Before most folks knew John Denver as a singer, Jet Plane was made famous by Folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Sebs, you should check their version, too.
P. P & Mary were my first experience of this classic. I still love their harmonies and Mary's warm alto voice. Played their album over and over. Another musical time machine to my much younger years.
Peter, Paul & Mary are GREAT, so many great songs and amazing harmonies, and not nearly enough people do reactions to their music! There are some great, quality live (black & white) video performances from BBC TV 👍
Thank God I'm A Country Boy is underrated in regards to the lyrics. I think it's wonderfully written and can transport you to that way of life in your imagination.
@@robertmooney571 I am sorry, I guess that I could have made this comment somewhere else in this thread. I was not really addressing you in this comment, rather I thought that since you mentioned "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" it would be a good place to highlight to everyone that this great song was not written by John Denver.
The Peter Paul and Mary version was thought to be about a soldier going away to war song, but Denver's version gives a better sense about a singer going on the road.
This is an earlier version of him singing this song.. over the years he changed it up quite a bit. If you watch some of the TV specials he did later in life, you'll hear how his singing matured and he changes the way he sings a lot of his songs.
Yes.. some fun live versions.. I like the one with Cass Elliott.. the focus being "get out the vote for young people"... pretty relevant these days (well, as always)....
John Denver was popular when I was young. There are lots of songs to choose from including: "Annie's Song", "Sunshine", "Back Home Again", "Matthew", "Poems & Prayers & Promises", "Rhymes & Reasons", "I'm Sorry", and of course "Rocky Mountain High". Have fun as you continue to discover John Denver's music!!
You've only just begun to scratch the surface of John Denver. He has a very extensive catalog of songs. I've been a fan of his forever. Don't think he's ever written a bad song ! Can't wait to hear more of your selections.
That's an early recording. His voice and recording style matured from folksy to more refined. There was a 6 - or 7-year span in the 70s, of him being the most liked person/entertainer in America for sure, and maybe the world. Actor, singer, ecologist,
Any time you can see a live John Denver performance, choose that over studio versions. You see the musicality and he gives more of his phenomenal voice and guitar skills live.
I always new this song as a Peter, Paul and Mary song. It wasn’t till recently that I realized it was written by John Denver. There is also a great video of John Denver singing it as a duet with Mama Cass Elliott from the Mamas and the Papas … definitely worth viewing.
I will always remember this song. I had traveled to Australia to see my then fiancee. I tried to keep it together because it would be another 7 months before I returned to her for good. The plane stopped Fiji for a few hours. As I boarded the plane the Fijian band began to play this song. I lost it
LOVE John Denver. He's a big chunk of my Spotify. My favs: Annie's Song (watch it with the wife); Calypso; Starwood in Aspen; Rhymes and Reasons. He was an activist (testified before Congress to create the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge), Singer/Songwriter, actor (you should check out the "God" movies); and accomplished pilot. His father was Air Force so he was a military brat who lived a lot of places, and got into flying. Unfortunately, he was probably a little overconfident in his latest plane and a series of events led to him crashing it. It was so sad to lose him. He is quite loved here in Alaska, where he has friends and visited many times. He was filming a documentary at the time of his death called "John Denver: Let This Be A Voice." You can find it online
This song becomes even more meaningful when you realize it's about a soldier heading to war in Vietnam. He's saying what could be his last goodbye to his significant other.
"Peter, Paul and Mary" had a massive hit covering this song in the mid-60s. They were very well known in the Folk song era, they were wonderful. John Denver was a massive star in his day, he won every music award, hosted every award show, he even guest hosted The Tonight Show a few times and made a couple very popular movies in his day. He was literally every in the media all through the 70s and everybody back then loved him. He was 'The Bomb" as they said back in the day.
Peter, Paul, and Mary and the Mamas and Papas sang this song in the mid to late ‘60s. It became a huge hit because it was considered an anti-Vietnam War song and was extremely popular with the “peacenicks” and “hippies”. John’s later version was about a lover leaving on a jet plane more than why the lover was leaving on a jet plane. Why makes this song even more powerful. The line “I don’t know when I’ll be back again” gains more meaning with why.
John is my go to when I’m crazed, anxious, nervous. I just say play John Denver, close my eyes and chill. A poet, a charming singer. I went to more of his concerts than anyone else. I suggest pretty much every song everyone said below. Enjoy.
I cried when John Denver cried. I grew up listening to him because my parents were huge fans and listened to him all the time.As I grew I continued to listen to him and when I had children I shared his music with them. John Denver died much too soon. The world lost a gentle soul when that plane went down.
