I once met Mr. Denver briefly while working the load out for a show he performed back in the mid 90s, and all I have to say is if you think he seemed like a good person through listening to his music - well, he was quite possibly the most genuine, humble and kind human I've ever met. As he was leaving after the show, he personally thanked all of us for our hard work and handed each of us a tour shirt from a pile he had in his arms. He had the kindest eyes - ones that saw into your heart. RIP Mr. Denver.
Calypso was inspired by French oceanographer/marine biologist Jacques Cousteau's ship, called Calypso. Which in turn was named for Calypso in Greek mythology..
Denver was a passionate environmentalist. He went out with the amazing Cousteau on one of his trips. That tour became a documentary. I saw it many years ago on TV. Denver didn’t make a cent from “Calypso”. All the proceeds go to charities to help maintain the world’s oceans. And Cousteau? Wasn’t just an “oceanographer”. He was one of the inventors of the product that permanently altered ocean exploration: the apparatus that was trademarked as AQUALUNG-commonly known as SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). SCUBA is so ubiquitous these days, that its hard to realize that it wasn’t very long ago that underwater exploration was virtually impossible. Cousteau and his team changed all that forever. RIP Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 1910-1997. RIP John. Denver, 1943-1997.
The man who became John Denver graduated high school in Ft Worth, Texas- about as far away from the mountains as possible. I think he found his heart’s home when he went to Colorado and changed his name to Denver. Give Rocky Mountain High a listen.
John Denver was a service brat. His father was an Air Force pilot. He was born in Roswell New Mexico. But he lived all over the country. Arizona, Alabama, Texas, California and Colorado. But the fact is even though this became one of West Virginia's state songs John Denver had never been to the state before he wrote the song.
@@nikolatesla5553 true- he hadn’t been to West Virginia before recording the song. My understanding is that he wrote the bridge and asked for the song from the songwriters. They intended Johnny cash to sing it originally.
I relate. I grew up in Michigan and never felt at home. Moved to the mountains of NC in my 47th year and found my home and my group of like-minded friends.
John Denver’s name was read out as Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. when we graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth. (He charged his name to John Denver when he found his “soul home” in Colorado.) I didn’t know him real well, but when he hit the bigtime, I was incredibly proud to have known him (and I might have mentioned that to a few folks over the years. 😉 ) He became one of my very favorite musicians. I will always remember how devastated I was when I heard about his death. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, if you can understand the lyrics, “Country Roads” is going to cause instant, incredible sad-sweet nostalgia and longing for the place(s) where your heart has been happiest that really felt like home and the people you have loved most, especially those you have lost. The sadness I feel is thinking of how peaceful I felt then and how much I miss the place and the loved ones and friends. My sadness comes not only from nostalgia for that place and time but also for from thinking of how much I have lost being away from it/them through the passage of time. There is a German word, gemütlichkeit, that doesn’t translate well into English. It is one of my favorite words, simultaneously conveying the ideas of a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness, good cheer, relaxation, serenity, comfort, cosiness, peace of mind, a sense of belonging and well-being, a calming and filling of the soul, a feeling that you are or were where and with whom you were meant to be. “Country Roads” instantly fills me with that wonderful feeling of gemütlichkeit anytime I hear it. Just an FYI: when John became a major artist, he really didn’t fit into any particular musical genre. He wasn’t folk enough for the traditional folk music crowd, he tended to be disdained by CW fans because he didn’t really fit the country music mold, and he sure wasn’t rock. And yet those who heard his music loved it, and his fan base grew exponentially. He created his own genre: John Denver. It was only then that folk, country, easy listening, and even soft rock embraced him and proudly claimed him.
There were times, after my mother died, when I could cry each time, listening to this song, especially those lyrics !!! John Denver, another great artist, died too young.
He built a house in the mountains of Colorado and lived there for most of his life. He explored nature extensively: Canada on horseback, the ocean aboard the Calypso with Jacques Cousteau. John's song Starwood in Aspen was about his home in Colorado and is just beautiful--well worth a listen.
This song was originally intended for Johnny Cash. Husband and wife team, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert wrote the song initially. Taffy is the lady you hear in the background (Actually both Bill and Taffy are singing in the background). They met up with Denver and played the song for him. When he found out it was going to be sold to Johnny Cash, he insisted he wanted the song instead. The song still needed a bridge so, he helped them finish writing the song with a bridge and he recorded the song himself.
Yeah, and Bill and Taffy had never even been to West Virginia when they wrote it. I knew John Carroll later on (in the 90s) and met Bill at a club one night.
@Karalevsky Borzoi Actually, they do. The eastern border of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle is along the Blue Ridge, with the Shenandoah along the mountains' western feet.
