"John Denver (born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.) was a singer, songwriter, producer, actor, photographer, philanthropist, environmental activist, humanitarian and so much more.
As a singer, John’s albums have sales of over 33 million to date, amassing seven multi-platinum, 13 platinum and 20 gold certifications. Eight of his albums hit Billboard’s Top 10, three of them hitting #1. He won two Grammys, one as artist and one as producer. More than 40 of his songs hit Billboard’s Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Country charts. Two of his #1 songs have been named as official state songs: “Rocky Mountain High” is one of the two state songs of Colorado, and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is one of West Virginia’s four state songs. He was the first to be inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, which opened in 2011. He was also voted Favorite Male Musical Performer at the 3rd Annual People’s Choice Awards.
As a songwriter, John won the Carl Sandburg People’s Poet Award in 1982 and, in 1996, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
John also had careers in movies and television, best known for the movie Oh, God!, his television show and specials, including work with Jim Henson’s Muppets, and as five-time host of The Grammy Awards.
On October 12, 1997, John was piloting an experimental plane when it crashed into the ocean and the 53-year-old entertainer was killed.
John has received a great deal of posthumous recognition and, most recently, on Friday, October 24, 2014, John was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
I was and still am a great fan of John Denver’s music. I saw many of his concerts and loved his breakthrough style of performing on a circular stage in the middle of the arena floor so that he could entertain face-to-face in all directions and create a closer and more intimate bond with the audience.
Anyone who knows John’s music knows that his lyrics are poetic, inspirational, timeless and, most of all, FAR OUT!
In honor of his most recent accomplishment, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, here are my top 20 favorite songs performed by John Denver. I couldn’t stop at 10, although arranging 20 songs from least liked to most liked, especially John Denver songs, is a lost cause. So take my numbering with a grain of salt and let me know if I’ve left out any of your favorites.
[new page=The Box]
20. The Box
Poet, writer and actor Kendrew Lascelles wrote “The Box” in 1971, and upon seeing him perform it, John asked if he could use it. He recorded it on his 1971 album Poems, Prayers and Promises, leaving no doubt as to his poetic talent. You see, this is not a song, but a poem, and John delivers it with great emotional and dramatic effect. I recall that, as a young teen, upon first hearing John recite it, the poem brought tears to my eyes.
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19. The Eagle and the Hawk
John Denver and Mike Taylor co-wrote “The Eagle and the Hawk” for an ABC documentary of the same name. The song is short but powerful. Anyone who thinks that John Denver didn’t have a strong voice is mistaken. Close your eyes and you can see the eagle and hawk soaring as John sings. The song appeared on John’s December 1971 album, Aerie.
[new page=Fly Away]
18. Fly Away
“Fly Away” was released on John’s 1975 album Windsong. Olivia Newton John sang backup vocals on the original, though not credited. The song hit Billboard’s Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Country charts, sitting atop the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks.
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17. My Sweet Lady
This is one beautiful wedding ballad from John’s 1971 album Poems, Prayers and Promises that has been sung at many a wedding, dreamed of being sung at many a wedding, and has made many a woman cry - probably a few men too!
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16. I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado
“I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” was written by the then husband and wife team Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who wrote many songs for and collaborations with John Denver. The song seems to be about a songwriter eking out an unhappy existence in New York City, longing to return to his life in Colorado. But I believe what most people get out of it is the love for and longing to be in Colorado.
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15. Aspenglow
“Aspenglow” was first released on John’s 1970 album, Take Me to Tomorrow. After that, it was included on his first Christmas album, Rocky Mountain Christmas, released in 1975. It is about the beauty and magic of Aspen, Colorado, where he lived most of his life, during wintertime.
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14. Sweet Surrender
“Sweet Surrender” was originally released on John’s 1974 album Back Home Again. It was not released as a single until it appeared on his 1975 live album, An Evening with John Denver, at which time the live version was released. The song peaked at #13 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and remained in the top 40 for eight weeks. It hit #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
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13. Farewell Andromeda (Welcome to My Morning)
“Farewell Andromeda” appeared on John’s 1973 album of the same name. The songs on this album were more folk oriented than his previous albums, making for a very enjoyable easy listen. The song “Farewell Andromeda” is just another testament to John’s love of life, nature, music, and happiness.
[new page=Rhymes and Reasons]
12. Rhymes and Reasons
“Rhymes and Reasons” is the title track to John’s first solo album which was released in 1969. In his own words when introducing the song, John says that he gave the song to UNICEF and that it was written for and about children.
[new page=Poems, Prayers and Promises]
11. Poems, Prayers and Promises
“Poems, Prayers and Promises” is from John Denver’s breakout album of the same name released in 1971. It is a song reflecting on one’s life, fearing getting old but looking forward to it at the same time. In this particular video, John is accompanied by Jim Henson’s Muppets, so one line in the chorus was changed to be more kid-friendly, some of you may notice.
