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Move Any Mountain

{{Short description|1991 single by the Shamen}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Move Any Mountain

| cover = Move_any_mountain.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = The Shamen

| album = En-Tact

| released = {{start date|1991|7|15|df=y}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 3:28

| label = One Little Indian

| writer =

  • Colin Angus
  • The Shamen
  • Richard West

| producer =

  • Paul Carter
  • Richard Searle

| prev_title = Hyperreal

| prev_year = 1991

| next_title = LSI (Love Sex Intelligence)

| next_year = 1992

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|j-TSNcoe8pA|"Move Any Mountain"}}}}

}}

"Move Any Mountain" is a song by Scottish electronic music group the Shamen, first released under the title "Pro›gen". With an official remix by the Beatmasters, the song was re-released in the UK in summer 1991 and was their first top-10 single, reaching number four in the UK Singles Chart. It was included on the band's second album, En-Tact (1990), and is also their only top-40 hit in the US, where the song peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1992.

Release

In response to demand for remixes from fans,Progeny sleeve notes. the band released the entire sample list and a number of remixes on the album Progeny, which at the time meant the single and album release of the track made it the only record to chart on both UK Singles and Album Charts at the same time.[http://www.shamendiscog.com/#tplp32 The Shamen discography]

The track was used for the entrance of Team Scotland during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park in Glasgow. The lyrics of the first verse also appeared as Super Hans' wedding vows in the second episode of the ninth series of Peep Show.

The cover includes the kanji 山 (yama, meaning mountain).

Critical reception

AllMusic editor John Bush viewed the song as an "infectious techno-pop anthem".{{cite web|first=John|last=Bush|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/en-tact-mw0000690837|title=The Shamen – En-Tact|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=18 February 2020}} Upon the release of "Progen", Bill Coleman from Billboard described it as "an aggressive track that makes no bones about blurring the lines between industrial and house music."{{cite magazine|first= Bill |last= Coleman |title= Dance Trax: U.S.-U.K. Buzz On Candy Flip, K Collective |magazine= Billboard |date= 28 April 1990 |page= 28 |accessdate= 14 October 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-04-28.pdf}} Another editor, Larry Flick, felt that the track "may be best remembered as the most remixed record in history", adding that "at last count, there are 35 versions of this song circulating throughout Europe, seven of which are on this U.S. pressing. Beneath abundant studio tricks, which alter song's stance from techno to house and then hi-NRG, lies a simplistic and memorable modern-pop tune."{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-10-05.pdf|title=New & Noteworthy|magazine=Billboard |date=5 October 1991| page=93|accessdate=25 January 2018|author-link=Larry Flick}} Andy Kastanas from The Charlotte Observer deemed it "a bright uptempo dance trip that will have your hiney shakin' before you can say "rave"."Kastanas, Andy (26 February 1992). "Sounds of Progress". p. 16. The Charlotte Observer.

Dave Jennings from Melody Maker wrote, "'Pro›gen' starts brightly — the Shamen set up a spun-sugar dance sequence, croon 'move any mountain', and you begin to believe that they could. Then in crashes guest rapper Mr C, rambling feebly and implausibly about his supernatural abilities, and the record descends to the depths of mediocre rap-ego-stroking. Shame!"{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Jennings|work=Melody Maker|title=Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52075742861/|date=31 March 1990|access-date=24 February 2023}} David Giles from Music Week stated that the Shamen "are at their pulsating, electrobeat best; a couple of rapping inserts from DJ Mr C rather detracts from the hypnotic overall feel, but it should enhance the record's credibility yet further in clubland."{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Giles |title= Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 31 March 1990 |page= 23 |accessdate= 29 October 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1990/MW-1990-03-31.pdf}} James Hamilton from Record Mirror viewed the track as an "catchy chanting I can move, move, move any mountain UK oldie".{{cite magazine|first=James|last=Hamilton|title=Hot Vinyl|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/51391333775/in/album-72157719706153454/|work=Record Mirror|date=6 April 1991|page=35|accessdate=11 December 2022|author-link=James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} William Shaw from Smash Hits complimented its "humping great tower block of a hugely infectious dance chorus."{{cite magazine|first=William|last=Shaw|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/34756464181/in/album-72157681394953612/|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|issue=330|page=43|date=24 July 1991|accessdate=8 March 2020}}

Music video

The promotional video for "Move Any Mountain" was filmed on the slopes of Mount Teide, Tenerife. Shortly afterwards, Will Sinnott drowned off the coast of the neighbouring island La Gomera.