Partially true, but there is more. This was written in Montgomery County Maryland when John Denver was with friends, Billy Danoff and Taffy Nivert, visiting the area for a family reunion. The "country road" sung about is Clopper road, no longer a country road years later like it was in 1970 when this was penned, and the road will take you to West Virginia. "West Virginia" fit into the song better than "Maryland", so now you know the rest is the story as Paul Harvey would say.
John was such a huge talent. His voice so pure. He did so many good songs beautiful songs and many big hits in the 70s. Sadly tragically taken from us far too soon. ♥️♥️🎼🎶🎶🇨🇦🇨🇦
It was devestating when he died….I grew up with family camp outs and bonfires, with family playing guitars, banjo, Jews harp, etc and we sang many of his songs.. Very much loved ❤️
This man had such a silky smooth voice. The Carpenters had several TV “Specials” in the 1970’s John Denver was always one of their guests. You will love “Annie’s Song”. 😊🌺✌️
I'm a Rocker who loves John Denver, and I suspect there are many more of us out there. This is an enjoyable song, but your next reactions for him should be one of these songs: "Rocky Mountain High" or "Annie's Song," which is one of the greatest love songs ever, or "Calypso," which was his fantastic tribute to the famed ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau and the intrepid crew of his ship The Calypso.
I’m a R&B and soul super fan, but love many genres of music. I am also a proud John Denver fan; his music was right there in my collection, along with James Brown, Motown, The O’Jays, etc. All that matters is that it calls to you.
John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico (a town now famous for UFO sightings). He changed his stage name to "John Denver" because someone told him that "Deutschendorf" wouldn't fit on a marquee. His first big song release was in 1969 with Peter, Paul, and Mary's "Leaving on a Jet Plane," but only as a songwriter. He later released his own version of it after he was more successful. In 1971, he released this song, and it went to #2 on the billboard charts. He followed it up with "Rocky Mountain High" -- which to me is a hymn -- along with his other hits "Sunshine on My Shoulder," "Annie's Song", "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy," and "I'm Sorry") leading to three #1 albums in a row. This man is a national treasure in the US, and there are very few people who dislike his music, here. Even people who aren't really country music fans acknowledge that John Denver's music is special.
Denver sang this in 1971. His voice was like a bell. His catchy lyrics and music were irresistible.. It was actually Colorado he impacted with his song, "Rocky Mountain High". The hippies flocked there in hordes, but the wealthy (especially Hollywood people) brought the snow skiing communities like Telluride, Colorado into great popularity.
I saw John Denver at a relatively small venue in the late '80s. It was just him and his guitar. I've never, before or since, seen a single person make so much beautiful music.
I take that as a no... 😥 I guess it's seen as obscure and not so well known to the masses, but it's got to be my all time favourite. It really hit me hard when I heard about his accident/passing all those years ago. I must admit that I'm more than just a little yealous that you got to see him live...
The venue where I saw John Denver was the Star Plaza Theater in Northwest Indiana, USA. Unfortunately, it was torn down a number f years ago. But while it was still around, I saw the Kinks, the Moody Blues, Hall and Oates, the Buckinghams…and many other acts there. I’m approaching 70 and grew up in Chicago, so was fortunate to see a lot of great acts: Crosby, Stills and Nash; Jethro Tull; Black Sabbath; Bachman Turner Overdrive; Slade; the Grass Roots; Tommy James and the Shondells; the Raspberries; Sha-Na-Na; Styx (of course)…I saw Alan Jackson when visiting Nashville and even saw Garth Brooks at one of his first appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.
This is John Denver's song And is the anthem of West Virginia Univ, home football and basketball games when they win the whole stadium sings along. One of the best college traditions in America
When this song came out in 71 I was part of a small Marine guard detachment at an ammunition depot on Oahu. It wasn't the tropical paradise people visualize when they think of Hawaii. Sugar cane on one side, scrub brush on two other sides and swamp on the fourth. Anyway, about half of the guard detachment, including myself, were short timers back from Vietnam waiting out our days until we were discharged. One of the other Marines, from West Virginia, had had a rough tour which had left him with a couple Purple Hearts, feet full of jungle rot, and nightmares most nights. He bought the "Poems, Prayers & Promises" album when it came out and played the Country Roads song constantly until everybody in the barracks knew the lyrics whether they wanted to or not. :-) In the decades since whenever I hear this I wonder if he found the peace and serenity promised in the song when he returned to West Virginia. I sincerely hope so.
The female voice is Taffy Nivert and her husband Bill Danoff is also on backing vocals. They're from the Starland Vocal Band. They were signed to John Denver's record label. The Starland Vocal Band had a big #1 hit with "Afternoon Delight."
I volunteer with our local high school for their marching band. As a chaperone on the bus, the kids were belting out this song and couldn't believe I was singing along.
You can not experience John Denver's songs until you experience America and it's vast landscape it's unlike anywhere on this earth. That's what he wrote about.
