John Denver "Rocky Mountain High" Reaction | Asia and BJ 

I've lived outside Denver, CO my entire life. This is our official state song. Every morning on my way to work I catch the reflection of the sunrise on the Flatiron's at the edge of the Rockies and I still catch a lump in my throat. This dude completely captured what it's like seeing the top parts of our world for the 1st and every other time after.

John Denver is one of those singers who is beloved. Not popular, not admired; beloved.

This song brings me to tears. Such a beautiful song.

Ive always considered him a Folk singer -- I think he appeals to a wide variety of people --- Miss you John Denver

"He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year, coming home to a place he's never been before".....Profound!

The fire in the sky is a meteor shower that he witnessed while writing this song. ❤

"Shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby" The man was a poet, and an amazing singer and songwriter. Great reaction, thanks so much.

Talk about painting a picture...."Annies Song". One of the most beautiful songs ever written!

John Denver was a big activist for his adopted state of Colorado he cared a lot about the conservation of the state's vast great outdoors

This song always touched me as a religious experience.... he never really felt alive until he discovered the beauty of Colorado at the age of 27

John was a huge cross over artist his music was played on rock radio.

Popular in the pop world. He was one of the biggest selling artists with hit after hit throughout the 1970’s! Much more than a country artist!

This guy has a really astounding voice. He was mesmerizing to watch live because he did it so effortlessly. Great choice of reaction. If you really want to see an incredible live performance watch him on a National TV special in the early 70's singing with Cass Elliott of " The Mamas and Papas" . the video is called John Denver and Cass Elliott, leaving on a jet plane . I'll bet you'll love it . Ill bet you will recognize Cass Elliott too .

John Denver's other state song. This is autobiographical. Its about his reawakening after moving to the Rockies. Great singer/songwriter.

He was more of a Folks singer to me. Great guy with a great sense of humor.

From Songfacts: In John Denver's autobiography, he wrote: "I remember, almost to the moment, when that song started to take shape in my head. We were working on the next album and it was to be called Mother Nature's Son, after the Beatles song, which I'd included. It was set for release in September. In mid August, Annie and I and some friends went up to Williams Lake to watch the first Perseid meteor showers. Imagine a moonless night in the Rockies in the dead of summer and you have it. I had insisted to everybody that it was going to be a glorious display. Spectacular, in fact. The air was kind of hazy when we started out, but by 10 p.m. it had grown clear. I had my guitar with me and a fishing rod. At some point, I went off in a raft to the middle of the lake, singing my heart out. It wasn't so much that I was singing to entertain anyone back on shore, but rather I was singing for the mountains and for the sky. Either my voice gave out or I got cold, but at any rate, I came in and found that everybody had kind of drifted off to their individual campsites to catnap. We were right below the tree line, just about ten thousand feet, and we hadn't seen too much activity in the sky yet. There was a stand of trees over by the lake, and about a dozen aspens scattered around. Around midnight, I had to get up to pee and stepped out into this open spot. It was dark over by those trees, darker than in the clearing. I looked over there and could see the shadow from the starlight. There was so much light from the stars in the sky that there was a noticeable difference between the clearing and everywhere else. The shadow of the starlight blew me away. Maybe it was the state I was in. I went back and lay down next to Annie in front of our tent, thinking everybody had gone to sleep, and thinking about how in nature all things, large and small, were interwoven, when swoosh, a meteor went smoking by. And from all over the campground came the awed responses "Do you see that?" It got bigger and bigger until the tail stretched out all the way across the sky and burned itself out. Everybody was awake, and it was raining fire in the sky. On his BBC radio program The John Denver Show, he set the stage for this song by introducing it with this story: "You and I have just broken out of a huge stand of Douglas fir. The trees tower hundreds of feet above us. We've come out of the solemn, cathedral-like darkness of the trees, into the bright, early morning sunshine of a grassy slope. The grass is wet and soft with morning dew beneath our feet. The air is crisp, so crisp it sends little needles of joyful pain through the membranes of your nose. The air is so clear, it seems to purify your lungs. On both sides, above and beyond, stretch the awesome Rockies, their great, snow-capped peaks jutting out of the early morning mist. This is living. This is what man was created for: to live and work and continue what these mountains represent. This is true freedom. Being part of nature and drawing from it, and returning back to it." Denver invoked this song when he testified at a Senate hearing in 1985 where he opposed the labeling of albums proposed by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). "As an artist, I am opposed to any kind of a rating system, voluntarily or otherwise," he said. "My song "Rocky Mountain High" was banned from many radio stations as a drug-related song. This was obviously done by people who had never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and also had never experienced the elation, celebration of life, or the joy in living that one feels when he observes something as wondrous as the Perseides meteor shower on a moonless, cloudless night, when there are so many stars that you have a shadow from the starlight, and you are out camping with your friends, your best friends, and introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for the very first time. Obviously, a clear case of misinterpretation. Mr. Chairman, what assurance have I that any national panel to review my music would make any better judgment?" Some of the references in the lyrics: "He was born in the summer of his 27th year" - John was 27 that summer. "Coming home to a place he'd never been before" - He and Annie had just made Aspen home. "And he lost a friend but kept his memory" - A good friend from Minnesota had come to visit and was killed riding John's motorcycle. "Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more" - This referred to the debate at that time about bringing the Olympics to Colorado.