“The Wings That Fly Us Home” is not maybe as well known as some of his others, but it is one that will touch your very soul. He sings this with his heart.❤
John Denver has always been on of my favs, when I want to listen to calming, down to earth music. His voice was so unique and as you stated he was an amazing song writer. It was such a loss when he had the accident and was taken from us.
Y'all said it - it used to be lyrics and melody first. An on-key voice was essential, but it came after in importance. "Rocky Mountain High" is my personal favorite, as I backpacked in the Rockies in my youth, once rebuilding CCC bridges by hand (felling trees, stripping them, building the bridge with no power tools). We caught trout in mountain streams, fried them over a campfire; that trip is the most beloved memory in my life, and that song is the soundtrack of that memory. However, even if you've never been to the Rockies (or any mountains), the song will still give you the essence of that experience. It's like "Country Roads" - it just sweeps you away into what the song is about.
This song was an anthem for foreign exchange students when I spent a year in Portugal back in 1980. It was pertinent both leaving the USA and returning. I don’t know if the students still sing it but we all did back then.
I saw John Denver in concert around 1988 or 1989 in La Crosse, WI. I have to say the concert was very moving, like it reached my soul throughout the concert. It still is, to this day, the best concert I have ever been to. My favorite songs are "Rocky Mountain High" and "Annie's Song." I'm sad I will never be able to see him again. 😒
He also has a LIVE version of this with Mama Cass of the Mama's & Papa's - He left on a plane & the plane crashed & we lost another artist!! This came out first by the Top Folk group of the 60's- Peter, Paul & Mary!!! A national treasure of the music of a whole generation!!
I loved John Denver's voice and his guitar playing and his lyrics. He died way too soon. Another great version is the one done by Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Seb, you're experience life as you go thru it and sometimes something that didn't make sense to you or impact you at one point can impact you later when you learn and experience things! As a self-proclaimed John Denver expert (he's my absolute favorite), he usually did "Jet Plane" in a medley. 2 good ones was "The Wildlife Concert" paired with "Goodbye Again" and in the concert albu "An Evening with John Denver" (my favorite concert album), he pairs "Jet Plane" with "Follow Me" (a top 5 song for me). John does a duet of "Jet Plane" with Cass Elliott of The Mamas and The Papas. My top 3 favorite songs of John is "Poems, Prayers, and Promises," "Shanghai Breezes," and "This Old Guitar" (all songs John wrote)! Peter, Paul, and Mary did this song and it went #1 in 1967. You just listened to John's debut album and he changes how he sings slightly but it's the same melody. If you follow me on IG, I can easily tell you a lot about John Denver and other singer/songwriters!
I saw John live in 1974 and again a year or two later. His concerts were memorable not only for the fine performances, but for his warm interaction with his audience and his humor. His band was always tight and looked like they were all just having the time of their lives on stage. I also saw Peter, Paul and Mary a time or two in the 80s, and so heard this song live by them as well. It's a classic, from one of America's best singer-songwriters. He is missed very much.
I love John Denver, and his music always has a message within it. As a subscriber, may I please suggest the song "The Wings that Fly Us Home" from his Spirit album/cd. It is a song that's rarely reacted to, but I think you would really like it. Incidentally, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" is a Mormon missionary goodbye song. The missionaries I have met have said that they would sometimes gather together and sing this as a farewell song. Especially if their girlfriends were present.
SO many GREAT songs from the awesome John Denver. Yes, Rocky Mountain High is a must. Suggest a live performance from the Wildlife Concert. He is BETTER live. Also, Annie's Song. And one that is really great, Amazon from the Wildlife Concert is far less known, but so special! Poems Prayers And Promises Bet On The Blues Way too many to list. There is not a bad one! Saw him live twice...so blessed!
It was performed by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1969. I’ve always been a big fan of John Denvers. However, the version I originally heard when I was eight years old was by Peter, Paul and Mary.
This was playing on the radio as my very pregnant wife and I approached the airport for my flight to Germany in '71. I was whistling along and did not notice her tears at first (typical male). I would not be able to see her for several months, until well after our daughter was born.
When Armageddon came out in the late 90s, most of the adults watching knew this song from John Denver or Peter, Paul, and Mary, or one of the many artists who covered it. It's interesting now that people know the movie but not the song. He died not long before the movie came out.
Love this song. One of my teachers in Jr High performed it at the Teacher/Student Talent Contest in 1967. The song always made me sad and made me think of a young man going off to fight in Viet Nam.