As a native West Virginian, this song has special meaning to me. I actually tear up whenever I hear it. John Denver was a hugely talented man who has a devoted following of fans, all this many years since his untimely death. "Calypso" is another very special John Denver song. I hope you will consider reacting to it. Thank you for the great reactions. I really enjoy your channel.
My people are from eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Everytime I hear this song I get teary eyed. My best memories from my youth is being there and exploring with my friends and cousins. Such a relaxed vibe there. Nobody checking their watches or clocks all the time. In the evenings we would sit on the porch swing and just tell stories and jokes. I so wish my kids could experience that.
Yes Harri, this is the power and clarity of John's voice and the way he paints pictures with a song. This is the very reason why he is my favorite musical artist of all time. RIP John, you are truly missed!
I grew up in WV and now live far away from that wonderful place. This song chokes me up every time I hear it. JD is not from WV but he is definitely an adopted son of the Mountain State and much loved. This song is played and sung by fans after every WVU home football and basketball victory. "Cue Country Roads" is a well known phrase in Morgantown, WV
i grew up as a rock and metalhead in the 60's and 70's and initially john denver did not do a lot for me at the time. but as a lot of things do he grew on me and now knowing he is not with us any more i tear up when i hear this song. he has gone home
John Denver was an accomplished pilot. He got his love of flying from his father who was a famous US Air Force test pilot. He died doing what he loved in a plane crash.
This is probably the most popular song in the world- people from every country know this song. I'm serious. Sometimes they know it by another artist- but they all know Country Roads!
Can anyone drive through beautiful West Virginia without this song going through their minds or even singing it?? John Denver was such a gift and so very talented!
I remember when I was a kid seeing him on "The Muppet Show" singing, "grandma's featherbed" while the puppets jumped up and down on a big bed. Such fun! 🤸🏾♀️
"Rocky mountain high" for your next John Denver, i could be wrong , i do believe this song Take me home is the theme song or the state song for W. Virginia *???*
It is often considered the West Virginia state song, but actually is not. "The West Virginia Hills" is the official state song. I grew up singing it as a child.
It is the unofficial theme song for all West Virginia University sports games. It is always played at the end of every sports game whether they have won or lost the game.
Leaving on a jet plane was written by John Denver in 1966 and made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967…FYI. Country Roads was my intro to John Denver back in 1971..I was 14 and it‘s still one of my favorite songs. Enjoy the Denver rabbit hole.
You will love West Virginia . I’m a Morgantown , WV native . After every West Virginia University “ American football “ home game when the Mountaineers win the entire crowd sings this song from start to finish all 67,500 fans get that stadium rocking !
His uncle was my principal in jr high. I am still friends with his cousins. His birth name is Deutschendorf. He's an awesome singer. Blessed to be friends with his family!
This is like the first song my son remembers. I sang it many many times when he was very young. He sang the "mountain mama" part every time. Old memories.
I love me Yellowman! His country roads is very nice. So glad you found John Denver. I enjoy seeing my favorites through the eyes of people just discovering them. Awesome reaction.
The great thing about John Denver was that his songs were always so descriptive and on a wide variety of subjects, not just love songs. Everything in the world excited him and it showed in his music. I particularly love the ones he wrote about family like Daniel, about his uncle, or Grandma's Feather Bed.
Great reaction. This was one of John's Top 5 all time biggest hits. Maybe even #1 , Rocky Mountain High , Annies Song , Sunshine On Shoulders are other big hits for John. Thanks for doing this great reaction. Please consider doing more reactions to other songs of his.
My mother's parents were both from WV, from families who have lived there since the late 1600s-early 1700s, and it is really beautiful there. If you go there as a tourist, there are some lovely national parks and state parks to visit, and kayaking on the river(s) is exhilarating, but best done with a local guide. It gets very snowy in winter, but summers are really nice there. I've always loved this song both because of its connection to my ancestral home and because of the moonshine bit of the song - my great grandfather actually went to prison for bootlegging moonshine in WV during prohibition. And John Denver was a favorite of mine from a very young age. I was a senior in university when he died in that plane crash, and I still remember that day like it was yesterday. RIP.
Agreed. I live in Maryland (which I love), but WV is one of my favorite get-aways. Very peaceful and beautiful. My friend has a place there nestled between two mountains with a river running by her place. It's perfect.
Sunshine on My Shoulders is another John Denver song I love. He had 33 albums and singles certified gold and platinum. He was one of the major voices of the 70s.
John not only liked nature, as he was like the figurehead for environmentalism in the 70s. He was a huge activist, with his music pulpit and love of the wilds. Nature and flying were his two big passions, besides his music.
John Denver was a bit hypocrite! He died on his private airplane, but he didn't want other people to fly or drive because he was an environmentalist wacko, as Rush Limbaugh said von numerous times.
