Take Me Home, Country Roads

Last updated

"Take Me Home, Country Roads"
John Denver with Fat City take me home country roads 1971 A-side US vinyl.jpg
Side A of the US single
Single by John Denver
from the album Poems, Prayers & Promises
B-side "Poems, Prayers and Promises"
ReleasedApril 12, 1971 (1971-04-12)
RecordedJanuary 1971, New York City
Genre
Length3:17
Label RCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
John Denver singles chronology
"Friends With You"
(1971)		"Take Me Home, Country Roads"
(1971)		"Everyday"
(1972)
Audio
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" (audio) on YouTube

"Take Me Home, Country Roads", also known simply as "Country Roads", is a song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver. It was released as a single performed by Denver on April 12, 1971, peaking at number two on Billboard's US Hot 100 singles for the week ending August 28, 1971. The song was a success on its initial release and was certified Gold by the RIAA on August 18, 1971, and Platinum on April 10, 2017. [3] The song became one of John Denver's most popular songs. It has continued to sell, with over 1.8 million digital copies sold in the United States. [4]

Contents

In 1998, the 1971 recording by John Denver was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. [5]

The song is considered a symbol of West Virginia. In March 2014, it became one of the four official state anthems of West Virginia. [6]

In 2023, the song was selected by the Library of Congress for inclusion in the National Recording Registry. [7]

Composition

Inspiration for the title line had come while Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff, who were married, were driving along Clopper Road in Montgomery County, Maryland, to a gathering of Nivert's family in Gaithersburg, with Nivert behind the wheel while Danoff played his guitar. "I just started thinking, country roads, I started thinking of me growing up in western New England and going on all these small roads", Danoff said. "It didn't have anything to do with Maryland or anyplace." [8]

To Danoff, the lyric "[t]he radio reminds me of my home far away" in the bridge is quintessentially West Virginian, an allusion to when he listened to the program Saturday Night Jamboree , broadcast from Wheeling, West Virginia, on WWVA at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts, during his childhood in the 1950s. [9]

Danoff was influenced by friend and West Virginian actor Chris Sarandon and members of a West Virginia commune who attended Danoff's performances. [9] Of the commune members, Danoff remarked, "They brought their dogs and were a very colorful group of folks, but that is how West Virginia began creeping into the song." While the song was inspired by Danoff's upbringing in Springfield, Massachusetts, he "didn't want to write about Massachusetts because [he] didn't think the word was musical." [9]

Starting December 22, 1970, Denver was heading the New Year's bill at The Cellar Door in Washington, D.C., with Fat City opening for him, just as Denver had opened at the same club for then-headliner David Steinberg. After the club's post-Christmas reopening night on Tuesday, December 29 (Cellar Door engagements ran from Tuesday to Sunday, and this booking was for two weeks), the three returned to the couple's apartment for an impromptu jam. On the way, Denver's left thumb was broken in a collision. He was rushed to the emergency room, where the thumb was splinted. When they returned to the apartment, Denver said he was "wired, you know." [10]

When Danoff and Nivert ran through what they had of the song they had been working on for about a month, planning to sell to Johnny Cash, Denver decided he had to have it, which prompted them to abandon plans for the sale. [11] The verses and chorus were still missing a bridge, so the three of them went about finishing.

Nivert got out an encyclopedia to learn more about West Virginia. The first thing she encountered was the rhododendron, the state flower, so she kept trying to work the word Rhododendron into the song. Rhododendron was the title that Nivert had written down on the lyric sheet, which they later sent to ASCAP. [9] The three stayed up until 6:00 a.m., changing words and moving lines around. [12]

When they finished, on the morning of Wednesday, December 30, 1970, Denver announced that the song had to go on his next album. [12] Later that night, during Denver's first set, Denver called his two collaborators back to the spotlight, where the trio changed their career trajectories, reading the lyrics from a single, handheld, unfolded piece of paper. According to Len Jaffe, a Washington, D.C.-based singer-songwriter who attended the show where Denver premiered the song, this resulted in a five-minute standing ovation. [13] The next day was Denver's 28th birthday. They recorded it in New York City in January 1971.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is written in the key of A major. [14]

Commercial performance and legacy

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" appeared on the LP Poems, Prayers & Promises and was released as a 45 in the spring of 1971. Original pressings credited the single to "John Denver with Fat City". It broke nationally in mid-April but moved up the charts very slowly. After several weeks, RCA Records called John and told him they were giving up on the single. His response: "No! Keep working on it!"[ citation needed ] They did, and the single went to number 1 on the Record World Pop Singles Chart and the Cash Box Top 100, and number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped only by "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by The Bee Gees.