This takes me back many decades. My parents played John Denver back in the 70s 80s. Always loved Grandmas Feather Bed as a kid. And the Some Days Are Diamonds album released in 1981. Loved the title track also Gravel on the Ground.
The popular version was Peter, Paul, and Mary, so that's probably the version that you heard in the movie. There is also a live TV video of him singing it with Cass Elliot.
The version with Mama Cass is also great and is live. If you want a good love song most people would recommend his Annie's song but my favourite is his 'For You' from his Wildlife concert which I think is better.
I saw John live a few times. The last time was an outdoor show and there was a sun shower mid show, while he was doing this song, such a warm and magical moment. Thanks for memory… Fun reaction and review. R.I.P. John Denver 👊🏻
Another song in this vein is Glen Campbell's "By the time I get to Phoenix". 🙂 And John Denver was ahead of his time, one of the early environmentalists. He was friends with French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, and was very much concerned about how the mountains and other areas of great natural beauty were being treated by people -- and that was back in the 1980s!
I really like John Denver’s music, I think he’s underrated by a lot of people. I am asking if you both would check out “The price of freedom “ for Memorial Day
We had some good melodies back in the old days. John Denver's version was not really the famous version of the song. That was done by Peter, Paul, and Mary, and it boosted their career a fair bit too, hitting #1. If you don't know them, they also did "Puff the Magic Dragon." A beautiful song that John sang as a duet was "Fly Away," with Olivia Newton-John. IIRC, it started to hit with just John singing, and then it was re-released as a duet and went higher.
You have to listen to Annie’s Song,,,, so beautiful. He had an argument with her and said he went walking and wrote the song in like 30 minutes. He came back and sang it to her .
On his "The Wildlife Concert" double album he does this song combined with another of his great songs "Goodbye Again". By the way, "The Wildlife Concert" was a television or PBS special. You should get his songs from those videos since you like live so much. His live versions are as pure as his studio ones.
ANNIE’S SONG! John Denver is my all-time favorite artist. I bought my very first cassette tape and it was John Denver‘s greatest hits volume two with my own money. I was disappointed when I read the song list because there was one of my favorite songs that appeared to not be on there. But when I put the tape in the first song that I heard was Annie’s song, and I realized that it was my favorite song. He wrote it in 10 mins in his head while on a ski lift, thinking about the love he has for his wife. Listen with yours…
John Denver is what this earth needs now...he was an environmentalist then and cared so much about this planet...if I may suggest one that is quite moving...he wrote a song about the Challenger disaster..."they were flying for me"...I'm sure it will move you
This must be a real early version. Sounds so much better live. Saw him three times live in concert at different times of his career. Always put on a great show. Awesome singer, just as good of a storyteller and all around entertainer. Was one of those lucky few that Johnny Carson invited to guest host The Tonight Show multiple times.
FYI, Take Me Home, Country Roads was mostly written by West Virginians Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert (later known as The Starlight Vocal Band, their hit song was Afternoon Delight), check out the credits. John helped Bill and Taffy finish Country Roads. If I remember correctly it was the bridge part "I hear her voice" and helped worked out the harmonies, and of course some guitar playing. Bill and Taffy wanted to pitch Country Roads to Johnny Cash, but John ended up cutting it, and the rest is history! John's band at the time was phenomenal acoustic guitar player Mike Taylor who played the iconic licks in Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High and others during that era. Also another phenomenal musician Dick Kniss on bass. Country Roads is one of the most iconic best known and beloved songs on the entire earth, still to this day after 3 decades of John playing concerts across the world. What an incredible exclusive club that is! John's manager Hal Thau is quoted to say... "what Frank Sinatra was to the 40's, Elvis was to the 50's, the Beatles were to the 60's... John was to the 70's"! That's quite an accomplishment! At one time John was in the top 5 of All Time Selling Artist with those artist just mentioned, but even more so internationally. John wrote songs from the heart. In doing so, he wrote about and for each and every one of us, since we all experience the same things emotionally at one time or another. John would regularly recite during his concerts.... "No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves... we are the same.” - John Denver What most people don't realize is that John's songs about nature drew us back to where we belong as human beings. We're suppose to be connected to nature. When we're connected to nature, we are healthier physically, mentally and most importantly... spiritually. When we are disconnected, we are lost, and in chaos. This is likely the reason why John was not favored by many music industry critics during the time of "drugs, sex and rock-n-roll". In the market scheme of things of that era, it was not profitable selling nature and love vs "drugs, sex and rock-n-roll". However, John's music and fan base broke through that barrier despite his harsh critics. Just goes to proves how much control the mainstream music industry has on artist and their music. For those who can appreciate the depth of talent and skill to write songs, play an instrument, sing, perform, entertain, as well as with his philanthropy; John was the ultimate master of his craft, and is dearly missed. One can only imagine the music he would have created if he hadn't left this earth so soon. 🎵❤️🎶❤️🎵❤️
Denver said the song was directly inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's 'Early Morning Rain.' He deeply admired Lightfoot, as did Bob Dylan who was in awe of Lightfoot. Also, Denver's voice is amazing, the vocal control and tone are sublime and filled with emotion and difficult note changes. You don't have to scream out a song in order to create emotion in the listener. Check out Lightfoot at some point.
