John Denver sang "Country Roads" at West Virginia University (WVU) on September 6, 1980, to dedicate the new Mountaineer Field. It is now a fun tradition for fans to sing 'Country Roads' after every Mountaineer victory. I think nostalgia for the place where we were born/raised touches all hearts and makes this song universally loved.
I am from West Virginia and back in the early 70s he put on a free concert on the capital lawn. He was likely singing of western Virginia, but we claimed it as our own. Many people did not seem to know that WV is a separate state from VA. Our daughter always called her grandma Mountain Momma!
A good friend of mine, first met John when he was still known as John Deutschendorf. It was in the hay day of Los Angeles folk music scene. They stayed friends for a very long time, even were roommates for a short time. Years later, back here in Colorado, John was to play at a famous Hotel and asked my friend's band to open for him. When their equipment trailer was late arriving to the venue, John said he would instead open for them. RIP
I think why this song resonates with people and is universally loved is because the words evoke nostalgia of the coming home to the place that you hold dear and where you were nurtured.
Grew up near Wheeling WV and I was 15 when the song came out. The entire state raised up with such pride, it was so exciting. You couldn't go anywhere without someone either softly singing it or humming it.
In the summer of 1971 we were driving from our home in WV to Key West FL where my brother was stationed in the Navy. About the time we hit Georgia we heard this song for the first time on the car radio. I'll never forget my mom saying he's singing about WV ! I bet we heard it at least a dozen times on that trip end ended up knowing every word. Still chokes me up to this day.
I have loved John Denver since my youth in the 70's. He is one of the very best that we lost way to young. Thanks for this! Also, West Virginia is absolutely beautiful. I drive through it to my son's in Virginia!
I love your reactions, Saeed...you pay more attention to the words than I do (I am more of a "melody mama"!)...so you always help me to understand the depth of the song so much more...thank you! I love John Denver! 🥰💜🥰
"The energy that is stored there". Such an interesting comment. It reminds me of driving out of the city into the country and you almost feel the weight lift off of you and you can breath easier. A totally different energy. I love John Denver and cried when he died. It was too soon for sure. As a singer and an environmentalist he is needed.
West Virginia!!! One of the most beautiful states in the U.S.... hope you get the chance to see it's majestic beauty Saeed...my family goes back to the 1760's in this state...such a special place for me...thanks for this one!!!❤❤❤
I am not from West Virginia but have been there a few times. (I have been to most of our states) I do believe that West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states I have ever been to. Almost Heaven...
John Denver went out with Cousteau on Calypso and then wrote this song about it. Be sure to include the video with John on Calypso with Cousteau and his crew. Wonderful song! You can almost feel the roll of the waves and the salty spray in the air.
I love that these lyrics are written in almost a 'stream of consciousness' style. He uses sentence fragments to describe the place and it's like he's remembering things as he's driving along. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it works really well in this song.
🎼🎼🛡️🎼🎼 .. it is close Saeed , it is very near perfection. Like Don McClean on "Vincent" .. John Denver is able to paint images in my mind with his lyrics and his special voice. This was a very popular song here in America during my youth .... but no one ever seems to tire of it, including me. I love singing along to this song. More John Denver please !! 🎼🎼🛡️🎼🎼
Hi, Saeed: It's me again! Great reaction. Out of the numerous hits he had, this is the only 45 I have by him and this song was also the first time I ever heard him. Thank you for doing it. One of my favs is How Could I Leave You Again.
Thanks, Saeed! IMHO this is one of his best performances.. he was so good live.... not just this song, but the entire concert... give it up for the back-ups.. especially "Taffy".. appreciate your reaction!
The writer of the song got the inspiration while on Clopper Road near Boyds, MD (a hop, skip, and jump from WVA). I used to live just off the end of the road.
