John Denver Take Me Home Country Roads

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John Denver Take Me Home Country Roads

John Denver Take Me Home, Country Roads

Country Crossover

John Denver and his friends Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert wrote this song of love for West Virginia, even though at the time it was a state of mind for them rather than a state they had come from or visited. It was a Shangri-La of sorts for them. Evidently, Danoff was inspired by postcards from a friend who did live there and from listening to WWVA, which came out of Wheeling, West Virginia. Both Nivert, especially,  and Danoff sing on the track. The song was released as a single and on Denver’s 1971 album Poems, Prayers & Promises.

The song became a big hit for Denver and is considered his signature song. In 1971, it went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary Chart and #3 in Canada.  It was certified Gold in 1971 and Platinum in 2017.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is an iconic symbol for the state of West Virginia. It is one of the official state anthems. The song was played at the funeral memorial service for Senator Robert Byrd in 2010.

On the track are John Denver (vocals), Bill Danoff (six and 12-string guitars, vocals), Taffy Nivert (backing vocals), Eric Weissberg (banjo, steel guitars), Mike Taylor (acoustic guitar), Richard Kniss (double bass), and Gary Chester (drums, percussion).

There have been numerous covers. There are versions by Hermes House Band, Eddy Arnold, Loretta Lynn, Skeeter Davis, Ray Charles, The Statler Brothers, Olivia Newton-John, Toots & the Maytals, Carrie Underwood, and many more.

Here are the lyrics to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver:

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue ridge mountains, Shenandoah river
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

All my memories, gather round her
Modest lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads

Take me home, down country roads
Take me home, down country roads

For another song by John Denver: “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver.

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