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10. Calypso (with JD intro)
“Calypso” was released on John’s 1975 album Windsong. John wrote it as a tribute to his close friend Jacques Cousteau and his ship, Calypso, in which he conducted research to further ocean conservation efforts. The song was released as a single on the flipside of “I’m Sorry,” and was just about as successful.
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9. Sunshine on My Shoulders
“Sunshine on My Shoulders” was first released on the album Poems, Prayers and Promises in 1971, and then as a single in ‘73. In 1974, it hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, staying there for one week, and also hit Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, staying there for two weeks. John described writing the song late winter/early spring while in Minnesota and the outdoors being very dreary at the time. However, the song took on new meaning as the Vietnam War was ending.
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8. Annie’s Song
“Annie’s Song” is from John’s 1974 album Back Home Again. John wrote it on a skilift after an exhilarating skiing experience as an ode to his then wife, Annie Martell Denver, and also dedicated the album to her. The song hit #1 on six record charts including two in Canada, one in Ireland, one in the UK and two U.S. Billboard charts.
[new page=I’m Sorry]
7. I’m Sorry
“I’m Sorry” was released on John’s 1975 album Windsong. It was a song about forsaken love. The song hit #1 on Billboard’s Top 100, Easy Listening and Country Singles charts. It would be his last #1 pop hit as well as the last #1 country hit of his career.
[new page=Thank God I’m a Country Boy]
6. Thank God I’m a Country Boy
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy” was written by John Martin Sommers, a member of Denver’s backup band, and was first released on the 1974 album Back Home Again. A live version of the song was recorded on 1975’s An Evening with John Denver and was released as a single. It was this version that hit #1 on both Billboard’s Hot 100 and Country Singles charts, staying atop these charts for a week each. In this video, you get to see John do some fiddling rather than playing guitar.
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5. Leaving on a Jet Plane
Most of you have probably heard the song “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” as performed by Peter, Paul and Mary. But what many of you probably didn’t know is that the song was written by John Denver in 1966. Denver first recorded it with the title, “Babe, I Hate to Go.” Peter, Paul and Mary were so impressed with the song that they recorded it for their 1967 album, 1700, but did not reach success with it until they released it as a single in 1969. It ended up being their only song to hit #1 on Billboard’s Top 100. It also spent three weeks on the Easy Listening chart.
[new page=Back Home Again]
4. Back Home Again
“Back Home Again” is a song from John’s 1974 album of the same name. It reached #5 on Billboard’s Top 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary and Country charts. At the 1975 Country Music Awards, John won the Song of the Year award for this song and also won Entertainer of the Year.
[new page=Rocky Mountain High]
3. Rocky Mountain High
“Rocky Mountain High” was written by John Denver and Mike Taylor and was released on John’s 1972 album of the same name. It has since become one of Colorado’s two official state songs. The song was written to reflect John’s love for Colorado. For a brief period of time, the song was banned by certain radio stations due to the FCC’s censorship of music thought to promote drug abuse, until John explained the meaning behind his use of the word “high” in the song. In a statement to Congress during the 1985 Parents Music Resource Center Senate hearings, John testified about that experience.
My song “Rocky Mountain High” was banned from many radio stations as a drug-related song. This was obviously done by people who had never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and also had never experienced the elation, celebration of life, or the joy in living that one feels when he observes something as wondrous as the Perseids meteor shower on a moonless, cloudless night, when there are so many stars that you have a shadow from the starlight, and you are out camping with your friends, your best friends, and introducing them to one of nature’s most spectacular light shows for the very first time.
[new page=Take Me Home, Country Roads]
2. Take Me Home, Country Roads
From the 1971 album, Poems, Prayers and Promises, this song was written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver. Its completion came along with a story about the Danoff/Nivert duo and John performing in a D.C. club, John breaking his thumb in a car accident afterward, Dan and Taffy telling John about this song they’d been working on and were going to sell to Johnny Cash, John flipping out over the song and insisting on having it, and the three of them staying up until 6 in the morning rewriting the song. It became one of John’s most beloved songs and one of four official state songs of West Virginia. It is considered his signature song.
[new page=This Old Guitar]
1. This Old Guitar
“This Old Guitar” was released on John’s 1974 album Back Home Again. The song was never released as a single and so didn’t chart. But I had the album, as I did many of his albums, and I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it. The guitar John is referring to in this song was his grandmother’s, made in 1910, and given to him when he was about 12. It is the guitar John learned on and carried with him a large part of his life. John himself, in his commentary at the end of this video, says that “This Old Guitar” defines him, calling it his autobiography.