Please do John Denver ANNIE SONG ! and THANK GOD IM A COUNTRY BOY...Live ! Note ,i think that shuffling sound was some pocket change they jingled when the song was recorded.
This song was primarily written, with their back-up singing, by the duo (later married couple) that formed the core of "Starland Vocal Band" of "Afternoon Delight" fame.
He was a co- wrighter of county roads, he was born in New Mexico, air force brat who lived all over the world, ending up in Aspen Colorado as an adult.
I loved John Denver as a teenager and eventually found the Shenandoah River in Virginia. The Smokey Mountains must be seen in the Fall and the River can be rafted and canoed in the summer. My best memories are there with my daughter and husband, roasting marshmallows on the open fire and canoing and touring the caverns. Hope you can experience this some day.
The female backup singer is Taffy Nivert of the Starland Vocal Band. You may have heard of their hit song, Afternoon Delight. In fact I believe she may have co-written the song with him.
it's great how Reggae adapts other genres and makes the song their own, yet accessible to the public and we all grow from it. it pulls us all together when Reggae artists do that, for many people who maybe didn't understand Reggae music at first, the they hear this familiar song and go "NOW I get it. Cool." Smart of Reggae artists to do this to become more relatable to other music preferences. I remember hearing this as a Reggae version.
John Denver was one of the biggest singer/songwriter stars of the 70's. He NEVER wrote negative songs, and he never wrote a song with minor keys, all major, and his voice was so perfect it was almost unreal. Great man and very much missed. Many many hits. "Annie's Song", "Sunshine on my Shoulders", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy", "Rocky Mountain High", "Leaving On A Jet Plane", "Calypso", "Back Home Again"
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This song makes me cry every time 😢
Yeah, me too. Can't sing the whole song without choking up😭
I'm from west virginia.. this song sings to my soul, a call home
Fellow West Virginian 👋
John's "Annies Song" is the most beautiful song you'll ever listen to.
One of the world's greatest love songs.
I agree i love annies song. Its so amazing
Instant "Water Fountain Tears"
I once met Mr. Denver briefly while working the load out for a show he performed back in the mid 90s, and all I have to say is if you think he seemed like a good person through listening to his music - well, he was quite possibly the most genuine, humble and kind human I've ever met. As he was leaving after the show, he personally thanked all of us for our hard work and handed each of us a tour shirt from a pile he had in his arms. He had the kindest eyes - ones that saw into your heart. RIP Mr. Denver.
He's got a great song called "Calypso" about a ship exploring aquatic life. Very moving song.
Calypso is AWESOME !
Calypso was inspired by French oceanographer/marine biologist Jacques Cousteau's ship, called Calypso. Which in turn was named for Calypso in Greek mythology..
Denver was a passionate environmentalist. He went out with the amazing Cousteau on one of his trips. That tour became a documentary. I saw it many years ago on TV. Denver didn’t make a cent from “Calypso”. All the proceeds go to charities to help maintain the world’s oceans. And Cousteau? Wasn’t just an “oceanographer”. He was one of the inventors of the product that permanently altered ocean exploration: the apparatus that was trademarked as AQUALUNG-commonly known as SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). SCUBA is so ubiquitous these days, that its hard to realize that it wasn’t very long ago that underwater exploration was virtually impossible. Cousteau and his team changed all that forever. RIP Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 1910-1997. RIP John. Denver, 1943-1997.
John Denver was just special.
The man who became John Denver graduated high school in Ft Worth, Texas- about as far away from the mountains as possible. I think he found his heart’s home when he went to Colorado and changed his name to Denver. Give Rocky Mountain High a listen.
John Denver was a service brat. His father was an Air Force pilot. He was born in Roswell New Mexico. But he lived all over the country. Arizona, Alabama, Texas, California and Colorado. But the fact is even though this became one of West Virginia's state songs John Denver had never been to the state before he wrote the song.
@@nikolatesla5553 true- he hadn’t been to West Virginia before recording the song. My understanding is that he wrote the bridge and asked for the song from the songwriters. They intended Johnny cash to sing it originally.
John graduated three years ahead of me from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth. We have a monument to him in front of the school.
@@nikolatesla5553 - nor had the two other people who wrote this song either; it was written by: Bill Danoff / John Denver / Taffy Nivert Danoff.
I relate. I grew up in Michigan and never felt at home. Moved to the mountains of NC in my 47th year and found my home and my group of like-minded friends.
John Denver’s name was read out as Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. when we graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth. (He charged his name to John Denver when he found his “soul home” in Colorado.) I didn’t know him real well, but when he hit the bigtime, I was incredibly proud to have known him (and I might have mentioned that to a few folks over the years. 😉 ) He became one of my very favorite musicians. I will always remember how devastated I was when I heard about his death.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, if you can understand the lyrics, “Country Roads” is going to cause instant, incredible sad-sweet nostalgia and longing for the place(s) where your heart has been happiest that really felt like home and the people you have loved most, especially those you have lost.
