The Greatness that is John

Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.
December 31, 1943 to October 12, 1997Born: Roswell, New MexicoDied: Pacific Grove, California

This page is about John Denver and why everything about him is great.

Aspen in October

As most JD fans know, every year since he left us there have been many events in Aspen, Colorado, in early October, around the anniversary of his death.

My best friend, Bill, and I are planning on attending the events in CO in 2007, commemorating 10 years since John left this earthly existence (but has never left our hearts and spirits, of course).

Anyone else planning on going? Leave a comment if you are.

Going through one of those JD kicks.

I get like this: I can't listen to anything but John. I'm in that place right now. Right now I'm listening to the cover of "Around and Around," by the Red-house Painters.

I hate to admit it, but I like their rendition of this song better than John's, and it's his song! I can see why they chose this for a tribute song: "I hope that I'm around so I can be there when I die, when I'm gone, I hope that you will think of me on days that you are happy and you're smiling, that the thought will comfort you on cold and cloudy days if you are crying." Oddly prophetic, isn't it? Especially since I think of him so very often.

Ah, now one of my two number one favorites is on: "The Wings That Fly Us Home." My only complaint about this song is it's so quiet! I have to really crank it at first, then it gets loud and so beautiful toward the end.

Well, as he says in "Autograph," "To be always with you, and you always with me." He said it so well (as always).

I don't habitually listen to "My Sweet Lady," but since he left this earthly realm, physically at least, that song really gets to me, "Did you think our time together was all gone? Lady, my sweet lady, I'm as close as I can be, and I swear to you, our time has just begun."

Just re-reading that line's making me tear up, lol.

John Denver Fan Radio

I was playing around on Yahoo's Launch, and had the bright idea to see if there were any John Denver videos (had just watched a few of my other favorite artist, Eminem). Sadly no vids, but there was JD radio. Out of curiosity I clicked on it and found John Denver Fan Radio!

First song up: the original Annie's Song.

Yikes. Went to the Statler Brothers afterwards. It also listed Anne Murray and Marty Robbins as other artists being played on John Denver Fan Radio. Eep.

Thank God I'm A Country Boy

This isn't the song, but the title to an album reviewed by Emily Parris, who runs the Rocky Mountain High Internet Fanclub (you can subscribe to the emailed newsletter at rockymountainhigh-subscribe@emissives.com).

The reason I'm mentioning this here is that apparently the artist does a cover of "Rocky Mountain High." At first I was screaming NO! at my monitor, THAT'S JUST WRONG, THAT'S JOHN'S SONG!

Emily said it's a faithful rendition of the song, and if she approves, it must be okay. Then I conceded, Okay, John does sing it in third person, "He was born in the summer of his 27th year...." so it would sound like this guy's singing about John.

The address for the internet site is http://www.rockymtnhigh.org/. Give 'em a visit, but by now I think all true John Denver fans already know about Emily's very exhaustive and informative website. She's had it going since 1995, if I remember right! I discovered it for the first time that year at least.

It Amazes Me

He came looking for the answers
To some questions on his mind
Seeking truth and understanding
In the hope that he would find
A way to better serve his brothers
And his sisters in the sun
Sharing all that he has given
Giving all to everyone

Come and listen to my story
Of a journey once begun
Of a people and their plenty
And their season in the sun
And how they gave themselves to symbols
And things that they could hold
Living lives in desperation
In the fear of letting go

It amazes me
And I know the wind will surely some day
Blow it all away
It amazes me
And I’m so very grateful that you made the world this way

For our plans have come together now
Where do we go from here
Will our differences divide us
Must we always live in fear
For there are things that we must move through
Some things to cast aside
But our father watches over us
Our mother will provide

It amazes me
And I know the wind will someday surely
Blow it all away
It amazes me
And I’m so very grateful that you made the world this way

It amazes me
It amazes me
It amazes me

Words and music by John Denver

Two Favorites, One Connection

I was thrilled to death when I realized, having forgotten this for some reason, that one of my favorite actors (Robert Culp) had an appearance on the music video of one of my favorite entertainers (Eminem). It was magical.

So what happens next, to tie two great favorites together?

I found out that the song John Denver did, "Dreams," was written none-other than for a favorite TV show, "The Greatest American Hero."

It was written by Stephen Geyer for the episode, appropriately enough, called "Dreams." I am assuming John saw it when it was broadcast in the early 80's (the show ran from 1981-1983), liked the song and wanted to do a cover of it.

Here are the lyrics in full (they were abbreviated somewhat in the episode, which was one of the few that ended in a special song, not the usual theme song of "Believe it or Not" sung by Joey Scarbury):

There are dreams that sail away to sea
And some that stay at home
There are dreams in need of company
And some that stand alone
There are dreams that stay inside all day
And never see the light
And if dreams come true
I swear to you
I'll dream of you tonight

In a corner bar the local star
Destroys a passing chord
He sits behind a Mason jar
And dreams of his reward
Then he takes his break
And he counts his take
A dollar buys a beer
A quarter of his life is gone
And what's he doing here

Times are hard
The old backyard is covered in cement
The people seem afraid to dream
And dream don't cost a cent

There are dreams that stay inside all day
And never see the light
And if dreams come true
I swear to you
I'll dream of you tonight
And if dreams come true
I swear to you
I'll dream of you tonight

Words and Music by Stephen Geyer

**********************************************

If reading this has made you go WAITAMINNIT, I remember that show! I LOVE IT! then you'll want to first go out and buy the three seasons (entire series) on DVD, and then sign up on the AWESOMELY good "The Greatest American Hero" message board. It rocks. I'm billswoman on there (of course).

A REALLY Tough John Denver Lyrics Quiz

Don't go into this thinking, Piece of cake! I made that mistake and ONLY scored 66%!! It's a dilly, and it's well-made and it's so very very hard (at least for me it was).

Give it a try!