UK releases

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

  • Pro›gen (CD single 1990)
  1. "Pro›gen ('Land of Oz' Mix)" – 5:42
  2. "Light›span" – 5:41
  3. "Pre›gen" – 5:48
  • Pro›gen Remixes (12-inch single 1990)
  1. "Pro›gen (C-mix F+)" – 7:01
  2. "Pro›gen (7b)" – 3:50
  3. "Light›span (Soundwave)" – 7:43
  • Pro›gen (Cassette single 1990)
  1. "Pro›gen (C-mix F-)"
  2. "Pro›gen ('Land of Oz')"
  3. "Light›span"
  4. "Pro›gen (7a)"
  • Move Any Mountain – Progen 91 (CD single 1991)
  1. "Move Any Mountain (Beat Edit)" (remixed by the Beatmasters) – 3:30
  2. "Move Any Mountain (Landslide Edit)" (remixed by the Kid & John) – 3:48
  3. "Move Any Mountain (F2 Mello) – 6:12
  4. "Move Any Mountain (Mountains in the Sky)" (remixed by Caspar Pound) – 6:03
  • Move Any Mountain – Progen 91 (12-inch single 1991)
  1. "Move Any Mountain (Landslide)" (remixed by the Kid & John) – 4:51
  2. "Move Any Mountain (Devil)" (remixed by 'Evil' Eddie Richards) – 4:40
  3. "Move Any Mountain (Rude)" (remixed by the Goat) – 5:03
  4. "Move Any Mountain (I.R.P. in the Land of Oz)" (remixed by Paul Oakenfold) – 5:02

{{col-2}}

  • Progeny (3x12-inch and cassette 1991)
  1. "Move Any Mountain (Bang to the Beat of the Drum)" (remixed by Bryan 'Chuck' New & 'Evil' Eddie Richards) – 5:45
  2. "Move Any Mountain (Beltram Dub)" (remixed by Joey Beltram) – 5:30
  3. "Move Any Mountain (Rising High Dub)" (remixed by Caspar Pound) – 7:25
  4. "Move Any Mountain (Alta Vista)" (remixed by F Troop) – 6:16
  5. "Move Any Mountain (The Prelude to Paradise)" (remixed by Frankie Bones) – 5:12
  6. "Move Any Mountain (666 Edit)" (remixed by 'Evil' Eddie Richards) – 4:49
  7. "Move Any Mountain (Land of Oz)" (remixed by Paul Oakenfold) – 5:44
  8. "Move Any Mountain (Beatmasters Dub)" (remixed by The Beatmasters) – 3:56
  9. "Move Any Mountain (The Bones Break Mastermix)" (remixed by Frankie Bones) – 6:11
  10. "Move Any Mountain (Beltram Vox)" (remixed by Joey Beltram) – 5:20
  11. "Move Any Mountain (Landslide Vox)" (remixed by the Kid and John) – 5:27
  12. "Move Any Mountain (Rude)" (remixed by the Goat) – 5:40
  13. "Move Any Mountain (C. mix)" (remixed by Colin Angus and Mr. C) – 6:47
  14. "Move Any Mountain (Beat Edit)" (remixed by the Beatmasters) – 3:30
  15. "Move Any Mountain (Rude Edit)" (remixed by the Goat) – 3:44
  16. "Move Any Mountain (Landslide Edit)" (remixed by the Kid and John) – 3:48
  17. "Move Any Mountain (F Troop Edit)" (remixed by F Troop) – 3:27
  18. "Move Any Mountain (Oz Edit)" (remixed by Paul Oakenfold) – 3:39
  19. "Move Any Mountain (Bang Edit)" (remixed by Bryan 'Chuck' New & 'Evil' Eddie Richards) – 3:32
  20. 16 samples & beats – 5:39

Note: The CD version of Progeny only contains 15 tracks, it omits tracks 8–12.

