty-five. After thirteen charting weeks it fell off the chart.[20] "Moving Mountains" was commercially well received in the rest of Europe, reaching the high point of number twenty-two on the European Hot 100 Singles.[21] In individual countries, the song reached the top forty in Austria,[22] Czech Republic,[23] Germany,[24] Ireland,[25] Slovakia[26] and Sweden.[27] It also appeared on the Ultratop charts in both Flanders and Wallonia at number twenty.[28][29] The song also had chart success in Japan and Australia, reaching the high positions of thirty-three and thirty-six, respectively.[30][31] "Moving Mountains" had the most impact in New Zealand, where it reached number six on the singles chart,[32] and, on March 29, 2009, was certified gold by the RIANZ for over 7,500 sales.[33] The song ranked at number forty-seven on the New Zealand 2008 year-end Singles Chart.[34]

Music video

The music video to "Moving Mountains" was released on May 21, 2008. Directed by the Brothers Strause,[35] it is a continuation of the video for "Love in This Club".[36] The video was shot in front of a green screen.[37]

The video begins with Usher exiting the club in which the "Love in This Club" video takes place, then shows a fiery transition into the next scene, showing the burnt-down club. As the song begins, Usher inspects the smoking ruins and imagines a woman in a shard of a broken mirror. He travels through a desert, and takes off his jacket to reveal a tight-fitting t-shirt,[38] and again imagines the woman, this time in a desert pond. Upon reaching a mountain on which his love interest appears, Usher climb the mountain and rain starts to fall.[38] When he reaches the top of the mountain, the rain clears to be replaced by snowfall.[7] Usher finds that the woman is, yet again, merely an illusion. He opens a locket to reveal a portrait of himself and his partner, which freezes over and cracks. As the video ends, Usher kneels, and the mountains breaks around him, leaving a sole pillar for him to stand on.

Idolator noted similarities in some scenery between the music video and Madonna's "Frozen" video.[37] It was placed at number eight on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2008 list.[39]

Personnel

Source:[1]

Track listings

CD single[40]
  1. "Moving Mountains"
  2. "Moving Mountains" (instrumental)
  3. "Moving Mountains" (FP remix)
  4. "Moving Mountains" (J Remy & BobbyBass Remix)
  5. "Moving Mountains" (music video)
Japanese Remixes CD[41]
  1. "Moving Mountains" (radio edit) – 4:00
  2. "Moving Mountains" (FP Remix) – 3:05
  3. "Moving Mountains" (J Remy & BobbyBass Remix) – 4:33
  4. "Moving Mountains" (Pokerface Remix) – 5:07
  5. "Moving Mountains" (23 Deluxe) – 5:58
UK CD Single[42]
  1. "Moving Mountains" – 5:01
  2. "Love in This Club Part II" (featuring Beyoncé) – 4:19
Digital EP[43]
  1. "Moving Mountains" – 4:57
  2. "Moving Mountains" (Full Phatt Remix) – 3:06
  3. "Moving Mountains" (Pokerface Remix) – 5:09
  4. "Moving Mountains" (23 Deluxe Remix) – 5:58
Finnish Digital EP[44]
  1. "Moving Mountains" – 4:57
  2. "Moving Mountains" (instrumental) – 4:57
  3. "Moving Mountains" (FP Remix) – 3:05
  4. "Moving Mountains" (Pokerface Remix) – 4:33

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[31] 36
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] 70
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[29] 20
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[28] 20
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100 Oficiální)[23] 40
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[21] 22
Germany (Media Control AG)[24] 28
Ireland (IRMA)[25] 26
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[30] 33
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[32] 6
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[45] 20
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[26] 32
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 21
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[46] 25
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 67
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[47] 18
US Pop 100[19] 56

Year-end charts

Chart (2009) Position
New Zealand Singles Chart[34] 47
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[18] 84

Certifications

Country Certification
New Zealand Gold[33]

Release history

Purchase dates

Country Date Format
Netherlands[3] May 23, 2008 Digital download
Austria[48] July 18, 2008
Canada[49]
Great Britain[50]
Ireland[51]
Spain[52]
Finland[44] July 21, 2008
United Kingdom[53] CD single
Australia[54] July 25, 2008 Digital download
Austria[55]
Belgium[56]
Germany[57]
New Zealand[58]
Mexico[59]
Sweden[60]
France[40] July 28, 2008 CD single
Germany[61] August 15, 2008
Germany[62] Maxi-single
Japan[63] August 20, 2008 Digital download

