Favourite John Denver songs

Subject: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,Katy
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 01:56 AM

I was a huge John Denver fan as were so many people all over the world!
JD recorded so many great songs during his career.

I am curious what songs are some of your favourites? Of course there are all the many, many well known songs that everyone knows - but also many songs that may not have been big hits or as well known to the masses. So take a few minutes to think about all the great songs you remember - and what song/songs are your favourites.

I do love all the well known hits John Denver had of course but - at the top of my list are two songs that I especially love. They are:

1. "Rhyme and Reasons" This song above all others (and my very, very favourite) brings me to tears. It is so sad - but so,so beautiful!

2. "This Old Guitar"

These two songs are my all time favourites.

I miss John Denver so much..he died way before his time in in Monterey Bay in Northern, California on October 12, 1997.

I remember exactly when I heard the news. I was working at a large
California Record Company and went on my 15 minute afternoon break in the break room. There was a TV on in that room - no one else in there at the time I went in (for my break.) The afternoon TV news was on and then I heard what is called here "Breaking News."
"Singer/songwriter, John Denver was killed today in Monterey, California in an experimental plane crash into the Pacific Ocean. Details still coming in."
I was devasted and could hardly make it out of that room. I was so sad, so upset and just couldn't believe it.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: bubblyrat
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 04:22 AM

I guess flying was in his blood , his father ,Major Deutschendorf having been a record-breaking test-pilot etc. A great loss to the world of music .
             My favourites will always be "Morning Bells Will Chime" and "Grandma's Feather Bed " , and "Take Me When I'm Gone To Forest Lawn ".Oh , and "Saturday Night In Toledo ,Ohio" of course !!

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 04:34 AM

"Leaving On A Jet Plane" and "Poems, Prayers And Promises".

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: banjoman
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 04:58 AM

Annies Song of course, but liked them all. Forest Lawns is a Tom Paxton Song and I cant recall John Denver ever singing it - could be one I missed?

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: cooperman
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 05:51 AM

Annies song for me - I think it was one of the first songs he wrote.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: kendall
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 07:40 AM

Calipso. I loved his singing.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: cptsnapper
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 07:40 AM

Gospel Changes

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: clueless don
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 08:32 AM

This probably isn't my favorite of his songs, but I have always enjoyed his version of "Mother Nature's Son" more than the Beatles original version. I do enjoy the Beatles version - I just enjoy John Denver's more.

Don

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: bubblyrat
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 09:45 AM

I believe that "Jet Plane" was one of his first songs ( whilst still at College ) ; PP & M had a hit with it YEARS ago !

Subject: RE: Favorite John Denver songs
From: Beer
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 10:10 AM

To pick one song out of all the greats that he recorded is impossible. But in saying this, I guess I'll have to select "Poems, Prayers And Promises".
Adrien

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 10:12 AM

agree with Beer and Annie's song is also one .. but how about leaving on a jet plane ... most people don't realize john wrote it .. not PPM

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 10:50 AM

He had a great voice, and almost any song he sung was enhanced by his performance of it. I'm real partial to LoaJP. Another is Meet Me in Montana. Was a sad day when he died.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,sturgeon
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 02:12 PM

'Favourite John Denver songs'?

None.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 02:59 PM

The Eagle and the Hawk is one of my favorites, and John's performance showed his amazing vocal range. Rocky Mountain High will always mean a lot to me since I moved to Colorado the summer it was popular. And Poems, Prayers, and Promises will always remind me of those backpacking trips in the early days.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,Tinker from Chicago
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 04:29 PM

I've long admired his openness with his audience with regards to his marriage. In the good days he'd sing "Annie's Song" and "Annie's Other Song," then the troubles were reflected in "Goodbye Again," then the serious problems showed up in "I'm Sorry" and the attempted reconciliation in "Shanghai Breezes." Towards the end we heard the hurt in "Seasons of the Heart" and finally loss in
"The Game Is Over." I think I love the last one best, not only for the artistry in the lyrics but for the courage it took to let the world see his pain.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Beer
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 04:40 PM