On August 18, 1971, it was certified Gold by the RIAA for a million copies shipped. [15] The song continued to sell in the digital era. As of January 2020, the song has also sold 1,800,000 downloads since it became available digitally. [4]

Denver's recording of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2023. [16]

The song has since become an anthem of the Brisbane Lions and is sung by the crowd every time Lions player Charlie Cameron kicks a goal. The song was chosen by Cameron to be played in reference to his country roots. [17]

The song was interpolated in "Lonely Road" by Machine Gun Kelly and Jelly Roll in 2024. It reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 10 August 2024, giving Denver his first top 40 appearance as a songwriter since the same song's appearance in the medley "Forever Country" by Artists of Then, Now & Forever peaked at number 21 in 2016. [4]

Reception in West Virginia

Take Me Home, Country Roads
Regional anthem of West Virginia
LyricsBill Danoff and Taffy Nivert
PublishedApril 12, 1971
AdoptedMarch 2014

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" received an enthusiastic response from West Virginians. [18] On November 1, 2017, the West Virginia Tourism Office announced it had obtained the rights to use "Take Me Home, Country Roads" in its marketing efforts. "'Country Roads' has become synonymous with West Virginia all over the world", said West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby. "It highlights everything we love about our state: scenic beauty, majestic mountains, a timeless way of life, and most of all, the warmth of a place that feels like home whether you've lived here forever or are just coming to visit." The opening phrase of the song, "Almost heaven", became a primary tourism office slogan. [19]

The song is the theme song of West Virginia University, and it has been performed during every home football pregame show since 1972. The song is also played after every home victory and fans are encouraged to stay in the stands and sing along with the team. It is also played for other athletic events and university functions. [20] On September 6, 1980, at the invitation of West Virginia Governor Jay Rockefeller, songwriters Danoff, Nivert, and Denver performed the song during pregame festivities to a sold-out crowd of Mountaineer fans. This performance marked the dedication of the current West Virginia University Mountaineer Field and the first game for head coach Don Nehlen. [21]

The popularity of the song inspired resolutions in the West Virginia Legislature to adopt "Take Me Home, Country Roads" as an official state song. On March 7, 2014, the West Virginia Legislature approved a resolution to make "Take Me Home, Country Roads" an official state song of West Virginia, alongside three other pieces: "West Virginia Hills", "This Is My West Virginia", and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home". [22] Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed the resolution into law on March 8, 2014. [23]

The song was played at the funeral for West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd at the state capitol in Charleston, West Virginia, on July 2, 2010. [24]

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [34] Gold45,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [35] Gold250,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [36] Platinum100,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [37] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [38] 2× Platinum1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [15] Platinum1,800,000 [4]

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

Hermes House Band version

"Country Roads"
HermesHouseBandCountryRoads.jpg
Single by Hermes House Band
from the album The Album
ReleasedMay 21, 2001 (2001-05-21)
Length3:22
Label XPLO Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jim Binapfl
  • John Lehmkuhl
  • Mark Snijders
  • Jack Buck
Hermes House Band singles chronology
"Disco Samba Part II"
(2000)		"Country Roads"
(2001)		"Que Sera Sera"
(2001)

Dutch pop band Hermes House Band covered the song and released it as "Country Roads". This version was first released in Germany on May 21, 2001, [39] and was issued in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2001, where it was a contender for the 2001 Christmas number-one single. [40] This version was a chart success in Europe, reaching number one in Scotland, number two in Germany and Ireland, and the top 10 in Austria, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