As mentioned a few times already John's duet with (Momma) Cass Elliott is just amazing! Slightly more up tempo then this solo release. And Cass' voice just adds so much since she had just released her version on her latest album. But yeah...after his death this song, with him singing (any version), was on just about any/all radios stations. Even the hard Rock ones...because of the tremendous impact he had on the musical industry.
For many years I had my own software company and traveled pretty much twice a month. This was a song I'd sing for my wife when I had to leave. I just love John Denver!
If you're starting this journey, it will take a while. I think he had 33 studio albums and 8 live albums. He was in two movies and made two Christmas specials on TV with the Muppets.
There are so, so, so many John Denver songs I love. Thank God I’m a Country Boy is probably one of my favorites. Whenever I heard it I’d sing along at the top of my lungs and change boy to girl. Country Roads was another favorite.
John and Mama Cass Elliott dueted this song on TV show "Midnight Special". It's an awesome version. It's her song. John was also on the shortlist to be aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger, he wrote a brilliant tribute to the crew members called "Flying For Me". You might enjoy that one also. Thanks. 🖖
Before most folks knew John Denver as a singer, Jet Plane was made famous by Folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Sebs, you should check their version, too.
P. P & Mary were my first experience of this classic. I still love their harmonies and Mary's warm alto voice. Played their album over and over. Another musical time machine to my much younger years.
Thanks. I was like "wait a minute..."
Yes please! That would be a great reaction.
Peter, Paul & Mary are GREAT, so many great songs and amazing harmonies, and not nearly enough people do reactions to their music! There are some great, quality live (black & white) video performances from BBC TV 👍
that's the version I like.
"Annie's Song" the ultimate love song.
I was just about to comment the same thing!
My vote would be For You as best love song.
Indeed
My favorite John song, agree with all of you! Peace from Northern Michigan.
Annie’s song is a definite must for your reaction.
My favorite John Denver song is "Calypso". It's a tribute to Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his research ship, the Calypso.
I'll second that.
I'd add "The Wings That Fly Us Home"
Love Calypso! Loved Jacque Cousteau…😢😊
@@wallyran also a good one. 👍
I first listened to Calypso in 1975 when I bought John's "Windsong" LP. To this day, it's beauty still gives me chills.
Great song!!! Ranks up their with The Eagle and the Dove.
@@hippiemama52 Awesome album!
John Denver wrote this song in 1966 when he was just 23 years old. What a genius.
Irony. He did leave us on a plane. Such a sad memory for those of us who remember that day
Not a Jet though.
Never put that together, good catch.
There is a video of him singing this with Cass Elliott from the Mama's and Papa's
Yes! It’s very wonderful. Definitely worth a listen!
Yes, yes
🔥
Took the words to right outta my mouth!!!!
performed live from The Midnight Special! Awesome version.
Rocky Mountain High and Annie’s Song were two of his biggest hits.
Thank God I'm A Country Boy is underrated in regards to the lyrics. I think it's wonderfully written and can transport you to that way of life in your imagination.
That song was written by John Martin Sommers not John Denver.
@@hankhank5370 never said it was written by John Denver.
@@robertmooney571 I am sorry, I guess that I could have made this comment somewhere else in this thread. I was not really addressing you in this comment, rather I thought that since you mentioned "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" it would be a good place to highlight to everyone that this great song was not written by John Denver.
@@hankhank5370 No problem sir, have a blessed day!
This song hit deeply to kids who were drafted and going to Vietnam and their message to their girlfriends and fiancés and wives.
The Peter Paul and Mary version was thought to be about a soldier going away to war song, but Denver's version gives a better sense about a singer going on the road.
He’s actually one of those performers who sounds even better live.
This is an earlier version of him singing this song.. over the years he changed it up quite a bit. If you watch some of the TV specials he did later in life, you'll hear how his singing matured and he changes the way he sings a lot of his songs.
Yes.. some fun live versions.. I like the one with Cass Elliott.. the focus being "get out the vote for young people"... pretty relevant these days (well, as always)....
