Beauty and the Beast is an American animated film, the 30th animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. The film was originally premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on November 13th, 1991 by Walt Disney Pictures. This film, one of the best known of the Disney studio’s films, is based on the well-known fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, about a beautiful woman kept in a castle by a horrific monster. It is the first and only full-length animated feature film to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture (it lost to The Silence of the Lambs). Heightening the level of performance in the era known as the Disney Renaissance (1989-1994, beginning with The Little Mermaid and ending with The Lion King), all animated films following its release have been influenced by its blending of traditional animation and computer generated imagery.
Beauty and the Beast ranked #22 on the American Film Institutes’s list of best musicals and #34 on its list of the best romantic American movies. On the list of the greatest songs from American movies, Beauty and the Beast ranked #62. The film was adapted into a Broadway musical of the same name, which ran from 1994 to 2007.
In 2002, Beauty and the Beast was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” In January of the same year, the film was reissued in IMAX format in a special edition edit including a new musical sequence. A two-disc Platinum Edition DVD release followed in October.
(現場版)Simon and Garfunkel “Sound of Silence” in Central Park Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.
“Fools” said I, “You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you.”
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence.
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.”
And whisper’d in the sounds of silence.
這首歌是Paul Simon在1964年寫的，他 與 Art Garfunkel所合唱。歌曲描寫一種大眾沈浸在沈默、盲目、壓制等象徵之中的異象，來批判社會只知道盲目崇拜物質偶像，不知道也不敢正視社會的真實面。
沈默變成一種聲音，讓大眾以為一切都還是正常。Paul Simon在美國社會正經歷如越戰、反種族歧視等社會動亂的年代寫這首歌，應該是希望社會能夠突破這些盲目與不合理的壓抑，而找到出路。
單字／文句解釋：﹙以下所列僅為最可能適切的中文解釋，讀者應自己查詢英漢或英英辭典）
Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you
again：作者把黑暗形容為自己的老朋友，暗指自己向來孤獨（可能是因為想法與社會一般人不同）。
a vision softly creeping ﹦a softly creeping vision 悄悄到來的異象。
I turned my collar to the cold and damp = I turned my collar up for the night
was cold and damp 我把領子翻起以抵擋溼冷。
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light that split the night and
touched the sound of silence ：主要子句是第一句 I walked
alone….這裡描寫眼睛被劃過夜空的霓虹燈的光線所刺射，由於霓虹燈在夜中閃爍，因此被形容成是碰觸寂靜的聲音（touched the sound of
silence）。
naked light：（指的應該是上一段所描述的霓虹燈光）沒有遮掩因而刺眼的光，常常也指大白天。
People writing songs that voices never share ：人們寫歌但是卻是沒有聲音的歌。
Take my arms that I might reach you：拉我的手我才可能搆到你（救你）。
the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they
made：舊約聖經描寫摩西領猶太人出埃及要往上帝所應允的迦南美地，路中摩西上西乃山領取上帝的十誡與祝福時，他的兄弟亞倫與猶太人民因失去信心與耐心所以造了一個金牛犢偶像來代替上帝。這裡Paul Simon引用聖經典故，指責現代資本主義社會是追求眩目的物質享受（neon god）。
the sign flashed out its warning, in the words that it was forming：聖經中上帝在以洪水或大火等災難處罰其子民後往往就又發出慈悲心，與存活的猶太人立下約定只要人民順服祂將給予祝福。例如挪亞方舟的故事，彩虹變成立約的記號。這裡的記號（sign）也有超自然的神諭的含意（雖然不一定是猶太教或基督教的神）。大意是：記號透過其正在撰寫的文字閃出警訊。
The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls.