Track listings

Dutch CD single [41]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Roads" (original radio edit)3:22
2."Country Roads" (happy dance version)3:20
Belgian CD single [42]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Roads" (original radio edit)3:22
2."Country Roads" (happy dance version)3:20
3."Country Roads" (karaoke version)3:20
European and Australian maxi-CD single [43] [44]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Roads" (original live radio version)3:22
2."Country Roads" (original radio version)3:22
3."Country Roads" (dance radio version)3:20
4."Country Roads" (happy party radio version)3:20
5."Country Roads" (original live extended version)4:24
6."Country Roads" (dance extended version)4:14
7."Country Roads" (happy party extended version)4:26
UK CD single [45]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Roads" (original radio version)3:22
2."Country Roads" (original live extended version)4:24
3."Country Roads" (dance extended version)4:14
4."Country Roads" (video)3:22
UK cassette single [46]
No.TitleLength
1."Country Roads" (original radio version)3:22
2."Country Roads" (original live extended version)4:24
3."Country Roads" (original dance extended version)4:14

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Country Roads"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [65] Gold45,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [66] Platinum500,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [67] Silver200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Olivia Newton-John version

Olivia Newton-John released a cover version in January 1973 that reached number 6 in Japan and number 15 in the UK. [68] It was the lead single from her third studio album, Let Me Be There . This version, as well as the song itself, features prominently in the Japanese animated film, Whisper of the Heart .

Charts

Chart performance for "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
Chart (1972)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [69] 5
UK Singles (OCC) [70] 15
US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 [71] 115

Fallout 76 version

A cover version of the song, a collaboration between Copilot Music and Sound and the vocal group Spank, [72] was commissioned for and featured in both the teaser and full E3 2018 trailers for the 2018 video game Fallout 76 , with its plot events set in West Virginia. [73] Released as an iTunes-only single on July 4, 2018, the song reached No. 1 on the iTunes singles chart. [74] It debuted at No. 41 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart that week and at No. 21 on Billboard's Country Digital Songs the following week. [74] The official YouTube upload of the original John Denver recording, initially uploaded in 2013, would later edit its description in response to the song's use for the game. [75] In Australia, a promotional Fallout 76 vinyl featuring the cover was included with the December 2018 issue of STACK Magazine exclusively from retailer JB Hi-Fi. [76]

Charts

Chart performance for "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
Chart (2018)Peak
position
US Country Digital Songs ( Billboard ) [74] 21
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [74] 41

Forever Country version

The song found further chart success as part of the "Forever Country" medley and video, created in 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association Awards. [77]

Toots and the Maytals version

Jamaican reggae group Toots and the Maytals recorded a cover version for their 1975 US re-release of their 1973 album Funky Kingston . Listed on the album as "Country Road", the lyrics are altered slightly to refer to the group's home country of Jamaica with specific references to the island's West end. [78]

Lana Del Rey version

"Take Me Home, Country Roads"
Take Me Home Country Roads Lana Del Rey Cover Art.jpeg
Promotional single by Lana Del Rey
ReleasedDecember 1, 2023 (2023-12-01)
Genre
Length2:46
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Zach Dawes
Lana Del Rey promotional singles chronology
"Text Book"
(2021)		"Take Me Home, Country Roads"
(2023)
Official audio
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" on YouTube

American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey released a piano cover of the song on December 1, 2023. [79]

Charts

Chart performance for "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [80] 96
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [81] 49
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [82] 23

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starland Vocal Band</span> American pop band

Starland Vocal Band was an American pop band, known for "Afternoon Delight", one of the biggest-selling singles of 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie's Song</span> 1974 single by John Denver

"Annie's Song" (also known as "Annie's Song (You Fill Up My Senses)") is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter John Denver. The song was released as the lead single from his eighth studio album Back Home Again. It was his second number-one song in the United States, occupying that spot for two weeks in July 1974. "Annie's Song" also went to number one on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 25 song for 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thank God I'm a Country Boy</span> 1975 single by John Denver

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy", also known as "Country Boy", is a song written by John Martin Sommers and recorded by American singer/songwriter John Denver. The song was originally included on Denver's 1974 album Back Home Again. A version recorded live on August 26, 1974, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles was included on his 1975 album An Evening with John Denver. The live version was released as a single and went to No. 1 on both the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song topped both charts for one week each, first the country chart, and the Hot 100 chart a week later. Thank God I'm a Country Boy also became the name of a variety special show hosted by Denver in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afternoon Delight</span> 1976 single by Starland Vocal Band

"Afternoon Delight" is a song recorded by Starland Vocal Band. It was written by band member Bill Danoff. In the US, it became a #1 single on July 10, 1976, and earned a gold record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eternal Flame (song)</span> 1989 song by the Bangles