Well written Tinker. Enjoyed read it very much.
ad.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 07:05 PM

He seemed to have the knack of making other writers songs "His Own" as
well as writing good stuff himself

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 14 Nov 12 - 07:55 PM

I was a fan of John Denver's in his days with The Mitchell Trio. I thought he did a fine job on Bells of Rhymney, and Get Together, and Violets of Dawn, and several other songs (he didn't write but) sang with the Trio.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Allen in Oz
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 01:18 AM

Bet on the Blues

Country Girl in Paris

AD

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: michaelr
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 01:32 AM

Matthew

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 05:30 AM

Hi

I liked John Denver. I saw him several times live in the UK and also on his John Denver shows on British TV.

My own favourite is Darcy Farrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRqU-CEN-D4

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 05:26 PM

Thank you for this thread.

I remember at the time John Denver was growing popular, there seemed to be a (sneering?) opinion in my circle of folkmusic and/or rockmusic friends that he wasn't hip enough, or pure enough, or alternative enough to be respected. HOW WRONG THEY WERE. John's music has proved to be timeless, and no one could wrap his lilting voice around a melody like he did. Some of my favorites:

Calypso

Country Roads



Starwood in Aspen


Sunshine on My Shoulders

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Beer
Date: 15 Nov 12 - 07:13 PM

That sure is nice MikeL2
Ad.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: scouse
Date: 16 Nov 12 - 05:33 AM

One of his best if not his best is his interpretation of Brel's "Amsterdam." performed live in London. Jawdropping!!!!

As Aye,

Phil

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Nov 12 - 05:44 AM

Hi Phil

Thanks for mentioning this one. I do remember hearing it many moons ago and liked it.

Just dug it up here for anyone who hasn't heard it.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Nov 12 - 05:47 AM

Hi sorry my link didn't make

I will try again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5pwk3AAjjk

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Nov 12 - 05:53 AM

Hi

While we are on dramatic songs by John Denver this one comes right to the front for me.

I used to do this and it always made me quite emotional as I performed.
it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4JovOw8qWo

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 05:51 PM

Dave Matthews Takes John Denver's Music 'To Tomorrow' (NPR Weekend Edition)

By the time John Denver died in a plane crash in 1997, he had written and sung a remarkable assortment of cherished music: "Rocky Mountain High," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and many more. He was often mocked by edgier musicians for being a kind of musically soft, spongy Wonderbread of a singer-songwriter. But his songs have endured — and influenced more than one generation.

Now, a group of musicians has come together to produce The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver. One of the album's contributors, Dave Matthews, plays a slowed-down interpretation of Denver's "Take Me to Tomorrow."

"[Denver] was eager to get a different sound, but I thought maybe he didn't serve the lyrics to that song as well as he could have," Matthews says. "So I tried a different angle. I don't know if I've managed to serve them any better, but I certainly took a different route than he did."

Other contributors to The Music Is You include Josh Ritter, Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show, My Morning Jacket, Emmylou Harris and Brandi Carlile. Here, Matthews speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about learning from Denver's songwriting.

Audio of the interview, as well as tracks from the new album at the link.

Here is another item from NPR about the album from a few weeks ago. (They had the full album up for preview for a limited time. Unfortunately, I missed it.)

Web page for the album.

A portion of the proceeds from album sales will be donated to The Wilderness Society in John's name.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,jon doeringer
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 09:42 PM

Probably Annie's Song. And the helium didn't hurt, in 'best friend's wedding'...
A pilot neighbor said that John had recently purchased the Rutan EZ Long. The builder had located the fuel tank selector switch in a different position. John was aware of this. He lost control of the plane while trying to reach the valve, located behind his body. It was the first time he had to switch tanks.
Pretty sad.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 14 Apr 13 - 09:55 AM

Not one he wrote but he did a very stirring version of Bells of Rhymney. Guy could sing.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 14 Apr 13 - 10:01 AM

...oh and I'm not sure who wrote it or what the actual title is but he sang a song with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Circle Be Unbroken II that had as the last line of the verse, "So it goes with everything but love". Always liked that one.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: kendall
Date: 14 Apr 13 - 12:53 PM

Did he write Darcy Farrow?

