John Denver’s iconic song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” is undeniably catchy and deeply nostalgic for many. Since its release in 1971, the sing-along chorus explicitly mentions West Virginia, embedding the state’s name into the hearts of music lovers worldwide. However, a debate has emerged: is the song actually about West Virginia? Experts at Blue Ridge Outdoors suggest that the country roads Denver sings about might be located in western Virginia, not West Virginia itself. Let’s delve into the geography and songwriting history to explore this intriguing question surrounding “Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver.”
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The Geographical Case for Western Virginia
The argument for western Virginia hinges on the geographical accuracy of the lyrics. While the chorus of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” clearly states, “Almost heaven, West Virginia / Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River,” the geographical features Denver name-drops are predominantly situated in Virginia.
As Blue Ridge Outdoors points out, the Blue Ridge Mountains, a significant part of the Appalachian range, primarily run north to south from Pennsylvania down to Georgia. They only touch upon a small portion of West Virginia. This raises the question: if Denver was singing about the Blue Ridge Mountains, was he truly envisioning West Virginia?
Further strengthening this geographical argument is the Shenandoah River. Its headwaters begin near Front Royal, Virginia, and the river carves its path through Virginia’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley. It eventually merges into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. While a small 20-mile stretch of the 150-mile long Shenandoah does meander through the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, the vast majority flows through Virginia. This has led some to believe that Denver’s inspiration was more likely “west Virginia” (with a lowercase “w”), intending to capture the essence of the western part of Virginia, rather than the state of West Virginia itself. The word “west” might have simply fit the song’s rhythm and flow more smoothly than “western.”
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The Songwriting Journey: Inspiration from Interstate 81
Adding another layer to this geographic puzzle is the backstory of the song’s creation. Interestingly, John Denver himself had never actually set foot in West Virginia when he recorded “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The lyrics were penned by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who were reportedly inspired during a drive along Interstate 81. This interstate highway runs primarily through western Virginia.
According to SongFacts.com, Bill Danoff also admitted to never having been to West Virginia when he co-wrote the song. Initially, Danoff even considered writing about his home state, Massachusetts, but the word cadence didn’t quite work. When Denver joined Danoff and Nivert to refine the song, “West Virginia,” or perhaps the sound of “West Virginia,” simply resonated best musically and lyrically, leading to the creation of a timeless hit.
West Virginia’s Enduring Love for “Country Roads”
Despite the geographical debate, West Virginia has wholeheartedly embraced “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” In 2014, the state officially adopted it as one of its four state anthems. Furthermore, West Virginia University’s marching band proudly plays the song whenever their sports teams achieve victory. Regardless of its precise geographical inspiration, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has become deeply intertwined with the identity and spirit of West Virginia.
So, which country road do you think John Denver was singing about in “Take Me Home, Country Roads”? Whether it’s the winding roads of western Virginia or the symbolic allure of West Virginia, the song’s enduring appeal lies in its powerful evocation of home and belonging, resonating with listeners across diverse landscapes.