The sadness I feel is thinking of how peaceful I felt then and how much I miss the place and the loved ones and friends. My sadness comes not only from nostalgia for that place and time but also for from thinking of how much I have lost being away from it/them through the passage of time.
There is a German word, gemütlichkeit, that doesn’t translate well into English. It is one of my favorite words, simultaneously conveying the ideas of a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness, good cheer, relaxation, serenity, comfort, cosiness, peace of mind, a sense of belonging and well-being, a calming and filling of the soul, a feeling that you are or were where and with whom you were meant to be. “Country Roads” instantly fills me with that wonderful feeling of gemütlichkeit anytime I hear it.
Just an FYI: when John became a major artist, he really didn’t fit into any particular musical genre. He wasn’t folk enough for the traditional folk music crowd, he tended to be disdained by CW fans because he didn’t really fit the country music mold, and he sure wasn’t rock. And yet those who heard his music loved it, and his fan base grew exponentially. He created his own genre: John Denver. It was only then that folk, country, easy listening, and even soft rock embraced him and proudly claimed him.
There were times, after my mother died, when I could cry each time, listening to this song, especially those lyrics !!! John Denver, another great artist, died too young.
Annie’s Song and Sunshine on my shoulders 😊 also Fly Away with Olivia Newton John 👌🏼
He built a house in the mountains of Colorado and lived there for most of his life. He explored nature extensively: Canada on horseback, the ocean aboard the Calypso with Jacques Cousteau. John's song Starwood in Aspen was about his home in Colorado and is just beautiful--well worth a listen.
Starwood in Aspen, so under-recognised......."for I see here the shadows of changes". Love that line.
This song was originally intended for Johnny Cash. Husband and wife team, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert wrote the song initially. Taffy is the lady you hear in the background (Actually both Bill and Taffy are singing in the background). They met up with Denver and played the song for him. When he found out it was going to be sold to Johnny Cash, he insisted he wanted the song instead. The song still needed a bridge so, he helped them finish writing the song with a bridge and he recorded the song himself.
Yeah, and Bill and Taffy had never even been to West Virginia when they wrote it. I knew John Carroll later on (in the 90s) and met Bill at a club one night.
I never knew that.. that’s actually really neat!
@Karalevsky Borzoi Actually, they do. The eastern border of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle is along the Blue Ridge, with the Shenandoah along the mountains' western feet.
John Denver is the one
Partially true, but there is more. This was written in Montgomery County Maryland when John Denver was with friends, Billy Danoff and Taffy Nivert, visiting the area for a family reunion. The "country road" sung about is Clopper road, no longer a country road years later like it was in 1970 when this was penned, and the road will take you to West Virginia. "West Virginia" fit into the song better than "Maryland", so now you know the rest is the story as Paul Harvey would say.
John was such a huge talent. His voice so pure. He did so many good songs beautiful songs and many big hits in the 70s. Sadly tragically taken from us far too soon. ♥️♥️🎼🎶🎶🇨🇦🇨🇦
It was devestating when he died….I grew up with family camp outs and bonfires, with family playing guitars, banjo, Jews harp, etc and we sang many of his songs.. Very much loved ❤️
I live in WV and this is now one of our state songs! We love it!! Great reaction to a great song!
*Sunshine On My Shoulders* is my Fav. song by Denver.
This man had such a silky smooth voice. The Carpenters had several TV “Specials” in the 1970’s John Denver was always one of their guests. You will love “Annie’s Song”. 😊🌺✌️
I get such a good feeling when I listen to John Denver. This song takes me home....
I'm a Rocker who loves John Denver, and I suspect there are many more of us out there. This is an enjoyable song, but your next reactions for him should be one of these songs: "Rocky Mountain High" or "Annie's Song," which is one of the greatest love songs ever, or "Calypso," which was his fantastic tribute to the famed ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau and the intrepid crew of his ship The Calypso.
I appreciate your comment, sir. I agree with you. I think that any good music speaks to the heart of any human being.
I’m a R&B and soul super fan, but love many genres of music. I am also a proud John Denver fan; his music was right there in my collection, along with James Brown, Motown, The O’Jays, etc. All that matters is that it calls to you.
As Someone From West Virginia This is Basically Are National Anthem. Even Though The Song is About Western Part of Virginia. 😊
In my openion this is the most beautiful song he ever did.
Check out ‘Rocky Mountain High’, ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’, ‘Annie’s Song’, ‘Fly Away’, ‘Calypso’, ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’...
John Denver is great.... I consider him folk /country. His songs are very beautiful and pretty wholesome...... you don’t get a lot of that these days.
Poems, Prayers, and Promises.
