He played on the pop charts for sure. I was in elementary school when he first became popular. I didn’t listen to country back then so I don’t know about the country stations. Epic voice!!
John Denver does not get the credit he deserves as a songwriter. He has written some of the most beautiful melodies since the beginning of modern music. A great talent.
I never could figure out what genre of music John Denver belonged in. He was far more than just a country singer, pop, and even folk. I have to put John Denver into his very own category. His music has withstood time, it is just as great and relevant today, if not more as it was when first released.
I saw him in concert in the late 70’s. THE most incredible concert I’ve ever attended. During the intermission, he dismissed his band, pulled up a stool, picked up his guitar, and sang solo for probably half and hour. An evening I’ll never forget.
Same - I saw him as a kid in the early 80s and still remember it. Exactly the same - when his band took a break, he stood there with his guitar and sang solo for 20 minutes. It still takes my breath away.
John was 51 here. He was an under-rated guitarist, note he's playing 12 string here. He also played piano on a few songs and fiddle occasionally in concert. You should also listen to his 30-40 year old voice. He wrote over 200 songs and recorded around 300. He's not country, hard to put him in a box. Saw him twice in concert and yes, you felt he was singing just to you. He also recited antidotes and poems at his concerts, the Peace poem (his own) is beautiful and The Lords Prayer in Indian (Native Anerican) sign language is sublime, you don't even have to be religious! All these are on utube.
This song was written about his wife. The song came to him while he was in a reflective mood while riding a ski lift to the top of the mountain in Aspen. A brisk morning with the sun shining. John was a nature lover and combined the beauty of the day with the love of his wife. He basically put the song together in about 15 minutes.
Well I have to partially agree with both you and Kelly. According to an interview John did a while back, he and his wife Annie (still married) did indeed have an argument early in the day he wrote this song. He said he had to clear his head and went to the nearby slopes. While in a pensive mood riding up the ski lifts, he started putting phrases together, and by the time he got down the mountain, he had the frame of the song. Yes he basically put it together in a few minutes. But what struck me strange at the time of hearing this I thought, imagine being mad at your wife and then writing her a love song. The man was an incredible singer/songwriter and is sorely missed by his fans, but thankfully his songs and voice continue to be enjoyed. If I can find the interview I referenced I'll add a link, it's been a while.
@@kellylorang6845 Yeah he ditched her...That's why love sucks. It is. lie. But I think my parents love me but that is probably a lie too. We all die alone.
I love John Denver. My late husband loved him too. He died at 47 from colon cancer. Each night at the hospital when it was just the two of us I played John Denver songs for him to help him fall asleep. So even though that was 24 years ago I think of that time together in his hospital room every time I hear John Denver.
I remember the day I heard on the news that John Denver was killed it was terrible and totally unbelievable. As he matured in his career he showed just what a real talent he was, Listening to this brings tears. Thanks John for what you gave us!
This man's voice will pull tears from a rock. I can't listen to his greatest hits CD without tissues handy. He was a gentle soul with a beautiful voice .
In 1979 John Denver was on tour in Europe, and I saw him live at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund/Germany. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to and I will never forget it. I was really heartbroken when I heard he had died in a plane crash.
I've seen him live twice. One of the concerts was the entire contents of the album "An Evening With John Dever". What a show ! What an emotional experience ! I'm not an emotional guy but his music touched my heart and bonded with what was going on in my life at the time. I'm happy for you having heard it.
John Denver was a singer-songwriter & actor. He had so many great hits in the 70's-80's. Some of his signature songs were "You Fill Up My Senses", "Grandma's Feather Bed", "Fly Away", "Leaving On A Jet Plane", "Poems, Prayers & Promises", "Rocky Mountain High", "Calypso", "Sunshine On My Shoulders" etc. John appeared in several films & television specials during the 70's-80's, including the 1977 hit "Oh, God!", in which he starred alongside George Burns.
My name is Anna. My husband always called me Annie. He would play his guitar and sing this song to me. We danced to it many times in our living room. He was a wonderful man and loved me beyond measure. I'm not sure why he loved me like he did but I always felt I was his one and only. He certainly was my one and only! He passed away 10 years ago in my arms and so this song means more than it ever did. Thank you for reacting to this beautiful love song! ❤
He was such a talented person…..what a loss 😢Poems, Prayers & Promises is one of my absolute favorites, after this one, and Take Me Home, Country Roads
John Denver fills up our senses with that crystal clear voice of his and you're right, he has such a presence it makes me happy to watch him perform. Please, please react to the song Calypso that he wrote about a friend of his that he respected and honored Jaques Cousteau. There is a couple of videoe that go along with the song, one a live version I believe in 1977 and one sung accompanied by video of Cousteau's ship The Calypso. You won't regret it.