You might take a few minutes to google West Virginia. Many novels have taken place there. It’s a place of such contrasts . Poor. Highly conservative. Gorgeous scenery. Incredible music. The preservation of the old ways of speaking and craftsmanship. Welcoming and yet keeps you at a distance at the same time. I’ve driven through there and spent a day ir two is all. Natural beauty surrounds you. If you ever get over here, Saeed, try to give yourself enough time to sample different regions of the country. The US is about the same size as Europe, so plan accordingly. 😁
I always appreciate when reactors listen to John Denver. His songs and performances are worth recalling. I know from watching your channel that you appreciate the lyrics. I hope I am not repetitive (or presumptuous) recommending some of his earlier songs, like: "Rhymes and Reasons," "Follow Me," "Aspenglow," "Isabel," "Poems, Prayers and Promises," "All of My Memories," "Casey's Last Ride," (a personal favorite) and "The Eagle and The Hawk." These are not songs that are typically listened to, or reacted to and they are well worth the time and attention.
Truly an amazing artist and definitely want to explore some of his earlier work as well. So thank you for sharing the recommendations. Hope i can get to some of them!
My Belgian friends all know this song. Friends from Kortrijk, Heule, and Leuven all visited here WV when I lived there. Then I visited them in Belgium. 🇧🇪 🇺🇸
The ironic thing is that neither John Denver nor Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff, (the other writers) had ever been to West Virginia when they wrote the song. 🤷
This was the first song I learned to play on guitar 51 years ago. I still remember how to play it but I don't play it much. I do play other John Denver songs more often though.
John Denver is Canadian he has a very long name so he changed it to Denver because he loves Colorado! He has a lot of beautiful songs ! Back in his earlier career he wore real thick eye glasses and then he got that LASIK eye surgery because he wanted to fly an airplane and that's how he died! He got hit by one of those big birds at the beaches! The news said he could have lived but he chose to hit the rocks in crash so he wouldn't hit the people at the Beach! He died a hero's death, R.I.P John 💔🎸🎶💟☮️‼️
Seems you are mistaken on his birth home being as a Canadian. If you look it up.... John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico, to parents Henry John and Erma and that name being of German American heritage. Perhaps you are thinking of Gordon Lightfoot.... also a folk artist and he is Canadian.
I assume Harrison Ford’s was a manufactured plane. Yes, after so many chances of a devastating end, one should have a pilot or co-pilot and some mechanic to check the plane before each flight. Wasn’t Denver’s plane a kit/experimental and unfortunately he was not able to switch tanks because his clothing was preventing it.
If you haven’t reacted to it yet, you should listen to “Calypso”. It was John Denver’s tribute to oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau. Calypso was his ship.
Saeed, if you like folk music listen to Scarborough Faif. It is written from the POV of a civil war soldier who does not make it home. It I’d beautiful! I love about 25 minutes from the Blur Ridge and the great Smokey Nountains. Beautiful are to live, grow old and die!
As good as JD was live, I recommend starting with the studio versions of his music. The arrangements and engineering are masterful, despite the "folk/pop/country" vibe. As you can tell by John's invitation for the audience to sing along, his live performances were more celebrations of shared love of his songs than they were performances of the pure music.
Please, please, please react to "Amazon" from this same live concert. Not a well known song, but SO special! Please try to get to it. You won't be sorry!😊
@@robertbunker817 I honestly don't know if that makes any difference or not. Although, in that case, it was a big plane that hit a flock of birds and made an emergency landing in the Hudson River. It was piloted by Capt. Sully, a veteran commercial pilot.
John Denver sang "Country Roads" at West Virginia University (WVU) on September 6, 1980, to dedicate the new Mountaineer Field. It is now a fun tradition for fans to sing 'Country Roads' after every Mountaineer victory. I think nostalgia for the place where we were born/raised touches all hearts and makes this song universally loved.