Yes, the melody of the chorus was very different than I'd heard him sing in the later versions.
Annie's Song and Sunshine on my Shoulder are two of my favorite John Denver songs. Love that you love his songs
AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Denver was popular when I was young. There are lots of songs to choose from including: "Annie's Song", "Sunshine", "Back Home Again", "Matthew", "Poems & Prayers & Promises", "Rhymes & Reasons", "I'm Sorry", and of course "Rocky Mountain High". Have fun as you continue to discover John Denver's music!!
One of the most beautiful songs ever written was his Annie’s Song. It’s definitely a must.
John Denver was a brilliant singer/songwriter. Thanks for this reaction.
💯💯💯
This song is a masterpiece,but my favorite version is him and Cass Elliot singing together! Heaven!
You've only just begun to scratch the surface of John Denver. He has a very extensive catalog of songs. I've been a fan of his forever. Don't think he's ever written a bad song ! Can't wait to hear more of your selections.
Although it was written about a musician leaving on a tour, my generation will forever link this song with Vietnam.
*Everybody* loves John Denver... how could anybody *NOT* love John Denver? His music just makes you feel good! 👍😁
You should definitely listen to "Rocky Mountain High". Not only is it a beautiful song beautifully performed but the lyrics are amazing.
That's an early recording. His voice and recording style matured from folksy to more refined. There was a 6 - or 7-year span in the 70s, of him being the most liked person/entertainer in America for sure, and maybe the world. Actor, singer, ecologist,
Any time you can see a live John Denver performance, choose that over studio versions. You see the musicality and he gives more of his phenomenal voice and guitar skills live.
My heart broke when he died. His music has been with me mt whole adult life and saw him twice in concert. His voice only got stronger as he got older.
I always new this song as a Peter, Paul and Mary song. It wasn’t till recently that I realized it was written by John Denver. There is also a great video of John Denver singing it as a duet with Mama Cass Elliott from the Mamas and the Papas … definitely worth viewing.
He sings this one with Cass Elliott and it’s so great! He never has a bad song. 😊
John and Placido Domingo doing "Perhaps Love" is amazing, beautiful lyrics and voices
I 2nd this motion, absolutely.
There's also a version on RUclips where he is singing this song with Mama Cass.
I will always remember this song. I had traveled to Australia to see my then fiancee. I tried to keep it together because it would be another 7 months before I returned to her for good. The plane stopped Fiji for a few hours. As I boarded the plane the Fijian band began to play this song. I lost it
LOVE John Denver. He's a big chunk of my Spotify. My favs: Annie's Song (watch it with the wife); Calypso; Starwood in Aspen; Rhymes and Reasons. He was an activist (testified before Congress to create the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge), Singer/Songwriter, actor (you should check out the "God" movies); and accomplished pilot. His father was Air Force so he was a military brat who lived a lot of places, and got into flying. Unfortunately, he was probably a little overconfident in his latest plane and a series of events led to him crashing it. It was so sad to lose him. He is quite loved here in Alaska, where he has friends and visited many times. He was filming a documentary at the time of his death called "John Denver: Let This Be A Voice." You can find it online
This song becomes even more meaningful when you realize it's about a soldier heading to war in Vietnam. He's saying what could be his last goodbye to his significant other.
John Denver is one of the best songwriters of the twentieth century
"Peter, Paul and Mary" had a massive hit covering this song in the mid-60s. They were very well known in the Folk song era, they were wonderful. John Denver was a massive star in his day, he won every music award, hosted every award show, he even guest hosted The Tonight Show a few times and made a couple very popular movies in his day. He was literally every in the media all through the 70s and everybody back then loved him. He was 'The Bomb" as they said back in the day.
This is my favorite John Denver song. Just beautiful
Rocky Mountain High is a masterpiece
Peter, Paul, and Mary and the Mamas and Papas sang this song in the mid to late ‘60s. It became a huge hit because it was considered an anti-Vietnam War song and was extremely popular with the “peacenicks” and “hippies”. John’s later version was about a lover leaving on a jet plane more than why the lover was leaving on a jet plane.
Why makes this song even more powerful. The line “I don’t know when I’ll be back again” gains more meaning with why.
John is my go to when I’m crazed, anxious, nervous. I just say play John Denver, close my eyes and chill. A poet, a charming singer. I went to more of his concerts than anyone else. I suggest pretty much every song everyone said below. Enjoy.
I cried when John Denver cried. I grew up listening to him because my parents were huge fans and listened to him all the time.As I grew I continued to listen to him and when I had children I shared his music with them. John Denver died much too soon. The world lost a gentle soul when that plane went down.