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Midchuck
Date: 14 Apr 13 - 01:04 PM

Negatory. Steve Gillette and someone else did.

P.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Apr 13 - 02:23 AM

His rendition of 'Mr Tambourine Man' on a Mitchell Trio album is the best I have heard - splendid.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Apr 13 - 02:30 AM

Stewie, I have to agree. I hadn't paid attention to the Mitchell Trio recording of "Tambourine Man," but it really is good.

I went to a John Denver concert in Fresno in about 1977. He performed without a break for 2-1/2 hours or more, and he put his heart into every moment. I heard lots of criticism of John Denver after that, but that one concert made me an eternal fan. He gave us everything he had. That's what stuck with me about that concert - his generosity in giving us everything he could possibly give us.

Can't say the same for the Bob Dylan concert I wish I hadn't attended.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: 2581
Date: 15 Apr 13 - 08:03 PM

Have to agree with "The Bells of Rhymney". The fact that he made his 12-string guitar sound like church bells was quite impressive - as was his singing!

Subject: Lyr Add: THANK GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY (John Denver)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 03:17 PM

I'm not saying this is my favorite, but it seems not to have been posted at Mudcat before, and I think we ought to have it somewhere, and I don't see any other good thread to add it to:

(By the way, I checked these lyrics against a recording on Spotify.)


THANK GOD I'M A COUNTRY BOY
As sung by John Denver on "Back Home Again"

[Begins a cappella, with foot-tapping(?) and clapping:]

Well, life's on a farm is kinda laid back.
Ain't much an old country boy like me can't hack.
It's early to rise, early in the sack.
Thank God I'm a country boy!

Well, a simple kind of life never did me no harm,
Raisin' me a family and workin' on a farm.
My days are all filled with an easy country charm.
Thank God I'm a country boy!

CHORUS: Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me old fiddle.
When the sun's comin' up I got cakes on the griddle,
And life ain't nothin' but a funny, funny riddle.
Thank God I'm a country boy!

[Instrumental accompaniment begins:]

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
The kids are asleep so I keep it kinda low.
Thank God I'm a country boy!

I'd play "Sally Goodin'' all day if I could,
But the Lord and my wife wouldn't take it very good,
So I fiddle when I can and I work when I should.
Thank God I'm a country boy!

CHORUS

Well, I wouldn't trade my life for diamonds or jewels.
I never was one of them money-hungry fools.
I'd rather have my fiddle and my farmin' tools.
Thank God I'm a country boy!

Yeah, city folk drivin' in a black limousine,
A lotta sad people thinkin' that's mighty keen.
Well, son let me tell you now exactly what I mean:
Thank God I'm a country boy!

CHORUS

Well, my fiddle was my daddy's till the day he died,
And he took me by the hand, held me close to his side.
He said, "Live a good life and play my fiddle with pride.
Thank God you're a country boy!"

Well, my daddy taught me young how to hunt and how to whittle.
He taught me how to work and play a tune on the fiddle.
He taught me how to love and how to give just a little,
And thank God I'm a country boy!

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Elmore
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 04:35 PM

Really enjoyed his version of Ed McCurdy's "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" which he performed at a large anti-war rally in Washington during the Nixon reign.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: PHJim
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 06:39 PM

I love the way he does Bryan Bowers' Berkley Woman. I never realised how much he sounds like Bryan till I heard this.   John Denver sings Bryan Bowers' Berkley Woman

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 22 Aug 13 - 06:39 PM

I like "Annie's Song" He wrote it for his wife.
Alas after a domestic quarrel he took a chainsaw and cut their double bed in half. I now hear the song as " You fill up my senses ..... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 02:33 AM

It's not often I disagree with Jim Dixon, but I question one verse he posted for "Thank God I'm a Country Boy"

Yeah, city folk drivin' in a black limousine,
A lotta sad people thinkin' that's mighty keen.
Well, son let me tell you now exactly what I mean:
Thank God I'm a country boy!