John Denver was more than a great singer/writer/guitar player. He was an extraordiary human being. A champion for the environment and civil rights. A generous soul who was lost too early in a plane crash. If alive today, he would still be performing and loved the world over.

Colorado is my home state and those Rocky Mountains have a mystical power to them! They touch your soul when you see them, you can feel it. They’re healing too! You should see them at least once in your lifetime!

You two are so sweet. I appreciate you reacting to songs brought up in the live stream. John Denver was considered to be more folk than country, but definitely was an early crossover artist. He's one of my faves to listen to for more of a zen mood.

Do one more if you can. "Annie's song". He wrote it on a chair lift at a ski resort.

Denver’s “big three” nature songs are Rocky Mountain High, Calypso, and Wild Montana Skies. He has many other catchy and heartfelt tunes. Thank God I’m a Country Boy and Take Me Home are two of my favorites.

You could do a whole week of John Denver and I would LOVE every one :) . The man was simply amazing!!!

Rocky Mountain High is literally John Denver’s autobiography song. It is about his life, his story his feelings and perspectives in his relationship to Colorado and the Rockies. It touched a vibe in so many people that is now one of the two official state songs of Colorado. People still gather all over the world in get-togethers to celebrate his music. Though he was often lambasted as uncool or too sweet by rockers and some hard country artists of the day, he is beloved to this day for the memories and songs he gave us, and the contributions he made to American music, the protection of the environment, efforts to end world hunger, efforts to plant trees around the world, his support of the space program, his love of nature and aviation and his diplomatic efforts to open Russia and China to American music. While he did record some country songs like “Back Home Again” and “Some Days Are Diamonds,” he really wasn’t considered country, at least by Nashville artists back in the 70s and 80s (though he is accepted openly now 25 years after his death, mainly for his recording of “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”). Though he came from folk music of the 60s, by the 70s his music had evolved into its own unique category. He called it “western” music. We call it John Denver music. RMH isn’t really a country song, bit it is John Denver. “Calypso” isn’t a country song. “Annie’s Song” isn’t a country song. Neither is “I’m Sorry,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders” or “Spirit.” His song “For You” isn’t country, but it’s a beautiful song. “Cowboy’s Delight” is s cowboy song, but it isn’t country either. And his song “The Wings That Fly Us Home,” is an awesome, moving orchestral piece that is way more than country, folk, pop or easy listening. JD music is its own unique category. It is at once uniquely American, but at the same time appeals to people in every country on Earth. There are good reasons why he is still so beloved. Thanks for your reaction video.

Oh I love John Denver. He’s got such a great voice.

