Some country artists didn’t like him. Said he was folk not country. Some folk artists said he was too country. But the millions that bought his records said it was just great music.

The song is HIS song. Story of his life. Military brat who ran away to go to California. Then he was born again when he found his mountains. Meteor showers sitting around a campfire. Fire in the sky. RIP John ♥️

He didn't just sing, he touched your soul. Incomparable!

There are two types of people in this world. Those who like John Denver, and those who won't admit it.

If you want to see Amber melt into a little puddle, play “Annie’s Song”.

"He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year, coming home to a place he'd never been before," is one of the greatest lyrics ever written.

I've been down the rabbit hole watching KZfaqr's First TIme Hearing videos. I must say, it warms my heart to see so many young people appreciating his music. I was a huge fan back in the day. This song, especially the line, "He lost a friend, but kept the memory," had me crying like a baby for my late husband. We were married for 47 years, so I have many memories.

I heard him in person. I could not BELIEVE how powerful his voice was - it blew the roof off. I don't think he'd need an amp or speakers to do that!

It is always beautiful to see another generation discover John Denver. This song always brings a tear to my eyes.

Country Roads is one of John Denver's songs that they will like.

A lot people criticize him but he had probably the most crystal clear voice in the business I always enjoyed hearing him

“Talk to God and listen to his casual reply”. Gives me goosebumps every time. Pure gold.

This song is so beloved it was adopted by Colorado as one of their two state songs. Enjoy this rabbit hole---John Denver never sang a bad song that I can remember.

" Country Roads" is a very powerful song. "Annie song" "Leaving on a jet plane" are other big ones of his.

There are no pretentions. There is no artifice. It is simply pure. The lyrics. The message. And, of course, the voice. Nothing is for show. Nothing is fake. Pure and heartfelt.

What a lot of people don't appreciate is that in addition to having that incredibly pure, clear, and expressive voice, he was an exceptionally gifted guitarist. He made it sound so easy and natural, but I've heard professional guitarists say that what he was doing with the guitar in this song is actually very, very difficult and technically impressive.

Arguably the most romantic song ever written is "Annie's Song." Annie was John's wife, and John wrote this song in his head while riding up a ski lift in Aspen, Colorado. Took him less than twenty minutes to write it. "The Eagle and the Hawk" is another very emotional and vocally powerful song. You could react to any song off of his live album, "An Evening With John Denver" and not be disappointed with a single song! "Looking For Space" is a song that will have your souls transcending beyond the physical world and into the heavens while at the same time taking you deep inside yourselves. John Denver's music truly does speak to the soul. "Rhymes and Reasons" "Prisoners" "Calypso" "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" "Grandma's Feather Bed" Damn! There is just so many great great songs!!!

John Denver had one of the purest, cleanest voices I’ve ever heard. He wrote beautiful lyrics and melodies too. Great, great artist.

A pure voice…..a true storyteller…. “Seeking grace in every step he takes “… incredible lyrics

I was really surprised by your reaction and the instant appreciation you felt for John's talent as both a writer and singer. This song brings a tear to my eye everytime i hear it. It's so personal and passionate. When I was a kid John Denver was this young, goofy and cool singer, actor and the biggest entertainer who was able to cross genres and perform with all other mega celebrities of the time. His celebrity was 100% talent based and clean. In 1985 as his star was fading and he was going through personal struggles I was in the summer before senior year of high school. I went to a non denominational Christian camp in Canada with a youth group. There were rumors that John was in the area which was very remote and that the camp was reaching out to him to come sing for us. As the week came to a close nothing happened. As they were serving dessert after dinner on our last night they announced a special guest and proceeded to introduce John Denver. One of the camp leaders came out dressed like 1971 John Denver with round glasses, a leather vest abd a cowboy hat and he began playing CountryRoads. I was so mad... We'd been had! Then one of the the councilors interrupted him and they got into an argument about him not being JD. After a back and forth about his cowboy hat fake John said he'd prove that John Denver wears a cowboy hat. He walked into the kitchen and a moment later the real John Denver walked out in a cowboy hat! There were probably less than 150 kids and adult chaperones in the room and he played a full solo concert as if he was on TV or at a sold out stadium. He told the background of each song and what he was thinking when he wrote them. He shared personal stories of his life and faith. He had just performed in the Soviet Union which was a big deal at the time so he talked about that and sang the last verse of Annie's Song in Russian. The Perseid Meteor Shower was going on and he explained "raining fire in the sky" and told us to stay up late to watch the shooting stars which we did. It was pretty incredible that he did that for us, during his vacation with family and friends but I think he really truly loved sharing his music with people.