Radio add dates

Country Date Type
United States June 9, 2008 Rhythmic airplay[64]
Urban airplay[65]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Here I Stand (Media notes). Usher. LaFace Records. 2008.
  2. ↑ "New Music: Usher – ‘I Can’t Win’ & ‘Moving Mountains’". Rap-Up. February 20, 2008. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Moving Mountains – Single" (in Dutch). iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  4. 1 2 Greenblatt, Leah (May 27, 2008). "Review: Usher makes his 'Stand' and delivers". Entertainment Weekly (Time Warner). CNN. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Hope, Clover (May 27, 2008). "Usher Doesn't Have Sex Anymore". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  6. ↑ DeRogatis, Jim (May 27, 2008). "Review: Here I Stand". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 McAlpine, Fraser (July 17, 2008). "Usher – 'Moving Mountains'". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  8. ↑ Barrett, Angela. "Album Preview: Usher – 'Here I Stand'". Rap-Up. New York. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Usher – Here I Stand". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. June 3, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Usher: From His Wild Past to His Hot New CD". Entertainment Weekly (Time Warner) (994). May 30, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  11. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (May 24, 2008). "Usher: Here I Stand". Slant Magazine. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  12. ↑ Swash, Rosie (July 24, 2008). "Songs that say 'Up yours, Radio 1!'". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Usher – Here I Stand". AbsolutePunk. June 22, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  14. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (July 21, 2008). "Usher: 'Moving Mountains'". Digital Spy.
  15. ↑ "Lil Wayne Fends Off Coldplay, Perry On Hot 100". Billboard. prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  16. 1 2 "Moving Mountains – Usher". Billboard. prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Usher – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Usher.
  18. 1 2 "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2013. (subscription required (help)).
  19. 1 2 Usher at AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Usher". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  21. 1 2 "Usher – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Usher.
  22. 1 2 "Austriancharts.at – Usher – Moving Mountains" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  23. 1 2 "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – RADIO TOP100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  24. 1 2 "Usher: Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Chart Track: Week 31, 2008". Irish Singles Chart.
  26. 1 2 "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200842 into search.
  27. 1 2 "Swedishcharts.com – Usher – Moving Mountains". Singles Top 100.
  28. 1 2 "Ultratop.be – Usher – Moving Mountains" (in French). Ultratip.
  29. 1 2 "Ultratop.be – Usher – Moving Mountains" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  30. 1 2 "Usher – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Usher.
  31. 1 2 "Australian-charts.com – Usher – Moving Mountains". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  32. 1 2 "Charts.org.nz – Usher – Moving Mountains". Top 40 Singles.
  33. 1 2 "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". March 29, 2009. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011.
  34. 1 2 "Annual Top 50 Singles Chart 2008". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Usher – Moving Mountains". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Moving Mountains Video – Usher". KOvideo.net. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  37. 1 2 "Usher Braves The Green-Screen Elements". Idolator. (Buzz Media). May 23, 2008. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  38. 1 2 "New(ish) Video: Usher, 'Moving Mountains'". MTV. June 25, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Top 100 Video List". Black Entertainment Television. December 16, 2008. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008.
  40. 1 2 "Moving Mountains [CD single, Single Maxi]". Amazon.fr. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  41. ↑ "Usher Moving Mountains – Remixes Japan CD". eil.com. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Moving Mountains: Usher". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple.com. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  44. 1 2 "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  45. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2008-08-10". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  46. ↑ "Usher: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
  47. ↑ "Usher – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Usher.
  48. ↑ "Moving Mountains – Single" (in German). iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  49. ↑ "Moving Mountains – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  50. ↑ "Moving Mountains – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  51. ↑ "Moving Mountains – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  52. ↑ "Moving Mountains – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  53. ↑ "Moving Mountains [Single]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  54. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  55. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP" (in German). iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  56. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  57. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP" (in German). iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  58. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  59. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  60. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  61. ↑ "Moving Mountains/Basic [Single]". Amazon.de. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  62. ↑ "Moving Mountains/Premium [Single, Maxi]". Amazon.de. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  63. ↑ "Moving Mountains – EP" (in Japanese). iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  64. ↑ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Rhythmic". Radio & Records. June 9, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  65. ↑ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Rhythmic". Radio & Records. June 9, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.

External links

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