When he said "Lost a friend but kept his memory" that hurt my heart. A great line in a song full of them.

John Denver practically owned the 70's! His audience was huge, with a vast majority of fans being college age kids. I still recall that time he played in my city, late fall, every dorm it seemed, went to his concert. And, it was amazing!

When an artist can take you to a special place with his music, that's truly special

John Denver kept Country music alive all through the 70/80/97 when he died in a plane crash Country music musicians never travelled outside America in all that time, he was a Legend in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and the rest of the UK if not for him keeping it alive it would have died out world wide, it took a decade after his death to be put in Country Musics hall of fame he should have been put in straight away, he saved country music I was actually listening to one of his songs Rhymes and Reasons when my partner nudged me and said John Denver has just been killed in a plane crash I will never forget that night.

Born and raised in denver Colorado i love the our state its scenery is so beautiful thank you john for showing love for the all of us here he is. A true legend

If you guys want water faucet tears, check out his version of "Leaving on a Jetplane." Covered by many others, but John wrote it and he has his own version.

A spiritual song that elevates everyone’s soul! One of the most memorable tunes ever!

My favorite of his is Leaving on a Jet Plane with Mama Cass. But all his work is good, honestly. Can't go wrong with any of it.

Takes me back to my childhood in the 70s.

From his Wild Fire concert, you should check out his song “Calypso”, it’s about Jacques Cousteau’s boat, and my god it’s a beautiful song, 🔥

Asia ia truly gifted, John Denver once said "the song describes just being intoxicated by the beauties life, it pauses life in time for just a second."

I'm so happy that more and more younger people are getting to know John Denver ,

I love watching you two react and open up to music that’s new to you. This song reminds me that the natural world is as real and as relevant as all the hustle and bustle that comprises most of our everyday lives. If you can, please make plans to go to the Rockies ( or anywhere off the beaten path that inspires you) and find out for yourselves. The experience will be one you will treasure. It will nurture your souls and your lives will be forever transformed.

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 - October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer. After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career with folk music groups during the late 1960s. Starting in the 1970s, he was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the decade and one of its best-selling artists. By 1974, he was one of America's best-selling performers; AllMusic has called Denver "among the most beloved entertainers of his era". Even though John loved nature and was a humanitarian & loved the "land", he was not country, per se; he was a folk singer. He loved Colorado so much, he changed his last name to Denver. Miss him.

John Denver has been my favorite since I was just 12 years old. He speaks to my heart and soul. His words express things I feel. He was a n amazingly sensitive person with love of people, our world and the whole planet. He's soothing to the soul. I was blessed to see him in life. We lost him way too soon.

John was a folk singer, first and foremost. The guitar he's playing on is a 12-string acoustic, steel-strung guitar, which is how he gets so much depth of sound out of it (he was always partial to 12-strings). It's so great to see people still discovering him even now.

RIP John.... We will never hear another voice like John Denver's.. like listening to an angel saying..

John Denver always makes me reflect upon myself.

John Denver . . . a true artist . . . what a voice . . . I think he's an inspiration to all . . .

This is quite possibly the best song to listen to while sitting by a warm 🔥…..enjoying a 🍷, an early-November night sky and glorious songs like this. They say this song is about what he wanted the world to look like as he died. After its release, he flew his little plane into the side of the Rocky Mountains on a spectacularly beautiful day. We’d all like to believe that he saw exactly that when he touched the ☀️.

John Denver is a National Treasure

One of my top ten favorite songs of my entire life. It made me misty the first time I heard it, it still does.

A beautiful song; I used to live off-grid (no elec., running water or phone) in the mountains and really miss it. R.I.P. John Denver

His voice was so pure. Thanks guys.

check out his love song to his wife (at the time), Annie's Song

The song is autobiographical. He wrote it about his first experience in Colorado. He not only decided to move there, but had his last name legally changed from Deutschendorf to Denver. I wish he was still here, but his music is.

This is when he moved to Colorado. He loved nature. I new John, I use to help him on tours.