“The Wings That Fly Us Home” is not maybe as well known as some of his others, but it is one that will touch your very soul. He sings this with his heart.❤
Yes
One of my favorites by John Denver is "The Eagle and the Hawk". Probably too short for review but think you'd enjoy it.
Yes! They need to hear the live version from the live album.
My favorite by far
John Denver has always been on of my favs, when I want to listen to calming, down to earth music. His voice was so unique and as you stated he was an amazing song writer. It was such a loss when he had the accident and was taken from us.
Y'all said it - it used to be lyrics and melody first. An on-key voice was essential, but it came after in importance. "Rocky Mountain High" is my personal favorite, as I backpacked in the Rockies in my youth, once rebuilding CCC bridges by hand (felling trees, stripping them, building the bridge with no power tools). We caught trout in mountain streams, fried them over a campfire; that trip is the most beloved memory in my life, and that song is the soundtrack of that memory. However, even if you've never been to the Rockies (or any mountains), the song will still give you the essence of that experience. It's like "Country Roads" - it just sweeps you away into what the song is about.
Poems prayers and promises is my favorite John Denver song
This song was an anthem for foreign exchange students when I spent a year in Portugal back in 1980. It was pertinent both leaving the USA and returning. I don’t know if the students still sing it but we all did back then.
I saw John Denver in concert around 1988 or 1989 in La Crosse, WI. I have to say the concert was very moving, like it reached my soul throughout the concert. It still is, to this day, the best concert I have ever been to. My favorite songs are "Rocky Mountain High" and "Annie's Song." I'm sad I will never be able to see him again. 😒
He also has a LIVE version of this with Mama Cass of the Mama's & Papa's - He left on a plane & the plane crashed & we lost another artist!! This came out first by the Top Folk group of the 60's- Peter, Paul & Mary!!! A national treasure of the music of a whole generation!!
John's Annie's song is a country ballad that is beautiful!!! Written for his wife.
I cover several John Denver songs both by myself and with my friend in duet format. But my favorite JD song is "Poems, Prayers And Promises".
I loved John Denver's voice and his guitar playing and his lyrics. He died way too soon. Another great version is the one done by Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Seb, you're experience life as you go thru it and sometimes something that didn't make sense to you or impact you at one point can impact you later when you learn and experience things! As a self-proclaimed John Denver expert (he's my absolute favorite), he usually did "Jet Plane" in a medley. 2 good ones was "The Wildlife Concert" paired with "Goodbye Again" and in the concert albu "An Evening with John Denver" (my favorite concert album), he pairs "Jet Plane" with "Follow Me" (a top 5 song for me). John does a duet of "Jet Plane" with Cass Elliott of The Mamas and The Papas. My top 3 favorite songs of John is "Poems, Prayers, and Promises," "Shanghai Breezes," and "This Old Guitar" (all songs John wrote)! Peter, Paul, and Mary did this song and it went #1 in 1967. You just listened to John's debut album and he changes how he sings slightly but it's the same melody. If you follow me on IG, I can easily tell you a lot about John Denver and other singer/songwriters!
I saw John live in 1974 and again a year or two later. His concerts were memorable not only for the fine performances, but for his warm interaction with his audience and his humor. His band was always tight and looked like they were all just having the time of their lives on stage. I also saw Peter, Paul and Mary a time or two in the 80s, and so heard this song live by them as well. It's a classic, from one of America's best singer-songwriters. He is missed very much.
I love John Denver, and his music always has a message within it. As a subscriber, may I please suggest the song "The Wings that Fly Us Home" from his Spirit album/cd. It is a song that's rarely reacted to, but I think you would really like it. Incidentally, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" is a Mormon missionary goodbye song. The missionaries I have met have said that they would sometimes gather together and sing this as a farewell song. Especially if their girlfriends were present.
SO many GREAT songs from the awesome John Denver.
Yes, Rocky Mountain High is a must.
Suggest a live performance from the Wildlife Concert. He is BETTER live.
Also, Annie's Song.
And one that is really great, Amazon from the Wildlife Concert is far less known, but so special!
Poems Prayers And Promises
Bet On The Blues
Way too many to list.
There is not a bad one!
Saw him live twice...so blessed!
It was performed by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1969. I’ve always been a big fan of John Denvers. However, the version I originally heard when I was eight years old was by Peter, Paul and Mary.
"Poems, Peayers, and Promises", his lyrics captured my heart
This was playing on the radio as my very pregnant wife and I approached the airport for my flight to Germany in '71. I was whistling along and did not notice her tears at first (typical male). I would not be able to see her for several months, until well after our daughter was born.