This song was released in '71, so it's FIFTY years old.
John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico (a town now famous for UFO sightings). He changed his stage name to "John Denver" because someone told him that "Deutschendorf" wouldn't fit on a marquee. His first big song release was in 1969 with Peter, Paul, and Mary's "Leaving on a Jet Plane," but only as a songwriter. He later released his own version of it after he was more successful. In 1971, he released this song, and it went to #2 on the billboard charts. He followed it up with "Rocky Mountain High" -- which to me is a hymn -- along with his other hits "Sunshine on My Shoulder," "Annie's Song", "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy," and "I'm Sorry") leading to three #1 albums in a row.
This man is a national treasure in the US, and there are very few people who dislike his music, here. Even people who aren't really country music fans acknowledge that John Denver's music is special.
You should check out his song “Calypso” it was written in honor of Jacques Cousteau’s boat, my god it’s a gorgeous song, lol
Rocky Mountain High is another amazing song from him and it’s about the majestic Rockies here in my gorgeous home state of Colorado.
Rocky Mountain High still gets me misty eyed even after all these years.
Denver sang this in 1971. His voice was like a bell. His catchy lyrics and music were irresistible.. It was actually Colorado he impacted with his song, "Rocky Mountain High". The hippies flocked there in hordes, but the wealthy (especially Hollywood people) brought the snow skiing communities like Telluride, Colorado into great popularity.
I saw John Denver at a relatively small venue in the late '80s. It was just him and his guitar. I've never, before or since, seen a single person make so much beautiful music.
Please tell me he sang "This Old Guitar" - such a sweet little song about his beloved old guitar. Gets me every time.
@@blundin4165 It’s unfortunate that artists don’t get into deep cuts more at their concerts.
I take that as a no... 😥 I guess it's seen as obscure and not so well known to the masses, but it's got to be my all time favourite. It really hit me hard when I heard about his accident/passing all those years ago.
I must admit that I'm more than just a little yealous that you got to see him live...
The venue where I saw John Denver was the Star Plaza Theater in Northwest Indiana, USA. Unfortunately, it was torn down a number f years ago. But while it was still around, I saw the Kinks, the Moody Blues, Hall and Oates, the Buckinghams…and many other acts there. I’m approaching 70 and grew up in Chicago, so was fortunate to see a lot of great acts: Crosby, Stills and Nash; Jethro Tull; Black Sabbath; Bachman Turner Overdrive; Slade; the Grass Roots; Tommy James and the Shondells; the Raspberries; Sha-Na-Na; Styx (of course)…I saw Alan Jackson when visiting Nashville and even saw Garth Brooks at one of his first appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.
This is John Denver's song
And is the anthem of West Virginia Univ, home football and basketball games when they win the whole stadium sings along. One of the best college traditions in America
In March 2014, Country Roads became one of the four official state anthems of West Virginia.
It is my favorite John Denver song.
I am a WV mountain mama. We love our state, it truly is our moto. Almost heaven. We all know it!
I've heard about the license plates but also heard there's a native WV brand of beer by that name (Almost Heaven) too, true ??
When this song came out in 71 I was part of a small Marine guard detachment at an ammunition depot on Oahu. It wasn't the tropical paradise people visualize when they think of Hawaii. Sugar cane on one side, scrub brush on two other sides and swamp on the fourth.
Anyway, about half of the guard detachment, including myself, were short timers back from Vietnam waiting out our days until we were discharged. One of the other Marines, from West Virginia, had had a rough tour which had left him with a couple Purple Hearts, feet full of jungle rot, and nightmares most nights.
He bought the "Poems, Prayers & Promises" album when it came out and played the Country Roads song constantly until everybody in the barracks knew the lyrics whether they wanted to or not. :-)
In the decades since whenever I hear this I wonder if he found the peace and serenity promised in the song when he returned to West Virginia. I sincerely hope so.
The female voice is Taffy Nivert and her husband Bill Danoff is also on backing vocals. They're from the Starland Vocal Band. They were signed to John Denver's record label. The Starland Vocal Band had a big #1 hit with "Afternoon Delight."
How interesting, I didn’t know that.
Thanks for that info. Never liked afternoon delight but this song made ya wanna sing along everytime it played. Great song from beginning to end.
Hi Harri, you should listen to Annie’s Song by John Denver. It’s a great song. Love all the work you put into your videos.
I volunteer with our local high school for their marching band. As a chaperone on the bus, the kids were belting out this song and couldn't believe I was singing along.
You can not experience John Denver's songs until you experience America and it's vast landscape it's unlike anywhere on this earth. That's what he wrote about.
"Diamonds in my ears." What a beautiful way to express it.
So so many great hits from John Denver.🎧
Fly Away, John & Olivia Newton John is just a breath-taking song. John loved nature. It's why he became a huge environmentalist.