"Eternal Flame" is a song by American pop rock group the Bangles for their third studio album, Everything (1988). Released on January 23, 1989, the power ballad was written by group member Susanna Hoffs with the established hit songwriting team of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Upon its 1989 single release, "Eternal Flame" became a number-one hit in nine countries, including Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Since its release, it has been covered by many musical artists, including Australian boy band Human Nature, who reached the Australian top 10 with their version, and British girl group Atomic Kitten, who topped four national charts with their rendition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Remind Me</span> 2001 single by Usher

"U Remind Me" is a song by American singer Usher. It was written by Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement and Anita McCloud and produced by Clement along with duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Usher's third studio album 8701 (2001). A mid-tempo R&B track, the song is about a man who meets a woman who seems like a nice catch, but he decides not to enter a relationship with her because she looks too much like an ex-girlfriend with whom he had a bad breakup.

"Last Kiss" is a song written by Wayne Cochran and first recorded by Cochran in 1961 for the Gala label. Cochran's version failed to do well on the charts. Cochran re-recorded his song for the King label in 1963. It was revived by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, who took it to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Wednesday, Pearl Jam, and several international artists also covered the song, with varying degrees of success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somebody Told Me</span> 2004 single by the Killers

"Somebody Told Me" is a song by American rock band the Killers. It was released as the second official single from the group's debut studio album Hot Fuss (2004), and was written by band members Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer, Dave Keuning and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Brandon Flowers said: "This is the story of trying to meet someone in a club." It is written in the key of B-flat minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dream On (Depeche Mode song)</span> 2001 single by Depeche Mode

"Dream On" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released in the United States on 17 April 2001 and in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2001 as the first single from the band's tenth studio album, Exciter (2001). The song topped the charts of Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain and reached the top 10 in Austria, Canada, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Wallonia. The song's music video was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taffy Nivert</span> American singer-songwriter

Mary Catherine "Taffy" Nivert is an American songwriter and singer. She is best known for co-writing "Take Me Home, Country Roads", which was popularized by John Denver, and for being a member of the Starland Vocal Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me Home (Cher song)</span> 1979 single by Cher

"Take Me Home" is a song recorded by American singer and actress Cher for her fifteenth studio album. The album, released in 1979, bore the same name as the single. "Take Me Home" is a disco song conceived after Cher was recommended to venture into said genre after the commercial failure of her previous albums. The lyrics center around the request of a woman to be taken home by her lover. It was released as the lead single from the Take Me Home album in January 1979 through Casablanca Records, pressed as a 12-inch single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)</span> 2001 single by Train

"Drops of Jupiter", initially released and sometimes still listed as "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", is a song written and recorded by American rock band Train. It was released on January 29, 2001, as the lead single from their second studio album, Drops of Jupiter (2001). The song entered the top five of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also became an international hit, reaching the top 10 in seven other countries. The European single has tracks "It's Love", "This Is Not Your Life", and "Sharks" as its B-sides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Danoff</span> American songwriter and singer (born 1946)

William Thomas Danoff is an American songwriter and singer. He is known for "Afternoon Delight", which he wrote and performed as a member of the Starland Vocal Band, and for writing multiple hits for John Denver, including "Take Me Home, Country Roads".

<i>Olivia Newton-Johns Greatest Hits</i> 1977 greatest hits album by Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album released by Olivia Newton-John in 1977. In Australasia, it was released as Greatest Hits Vol. 2 as an extension of the 1974 compilation First Impressions, while in other regions, it fully spanned Newton-John's career up to the point of release.

<i>Poems, Prayers & Promises</i> 1971 album by John Denver

Poems, Prayers & Promises is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released on April 6, 1971 by RCA Records. The album was recorded in New York City, and produced by Milton Okun and Susan Ruskin. Poems, Prayers & Promises was Denver's commercial breakthrough, and contains several of his most popular songs, such as "Poems, Prayers, and Promises", "My Sweet Lady", "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado", "Sunshine on My Shoulders", and "Take Me Home, Country Roads", which would become one of Denver's signature songs. "The Box", which concludes the album, is a poem by Kendrew Lascelles illustrating the futility of war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Doesn't Matter (song)</span> 2000 single by Wyclef Jean featuring the Rock and Melky Sedeck

"It Doesn't Matter" is the first single released from Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean's second studio album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000). Written by Jean and Jerry Duplessis, the track features additional vocals from Melky Sedeck and wrestler The Rock, whose famous catchphrase inspired the song title. The song includes samples of "Mona Lisa" by Slick Rick, "This Is Ska" by Longsy D, "Livin' la Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin, and "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver, so all songwriters are given credits.

