The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Mighty High

Reading Time: 3 min read

In the 44^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by The Mighty Clouds of Joy performing, “Mighty High.”

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”W” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]elcome to Music Lifts 🎶 🏋, a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity. Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights! So, for the 44^th edition of Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 (2023), we highlight 🎵 “Mighty High” as performed by 🎙 The Mighty Clouds of Joy.[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

“Come on and ride the mighty high.” Woo! Believe it or not, one upon a time, gospel met disco, and it was a successful fusion of styles. In 1975, 🎙 The Mighty Clouds of Joy released a disco-infused gospel joint – or vice versa – with 🎵 “Mighty High”. “Mighty High” served as the opener of their album, 💿 Kickin’. “Mighty High” certainly was a kickin’ single denting the pop charts – the Billboard Hot 100 – at no. 69. Gospel songs have limited success on the pop charts, so, for “Mighty High” to impact was and still is a big deal. The big reason why the song is the most successful by the collective is it’s sound, emulating the pop, R&B, soul, and disco styles that were king. Even though it is the production that is most ear catching, this song also thrives because of its message, and the simple, catchy way it is presented via songwriting.

“Take a load off your mind / Ride the mighty glory / Listen to my story / Ride the mighty high.” The mighty high, of course, is God. Those lyrics aren’t explicitly filled with depth but do speak to the power of The Most High. Later, 🎙 Joe Ligon names God specifically, singing, “God took all my troubles / Yes He did, He set me free.” Interestingly, for a gospel record, this one mostly implies God or refers to Him with a capital He, if you catch my drift. Still, the effect and lift are the same, with the legendary gospel collective aiming to bring more souls to God via a contemporary sound, one that caught on at discos and such back in the day. Of course, those who considered gospel more exclusive rather than inclusive had some criticisms for The Mighty Clouds of Joy, but all told, 🎵 “Mighty High” still provides a ‘mighty high’ to this day as one of gospel’s great crossover hits with a positive message.