John Denver: The Nicest Man in the Business
Folk and country singer-songwriter John Denver became a beloved figure in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, thanks to his memorable songs, sweet voice, and positive persona.
His first significant hit, Leaving On a Jet Plane, was originally recorded as a demo in 1966. Though it was popularised by Peter, Paul & Mary in 1969, Denver’s version, released later that year, did not chart. He re-recorded it for his Greatest Hits album, and this version became the definitive one, overshadowing its original title, Babe, I Hate to Go. This iconic song has since become one of his most beloved tracks, especially after its inclusion in the 1974 compilation.
On his debut album, Denver also covered When I’m Sixty-Four by The Beatles and Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor, showcasing his admiration for classic melodies.
By his third studio album, Whose Garden Was This, Denver continued his tradition of covering influential songs. This album featured his renditions of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (by The Band), Mr. Bojangles (by Jerry Jeff Walker, also covered by Bob Dylan), and two more Beatles tunes, Eleanor Rigby and Golden Slumbers.
In 1972, Denver released his fourth studio album, which included his signature song, Take Me Home, Country Roads. Also featured were other classics such as Sunshine on My Shoulders, along with more Beatles (Let It Be) and James Taylor (Fire and Rain) covers.
John Denver: A Glorious Journey Cut Short
John Denver’s fifth album, Aerie, was released in 1971, but it didn’t produce any hits, though it did feature a cover of Buddy Holly’s Everyday. His sixth album, however, brought success, with Rocky Mountain High reaching the top ten and eventually becoming the official song of Colorado. This album also included another Beatles cover, Mother Nature’s Son.
After another studio album and the release of his greatest hits compilation, which included the renamed and re-recorded Leaving On a Jet Plane, Denver released the classic Annie’s Song in 1974 on Back Home Again.
A live album soon followed, featuring the hit Thank God I’m a Country Boy, which reached #1 on the Country charts.
The second half of the 1970s saw a decline in Denver’s chart success. Although several albums were released, none produced major hits. During this time, he even recorded two Christmas albums, one of which featured collaborations with the Muppets.
As the 1980s arrived, John Denver’s glory years seemed to be behind him. Over the next decade, he released eleven more studio albums until his tragic death in 1997, with his final album, All Aboard!, ironically released just months before his passing.
The tragedy struck when Denver died in a plane crash, just two months after the release of All Aboard!. It was reported that he was not familiar with the specific model he was flying and misread some of the instruments while piloting the plane.
On a final note, it’s worth mentioning that Denver’s decline in success coincided with his shift away from covering other artists’ songs. In his early years, when he recorded Beatles and James Taylor tunes, it seemed to inspire his own songwriting, pushing him to greater heights.
John Denver Tunes | Related Pages
Annie’s Song | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Annie’s Song by John Denver using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G A | Bm G | D F#m/C# |
You fill up my senses, like a night in a forest…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Annie’s Song (John Denver) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Leaving, On a Jet Plane | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Leaving, On a Jet Plane by John Denver using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | C |
All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Leaving, On a Jet Plane (John Denver) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Take Me Home, Country Roads | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | Em |
Almost heaven, West Virginia…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Thank God I’m A Country Boy | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Thank God I’m A Country Boy by John Denver using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, and the original recording.
| A A/E | A D |
When the work’s all done and the sun’s settlin’ low…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Thank God I’m A Country Boy (John Denver) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
John Denver on the web