I miss John Denver and my old friend Pete Huttlinger who played guitar in his band.
If you can, find the live version of this when he sings with Cass Elliot.
Annie’s Song I’ve always got the feeling of pure and deep love from the lyrics and music of this song. Please listen
When Armageddon came out in the late 90s, most of the adults watching knew this song from John Denver or Peter, Paul, and Mary, or one of the many artists who covered it. It's interesting now that people know the movie but not the song. He died not long before the movie came out.
Love this song. One of my teachers in Jr High performed it at the Teacher/Student Talent Contest in 1967. The song always made me sad and made me think of a young man going off to fight in Viet Nam.
This takes me back many decades. My parents played John Denver back in the 70s 80s. Always loved Grandmas Feather Bed as a kid. And the Some Days Are Diamonds album released in 1981. Loved the title track also Gravel on the Ground.
"Perhaps Love", John Denver's duet with Placido Domingo is sublime.
The popular version was Peter, Paul, and Mary, so that's probably the version that you heard in the movie. There is also a live TV video of him singing it with Cass Elliot.
The version with Mama Cass is also great and is live. If you want a good love song most people would recommend his Annie's song but my favourite is his 'For You' from his Wildlife concert which I think is better.
I saw John live a few times. The last time was an outdoor show and there was a sun shower mid show, while he was doing this song, such a warm and magical moment. Thanks for memory… Fun reaction and review.
R.I.P. John Denver
👊🏻
Another song in this vein is Glen Campbell's "By the time I get to Phoenix". 🙂 And John Denver was ahead of his time, one of the early environmentalists. He was friends with French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, and was very much concerned about how the mountains and other areas of great natural beauty were being treated by people -- and that was back in the 1980s!
John Denver wrote this song in 1966 while waiting in an airport. Joan Baez also did a cover of this song.
I really like John Denver’s music, I think he’s underrated by a lot of people. I am asking if you both would check out “The price of freedom “ for Memorial Day
We had some good melodies back in the old days. John Denver's version was not really the famous version of the song. That was done by Peter, Paul, and Mary, and it boosted their career a fair bit too, hitting #1. If you don't know them, they also did "Puff the Magic Dragon."
A beautiful song that John sang as a duet was "Fly Away," with Olivia Newton-John. IIRC, it started to hit with just John singing, and then it was re-released as a duet and went higher.
“Matthew”, “Wild Flowers In A Mason Jar”, “Some Days Are Diamonds”, “Calypso”
He can act too, Sebs. Just for yourself you should watch "Oh, God". John Denver and Teri Garr with George Burns in the title role. Just a fun movie.
You have to listen to Annie’s Song,,,, so beautiful. He had an argument with her and said he went walking and wrote the song in like 30 minutes. He came back and sang it to her .
If you do Rocky Mountain High, please do the studio version . Otherwise you’ll miss all the amazing harmonies. You guys rock!
John was also a pilot, he loved flying his own planes
and died while doing that...
I liked both movies. I love John Denver!
On his "The Wildlife Concert" double album he does this song combined with another of his great songs "Goodbye Again". By the way, "The Wildlife Concert" was a television or PBS special. You should get his songs from those videos since you like live so much. His live versions are as pure as his studio ones.
ANNIE’S SONG! John Denver is my all-time favorite artist. I bought my very first cassette tape and it was John Denver‘s greatest hits volume two with my own money. I was disappointed when I read the song list because there was one of my favorite songs that appeared to not be on there. But when I put the tape in the first song that I heard was Annie’s song, and I realized that it was my favorite song. He wrote it in 10 mins in his head while on a ski lift, thinking about the love he has for his wife. Listen with yours…
John Denver is what this earth needs now...he was an environmentalist then and cared so much about this planet...if I may suggest one that is quite moving...he wrote a song about the Challenger disaster..."they were flying for me"...I'm sure it will move you
It was originally recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary in the 1960's
This must be a real early version. Sounds so much better live. Saw him three times live in concert at different times of his career. Always put on a great show. Awesome singer, just as good of a storyteller and all around entertainer. Was one of those lucky few that Johnny Carson invited to guest host The Tonight Show multiple times.
FYI, Take Me Home, Country Roads was mostly written by West Virginians Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert (later known as The Starlight Vocal Band, their hit song was Afternoon Delight), check out the credits. John helped Bill and Taffy finish Country Roads. If I remember correctly it was the bridge part "I hear her voice" and helped worked out the harmonies, and of course some guitar playing. Bill and Taffy wanted to pitch Country Roads to Johnny Cash, but John ended up cutting it, and the rest is history!