<i>How Can I Unlove You</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Lynn Anderson

How Can I Unlove You is an album by country music singer Lynn Anderson, released in 1971.

<i>In the Dark</i> (Toots and the Maytals album) 1974 studio album by Toots & the Maytals

In the Dark is the second international album release by the reggae singing group Toots and the Maytals, issued in Jamaica and in the United Kingdom on Dragon Records, DRLS 5004, a subsidiary label owned by Chris Blackwell. It was released in September 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homegrown (song)</span> 2015 single by Zac Brown Band

"Homegrown" is a song recorded by American country music group Zac Brown Band. It was released on January 12, 2015 and is the first single from the band's fourth studio album Jekyll + Hyde, released on April 28, 2015. The song was written by Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette and Niko Moon.

<i>The Rocky Mountain Collection</i> 1996 greatest hits album by John Denver

The Rocky Mountain Collection is a greatest hits album by the American folk singer John Denver.

References

  1. ↑ Kurt Wolff; Orla Duane (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 425. ISBN   978-1-85828-534-4.
  2. ↑ Breihan, Tom (February 5, 2019). "The Number Ones: The Bee Gees' "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart"". Stereogum . Retrieved June 16, 2023. John Denver's folksy, bucolic ramble "Take Me Home, Country Roads" also peaked at #2...
  3. ↑ "American single certifications – John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Road". Recording Industry Association of America.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Trust, Gary (August 5, 2024). "John Denver Back in Hot 100's Top 40 as a Writer Thanks to MGK & Jelly Roll's 'Lonely Road". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame | Hall of Fame Artists | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com.
  6. ↑ ""Take Me Home Country Roads"". State Symbols USA. May 7, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ "2023 | View Registry by Induction Years | Recording Registry | National Recording Preservation Board | Programs | Library of Congress". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ Segraves, Mark (December 30, 2020). "Co-Writer of 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' Dispels Myths Surrounding Song's Origins". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Take Me Home, Country Roads". WVUSports.com. January 29, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  10. ↑ ""Take Me Home, Country Roads"". superseventies.com. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Footage Shows Johnny Cash Joining John Denver For 'Country Roads' Duet". classiccountrymusic.com. Classic Country Music. November 9, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Collis, John (September 30, 2011). John Denver: Mother Nature's Son. Mainstream Publishing. p. 22. ISBN   978-1-78057-330-4.
  13. ↑ Augenstein, Neal (December 21, 2020). "Real story behind 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'; debut 50 years ago in DC club". wtop.com. WTOP. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Find the BPM and key for any song | Every song, every tempo | SongBPM | songbpm.com". songbpm.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "American single certifications – John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Road". Recording Industry Association of America.
  16. ↑ "2023 National Recording Registry selections". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  17. ↑ Walsh, Courtney (September 29, 2023). "Humility a common thread as Lions rise from rock bottom to AFL grand final". The Guardian. The Guardian Australia. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ Brumfield, Nick (March 5, 2019). "'Country Roads:' How John Denver's Hit Became the World's Most Popular Song". Expatalachians. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  19. ↑ "WV Tourism obtains rights to use John Denver's 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'". West Virginia Press. November 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Welcome To | WVU Traditions | West Virginia University". Welcometo.wvu.edu. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Country Roads-John Denver WVU 1980 Introduction and Full Song (Audio)". YouTube . July 8, 2013. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2018. John Denver, Bill Danoff, and Taffy Nivert performing "Take Me Home, Country Roads" at the opening of West Virginia University's Mountaineer Field September 6, 1980. This audio recording includes the introduction by John Denver followed by the full song as recorded by WVAQ with Jack Fleming announcing.
  22. ↑ "W.Va. Takes home 'Country Roads'". Charleston Gazette-Mail . March 7, 2014. Archived from the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  23. ↑ ""Country Roads" To Become Fourth Official West Virginia State Song". WCHS-TV . March 7, 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  24. ↑ Garcia, Jon (July 2, 2010). "Eulogizing Sen. Robert Byrd: The Hard Working, if Imperfect, Senator". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010.
  25. ↑ "{{{artist}}} – {{{song}}}". ARIA Top 50 Singles. August 14, 1971.
  26. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 5331." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. August 14, 1971.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 5339." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. August 14, 1971.
  28. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7580." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. September 4, 1971.