One of the sadder days of my life when I heard of his plane crash on my car radio...then having them play "Rocky Mountain High" in a tribute. Cried my eyes out.

He was such a talented songwriter and singer. You won't regret diving into more of his music.

Hey Jay and Amber! People who weren't around in the early '70s don't realize how big John Denver was back then. He was huge. Since you've discovered him, check out "Take Me Home, Country Roads", his first big hit. Another classic. Thanks.

He had such an angelic and pure voice. He was a legend to me in the 70s and I got to travel through the stunning Rocky Mountains in Colorado that he speaks of! Being in those mountains is an incredible experience. I believe he was the first “ celebrity environmentalist”.

He was a great musician, storyteller,environmentalist and a positive person. Always loved his onstage presence. He left us too soon. RIP.

John Denver’s music catalog is DEEP. Guys, he was a legend. One of his songs is (or should be) the state song of West Virginia and this is the state song of Colorado. I mean, wow.

His voice always brings a tear to my eye. John is so missed. One of the most beautiful voices ever.

I’m 57 and we were learning his songs in our chorus group in middle school. Oddly enough it resonated with every single one of us, even at that age, even though we all had varying musical interests. I think John Denver had a pretty sweet spot just doing his thing ❤ Glad you both enjoyed it as well! ⭐️💫✨

Lyrics are worth a second listen. "He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year ... going home to a place he'd never been before."

Annie's song is probably one of the most beautifly written songs I've ever heard. You should react to it next. Country road is one of his most popular ones. But Annie's song! You can not go wrong!

To really appreciate this music you need to go up to Pike’s Peak in Colorado and listen. This song is about the human soul interacting with the creation of nature…. Rocky Mountain High reminds us of how small we really are! 😊. Life is a quest for understanding and meaning on a personal level. Thank you, John, for all the memories! 👍

This is my favorite John Denver song. When you see the Milky Way, shooting stars, from the Rocky Mountains, you’ll understand fire in the sky. 🌏✌️🇺🇸💙

John Denver and James Taylor are gems….RIP John Denver on that high rocky mount🙏

"Rocky Mountain High" was primarily inspired by John Denver's move to Aspen, Colorado, three years before its writing and by his love for the state. The seventh stanza makes reference to the destruction of the mountains' beauty by commercial tourism. The song was considered a major piece of 1970’s pop culture and became a well-associated piece of Colorado history.

I've loved John Denver for fifty years. Your reaction to him was so touching. His music will be special forever. Thank you💕

‘Know he’d be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly’ is a verse that speaks to John’s untiring efforts for the environment. Back when this song was released you practically had to travel to Colorado to experience a bald eagle in flight. Now fifty years later, living in Wisconsin, there is an abundance of bald eagles here available for viewing. Thank you John!

He would be a poorer man if he never saw an Eagle fly. Most truest lyrics ever written.

*30 yr old man squeeling like a school girl* "They're doing John Denver!!!" For real, this music shaped me as a child and sculpted me as a man. This guy is a GEM!!

John Denver, no words. Every song he sang actually takes you away. ❤❤❤ leaves you yearning for more.

Nothing beats the songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s so much individual talent and diversity i was so blessed to grow up in that time in history wouldn't trade it for anything

this is autobiographical and expressed his own sentiments about the colorado rocky mountains and all its glory and wildlife...he was an animal rights activist really before it was a big thing and nature truly was a theme throughout his library of songs...if u ever went to the colorado rockies u would realised he captured the feeling of how it is there as a poet would and then delivered the poem like nobody could with his voice...everything came together pretty often in this way with john denver songs...

"He was born in the summer of his 27th year.....coming home to a place he's never been before"......the greatest songwriters are also great poets and philosophers!