：先知的話語是寫在地鐵的牆上以及廉價公寓的大廳裡。表示社會真實的現狀（先知所見的事實）只有在地鐵牆上的塗鴉（graffiti）以及窮人在其所住的廉價公寓大廳中所發的怨言或哀求中。
學習指引 ：
１、可以閱讀這篇關於Simon and Garfunkel的文章”Poet Musician Artist -A Critical Commentary”。
２、歌曲中所描寫的在異象中所見到的景象所以不是很寫實，同時文字比較詩意，因此需要一些想像力的輔助。
３、每一段幾乎都一由一個句子所組成，如能先找出其主要子句，掌握句子的結構後，比較容易理解。
參考資料：
Beyond其後另外推出了兩張日語大碟及兩張日語細碟，與Amuse的合約結束後，Beyond再也沒有推出日語專輯，集中火力在香港及台灣市場。簽約香港滾石後，推出的國語專輯也同時在香港發行。三子汲取了與前經理人發生合約糾紛的教訓，成立了Beyond Publishing Co Ltd，取回歌曲版權，唱片公司只負責發行。
「’Love’ Is important and everyone has to learn how to ‘love」Miss Lau
John Denver and Placido Domingo- Perhaps Love
PERHAPS LOVE (John Denver)
Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home
Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don’t know what to do
The memory of love will see you through
Love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel
For some a way of living, for some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on and some say letting go
And some say love is everything, and some say they don’t know
Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it’s cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you
Some say love is holding on and some say letting go
Some say ove is everything and some say they don’t know
Perhaps love is like the mountains, full og conflict, full of change
Like a fire when it’s cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you
About John Denver
John Denver (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., was an American folk singer-songwriter and folk rock musician who was one of the most popular artists of the 1970s. He recorded and released some 300 songs, about half of which he had composed, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado in 1977.
Denver’s songs were suffused with a deep and abiding kinship with the natural world. Songs such as “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, “Calypso”, “Annie’s Song”, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”, and “Rocky Mountain High” are popular worldwide. Denver has been referred to as “The Poet For the Planet”, “Mother Nature’s Son” (based on The Beatles song he covered) and “A Song’s Best Friend”.
Contents
[hide]
1Early years
2Peak of career
3Image and politics
3.1Political activism
4Later years and humanitarian work
5Personal life
6Death
7Posthumous recognition
8Related artists
9Awards and recognition
9.1Grammy Awards
9.2American Music Awards
9.3Country Music Association Awards
9.4Academy of Country Music Awards
9.5Emmy Awards
9.6Other recognition
10Discography
10.1RCA Records
10.2Windstar Records
10.3SONY BMG Records
10.4CMC Records
10.5Sony Wonder
11Singles
12Selected books
13Trivia
14See also
15Footnotes
16References
17External links
Early years
Denver was born in Roswell, New Mexico to Erma Louise Swope and Henry John Deutschendorf, Sr.,[1] an Air Force officer and flight instructor. As a typical military brat his family moved around the American Southwest and South while Denver was growing up.
Denver was a Christian in his early life, reared Presbyterian, and converted to Lutheranism, but he often said he shared many beliefs with Zen Buddhists and certain Yoga Spiritual Masters. He also felt he had a connection with the indigenous people of North America. In his memoirs, Denver cited that as a child he had some troubles at home, mostly with his rocking horse, which used to come alive at night and steal his blanket.
By far Denver’s most folk album, Rhymes and Reasons would open up his life long solo career.
At the age of 12, he received a 1910 Gibson f-hole acoustic jazz guitar from his grandmother, and polished his skills enough to be able to perform at local clubs by the time he was in college. He adopted the surname ‘Denver’, for the capital of his favorite state, after Randy Sparks suggested that ‘Deutschendorf’ wouldn’t fit comfortably on a marquee. He dropped out of the School of Engineering (Architecture) at Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1964, and moved to Los Angeles, California. Denver sang in the smoky underground folk clubs in Los Angeles, and in 1965 joined the Chad Mitchell Trio, a folk group later renamed “The Mitchell Trio” and then “Denver, Boise, and Johnson”.
In 1969, he abandoned the band life to pursue a solo career, and released his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes and Reasons. It was not a huge hit, but it contained “Leaving On A Jet Plane”, which became a number one hit for Peter, Paul and Mary that same year. He recorded two more albums in 1970, Whose Garden Was This? and Take Me to Tomorrow. Although these albums were not as successful as those that followed, they would all be certified gold by the RIAA, and later considered to be some of Denver’s most revered work.
He died on october 12, 1997.