A very lovely beautiful gentle Christmas album by John Denver is "Rocky Mountain Christmas" Wonderful to listen to during cold snowy or quiet evenings while warm inside your place and your mind is thinking about your loved ones.

"Friends around the camp fire and everybody's high"

“Annie’s Song” is a must. John Denver was a precious gift. He was a pilot and this song tells the story from the point of view of someone who has flown over the Rocky Mountains. Such a comforting voice to deliver his beautiful words. 🌺✌️

The band I was in back in the day, opened for John Denver at several concerts in college towns and it was pure joy, The audience was always so damn happy to be there.

I was a young man when John Denver was at the peak if his popularity and I still love the music. But I especially love watching you guys. You're such lovely people - full kind hearts, joyful, and so smart. The world needs so many more people like you.

He didn't know me but he was the love of my life. So thankful I got to see him perform several times.

John has been called "a song's best friend." I must humbly agree.✌❤

I like what Asia said about walking on a different level of life. There is a certain level of inspiration that is reached in the mountains and country life in general.

So happy to see you find this. I grew up on this artist and this song. John Denver was a transcendent artist.

Spending time in the high country can be a truly profound experience. The vistas, the disconnect from civilization, the absolutely dark nights, looking into a glacial fed lake and seeing 30-40 ft down as though the water wasn't even there ... the peace, the quiet. I'm too old (and lazy :)) to get up there anymore but I remember those feelings. If you ever get the chance to do some high country backpacking take it. I especially love the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington state, but I hear it's overrun with people nowadays. And remember, tread lightly. Pack out everything you pack in and grab others trash you find along the way.

John Denver was a treasure R.I.P.

The Mountains are it's own thing. They bring their own magic. Something to be experienced again and again ...

At Red Rocks amphitheater they have a beautiful statue of him.

The part where the harmony comes in is amazing; it gives me chills. I had to play it over and over. It's the most beautiful part of the song. I love it, I love the whole song. He could really write. What BJ said about being able to feel the lyrics is because of that. A good writer can make you feel .

John was a truly gifted lyricist. And so, so missed ❤

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful voice. So smooth and lovely.

I was born in Colorado and the state is beautiful! This song is one of my favorites. No one can tell the story better than John Denver! Love him!!

He is so much a part of my growing up, not just because I liked him, but my entire family liked him. I identified with his sentiments about nature, as I was the kid who absolutely felt like I was in church when I was in nature, even just in my own back yard. Such a good human, too.

I could see Asia falling into this song. It was great to watch such an honest feeling.

When everything was crazy! Here came John Denver! A breath of fresh air! 🤠🇺🇸🐎☕

In this song he says friends around the camp fire everybody's high. This was how this song stated he and his wife and a couple friends were camping smoking a joint. There was a mentor shower and he wrote the song in a few hours.

Annie’s Song. The most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.

He wrote this as he was camping and watching a meteor shower and was amazed of the beauty. Please do Annie's Song, the live version, it was a tribute to his wife. Also his song Calypso, a tribute to underwater sea adventurer Jacque Cousteau and his ship. John was a very much into conservation of our natural resourses. Unfortunately we lost him much to soon in a plane crash. RIP

i heard this song a thousand times growing up......never knew how to feel the words of a song til 25 yrs later...in the song he says i know i'd be a poorer man if i never saw an eagle fly....well one day i was driving a truck around the west rim of the grand canyon....right above me an eagle came to investigate....i stopped and hopped up on my flatbed.....15 ft above me was the most beautiful sight....an eagle came to see me....6ft wingspan....majestic.....i'm now not a poorer man...when you see the national bird flying overhead....it's life changing....thank you John for opening my eyes....my best memory of life ....so far

John Denver simply the best

This is his best piece. Period. He was "born" (found a real home) in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he'd never been before. He was singing in a quartet? when he decided to set out on his own and go to Colorado. When he talks about losing a friend but gaining a memory, it was an incident in planes where his friend's plane went down when they were out flying. Talk to God and listen to the casual reply? Friends around the campfire and everybody's high? Aww, seeking grace in every step he takes? Beautiful lyrics. So sad, he was an expert pilot but went down testing an experimental aircraft.