John's band at the time was phenomenal acoustic guitar player Mike Taylor who played the iconic licks in Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High and others during that era. Also another phenomenal musician Dick Kniss on bass.
Country Roads is one of the most iconic best known and beloved songs on the entire earth, still to this day after 3 decades of John playing concerts across the world. What an incredible exclusive club that is!
John's manager Hal Thau is quoted to say... "what Frank Sinatra was to the 40's, Elvis was to the 50's, the Beatles were to the 60's... John was to the 70's"! That's quite an accomplishment!
At one time John was in the top 5 of All Time Selling Artist with those artist just mentioned, but even more so internationally.
John wrote songs from the heart. In doing so, he wrote about and for each and every one of us, since we all experience the same things emotionally at one time or another. John would regularly recite during his concerts....
"No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves... we are the same.” - John Denver
What most people don't realize is that John's songs about nature drew us back to where we belong as human beings. We're suppose to be connected to nature. When we're connected to nature, we are healthier physically, mentally and most importantly... spiritually. When we are disconnected, we are lost, and in chaos. This is likely the reason why John was not favored by many music industry critics during the time of "drugs, sex and rock-n-roll". In the market scheme of things of that era, it was not profitable selling nature and love vs "drugs, sex and rock-n-roll". However, John's music and fan base broke through that barrier despite his harsh critics. Just goes to proves how much control the mainstream music industry has on artist and their music.
For those who can appreciate the depth of talent and skill to write songs, play an instrument, sing, perform, entertain, as well as with his philanthropy; John was the ultimate master of his craft, and is dearly missed. One can only imagine the music he would have created if he hadn't left this earth so soon. 🎵❤️🎶❤️🎵❤️
I always think about what was happening in the world when he wrote this. Im 24 yr vet and my father served in Vietnam, thats what i apply to this song
Rocky Mountain High, Annie's Song, Sunshine On My Shoulders, Calypso, Thank God I'm A Country Boy are just a few of his great hits. Love John Denver.
John DENVER was the 1st concert I ever went to in the 70s. Check out "Annie's Song" and "Rocky Mountain High."
Mamas & the papas recorded this and so did Peter, Paul, and Mary
I saw John Denver in concert back in 1970something and he was great!
Denver said the song was directly inspired by Gordon Lightfoot's 'Early Morning Rain.' He deeply admired Lightfoot, as did Bob Dylan who was in awe of Lightfoot. Also, Denver's voice is amazing, the vocal control and tone are sublime and filled with emotion and difficult note changes. You don't have to scream out a song in order to create emotion in the listener. Check out Lightfoot at some point.
Sebs you need to listen to John Denvers Back Home Again
Its beautiful , you will cry ❤️
Oh man, just you mentioning that song brought tears to my eyes. Reminds me of home.
You have to check out Rocky Mountain High! My favorite John Denver song!
Definitely check out Rocky Mountain High. It's his best in my opinion. Calypso and Annie's Song are also awesome.
As mentioned a few times already John's duet with (Momma) Cass Elliott is just amazing!
Slightly more up tempo then this solo release. And Cass' voice just adds so much since she had just released her version on her latest album.
But yeah...after his death this song, with him singing (any version), was on just about any/all radios stations. Even the hard Rock ones...because of the tremendous impact he had on the musical industry.
I believe the guy in the song is going to Vietnam. That’s why he says he doesn’t know if he’ll be back again.❤
For many years I had my own software company and traveled pretty much twice a month. This was a song I'd sing for my wife when I had to leave. I just love John Denver!
John Denver songs always make me feel good. Even the sad ones! lol I was so bummed out the day he died. What a shock 😞
I think you two would love John Denver's "For You."
Peter Paul & Mary own this song though - And they are worth checking out on their own!!
If you're starting this journey, it will take a while. I think he had 33 studio albums and 8 live albums. He was in two movies and made two Christmas specials on TV with the Muppets.
There are so, so, so many John Denver songs I love. Thank God I’m a Country Boy is probably one of my favorites. Whenever I heard it I’d sing along at the top of my lungs and change boy to girl. Country Roads was another favorite.
John and Mama Cass Elliott dueted this song on TV show "Midnight Special". It's an awesome version. It's her song.
John was also on the shortlist to be aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger, he wrote a brilliant tribute to the crew members called "Flying For Me". You might enjoy that one also.
Thanks. 🖖
Mama Cass was joking about it being “her song”.
@@aletmartins6940 really ? That's nuts 😀