{{col-end}}

The "Alta Vista" mix is the same as the "F2 Mello" mix. The "Beltram Dub" mix, as published on Progeny, is the same as the "Beltram Vox" mix. "Move Any Mountain (Land of Oz)" on Progeny is the same as the original "Pro›gen ('Land of Oz' Mix)" (1990), slightly different from "Move Any Mountain (I.R.P. in the Land of Oz)" on the 1991 12", and from "Progen 91 (I.R.P. in the Land of Oz)" on En-Tact.

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (1991–1992)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/11R0bwv.gif|title=Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 September 2016|via=Imgur|accessdate=16 September 2016}}

|104

{{single chart|Flanders|8|artist=Shamen|song=Move Any Mountain|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Denmark (IFPI){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-10-19.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=42|page=39|date=19 October 1991|accessdate=22 March 2018}}

|8

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-08-17.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=33|page=21|date=17 August 1991|accessdate=14 July 2020}}

|13

scope="row"|Europe (European Dance Radio){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-09-28.pdf|title=European Dance Radio|magazine=Music & Media|date=28 September 1991|page=13|accessdate=25 October 2021}}

|20

scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2006|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5|location=Helsinki|language=fi}}

|5

{{single chart|Ireland2|17|artist=The Shamen|song=Move Any Mountain|rowheader=true|accessdate=14 July 2020}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|23|artist=Shamen|song=Move Any Mountain|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|17|artist=Shamen|song=Move Any Mountain|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Sweden|21|artist=Shamen|song=Move Any Mountain|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|4|artist=Shamen|song=Move Any Mountain|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|4|artist=Shamen|artistid=26087|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 April 2022|refname=occ}}
scope="row"|UK Dance (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-07-27.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=20|date=27 July 1991|accessdate=28 September 2020}}

|10

scope="row"|UK Indie (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-08-10.pdf|title= Indie Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 10 August 1991 |page= 26 |access-date= 9 June 2025}}

| align=center|1

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1992-02-29/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=29 February 1992|access-date=26 July 2023}}

|38

scope="row"|US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-dance-singles-sales/1992-01-18/|title=Dance Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|date=18 January 1992|access-date=26 July 2023}}

|1

scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/1991-11-16/|title=Dance Club Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=16 November 1991|access-date=26 July 2023}}

|1

scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/1991-12-14/|title=Alternative Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=14 December 1991|url-access=subscription|access-date=26 July 2023}}

|4

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (1996)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"|Scotland (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19961215/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 15 December 1996 - 21 December 1996|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=13 October 2021}}

|26

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)

|35

scope="row"|UK Club Chart (Music Week){{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-11-30.pdf |title= The RM Club Chart |work= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= 30 November 1996 |page= 6 |accessdate= 5 October 2021}}

|1

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (1991)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1991|title=Jaaroverzichten 1991|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|accessdate=14 July 2020}}

|81

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=1991 Top 100 Singles|magazine=Music Week|publisher=Spotlight Publications|location=London, England|page=20|date=11 January 1992}}

|39

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (1992)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=104|issue=52|page=YE-48|date=26 December 1992}}

|4

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (1996)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|UK Club Chart (Music Week){{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-01-11.pdf|title=The RM Club Chart of the Year 96|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=11 January 1997|page=8|accessdate=4 May 2022}}

|42

{{col-end}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Version

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|rowspan="2"|Original

|15 July 1991

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|One Little Indian

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=19|date=13 July 1991}}

scope="row"|United States

|26 September 1991

|12-inch vinyl

|Fokus

|{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Move-Any-Mountain-Vinyl-Shamen/dp/B00008FS1P |title=Shamen – Move Any Mountain [Vinyl] |access-date=21 April 2022}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom

|rowspan="2"|"Move Any Mountain '96"

|9 December 1996

|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}

|rowspan="2"|One Little Indian

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=41|date=7 December 1996}}

16 December 1996

|12-inch vinyl

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=43|date=14 December 1996}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{IMDb title|qid=Q129102568|title=The Shamen - Move Any Mountain - Progen '91}}
  • {{youTube|j-TSNcoe8pA|The Shamen - Move Any Mountain - Progen '91}}

{{The Shamen}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1990 songs

Category:1991 singles

Category:1992 singles

Category:1996 singles

Category:Acid house songs

Category:House music songs

Category:One Little Independent Records singles

Category:The Shamen songs

Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles