John Denver’s Best Instrumental Music

A great blog post discussing John Denver’s best instrumental music.

Introduction

John Denver was an American singer-songwriter, actor, musician, and activist. He was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the 1970s, and his songs “Annie’s Song” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” became international hits. Denver also recorded and released more than 300 songs, about 200 of which he composed himself.

Although he is best known for his vocal performances, Denver was also a very talented instrumentalist. He played the guitar, banjo, harmonica, and piano, and he won two Grammy Awards for his instrumentals “Calypso” and “Windsong.”

If you’re a fan of John Denver’s music, or if you’re just looking for some beautiful instrumental tunes to listen to, check out this list of John Denver’s best instrumental songs.

“Leaving on a Jet Plane”

This song was released in 1969 and it became popular when Peter, Paul, and Mary covered it in 1970. The song is about a man who is leaving his lover to go on a journey. He tells her that he will come back to her, but he does not know when that will be. Denver wrote the song while he was living in New York City and working as afolk singer.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads”

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a 1971 song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver. It was a massive hit, peaking at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, with sales of over five million copies. In 2001, it was voted the state song of West Virginia.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is an ode to the beauty of the state of West Virginia. The opening verse pays tribute to the state’s natural resources: “Almost heaven, West Virginia/Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River.” The chorus repeats the phrase “Country roads, take me home” and refers to the winding roads that are common in rural areas.

The song has been covered by many artists, including Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton. It has also been used in numerous films and television shows.

“Annie’s Song”

“Annie’s Song” is a folk song written and sung by singer-songwriter John Denver. The song was released as a single in 1974, and included on his album, Back Home Again. It quickly became a worldwide hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and becoming Denver’s second Number One pop single after “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.

“Annie’s Song” was inspired by Denver’s wife Annie Martell Denver. When interviewers would ask about the song’s meaning, John Denver generally refused to elaborate beyond saying that it was about his wife and their love for one another, although he once suggested that it might also be about the love between a parent and child.

The song is in 6/8 time signature and has an AABBCCDD form. The verses are all written in first person from John Denver’s perspective, while the chorus is written in third person from Annie’s perspective. In the final verse, the roles are reversed and Annie sings about her love for John.

The instrumentation of “Annie’s Song” is relatively simple, featuring only guitar and piano accompaniment. However, the song features some unusual guitar techniques, including hammer-ons and pull-offs as well as arpeggios played on an acoustic guitar with steel strings.

“Rocky Mountain High”

“Rocky Mountain High” is one of John Denver’s most popular and best-known songs. The song was written about Colorado, and it quickly became an unofficial anthem for the state. The song is also one of Denver’s most popular live performances, and he often joked that he wrote the song while high on the mountain.

“Sunshine on My Shoulders”

John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulders” is a beautiful and heartwarming song that always puts a smile on my face. This song is the perfect example of John Denver’s talent for writing catchy and memorable songs. “Sunshine on My Shoulders” is one of my favorite John Denver songs, and I always enjoy listening to it.

“Calypso”

One of John Denver’s most famous songs, “Calypso” is a beautiful and relaxing instrumental piece that features some of his best guitar work. The song was inspired by a trip he took to the Caribbean, and the lyrics are about the beauty and peace of the islands. This is one of Denver’s most popular songs, and it is a great choice for any fan of his music.

“Fly Away”

“Fly Away” is one of John Denver’s best known songs. The song was written by John Denver and released on his album, ” Rocky Mountain High”. The song is an instrumental piece that features a beautiful melody played on the guitar.

“Perhaps Love”

“Perhaps Love” is a song written by John Denver that was a hit in 1981, reaching #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is an instrumental duet between Denver and Placido Domingo. It was released on Denver’s album of the same name.

The song has been covered by many artists, including Dolly Parton, who recorded it with Paul Anka, and Brad Paisley, who recorded it with Carrie Underwood.

“I’m Sorry”

As one of the most popular folk singers of his generation, John Denver’s music was often criticized for being too sentimental. However, many of his instrumental songs are some of his best work, displaying his talent for crafting catchy melodies and beautiful arrangements. Here are some of John Denver’s best instrumental songs:

– “Annie’s Song”
– “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
– “Rocky Mountain High”
– “Sunshine on My Shoulders”
– “Calypso”

“For Baby (For Bobbie)”

“For Baby (For Bobbie)” is a song written by John Denver and recorded by American country music artist John Denver. It was released in July 1974 as the lead single from his album Back Home Again. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in September 1974 and peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Back Home Again”

Originally released on the 1974 album, “Back Home Again,” this song quickly become one of John Denver’s most recognizable hits. The sentimental lyrics perfectly capture the homesickness one can feel when away from home. But it’s the simple, yet beautiful melody that really makes this song shine.Denver is known for his easy-going, country style of music, but this particular song has a bit of a jazzy flavor to it due to the use of strings and horns. It’s a perfect example of John Denver’s musical versatility and is one of his most popular songs to date.

“Thank God I’m a Country Boy”

John Denver was an American singer-songwriter, actor, activist and humanitarian, who was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1970s. His greatest hits included “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, “Annie’s Song”, “Rocky Mountain High”, “Sunshine on My Shoulders”, and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”. He was also known for his love of the outdoors, and his advocacy for the environment and conservation. In this song, Denver celebrates the simple joys of life in the country. The song was released in 1974, and quickly became one of his most popular hits.

“Sweet Surrender”

“Sweet Surrender” is one of John Denver’s most popular songs. It was released in 1974 as a single from the album Back Home Again. The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #3 on the Easy Listening chart. It also reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

“Looking for Space”

“Looking for Space” is a song written by John Denver and recorded by Denver in 1976. It was released as a single from the album of the same name.

The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of Denver’s signature tunes. It is a musing on man’s place in the universe, with the opening lines, “Sometimes I feel like / I’m almost ready for takeoff / But I’m looking for space.”

The song features an echoey, spacey guitar sound that reflects its lyrical theme. The lyrics also make reference to Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the moon.

“Wild Montana Skies”

John Denver is well-known for his catchy, upbeat folk songs, but he was also an accomplished musician and could play a wide variety of instruments. His best instrumental music features his virtuosity on the guitar, and “Wild Montana Skies” is a perfect example.

This song is a beautiful acoustic guitar piece that showcases Denver’s skill as a player. The melody is simple but effective, and the guitarist’s fingers move nimbly up and down the fretboard. The result is a song that is both relaxing and impressive, making it one of John Denver’s best instrumental tracks.

“Autograph”

“Autograph” is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter John Denver. The song was released as a single in 1976, reaching number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. “Autograph” is also included on Denver’s greatest hits album of the same name, which was released in 1977.