Peak of career
Denver’s next album, Poems, Prayers and Promises, released the following year, was a breakthrough for him in America, thanks in part to the single “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which went to number two. (The first pressings of the track were distorted. Its success was in part due to the machinations of his new manager, future Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub who signed Denver in 1970. Weintraub insisted on reissues of the track & began a radio-airplay campaign that began in Denver, Colorado) His career flourished from then on, and the hits came pouring in for the next four years. In 1972, Denver scored his first top ten album, with Rocky Mountain High, while its title track reached the Top Ten in 1973. In 1974, “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Annie’s Song” both went to number one, and “Back Home Again” made it to number five. In 1975, he again had two number ones, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” and “Calypso/I’m Sorry,” and a top twenty hit, “Sweet Surrender.” Key to Denver’s success were his many appearances on television, which in the pre-MTV era of the 1970s, with his long blond hair, embroidered ‘western’ shirts, affable manner & granny glasses, made him one of the first truly “tele-genic” pop stars. His manager, Jerry Weintraub, insisted on these appearances, (including a series of half-hour shows in England despite Denver’s then-protestations that “I’ve had had no success in Britain … I mean none“(Source: “Rocky Mountain Wonderboy,”James M Martin,Pinnacle Books 1977) for as Weintraub told Maureen Orth of Newsweek in December 1976, “I knew the critics would never go for John. I had to get him to the people.” Among one of these first appearances was a spot filling in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. During the show, Denver uttered the phrase, “Far Out!” over nineteen times, thus ensuring the exclamation would become a sort of catchphrase forever associated with his name. After appearing as a guest on many shows, Denver went on to host his own variety/music specials, including several world-televised concerts from Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, the “Mile High City.” His seasonal special “Rocky Mountain Christmas” was watched by over 60 million people and was the highest rated show for the ABC Network at that time, while his live concert special, “An Evening with John Denver” won the Emmy award for Best Variety or Musical Special of the same year.
He also made appearances on The Muppet Show. This relationship was the beginning of a life-long friendship between Denver and Jim Henson which spawned two television specials Denver made with The Muppets. He even tried his hand at acting starring in the 1977 film, Oh, God! opposite George Burns. Denver would go on to host the Grammy Awards five times in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as guest-host The Tonight Show multiple times.
1972’s Rocky Mountain High
In 1975 he was recognized as the Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. At the Country Music Association awards ceremony, reigning Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich (who himself had a series of crossover hits) was to present the award to his successor; instead of reading the name of the winner, he set fire to the envelope with a cigarette lighter and announced in tones of disgust, “My good friend, John Denver!”. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound, while others rejected Rich’s actions.
In 1977, he co-founded The Hunger Project, along with Werner Erhard and Robert W. Fuller. Denver served for many years, and supported the organization until his death. He was also appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve on the President’s Commission on World Hunger. He wrote and dedicated the song “I Want to Live” as the theme song for the Hunger Project.
In 1979, he performed “Rhymes & Reasons” at the Music for UNICEF Concert, which gained him exposure to worldwide audiences. Royalties from the concert performances were donated to UNICEF.
Image and politics
Denver had a distinctive and trend-setting image, his blond hair cut in a “Dutch-Boy” style, complemented by bell-bottom jeans and cowboy boots. He was known for the catch phrase “Far out!” that punctuated his concerts and conversation, his happy, positive image, and his western accent. As his interests began to go beyond just his music, Denver worked to promote specific political ideals.
Political activism
Denver’s final album with RCA; One World , was a blunt jab at the results of war.
Denver became outspoken in politics in the mid-seventies. In 1976, he campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who became a close friend and ally. Denver was a supporter of the Democratic Party, and a number of charitable causes for the environment, the homeless, the poor, the African AIDS crisis, and hunger. He founded the charitable Windstar Foundation in 1976 to promote sustainable living. His dismay at the Chernobyl disaster led to precedent-setting concerts in parts of communist Asia and Europe.
During the 1980s, he was a critic of the Reagan Administration’s environmental and defense spending policies, advocated unilateral disarmament of the United States, and opposed free market economics. His outrage at the conservative politics of the 1980s was famously expressed in Denver’s autobiographical folk rock ballad Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For). Denver was also critical of the Republican-dominated Congress and American Conservatism of the 1990s. He denounced the National Rifle Association (NRA) as a corrupt political machine that could buy off politicians, in an open letter he wrote to the media opposing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Denver had battled to expand the refuge in the 1980s, and praised President Bill Clinton for his opposition to the proposed drilling and desire to rely more on imported oil. The letter, which he wrote in the midst of the 1996 Presidential election, was one of the last Denver would ever write.
Despite his many differences with Republican leaders and Presidents, Denver was a sought-after guest at state dinners hosted by Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush. His “all-American” image and soft spoken lyrics of peace and harmony made him a popular entertainer. In 1972, at a Washington, D.C. concert, Nixon and then Premier of the People’s Republic of China Zhou Enlai were members of the audience.[citation needed] After the concert, which included Denver’s infamous parodies “The Ballad of Richard Nixon” and “The Ballad of Spiro Agnew” , the Premier purchased 500 cassette tapes of the country folk ballad “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.
