John Denver-Top Ten Songs

I discovered John Denver when I was a freshman in college. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" spilled from the radio with his toe tapping rendition of West Virginia and the place where he belonged. I became an avid listener even though my friends teased me and made fun of my chosen love. I passionately followed him through his alcohol addiction, drug problems and breakup with the love of his life, Annie. The true John Denver fan never strayed because it wasn't his life's troubles that touched our hearts. It was his life's work through his music that touched the spirit and opened up the mind to all the wonders of the lands, animals and people we share the earth with. An inward reflection that grew to appreciate Mother Earth and all of her creatures. His music helped a timid, shy college freshman find her place to belong and discover what was important in life.

Singer-songwriter, John Denver began his career as lead singer with the Mitchell Trio. His talent as a songwriter emerged when Peter, Paul and Mary recorded his 1967 song, "Leaving On A Jet Plane." It was their only number one hit. As John matured and perfected his songwriting talents and singing voice, he left the Mitchell Trio and embarked on a journey that would gain him worldwide fame. His passion for the earth and wildlife played out in his music, touching all who followed him with equal passion.

10. Take Me Home, Country Roads. The 1970 tune that put John Denver on the charts. Written by Denver, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, this song is the one most associated with John even though he had a minor role in its creation. Country Roads climbed the Billboard Hot 100, ending at number 2 in 1971. This song set the tone for everything that followed it with a theme of family, home, conservation, environment and a place to belong.

9. Calypso. Written in 1975 as a tribute to the legendary undersea explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his first ship, "Calypso". This easy listening, happy song creates a vision of life of the silent world under the sea. Cousteau was the first to study how pollution affected the sea and John's equal passion for conservation awareness motivated Denver to pay homage to the work done by Cousteau and the crew of "Calypso". John's delightful chorus includes a masterful yodeling that showcases the range of his musical talents as he goes into a flawless falsetto.

8. This Old Guitar. Classic John Denver guitar style with his iconic progression of melodic chords was released in 1974. A simple, quiet reflection of his first guitar given to him by his grandmother when he was 7 years old. With only his guitar as backup, John expresses his love of music and the opportunities his music gave him.

7. I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado. Written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver. Released 1971 on the Poems, Prayers and Promises album, this is one of John's more melancholy tunes. A story of a man whose chosen path leads him to New York City, away from a simpler lifestyle in Colorado. In the end, the only thing he has to show for his career path is a quite cough and lost dreams.

6. To The Wild Country. 1977. This song expresses a bit of sadness at what progress is doing to the earth. Even as time marches on, the listener feels a deep desire to slow down a process that can, at times, be overwhelming. Once again, John uses the freedom of the open sky and the wonders of nature to urge caution as we move forward. Remember where we came from and what our responsibility is to the land. A special theme he often sang about with reminders of simple pleasures lost in everyday life.

5. Grandma's Feather Bed. John's 1974 knee slapping, feel good, take your gal out to the dance floor favorite. A catchy little tune that sets even the most sullen toes tapping along with the perky banjo. Family togetherness, Grandma's featherbed, 8 kids, 4 hound dogs and that poor little piggy that was stolen from the shed. Jim Connor wrote the lyrics and chords and John Denver adapted it.

4. Windsong. 1975. Music and lyrics by John Denver and Joe Henry. It's almost as if the listener should be jealous of the freedom of the wind. Close your eyes and follow the wind as it tracks across the land and over cities. It can be as gentle as a warm summer breeze or as violent as an F5 tornado. The wind brings us pleasant scents and gentle rains. An excellent song to listen to while pondering life.

3. Wild Montana Sky. 1983 This is a tragic tale of a life performed by John with an enthusiasm that overshadows the sadness. It's about a young man who leaves his home only to return later in life because he couldn't leave his roots, the country life and fresh air forever. As this song describes a wandering soul it also celebrates life and his eventual returning back home. Again, keeping with the theme of coming home to ones roots.

2. Eagles & Horses. 1990. Known for his unique acoustic guitar chords, this song incorporates an impressive use of instrumental backups, including a flute that gives the feeling and vision of free range horses racing with the wind and eagles overhead who sees everything and hears the tiniest sound. Like the wild horses and eagles circling in the sky, we too have a spirit that can't be tamed. Don't be afraid to let it go and see where it might lead.

1. Let It Be. 1971. Many will recognize my number one pick as a Beetles tune. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (although, it's believed Paul McCartney was the sole writer) in 1970. This song has always had a calming, inner reflective quality to it. No matter what comes around, we can deal with it as long as we know who we are and where to look for guidance when it's needed.

The son of an Air Force officer, John Denver's given name was Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.. His music is a celebration of life with all the possibilities and wonders that we each hold in our hands. A passion for flying was responsible for his tragic death October 12, 1997 in an experimental plane that went down off the California coast, crashing into the sea. A gifted voice, silenced forever. A man who, through his music and environmental work, sought to teach those willing to listen how important all life is. I fell in love with his music and have never wavered from it. He remains to this day my favorite musician because his music and message touched me personally. One can not do justice to the legacy John left behind with only ten songs. To understand where he was going and who he was, a listener needs to emerge themselves into all of his music.

Rest in peace, Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., John Denver. December 31, 1943 - October 12, 1997.

John Denver, Wikipedia

John Denver Biography, JohnDenver.com