I was up in the Rocky Mountains in a camper. In the middle of the night, someone nearby was playing Rocky Mountain High. Talk about magic!

He was the greatest storyteller of my time! 74years. John Denver is a hero for putting our history in song!

The ONLY songwriter to have TWO of his songs designated as OFFICIAL STATE SONGS. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (West Virginia) {“…almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Life is old there, older than the trees…”} and “Rocky Mountain High” (Colorado) {“…Rocky Mountain High, in Colorado”}. Denver changed his name from Henry John Deuschendorf, Jr to John Denver to honor his adopted state of Colorado!

John has a deep collection of self-written songs that you should check out. My fellow commenters will mention "Annie's Song", "Sunshine on My Shoulder", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Calypso" about the ship that Jacques Cousteau used for research, "This Old Guitar", and many others. He also did a bunch of songs with the Muppets. He was a gentle soul who loved nature. He is missed every day.

"Shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullaby..." Pure poetry.

As a Latina growing up in the South in the 70s, John Denver's songs gave me hope and solace. Calypso is my favorite.

Never was a big fan, but liked several of his songs. Got suckered into going to a concert of his one time. It was just John and his guitars, no one else. I changed my mind about him that night, he was a very talented musician, one of the better acoustic guitarists I've ever seen and a unique voice for sure.

The lyric line “I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky” refers to when he, his wife and friends would go backpacking in the Rocky Mountains in August and would watch the Perseid Meteor Shower at night. The song was written in 1972 and is about himself recently discovering the Rocky Mountain wilderness for the the first time “ in his 27th year” as the lyric refers to. About the lyric line “when he first came to the mountains his life was far away, on the road and hanging by a song”. By 1972 he was a fairly well known singer/songwriter and was on tour a lot. The “handing by a song” he’s referring to is “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, one of his most famous songs and now considered a country music classic. So this song is about his own personal journey discovering a part of the American wilderness and the need to protect it. It is also, in a larger context, an anthem of sorts for all of us who have wandered and hiked the American wilderness landscape. It was one of his biggest hits and was most always on his concert playlist. For me, back in the 1970’s when I hiked, I would play that song in my head while walking down the trail. Thank you for reacting to one of my all time favorite songs and musical artists. His untimely death in 1997 was a major blow to us all but his legacy lives on. I hope you react to more of his music in the future.

You need to find a live recording of this song. The high notes he hits in concert will give you chills. The fire in the sky were the Perseid meteor showers he saw while camping in the mountains with friends. And he saw the shadows from the starlight. Everything about that song is autobiographical. So glad to see a new generation appreciating John Denver.

This song is a religious baptism. His voice, the lyrics, the music all transcend the mundane and bring the listener to a more majestic plane of experience. The opening line along with his mention of being born again. Later we get quiet solitude, grace and serenity. Nature is beauty and it unlocks the secrets of life.

There are no bad John Denver songs... just some greater than others. His combination of clear tenor, clean guitar work, orchestration, and surprisingly profound lyrics just keep giving. Check out "Calypso", "Take Me Home Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado", "Sunshine on My Shoulders", so many others. BTW "I've seen it rain fire in the sky" is about seeing a meteor shower up in the clear air far from any city lights.

This is, in my not so humble opinion, one of the most beautifully written and performed/recorded songs in music.

Fire in the sky refers to them on a camping trip, lying on the ground looking up at the universe during the Perseid Meteor shower that happens each August. The meteors were the “fire in the sky” that he saw. ❤️ amazing stuff.

This song and John were MAGIC!! His voice was so full, calm, and rich. A very special performer, very special...... I am tickled pink that the two of you enjoyed it SO much!!!!!!! John had several good song and a few great ones. He promoted conservation when it was not cool.. He however was very COOL. I loved his work! Please continue to explore his library of music. You two will love it also..

John was crucified by rock music critics , and their very personal attacks did upset him BUT those critics just didn't get it. But, thankfully, lots and lots...millions and millions, did get it. The beautiful voice. The mood he created. The pictures he painted in song. The subject matter of his songs. John was great.

John Denver is iconic. I love his voice. Such a talented man. Lost too early. R.I.P.