I was blessed indeed to see John live 16 times over the years. Each experience felt deeply spiritual and utterly amazing. John’s voice was even better live than on his studio recordings and his rapport with his audiences was stunning. There is a vibration of unconditional love in his voice that pulls you in so you don’t just listen to him singing but you experience John with your whole being, heart and soul. I was born the same year John was, and his music became the soundtrack of my life. And his voice got better and richer as he aged. It is fun to listen to earlier versions and then later versions of the same songs. Two of my favorite songs on this live recording at this Wildlife concert from 1995 are “Poems, Prayers and Promises” and “ForYou”. On “For You” he even plays the piano. John’s music always touches my soul and I can truly say that his “ voice in my ear is like heaven to me”.
I've been to lots of concerts in my life but in the '70s I went to see John Denver with my boyfriend. It was in a huge packed coliseum. There were huge screens with pictures of an eagle flying and mountains behind him and it was just incredible. He stood on the stage singing with his guitar. It was mesmerizing. We walked back to the car holding hands and talking about sleeping out under the stars. It's like there was a spell over us. The best concert I've ever been to.
Donna, I went to one like that also, where he sang Matthew and had the huge screen showing a father with his son on his shoulders walking through a wheat field. I think Matthew was one of his best songs, along with Back Home Again. Gone too soon.
@@donnawilliams4148 You are certainly welcome ❣️Give a listen to a song by Mac Davis called Whoever Finds This, I Love You. I think you will enjoy that one also.
Great soulful reaction!! That man could sing and tell your heart a story. Wow!! One of my all time favorites is "Calypso". That's the name of Jacques Cousteau's ship. It's about the sea, the ship and the contribution Jacques Cousteau did for the ocean and everything in it. Talk about story tellin'. Oh my goodness!!! Very uplifting and soooo beautiful. I would love to see your reaction to it...pls😁
I was so so lucky to see him live in Cardiff the year he died. I'd grown up listening to him. He came touring in the spring, I was 13 years old and whilst others at school were talking Steps, Spice Girls etc, I was going with my parents to watch: Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, Don Williams and John Denver. We loved every second of it, he held the whole hall in the palm of his hand. We came out and my parents couldn't wait for him to tour again, then he died that October. I walked down the aisle to Annie's Song in 2017, but I love every song of his I've ever heard. My personal favourites as well as Annie's Song are Calypso, Matthew and Flying for me, which he wrote about the Challenger Disaster and is the only one I watch with the music video.
I saw him live in Charlotte, NC. I was 16 and it was amazing! When his band took their break, he stayed on stage and continued to play and sing. He has a way of making his performances so intimate. I really miss his music.
You hit on something that I realized in 1984 when I saw him live for the first time. His ability to communicate with each member of the audience in such a way that every single person there felt like the whole thing was just for them! Very few entertainers have this gift. His perfect guitar playing, his fantastic voice, his gift to make the entire experience absolutely personal, he was amazing. He didn’t need warm up bands, or light shows, or pyrotechnic displays to capture your attention and keep you interested, he just needed himself and a guitar. In that 1984 concert, the stadium was completely sold out, 10,000 people in a place that normally held 8000 for a sporting event. It was literally JUST HIM ALONE! No one else at all! Small revolving stage in the center, 2000 people seated in seats on the floor and 8000 more in the stadium seats. He played and sang and talked and told stories for 2-1/2 hours!! I was absolutely blown away how one man could keep an enormous crowd absolutely mesmerized while playing and singing on a stage for 2-1/2 hours all by himself! The list of singers that could pull that off is very very short.
When I was a teenager in the 70's I got to see him in concert. Still my favorite concert of all time. He had the audience clapping along to to Grandmas Feather Bed. He was In the middle of our arena on a rotating dias so everyone got to see him & we were all sitting in bleachers clapping & singing along. It was almost like spending time at a family reunion (with family you actually want to see!😆) Best concert ever!
I have to admit I have a special place in my heart for singer songwriters. I always tended and still do tend to lean towards them in country, pop and folk music. One of my favorite songs by John Denver has always been This Old Guitar. It puts me in a good place and I always think of my dad when I hear it.
Yes, truly a masterpiece! And what's incredible about that is that he wrote it in about 10 or 15 minutes on a ski lift in Aspen, Colorado! I listened to this song so many times when it first came over the radio waves, I memorized every word of it, and have never forgotten it. For something more upbeat and lighthearted, listen to him sing "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy!" Guaranteed to make you smile!
He wrote this about his wife at the time. He was married and divorced twice but both of his ex wives spoke at his funeral heartbroken saying they had always remained friends and they still loved him.
In case you didn't know...John's techer at school told him one day that he would never amount to anything...😄😄😄 see..teachers don't know everything...love your reaction to this song...it is beautiful indeed.
Love this song and knowing he wrote it for his wife Ann during a separation in their marriage makes it more special. It came to him as he was on a ski lift and reflecting on his love for her he wrote it in a matter of minutes. So tragic we lost him so young but he was doing what he loved flying his plane.
It is timeless. All of his compositons where inspired by nature. . All of his songs no exception melt your heart and liquid gold runs into your veins. You can feel the breeze and sense the grandiosity of the Aspen of Colorado.where he used to live. His vibrato and tender voice flows like pure rivers water. He was unique. Another song I recall is Sunshine on my Shoulder I use to listen to this masterpiece on sunrise purity at its best . He his part of the most inspiring author compositor and interpreter that we have the chance to experience to this day
I saw him at Blossom Music Center in the early 70s, my teen years! Absolutely loved his music. John came into his career after singing with The New Christy Minstrels. Eagle and the Hawk, Poems, Prayers and Promises, For You, Calypso.... are just a few favorites.
