Saturday morning, I was driving to a speaking event when NPR broadcast a story about a newly released John Denver tribute album, with songs performed by current popular singers including Dave Matthews, Emmy Lou Harris, Josh Ritter, and Olde Crow Medicine Show.
I sure wish the man of steel, who thinks I don’t like music much, had been along to see the tears streaming down my face when the radio host played several John Denver songs popular during my teen years. Those songs evoked such strong memories of my older sister (who I thought knew everything) describing this new folk singer she said I would love, of dancing to John Denver songs at high school sock hops and college dances, and of our kids singing along to the John Denver and the Muppets Christmas Album.
The radio story got me to thinking about my favorite John Denver songs and resulted in this top ten list.
10. Lady, My Sweet Lady–My friends and I usually went stag to high school sock hops and spent a lot of time imagining slow dancing to this song.
9. Rocky Mountain High–Many of you might rate this song higher, but I love prairies more than mountains.
8. Leaving on a Jet Plane–We thought deeply significant thoughts while singing this song in tenth grade chorus.
7. Thank God I’m a Country Boy–The lyrics make me think of my dad.
6. Merry Christmas, Little Zachary–This one tugs at my parent heart every Christmas.
5. Follow Me–Yes, about every other wedding from the 1970s used this song, and musicians got tired of it back then. But now, the song makes me think of the people in those weddings, and I like that.
4. Sunshine On My Shoulders–Because sunshine on my shoulders does make me happy.
2. Annie’s Song–Because of our daughter.
2. Country Roads, Take Me Home–Because of our son.
1. Grandma’s Feather Bed–Because my Grandma Josie shooed her grandkids to the basement where we slept in a bed almost as crowded as the one in the song. We didn’t get much shut-eye, but I wouldn’t trade the good times and good memories for a full night’s rest.
What are your favorite John Denver songs? Why?
Favorite? Hahaha… It probably would be easier to list which ones aren’t my favorites. 🙂 I know the list would most definitely be shorter. And, as you, I have separate reasons for each one being favorite. “A Baby Just Like You” (Merry Christmas, Little Zachary) is also one of my favorites because it reminds me of my own Zachary. This is one of my favorite YouTube videos of the song. Leon does a great job. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IRbCDBSInbQ#!
Thanks, Janet! Thanks for the YouTube link. He has a really good voice!
Jolene