I think John Denver is singing "that's somebody keen!"

I found only one Internet transcription that agrees with me, and 20,000 that agree with Jim. But "that's somebody keen" is what I hear.

Opinions?

Anybody have a John Denver songbook to settle the disagreement? I thought I had one, but I can't find it. My Hal Leonard fakebook says "that's a-mighty keen," but I have known fakebooks to be wrong. I suspect, however that I'm the one who's wrong this time...

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: bubblyrat
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 05:43 AM

Not necessarily ,Joe ; if you take the "s" of "that's" and stress it to become a "sah" -sound, then pronounce the "t" of "mighty" as a "d" , you might well end up hearing "thatsahmaddy",which aint too far off "that's somebody " ,although it would make less sense grammatically !!

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 07:34 AM

Both makes sense and sounds pretty much the same. Really hard to tell!

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: maeve
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 07:44 AM

Jim's correct.

Yeah, city folk drivin' in a black limousine,
A lotta sad people thinkin' that's mighty keen.
Well, son let me tell you now exactly what I mean:
Thank God I'm a country boy!

Straight out of the songbook, "An Evening With John Denver" copyright 1975.

(I believe my copy of the songbook is courtesy of a Mudcat auction, after the fire. Thanks!)

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 08:11 AM

I quite liked 'Calypso', though I'm not a big JD fan.

'Annie's Song' - I read he once sawed their double bed in half with a chainsaw after a tiff. For me, that action killed the sweet romance of the song forever.

"You fill up my senses ... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ <-chainsaw noise

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 03:04 PM

OK, I listened again, and I see what the problem is: there's an extra syllable in there that's not accounted for in my transcription, or in the songbook that maeve quoted, for that matter.

You could hear it as: "that's somebody keen" or "that's a'mighty keen."

Now "a'mighty" might be an elided form of "almighty", as in the exclamation that I've heard among my southern relatives: "God a'mighty!"

Here's a book about the Dixie Hummingbirds titled "Great God A'mighty!."

Here's a stage play by Lolita Snipes called "Good God A' Mighty!" (I would have spelled it with no space after the apostrophe, and a small "m.")

You can find other examples.

Or maybe he just threw in the "-a-" syllable to keep the rhythm more regular.

So I still favor "that's-a-mighty" or "that's a'mighty" rather than "that's somebody," but I admit there is room for doubt.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: maeve
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 04:23 PM

I used to sing it with "almighty", Jim. I agree that works with the meaning, syllables heard, and his printed version.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,Phil Cooper on a different computer
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 05:25 PM

I'm afraid I was one of those snobs who liked a lot of John Denver's music, until he had a top forty hit with Country Roads. After that I became one of the detractors. On re-examining that sentiment, I realize I was dead wrong to think those things. Great performer and now I think his music still stands out. I had a high school engish teacher who became a friend after I graduated tell me this story about John Denver. She was going to a concert to hear Laura Nero in the late 60's, early '70's. John Denver was the opening act and performed with such enthusiasm, that he blew the audience away. Laura Nero came out and did her introspective, stoned act and people left at the end of the night talking about John Denver.

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 07:40 PM

I was not there, Phil, so I can't say, but Laura Nyro was a powerful, energetic performer, and a hard driving R&B pianist to boot, so I doubt that John Denver (powerful and energetic as well)
would have outshone her. She was not introspective and stoned out. Would have been a good concert to see, though...

Subject: RE: Favourite John Denver songs
From: meself
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 07:47 PM

Anyone have an explanation for these lines:

Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains,
......