It makes this old guy very happy to see young people loving what we did. You have experienced the most pure from the heart music from a talent form the stars. When you get old, I promise his songs will bring tears to your eyes every time not only from his excellence but from your own memories and the mix of the two will overload you almost instantly. You will miss him and others you have known, I do, everyone will as well.

Thanks for the reaction. This was the music of my youth. John Denver was between country and folk and contemporary rock south an utterly unique voice and feel. Every song of his was heartfelt and enlivening. We are blessed to have heard him. Thanks again. Listen to more of his music. You WILL be amazed and enraptured.

I used to hate John Denver as a kid because my parents played him endlessly on long road trips. I was a stupid kid, I love him now! Beautiful songwriter and singer. Annies song is a great one of his.

John Denver's lyrics were simple and deep at the same time. Check out Annie's song "You fill up my senses, like a night in a forest".

Watching you guys react to this song brought some tears... I was able to partially relive hearing it for the first time, and had was sharing those feelings with you. Please watch it again with lyrics. His view of the world was so very special, and he was taken waaaay too soon. John was the ultimate storytelling songwriter. I do encourage you to drive into his catalog, and also read a little about him, which will make much of his music have slightly more meaning. Keep doing what you do because you two are awesome and so much fun to hang out with. 😊

I saw him in Providence RI in 1978. Clearest voice I ever heard. Loved him so much

"County Roads" and "Annie's Song " are great songs. His whole catalog is really awesome. He pays tribute to a lot of our natural openness and wildlife and some of his monies goes to organizations.

If you really want to be carried away the song “ Annie’s song” is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and beautifully sung by John.

This song makes me feel at peace. His voice, the lyrics can make you visualize the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

"raining fire from the sky" John said these lyrics came to him when he witnessed an asteroid shower while camping up in the mountains, so poetic

Ironically enough some people initially misinterpreted this song to be about getting stoned and thus it was banned though later on many realized the mistake. Later when some parent groups tried to outright ban certain music there was a few music artists that teamed up to challenge these groups as well as some members of congress. John Denver was one of those artists and probably his words during those debates helped to keep america free from censorship in music. If you ever feel glad there is no censorship in music you can thank John Denver as he had a hand in making that happen in america.

I am 80 yrs old and really appreciate your reacting to John Denver's beautiful song and voice. When I first heard him sing, my reaction was the same as yours. John Denver wrote and recorded "Perhaps Love" with one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century, Placido Domingo. Their voices blended so beautifully that all I wanted for Christmas was their album with the same name. I hope you react to this song as it is one of John Denver's finest. Also, John had a television show released for viewing each week. He sang his songs and told stories of his past. One story was so special that I remember it as if he told it only yesterday. He said when he turned 16 yrs old, his mother told him he could have a birthday party. He invited everyone he knew to this party. His mother prepared many barbecue sandwiches (Sloppy Joe's) for his friends along with other treats and soft drinks. He waited and waited for someone to show up to his party and, finally, one girl appeared. He then found out that another student (much more popular than he) had a party on the same night. The girl had gone to that party too, but after realizing that everyone John invited was there, she left and came to his party. John said the two of them celebrated with dancing and listening to music for quite some time until she had to leave for her home. He thanked her personally on TV that night and said her name (I have forgotten it). He said he hoped she was watching his show because he never forgot how kind she was and that she made his 16th birthday celebration a happy and successful one. He dedicated a song to her that night. That is the kind of man John Denver was. I am crying now remembering this fond memory.

John Denver had such a pure voice... my favorite is "Take Me Home Country Roads' ... always play that as the first song when I start on a road trip

John Denver always had the ability to make you float away! A lot of Country artists, at the time, didn’t like his sound, because he was dubbed as a Country artist, they said he was a Folk singer. Folk artists said he was a Country artist. John Denver was none of those and he was all of those! He transcended music genres! He was uniquely a genre all his own, and his music touches your soul! ❤❤

My favorite John Denver song is 'Back Home Again'. He was in only one movie, I recall, called 'Oh, God! ' It's a comedy movie I absolutely love. He is great with George Burns.

Early seventies John Denver was everywhere. String of hits, had a tv variety show and starred with George Burns in a mainstream movie. Helped build the "natural" lifestyle and ecology consciousness.