As a native West Virginian, this song has special meaning to me. I actually tear up whenever I hear it. John Denver was a hugely talented man who has a devoted following of fans, all this many years since his untimely death. "Calypso" is another very special John Denver song. I hope you will consider reacting to it. Thank you for the great reactions. I really enjoy your channel.
He had a number of great ones, Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Sunshine On My Shoulders, Rocky Mountain High, all songs you'd like I'm sure.
Brother you were right about diamonds in your ears. This is a classic. Love and peace to you.
My people are from eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Everytime I hear this song I get teary eyed. My best memories from my youth is being there and exploring with my friends and cousins. Such a relaxed vibe there. Nobody checking their watches or clocks all the time. In the evenings we would sit on the porch swing and just tell stories and jokes. I so wish my kids could experience that.
His music 🎶 is all over my play list.
Yes Harri, this is the power and clarity of John's voice and the way he paints pictures with a song. This is the very reason why he is my favorite musical artist of all time. RIP John, you are truly missed!
I grew up in WV and now live far away from that wonderful place. This song chokes me up every time I hear it. JD is not from WV but he is definitely an adopted son of the Mountain State and much loved. This song is played and sung by fans after every WVU home football and basketball victory. "Cue Country Roads" is a well known phrase in Morgantown, WV
100% , Morgantown Native checking in
i grew up as a rock and metalhead in the 60's and 70's and initially john denver did not do a lot for me at the time. but as a lot of things do he grew on me and now knowing he is not with us any more i tear up when i hear this song. he has gone home
John Denver was an accomplished pilot. He got his love of flying from his father who was a famous US Air Force test pilot. He died doing what he loved in a plane crash.
John's Wildlife concert live has this song and many others. Just magnificent.
John Denver wrote Annie's Song about his wife while he was taking a sky lift up a mountain....it is a beautiful love song
As John would say Far-Out!
Harri, my friend. Check out "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" by JD. It's a kickin little fun song. :)
This is probably the most popular song in the world- people from every country know this song. I'm serious. Sometimes they know it by another artist- but they all know Country Roads!
Some great, if less commercial songs by John:
The Eagle and the Hawk
Calypso
Eagles and Horses.
His music was so diverse, but all of it beautiful!
Can anyone drive through beautiful West Virginia without this song going through their minds or even singing it?? John Denver was such a gift and so very talented!
I remember when I was a kid seeing him on "The Muppet Show" singing, "grandma's featherbed" while the puppets jumped up and down on a big bed.
Such fun! 🤸🏾♀️
"Rocky mountain high" for your next John Denver, i could be wrong , i do believe this song Take me home is the theme song or the state song for W. Virginia *???*
It is often considered the West Virginia state song, but actually is not. "The West Virginia Hills" is the official state song. I grew up singing it as a child.
Played at every West Virginia University game...
It is the unofficial theme song for all West Virginia University sports games. It is always played at the end of every sports game whether they have won or lost the game.
I love how you give me the opportunity to listen to this song for the first time again, even though it's the millionth time :)
I remember riding with my parents and this song playing on the radio when I was 5 or 6. I was amazed someone was singing about the state I lived in.
Our family used to take holiday trips that took us through the country roads of West Virginia. This song was perfect for it!
Leaving on a jet plane was written by John Denver in 1966 and made popular by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967…FYI. Country Roads was my intro to John Denver back in 1971..I was 14 and it‘s still one of my favorite songs. Enjoy the Denver rabbit hole.
You will love West Virginia . I’m a Morgantown , WV native . After every West Virginia University “ American football “ home game when the Mountaineers win the entire crowd sings this song from start to finish all 67,500 fans get that stadium rocking !
When younger and doing the dinner dishes with my older sisters we would sing this, I sang the harmony.
Rocky Mountain High by John Denver you should definitely listen to. 👍
His uncle was my principal in jr high. I am still friends with his cousins. His birth name is Deutschendorf. He's an awesome singer. Blessed to be friends with his family!
Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who co-wrote this song with John Denver, are singing backup.
You can see all three of them singing live in this video of "Mother Nature's Son": ruclips.net/video/wulI9HvGa8Q/видео.html
Annie's Song ..is a terrific tune .....my favorite Denver tune .....and I liked them all ..
This is like the first song my son remembers. I sang it many many times when he was very young. He sang the "mountain mama" part every time. Old memories.
I'm a Texan through and through, but West Virginia has some of the most beautiful country roads. Definitely worth a visit!
I love me Yellowman! His country roads is very nice. So glad you found John Denver. I enjoy seeing my favorites through the eyes of people just discovering them. Awesome reaction.
Rocky Mountain High, Calypso, Annie's Song, to name a few. The man was a walking library of great tunes.
I close my eyes and am transported back to 1971 as a 12 year old boy when I first heard this song on 77WABC radio.
