When John Denver sings of the radio reminding him of his home far away, he could be describing the essence of this song itself, a globally beloved anthem sung at sporting events in Europe, Australia, and countless karaoke bars throughout Asia. It doesn’t matter that only a tiny fraction of the people who love this song have actually been to West Virginia. The lyrics tap into the most ancient symbols—the Tree of Life, the mountains that are the homes of the gods, the sacred rivers. And this ode to the journey home to nature is a joy to sing.

John Denver,"Take Me Home, Country Roads," written by John Denver, Bill Danoff & Taffy Nivert Danoff, 1971.

This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day to May 31, 2025.

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