I’ve never understood how anyone could dislike him. I love all his music. This is one of my absolute favorites.

Now I gotta go find and listen to "Annie's Song", everyone suggesting it. One of the most beautiful love songs of all time.

John Denver and Jim Croce are two of my all time favorite storytelling artists. So happy to see this reaction.

This sing gives me such NOSTALGIC JOY I can’t describe it

John Denver was all over the radio when I was little. Love him.

John Denver was a voice of my generation. His music soothed the soul .Annies Song was played before I walked down the aisle 41 years ago. Beautiful song, beautiful day!! Thanks for playing!!

John has a very deep catalog. One of his bigger hits was Take Me Home Country Road (West Virginia). Thank God I’m a Country Boy is an upbeat fun song. I was fortunate to attend his concert and it was hit after hit. He was very humble and humorous. RIP John.

Softer than a lullaby...Amber's involuntary reaction to that, wonderful.

Gone way too soon! RIP John, you were one of greatest singers and composers to ever live. Thank God I’m a country boy!

If you listen carefully, the underlying theme in most of John's music is about protecting the environment. His lyrics left a huge impression on me.

If you want to hear more like this, Annie’s Song (written for his ex-wife either during or after their divorce) and Country Roads are beautiful. On the other hand, Thank God I’m A Country Boy is more upbeat and playful but still a great song.

I’m so glad you could appreciate John. I’ve been a fan of his since 1975, and this song still gets to me!

Fire in the sky was a reference to meteor showers. His voice takes me right back to the 70’s. It’s hard to find people who really sing like that anymore.

You shouldn't ignore his songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Sunshine On My Shoulders", "Annie's Song". He has many more, but those, along with "Rocky Mountain High", are pure classics

I had the pleasure of seeing John Denver in concert twice back in the seventies when I was in college. I was a member of a club that went exploring in caves and camping by the beautiful rivers of Missouri. One beautiful day, we were floating down the Gasconade River, listening to an eight-track tape of John Denver. Just as he sang about seeing an eagle fly, an eagle flew over the river. We were stunned by the beauty of the moment. This was almost fifty years ago, but it seems like just a short time, because it’s such a clear memory.

Another pure voice. He had amazing natural talent and he made it seem effortless.

The first time I listened to this song (decades ago) I noticed that John Denver uses a signature vibrato on the end notes that he carries for a long long time. Listen for the slight waver between his note and its lower half tone. You can hear that it's a beautifully natural vibrato for him to sing and not forced.

Voice of a generation. May he rest in the peace he brought us with his music.

This song is about John's own life after he moved to Colorado... He was truly a national treasure.

He’s such a great song writer and story teller . The man was a legend on his own . What a voice he had . You close your eyes and he takes you on his journey with him up to into the mountains. You can easily hear & feel the cold Rocky Mountain high fresh water sounds . I grew up listening to his voice and miss it . He is greatly missed .just like Jim Croce and Gordon Lightfoot . We don’t have music like this anymore . His music lives on . Rest in peace John . Gone way too soon 🌸🦋🩵

He was talking about himself being 27 and finding the Rockies “coming home where he had never been before”. Instant karma? The part about “fire in the sky” are the meteor showers during August and being so high up they are really visible. That was home from then on…

"Now he walks in quiet solitude the forests and the streams seeking grace in every step he takes." One of the most beautiful lines there is.

John Denver is my all-time favorite- he always has been. Watching this video and you two enjoying hearing him for the first time literally made me cry.

I cried the day he died His music is part of my soul...

It's nice to see young people appreciate John Denver... Back when he was on the charts in the '60s and '70s, there were a lot of people who ridiculed his music for being soft, pop, and folkish. Back then I liked all types of music, whether it was "hard" or "soft". I listened to whatever I was in the mood for. Now that I'm old, I've actually went back to discover music before my time, and now I love '50s rock and roll as much as the stuff from my youth in the '70s and '80s.

John Denver had such a pure tone to his voice. Listen to "Annie's Song" by him if you want to hear something romantic. For a more fun vibe, listen to Grandma's Featherbed and Thank God I'm a Country Boy.