What a great tune! Denver will never be duplicated! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🤠
My home state. It’s now the state song. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes I think...? Country Roads.
Another version of a beautiful song ❤️
John Denver knew how to paint a beautiful picture. And his voice is a balm for a weary soul.
The great thing about John Denver was that his songs were always so descriptive and on a wide variety of subjects, not just love songs. Everything in the world excited him and it showed in his music. I particularly love the ones he wrote about family like Daniel, about his uncle, or Grandma's Feather Bed.
I think you mean Mathew, written for his Uncle Dean
@@paulineh4019
You're right. That's what I get for doing this in the wee hours of the morning. My bad. Love the song Mathew.
Great reaction. This was one of John's Top 5 all time biggest hits. Maybe even #1 , Rocky Mountain High , Annies Song , Sunshine On Shoulders are other big hits for John. Thanks for doing this great reaction. Please consider doing more reactions to other songs of his.
My mother's parents were both from WV, from families who have lived there since the late 1600s-early 1700s, and it is really beautiful there. If you go there as a tourist, there are some lovely national parks and state parks to visit, and kayaking on the river(s) is exhilarating, but best done with a local guide. It gets very snowy in winter, but summers are really nice there. I've always loved this song both because of its connection to my ancestral home and because of the moonshine bit of the song - my great grandfather actually went to prison for bootlegging moonshine in WV during prohibition. And John Denver was a favorite of mine from a very young age. I was a senior in university when he died in that plane crash, and I still remember that day like it was yesterday. RIP.
Everyone should visit West Virginia at least once during their lives. It's sublimely beautiful.
Agreed. I live in Maryland (which I love), but WV is one of my favorite get-aways. Very peaceful and beautiful. My friend has a place there nestled between two mountains with a river running by her place. It's perfect.
Sunshine on My Shoulders is another John Denver song I love. He had 33 albums and singles certified gold and platinum. He was one of the major voices of the 70s.
Rocky Mountain High was another big hit, of course along with Annies Song.
John not only liked nature, as he was like the figurehead for environmentalism in the 70s. He was a huge activist, with his music pulpit and love of the wilds. Nature and flying were his two big passions, besides his music.
John Denver was a bit hypocrite! He died on his private airplane, but he didn't want other people to fly or drive because he was an environmentalist wacko, as Rush Limbaugh said von numerous times.
Take a listen to sunshine on my shoulder lady and Rocky Mountain high all great Denver songs
CALYPSO is one of his later songs and is absolutely beautiful!
Some Days are Diamonds, Some Days are Stone. My dad and I would dance to this when he was still here. Great song, GREAT memories.
Please do John Denver ANNIE SONG ! and THANK GOD IM A COUNTRY BOY...Live !
Note ,i think that shuffling sound was some pocket change they jingled when the song was recorded.
John sounded just as good live as he does in the studio.
This song was primarily written, with their back-up singing, by the duo (later married couple) that formed the core of "Starland Vocal Band" of "Afternoon Delight" fame.
I believe he was from Colorado. Please do "Rocky Mountain High" if you haven't already. Thanks, Harri!
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was born on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico,
@@hifijohn How about that?
He was a co- wrighter of county roads, he was born in New Mexico, air force brat who lived all over the world, ending up in Aspen Colorado as an adult.
Song best when heard ,sung at any WV event when thousands song along with every word.
You need to hear a stadium full singing this at the end of a WVU football game. Awesome!
Sometimes They Also do it at Marshall University.
I loved John Denver as a teenager and eventually found the Shenandoah River in Virginia. The Smokey Mountains must be seen in the Fall and the River can be rafted and canoed in the summer. My best memories are there with my daughter and husband, roasting marshmallows on the open fire and canoing and touring the caverns. Hope you can experience this some day.
My favorite song by John Denver. What a voice!🎶🎤
This song gets me emotional
The female backup singer is Taffy Nivert of the Starland Vocal Band. You may have heard of their hit song, Afternoon Delight. In fact I believe she may have co-written the song with him.
Absolutely true. The couple at the heart of SVB wrote the song, and sang with John on it.
it's great how Reggae adapts other genres and makes the song their own, yet accessible to the public and we all grow from it. it pulls us all together when Reggae artists do that, for many people who maybe didn't understand Reggae music at first, the they hear this familiar song and go "NOW I get it. Cool." Smart of Reggae artists to do this to become more relatable to other music preferences. I remember hearing this as a Reggae version.
John Denver was one of the biggest singer/songwriter stars of the 70's.
He NEVER wrote negative songs, and he never wrote a song with minor
keys, all major, and his voice was so perfect it was almost unreal. Great
man and very much missed. Many many hits. "Annie's Song", "Sunshine
on my Shoulders", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy", "Rocky Mountain High",
"Leaving On A Jet Plane", "Calypso", "Back Home Again"