Ahhhhh!! Love this song! Who doesnt? Everyone sing along for the world to hear ❤❤
O absolutely. Who will not enjoy this. Greetings from South Africa
I'm from the UK but in my opinion John Denver is one of Americas best ever singer/songwriters
I am from West Virginia and back in the early 70s he put on a free concert on the capital lawn. He was likely singing of western Virginia, but we claimed it as our own. Many people did not seem to know that WV is a separate state from VA. Our daughter always called her grandma Mountain Momma!
❤
A lot of people still don’t realize that West Virginia is a state.
He lived in Colorado!
John Denver was a poet with an angelic voice. Taken way too soon😢
A good friend of mine, first met John when he was still known as John Deutschendorf. It was in the hay day of Los Angeles folk music scene. They stayed friends for a very long time, even were roommates for a short time. Years later, back here in Colorado, John was to play at a famous Hotel and asked my friend's band to open for him. When their equipment trailer was late arriving to the venue, John said he would instead open for them. RIP
West Virginian, here. They play this at every high school football fame, every fireworks display, every major event. We're a prideful people! : )
I think why this song resonates with people and is universally loved is because the words evoke nostalgia of the coming home to the place that you hold dear and where you were nurtured.
Grew up near Wheeling WV and I was 15 when the song came out. The entire state raised up with such pride, it was so exciting. You couldn't go anywhere without someone either softly singing it or humming it.
About as classic as they come! :-) I hope you're having an excellent holiday.
I’m from Virginia! I’m 10 minutes from Skyline, a part of the Shenandoah. Very beautiful and it is awesome to sing along to this!
Hope to see it one day.
Truly amazing song!
@@SaeedReacts. Its breathtaking!
In the summer of 1971 we were driving from our home in WV to Key West FL where my brother was stationed in the Navy. About the time we hit Georgia we heard this song for the first time on the car radio. I'll never forget my mom saying he's singing about WV ! I bet we heard it at least a dozen times on that trip end ended up knowing every word. Still chokes me up to this day.
I love the lyrics when he's talking about his lady and says "Stranger to blue water"....i.e. she has not been to the ocean...so poetic.
Thank God I'm a Country Boy!!
YES! This is such a fun song!
Blessings to you and yours from West Virginia 🤠
Miss West Virginia soooo much...no where like it...anywhere...
I have loved John Denver since my youth in the 70's. He is one of the very best that we lost way to young. Thanks for this! Also, West Virginia is absolutely beautiful. I drive through it to my son's in Virginia!
Such an amazing song.
Hope to take the trip over one day. From what i have seen it looks beautiful!
@@SaeedReacts. Come on I'll put you up
@@djt8518 ❤️
@@SaeedReacts. ❤️
Every time I hear this song it makes me want to go home to where I grow up. It makes me homesick. I think thats what fits people, Going Home.
SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS 😊HUGE 70'S RADIO HIT SAEED, SLOWER SONG OF JOHN'S BUT IT'LL HIT YOU HARD! 👍
All John Denver's songs are wonderful!
I love your reactions, Saeed...you pay more attention to the words than I do (I am more of a "melody mama"!)...so you always help me to understand the depth of the song so much more...thank you! I love John Denver! 🥰💜🥰
Traced my roots to the area of Colonial Virginia that is now West Virginia, this song always makes me wish I had gone there.
Greetings from wv this song is known all over the world
It is such a beautiful state. Beautiful song for a beautiful state.
"The energy that is stored there". Such an interesting comment. It reminds me of driving out of the city into the country and you almost feel the weight lift off of you and you can breath easier. A totally different energy. I love John Denver and cried when he died. It was too soon for sure. As a singer and an environmentalist he is needed.
Brings a tear. Such a loss of a great talent!! Great grandparents came from Europe and coal mined in West Virginia circa 1900.
