Western Song: Rocky Mountain High
John Denver and Mike Taylor wrote the folk-rock song “Rocky Mountain High” in 1972. Denver released the song as the title track of his sixth studio album Rocky Mountain High, which became his first US Top 10 album. Among its achievements was its peak position at #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also reached #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and #7 on the US Cash Box Top 100.
In 2007, the Colorado General Assembly authorized “Rocky Mountain High” as one of the two official state songs for Colorado, along with “Where the Columbines Grow.” Moreover, the Recording Industry Association of America announced the record as a certified Gold after achieving 500,000 digital downloads. It was also one of the songs that members of The Western Writers of America included in the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
About the Song
Denver wrote the “Rocky Mountain High” for nine months, an unusually long time for Denver to complete a song despite having inspiration in mind. The idea came from his experience in Colorado, specifically during the Perseid Meteor Shower that one night in August. The awe-inspiring night happened when he was camping with his friends and his then-wife, Annie Martell, at the tree line at Williams Lake. Some of the lyrics referred to the visuals and events that happened that night. These lines include, “He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year,” “The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby,” and “Serenity of a clear blue mountain lake.”
Popular Recordings
Over the years, many artists recorded their versions/covers of the song. Some of these artists were:
- Foley D. Hudson
- Mark Farrer
- Jeff James
- Wayne Denton
- Judy Lunn
- David Thorne Scott with Mark Shilansky
- Chuck Pyle
- Chris Foster
- Stephen R Cheney
- Allen Stone
- Fredi Nest
- Jason Owen
Listen to Rocky Mountain High (John Denver Version)
Rocky Mountain High Lyrics
He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year, Comin' 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 hangin' by a song. But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care, It keeps changin' fast, and it don't last for long. And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky. The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby. Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) 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 the memory. Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the streams, Seeking grace in every step he takes. His sight is 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 rainin' fire in the sky. Talk to God and listen to the casual reply. Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Now his life is full of wonder, but his heart still knows some fears, 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 The Colorado Rocky Mountain high I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky, Friends around the campfire and everybody's high. Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Rocky Mountain high (Colorado) Rocky Mountain high (Colorado)
