Take Me Home, Country Roads (3:10)
84,860 plays (22,804 listeners)
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a song written by John Denver, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
After many other hit singles, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” remains Denver’s signature song.
Origins
Denver was heading the bill in December 1970 at Washington, D.C. folk club The Cellar Door; Danoff and Nivert opened for him as a duo named Fat City. After the post-Christmas re-opening night (the booking was for two weeks), the three headed back to their place for an impromptu jam. On the way, Denver’s left thumb was broken in an automobile accident. He was taken to the hospital, where a splint was applied. By the time they got back to the house, he was, in his own words, “wired, you know”.
Danoff and Nivert then told him about a song that they had been working on for about a month. Inspiration had come while driving to a family reunion of Nivert’s relatives in nearby Maryland. To pass the time en route, Danoff had made up a ballad about the little winding roads they were taking. Later, he changed the story to fit that of an artist friend, who used to write to him about the splendors of the West Virginia countryside. The second verse of the tune was a bit risqué – referring to “naked ladies” – so the duo reckoned that their song would never get played on the radio.
After many other hit singles, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” remains Denver’s signature song.
Origins
Denver was heading the bill in December 1970 at Washington, D.C. folk club The Cellar Door; Danoff and Nivert opened for him as a duo named Fat City. After the post-Christmas re-opening night (the booking was for two weeks), the three headed back to their place for an impromptu jam. On the way, Denver’s left thumb was broken in an automobile accident. He was taken to the hospital, where a splint was applied. By the time they got back to the house, he was, in his own words, “wired, you know”.
Danoff and Nivert then told him about a song that they had been working on for about a month. Inspiration had come while driving to a family reunion of Nivert’s relatives in nearby Maryland. To pass the time en route, Danoff had made up a ballad about the little winding roads they were taking. Later, he changed the story to fit that of an artist friend, who used to write to him about the splendors of the West Virginia countryside. The second verse of the tune was a bit risqué – referring to “naked ladies” – so the duo reckoned that their song would never get played on the radio.
Video
Added by hunkorogshi
Japanese TV Show
John Denver with Kohsetsu Minami
Lyrics
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River,
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Read full lyrics…
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Shouts
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oldsanta wrote:
Classic
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chnokfir wrote:
reminds me of the two years i've spent in the states
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eli7k0338 wrote:
john denver was once a member of the well known 60's folk group the chad mitchel trio.
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dbrew2u wrote:
John died way to soon . He never did gain the respect he deserved. Very few could have written beautiful songs like this one. He takes me home with every play of this song. Thanks John !
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AlbertoHammett wrote:
Really beautiful song
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YAKINO wrote:
country epic!!
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taniahmel wrote:
lindoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
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kacuweru wrote:
i miss my county plus the road
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cilentano wrote:
premesso che non parlo inglese, resto sempre affascinato da questa bellissima voce.peccato che sia volato via.avremmo avuto altre bellissime canzoni.
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Highbank wrote:
I first realized that music was such an important powerful part of my life, as i watched my mother washing the morning dishes as she listened and singing along to this song playing on the little kitchen radio when I was 9 years old. It's one of my foavorite memories.
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Ponanza wrote:
WEST VERGINYUHHH
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loudyloudy wrote:
backpacking in Europe...Italians like to sing this while in Greece (with an American)
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bendan11 wrote:
Quality lives forever, as will JD!
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zappyz0r wrote:
Denver lies in Colorado, far away from West Virginia.
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SmoothCall wrote:
Is Denver in West Virginia?
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AngelaCastellar wrote:
Supremo!!!!
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dropdtuna wrote:
country / pop not corny
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quelude05 wrote:
this song is kind of corny
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nokondi wrote:
dad em blo yu stret RIP
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Mike_Anthony wrote:
Classic John Denver. Great to sing along to.
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