I LOVEEEEEE this song by John Denver !! Gives me chills every time
West Virginia!!! One of the most beautiful states in the U.S.... hope you get the chance to see it's majestic beauty Saeed...my family goes back to the 1760's in this state...such a special place for me...thanks for this one!!!❤❤❤
This beautiful song means more to be everyday . Great reaction 👍 I just love John's clean and pure vocals, awesome song 🔥
Wild wonderful West Virginia…can’t really understand til you go there
I am not from West Virginia but have been there a few times. (I have been to most of our states) I do believe that West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states I have ever been to. Almost Heaven...
Fabulous to see John Denver, wonderful singer!!
I loved John. No better voice in music
It is a very awesome song. He is such a great writer. Can never get enough of this song and many of his others too. ❤
If you admire his love of nature you needto listen to Calypso.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Beautiful song.
Yes! Please! And please include the video of Jacques Cousteau's research boat, Calypso, that goes with the song.
John Denver went out with Cousteau on Calypso and then wrote this song about it. Be sure to include the video with John on Calypso with Cousteau and his crew. Wonderful song! You can almost feel the roll of the waves and the salty spray in the air.
I can tell as a writer that you love words ❤😊
I love that these lyrics are written in almost a 'stream of consciousness' style. He uses sentence fragments to describe the place and it's like he's remembering things as he's driving along. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it works really well in this song.
🎼🎼🛡️🎼🎼 .. it is close Saeed , it is very near perfection. Like Don McClean on "Vincent" .. John Denver is able to paint images in my mind with his lyrics and his special voice. This was a very popular song here in America during my youth .... but no one ever seems to tire of it, including me. I love singing along to this song. More John Denver please !! 🎼🎼🛡️🎼🎼
Hi, Saeed: It's me again! Great reaction. Out of the numerous hits he had, this is the only 45 I have by him and this song was also the first time I ever heard him. Thank you for doing it. One of my favs is How Could I Leave You Again.
Love his music he grew up in my neighborhood
Thanks, Saeed! IMHO this is one of his best performances.. he was so good live.... not just this song, but the entire concert... give it up for the back-ups.. especially "Taffy".. appreciate your reaction!
The writer of the song got the inspiration while on Clopper Road near Boyds, MD (a hop, skip, and jump from WVA). I used to live just off the end of the road.
You might take a few minutes to google West Virginia. Many novels have taken place there. It’s a place of such contrasts . Poor. Highly conservative. Gorgeous scenery. Incredible music. The preservation of the old ways of speaking and craftsmanship. Welcoming and yet keeps you at a distance at the same time.
I’ve driven through there and spent a day ir two is all. Natural beauty surrounds you.
If you ever get over here, Saeed, try to give yourself enough time to sample different regions of the country. The US is about the same size as Europe, so plan accordingly. 😁
I always appreciate when reactors listen to John Denver. His songs and performances are worth recalling. I know from watching your channel that you appreciate the lyrics. I hope I am not repetitive (or presumptuous) recommending some of his earlier songs, like: "Rhymes and Reasons," "Follow Me," "Aspenglow," "Isabel," "Poems, Prayers and Promises," "All of My Memories," "Casey's Last Ride," (a personal favorite) and "The Eagle and The Hawk." These are not songs that are typically listened to, or reacted to and they are well worth the time and attention.
Truly an amazing artist and definitely want to explore some of his earlier work as well. So thank you for sharing the recommendations. Hope i can get to some of them!
My Belgian friends all know this song. Friends from Kortrijk, Heule, and Leuven all visited here WV when I lived there. Then I visited them in Belgium. 🇧🇪 🇺🇸
US Billboard Hot 100 peak # 2
Beautiful song, such a great singer. Another great song is Thank god i’m a country boy. ❤
Right. Close to perfection. A song of a lifetime for anyone. Denver absolutely kills it. He has no connection to West Virginia.
He has visited West Virginia many times as I have. It is a beautiful state. You don't have to be from there to visit.
Great song, great artist!
Thank god I'm a country boy! Is a fun knee slapper!
I saw him in Oakland at the coliseum. Someone in the audience shouted out (we love you John )I Have heard that John Denver is not his real name
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.