  29. ↑ "John Denver Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  30. ↑ "John Denver Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Hot Country Singles". Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 36. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 4, 1971. p. 32. ISSN   0006-2510.
  32. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7590." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  33. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1971/Top 100 Songs of 1971". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Danish single certifications – John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (John Denver; 'Take Me Home, Country Roads')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Italian single certifications – John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  38. ↑ "British single certifications – John Denver – Take Me Home Country Roads". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  39. 1 2 "Hermes House Band – Country Roads" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  40. ↑ "The Christmas Number One Race" (PDF). Music Week . December 1, 2001. p. 21. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  41. ↑ Country Roads (Dutch CD single disc notes). Hermes House Band. XPLO Music. 2001. 0133636ERE.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  42. ↑ Country Roads (Belgian CD single liner notes). Hermes House Band. ARS Productions. 2001. scd 740635-5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  43. ↑ Country Roads (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Hermes House Band. XPLO Music. 2001. 74321 89745 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  44. ↑ Country Roads (Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Hermes House Band. Hussle Recordings. 2001. PORNCD5004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. ↑ Country Roads (UK CD single liner notes). Hermes House Band. XPLO Music, Liberty Records. 2001. 7243 5 50234 0 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  46. ↑ Country Roads (UK cassette single sleeve). Hermes House Band. XPLO Music. 2001. 7243 5 50234 4 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ↑ "Hermes House Band – Country Roads" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  48. ↑ "Hermes House Band – Country Roads" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  49. ↑ "Hermes House Band – Country Roads". Tracklisten.
  50. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 18, no. 38. September 15, 2001. p. 9. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  51. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Country Roads". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 11 October 2001". GfK Chart-Track . Retrieved June 2, 2019.[ dead link ]
  53. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  54. ↑ "Hermes House Band – Country Roads" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  55. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  56. ↑ "Hermes House Band – Country Roads". Singles Top 100.
  57. ↑ "Hermes House Band – Country Roads". Swiss Singles Chart.
  58. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  59. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  60. ↑ "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 52. December 22, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  62. ↑ "Best of Singles 2001". IRMA . Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  63. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  64. ↑ "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Hermes House Band – Country Roads". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  66. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Hermes House Band; 'Country Roads')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  67. ↑ "British single certifications – Hermes House Band – Country Roads". British Phonographic Industry.
  68. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  69. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Country Roads". Irish Singles Chart.
  70. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  71. ↑ "Bubbling UnderThe Hot Ì00" (PDF). Billboard. No. 26 May 1973. p. 53. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  72. ↑ Hines, Pete (July 4, 2018). "IT'S FINALLY HERE. Download Country Roads cover now. It was recorded by our friends at CoPilot with a group out of New York called Spank. You've never heard of them, but maybe seen them performing on the streets of New York". Twitter. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  73. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (June 11, 2018). "Fallout 76 has everyone humming John Denver". Polygon . Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  74. 1 2 3 4 Hampp, Andrew (July 31, 2018). "Songs for Screens: How a John Denver Classic Resurfaced Thanks to 'Fallout 76'". Variety . Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  75. ↑ "John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads (Audio)". YouTube. April 5, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2018. John Denver's official audio for 'Take Me Home, Country Roads', as featured on Fallout 76.
  76. ↑ Kolbe, Alesha (December 3, 2018). "Grab a FREE Fallout 76 vinyl with this month's STACK Magazine". stack.com.au. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  77. ↑ Gary Trust (September 26, 2016). "'Forever Country' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  78. ↑ "Toots and the Maytals: Funky Kingston". Pitchfork .
  79. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (December 1, 2015). "Lana Del Rey Puts Her Own Spin on John Denver's 'Take Me Home, Country Roads': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  80. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Lana Del Rey". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  81. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  82. ↑ "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.