John Denver! Grew up listening and loving him! Talking about a huge rabbit hole to go down! Please 🙏 keep checking out his music! Rocky Mountain High, Perhaps Love with Placido Domingo !
Dear Taylor Family, I was at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California in 1974 for his concert. They recorded it for his Live album. He had so many special guest in the audience. When I listen to his songs I close my eyes and I'm back 49 years to 1974, what a great night that was. He was so giving, it was over 3 hours of him singing...
This was his Wildlife Concert and he toured around the country in the fall of 1995 with this concert set list. I was able to see him at one of the concert stops and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. He really connects to his audience and engages with the audience more than most artists. I got the DVD of this concert and replay it about once a year just to enjoy his singing and spirit again and again.
Since you asked…. Yes, I was blessed to see him twice. First time was 1984, and you simply don’t understand how absolutely correct you are about his stage presence, and the almost magical way he connected with the audience. It was a tour done absolutely solo. I mean absolutely no one else with him. No opening act, no other musicians, absolutely nothing but him, a piano and 3 guitars, and you. Stadium held 10,000 people. Completely sold out show! Sold out in hours the first day. I’ve said this so many, and you reall touched on it. He had this gift , it was effortless. He connected with you in such a way that every single person in the audience felt like the whole thing was just for them! It was us and him and he played and talked and told stories and interacted with the audience for over 2-1/2 hours. It remains such an amazing experience in my mind. Later, when I saw him in 1994, it was a little more typical concert in that he had a small band like in the video, but the magic was still there! So few entertainers have this gift, and he had his share and then some. I remember exactly where I was when I heard on the radio that he had died. Broke my heart. It was like losing someone you were very close to. To this day October 12th never passes without remembering that day. I don’t understand how the death of someone you never knew, or even met, can have such an effect on you, but it did. I guess it was just an expression of how well he reached people. Give this a watch. It’s from the same concert. Watch the audience. The beautiful lyrics, the clear, simple , guitar, the absolutely perfect voice, the delivery….. an absolute master of the art at his absolute finest. m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BuP1kMRyKOY.html
I got to see him in the very early,80’s and he was wonderful . A great concert and I was so young like 13 and I remember crying it overwhelming . Xoxo from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
This was a song that guys would substitute the name of their girlfriend/wife/love for Annie, and it became their song. It was very unfortunate that the marriage of John and Annie didn't last, it was the saddest moment in John's life. A truly outstanding talent taken from us too soon.
The first album I ever purchased was greatest hits volume 1. First concert in 1980 at the Lakeland Civic center, saw him at San Diego state amphitheater, the Greek theater several times, and then finally I got to meet him and shake hands after he left the concert in Cerritos CA, May 1997 just five months before his death. A terrible loss and when I hear these songs again it brings all those memories back again. RIP John. You are missed.
The saddest thing I remember is that Cass Elliott & John Denver sang 'I'm leaving on a jet plane' - it is so heartbreaking to think he died on a plane. Such a lovable person especially with his amazing singing & guitarist. RIP John 💔💔💔
I used to always play his songs over and over again. Love his voice and his music. I wish I had seen him live, and I have seen so many others, but he died way too soon. Not enough time to get to him.....
My favorite John Denver recording. Your reaction was so special...love seeing someone discover the genius that was John Denver. Left us way too soon, but no audition necessary for him to join the heavenly choir. Miss you still, John.
I think John Denver's poetry gets demonstrated best in Rocky Mountain High. Just beautiful. (And I have a soft spot for his ode to Jaques Cousteau's exploratory vessel, Calypso, in Aye, Calypso.) My first concert as a child, my parents took me to see John Denver. There was no real stage, it was in the round, on the floor of a twenty thousand person basketball arena. Stacks of speakers at the four cardinal points, far from the center where he sat on a small rotating dias, with a stool, a mic, a guitar, and a glass of water. During some songs, lights would come up off to the sides to reveal other musicians playing along with him. But mostly it was just him, alone with his guitar, slowly turning, occasionally getting the crowd to sing along. (My next concert was Ray Charles.)
I've been a John Denver fan for decades! He wrote the most beautiful love songs and sang with so much emotion in such a clear voice. His music touches your soul. Since you liked this one, you should react to "For You" from the same concert, it's the most beautiful love song I've ever heard.
I just absolutely love this song. I could honestly listen to it daily. He was such an amazing , talented man . You were right when you said it's a masterpiece. Great video❣
I was blessed to see John live at concert in Boston when I was in high school. I will never forget that amazing, mesmerizing performance. I believe was performed live at WGBH Boston, public tv fun raiser.
John Denver had a voice and songwriting talent that was iconic. He inspired so many and his songs still are much loved. They were very simplistic, but powerful in how they made you feel. He is a legend.