I always considered him a folk singer.....great writer,/lyricist......

It wasn't considered cool yo be a John Denver fan in the 70s but secretly we all listened to him and loved him and cried at his humble tributes to nature and our world . 🌎

A man with an ongoing spiritual experience. Hence his rebirth at age 27. Perhaps the most important thing in life is to have something (good and pure) to be in awe of. Awe breeds humility and humility opens the mind and heart. Good luck and God bless one and all!

John Denver and other singer/songwriters of his era were often considered "crossover" artists, because they appealed to people across genre lines. You'd find his songs, for instance, toward the top of the charts in pop, country, and folk categories, all at the same time, sometimes.

He was taken too early on Oct 12 1997 when his experimental plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean in California. His songs are classics and can never be duplicated, no fancy setups. no auto tunning just pure talent.

John Denver had one of those beautiful clear voices. You can feel and see what he is singing about. I have also found that you either love John Denver or you just don't like him. I have very seldom heard anyone say I can take him or leave him.

John Denver manged to get everyone--young, old, black, white, everyone--vibing to his music and his voice.

This song is about leaving the city/world he once lived in and moving to the mountains for clean, fresh air and to live in the wonder of Nature. But, man has a way of spoiling the beauty of nature. Unmistakable voice, great tone/breath control and good range. Always sung with emotions and feelings. Other great songs: Anne's Song, Back Home Again, Calypso, just a few. Only after his passing has he received the recognition so deserving of him.

One of the All-time Greatest Singer/Songwriters in Music History 🎶 John Denver.

Oooo i am so happy to see younger people enjoying this piece of beautiful music 💞🕊️ I grew up in the late 1960s and 1970s, 80s.. But my spirit belongs to the late 60s & 1970s music 🎖️🏆🎖️👑 🎹🎸💥🥁🪇 Soul fiya I call it Thanks for sharing this. Blessings from NYC 💞🕊️

Check out the John Denver songs "Annie's Song" and "Sunshine On my Shoulders".

A truck driver friend of mine worked for a company that drove big acts on tour with their equipment, etc. of all the acts he drove for he said John Denver treated them the best. He’d hang out with them, buy them dinner, aged Scotch, expensive guitars. Just an all around down to Earth great guy.

Grandma's feather bed is worth a listen.💛

This is my favourite John Denver song. His live performance of this at The Wildlife Concert is superb.

Grew up with J.D's music. Very life changing and beautiful words to listen to. Play more please. Annie's Song was probably played at every wedding in the 70's. A whole encyclopedia of songs.

Hohn was such a kind soul! He loved everyone and had such a positive attitude and he liked his weed. His music ability was incredible and he lived in Colorado and left this earth doing what he loved to do, flying his plane over the beauty. ❤

He lived in the Rocky Mountains. Great songwriter and singer.

A man a head of his time who loved nature.

He's singing about the spiritual experience of living there and the beauty of nature. My favorite song by him.

John is harmonising with himself here (background vocals) :) He wasn't Country music, in fact he was derided by the Country Music artists, check out CMA presentation by Charlie Rich. John won Country Music entertainer of the year, the previous years winner, CR, burnt the envelope as he announced the winner "my friend John Denver". John could only hear the announcement via Satellite as he was in Australia, though the US could see Johns oblivious, reaction to winning. John was not wholly accepted as Country or pop or rock, though he had hits in every music list, he really was his own genre with Folk and Western roots.

Watching a John Denver Concert I saw one Time was unreal and a Monarch Butterfly Landed on His Guitar

This is John's anthem to the mountains and saving the our wildlife and planet. He brings you to a clear blue mountain lake where he talks to God and listens to his casual reply. Just beautiful.

Annies Song was amazing! He was so incredibly talented.