About the song
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of music lovers for generations. Written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver, this iconic song was first released in 1971 and has since become an integral part of American music heritage. With its soaring melody and poignant lyrics, “Country Roads” has become synonymous with the beauty and nostalgia of the American heartland.
The song’s origins date back to 1971, when John Denver recorded it as a single. It quickly rose to fame, peaking at number two on Billboard’s US Hot 100 singles chart and earning a Gold certification from the RIAA just a few months later. The song’s success was not limited to its initial release, as it continued to sell well over the years, with over 1.6 million digital copies sold in the United States alone.
“Country Roads” has also received numerous accolades and recognition. In 1998, John Denver’s 1971 recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring impact on the music industry. In 2014, the song was officially designated as one of the four state anthems of West Virginia, a nod to its deep connection to the state’s culture and identity. Most recently, the Library of Congress selected “Country Roads” for inclusion in the National Recording Registry in 2023, solidifying its place as a cultural treasure.
Throughout its history, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has been a source of comfort, inspiration, and nostalgia for listeners of all ages. Its themes of love, longing, and the beauty of the American landscape continue to resonate with audiences today. As a cultural icon, “Country Roads” is a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and transcend time and place.
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Lyrics
Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
All my memories gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
I hear her voice in the mornin’ hour, she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
Drivin’ down the road, I get a feelin’
That I should’ve been home yesterday, yesterday
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, (down) country roads
Take me home, (down) country roads