His father was in the military lived different places RIP
He was born in Roswell, NM on New Years eve 1943, his dad was a famous Air Force pilot.
Almost Heaven'.......
I hope you get to come to the U.S. one day. If you come to northern California, I'll take you to Yosemite.
I definitely hope to explore the U.S. one day.
15 years ago i visited New York City, but hope to do a road trip through more States one day.
The ironic thing is that neither John Denver nor Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff, (the other writers) had ever been to West Virginia when they wrote the song. 🤷
This was the first song I learned to play on guitar 51 years ago. I still remember how to play it but I don't play it much. I do play other John Denver songs more often though.
John Denver is Canadian he has a very long name so he changed it to Denver because he loves Colorado! He has a lot of beautiful songs ! Back in his earlier career he wore real thick eye glasses and then he got that LASIK eye surgery because he wanted to fly an airplane and that's how he died! He got hit by one of those big birds at the beaches! The news said he could have lived but he chose to hit the rocks in crash so he wouldn't hit the people at the Beach! He died a hero's death, R.I.P John 💔🎸🎶💟☮️‼️
Seems you are mistaken on his birth home being as a Canadian. If you look it up.... John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico, to parents Henry John and Erma and that name being of German American heritage. Perhaps you are thinking of Gordon Lightfoot.... also a folk artist and he is Canadian.
I assume Harrison Ford’s was a manufactured plane. Yes, after so many chances of a devastating end, one should have a pilot or co-pilot and some mechanic to check the plane before each flight. Wasn’t Denver’s plane a kit/experimental and unfortunately he was not able to switch tanks because his clothing was preventing it.
John Denver...a true legend!!! Saeed please react to Annie´s song and Don´t close your eyes tonight
Hey Saeed!
Hey Deb! Thanks for watching!
@@SaeedReacts. I didn't know you'd be back from your holiday so I didn't say anything! Thank you for the reply! I hope you had a beautiful Christmas!
Thank you for the heart, I love it!
If you haven’t reacted to it yet, you should listen to “Calypso”. It was John Denver’s tribute to oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau. Calypso was his ship.
This makes me wonder when contact lenses were invented, usually you see John Denver with glasses.
Saeed, if you like folk music listen to Scarborough Faif. It is written from the POV of a civil war soldier who does not make it home. It I’d beautiful! I love about 25 minutes from the Blur Ridge and the great Smokey Nountains. Beautiful are to live, grow old and die!
Try, CALYPSO😊😊
The Boat for Jacques Cousteau. Marine animals and.........
I have been missing your reactions of poets Of The Fall. Can I expect to here more of those?
As good as JD was live, I recommend starting with the studio versions of his music. The arrangements and engineering are masterful, despite the "folk/pop/country" vibe. As you can tell by John's invitation for the audience to sing along, his live performances were more celebrations of shared love of his songs than they were performances of the pure music.
Please, please, please react to "Amazon" from this same live concert. Not a well known song, but SO special! Please try to get to it. You won't be sorry!😊
Trippy this dude died in a plane crash; yet Harrison Ford has crashed his plane dozens of times and is still alive
Maybe because John crashed into the ocean.
@@Donna185 didn't Captain what's his name, land a passenger jet in the Hudson River? Everybody walked away from that one
@@robertbunker817 I honestly don't know if that makes any difference or not. Although, in that case, it was a big plane that hit a flock of birds and made an emergency landing in the Hudson River. It was piloted by Capt. Sully, a veteran commercial pilot.
@Donna185 my trippin isn't really with John dying in the plane crash by tripping is that Harrison Ford has survived every one of his
@@robertbunker817 I get it. You just wonder why.
Hey buddy. Would you do Mamas Hungry Eyes Merle Haggard
love John Denver have most of his vinyl recordings ; do not like this real c/w version of this at all ; voice is great the rest no.
I HATE CLAPPERS