Rocky Mountain High

John Denver

About Rocky Mountain High

"Rocky Mountain High" is a folk rock song written by John Denver and Mike Taylor about Colorado, and is one of the two official state songs of Colorado. Recorded by Denver in 1972, it went to #9 on the US Hot 100 in 1973. (The song also made #3 on the Easy Listening chart and was played by some country music stations) and was ranked as the No. 29 song for 1973. Denver told concert audiences in the mid-1970s that the song took him an unusually long nine months to write. On April 10, 2017, the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of 500,000 digital downloads. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. 


Year:
1997
4:43
787 
#2

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He was born in the summer of his 27th year
Coming home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away
On the road and hanging by a song
But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changing fast and it don't last for long

But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high (Colorado)

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams
Seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it raining fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high

Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky mountain high

It's Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high
Rocky mountain high

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John Denver

Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success was as a solo singer. Throughout his life, Denver recorded and released approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he composed. He performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his enthusiasm for music, and relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on a variety of charts, including country and western, the Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, in all earning him 1… more »

20 fans

Written by: John Denver, Mike Taylor

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Composition
"Rocky Mountain High" is an acoustic folk-country song composed by American singer-songwriter John Denver and Mike Taylor in 1972.
Album Appearance
The song appears on John Denver's sixth studio album also titled "Rocky Mountain High."
Chart Performance
"Rocky Mountain High" reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, and it was one of his most successful hits.
Inspired by Nature
Denver wrote the song after moving to Aspen, Colorado, which inspired him with its natural beauty. The song describes his joy and connection with nature.
State Song
In 2007, the song was made one of the official state songs of Colorado.
Song Controversy
Initially, the song faced controversy due to supposed drug connotations tied to the word "high." Denver had to clarify at Congressional hearings that the "high" he was referring to was his natural response to the beauty of the mountains.
Grammy Nomination
"Rocky Mountain High" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1973 but didn't win.
Inclusion in National Recording Registry
In 2014, the song was included in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Cultural Influence
The song has appeared in various movies and TV shows over the years, enhancing its cultural significance.
Denver's Connection
Until his death in 1997, John Denver continued to see "Rocky Mountain High" as a spiritual anthem and a tribute to his beloved Colorado.

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    Rocky Mountain High

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1973

    Billboard #9


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