Denver’s 1977 LP I Want To Live .
John Denver was a graduate of Werner Erhard’s Erhard Seminars Training and also wrote and dedicated the song “Looking for Space” to E.S.T.. This song came from his 1975 album “Windsong”. It became the theme song for the training organization.
Denver supported space activism and was once slated to go into space. He was on the Board of Governors of the National Space Society for many years.
Later years and humanitarian work
1985’s Dreamland Express
In subsequent years, Denver had a lower-profile career. He had a few more U.S. Top 30 hits as the 1970s ended, but nothing to match the success he enjoyed earlier. As his career slowed down, Denver focused more on humanitarian and sustainability work. He worked extensively on conservation projects and helped to create the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Denver made public expression of his acquaintance or friendship with ecological-design researchers like Richard Buckminster Fuller and Amory Lovins, from whom he said he learned much. He also founded his own environmental group, the Windstar Foundation. Denver had a keen interest in the causes of and solution to hunger, and visited Africa during the 1980s to witness first-hand the suffering caused by starvation and to work with African leaders towards a solution.
In 1983 and 1984 Denver hosted the annual Grammy Awards which are presented by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). The 1983 presentation was noteworthy as for the show’s finale, Denver was joined on-stage by folk music legend Joan Baez. Baez and Denver lead an all-star version of “Blowing In The Wind” and “Let The Sunshine In”. They were joined on stage by such diverse musical icons as Jennifer Warnes, Donna Summer, and Rick James.
Denver testified alongside Frank Zappa and Dee Snider on the topic of censorship during a Parents Music Resource Center hearing in 1985. His appearance and music sharply contrasted with those of his musical counterparts. Denver also toured Russia in 1985, met with Communist Party luminaries at every opportunity. Denver’s 11 concerts in the Soviet Union were the first by an American artist in over 10 years, and marked a very important cultural exchange, which culminated in an agreement to allow other western artists to perform in the USSR. [2] He returned two years later to perform at a benefit concert for the victims of the Chernobyl accident. In October 1992, he undertook a multiple city tour of Communist China, shaking hands and meeting with Communist Party leaders through every city. Denver also released the “Homegrown” CD of his greatest hits to raise money for charities helping the homeless.
1991’s Different Directions
In 1994, he published his autobiography, Take Me Home. In 1996, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his “legend” status was ensured.
In early 1997, Denver filmed an episode for the Nature series, centering on the natural wonders that inspired many of his best-loved songs. The episode contains his last song, “Yellowstone, Coming Home,” which he composed while rafting along the Colorado River with his son and young daughter.[citation needed]
When his career as a musical icon slowed down and his humanitarian work picked up its pace, Denver had two incidents involving driving under the influence of alcohol. In 1993 he pleaded guilty to “driving while impaired”, and a 1994 incident ended with a hung jury in 1997 when his defense argued that a thyroid condition rendered the alcohol tests unreliable.[3]
Personal life
The lyrics to “Rocky Mountain High”, one of Colorado’s official state songs, in Rio Grande Park near Denver’s hometown of Aspen, Colorado.
Denver’s first marriage was to Annie Martell of St. Peter, Minnesota. Annie was the subject of his much-beloved hit “Annie’s Song”. He and Annie adopted a son (Zachary) and daughter (Anna Kate) after determining that Denver was infertile. Zachary was the subject of “A Baby Just Like You,” a song he wrote for Frank Sinatra who also appeared on the Muppet Christmas Special; he was also the eponymous subject of “Merry Christmas, Little Zachary.” After divorce from Annie in 1982, he later married Australian actress and singer Cassandra Delaney in 1988. They had a daughter named Jesse Belle, after Denver had medical treatment for his infertility. They divorced in 1993. In the years after his second divorce, Denver and Annie Martell began to reconcile their friendship. At the time of his death, a rumor spread from the tabloid The National Enquirer suggested reconciliation of their marriage; but no evidence has arisen supporting this claim.
Death
A Long-EZ two seat canard plane similar to Denver’s.
On October 12, 1997, Denver was killed when the Long-EZ aircraft he was piloting crashed just off the coast of California at Pacific Grove, shortly after taking off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport.
The Long-EZ that Denver was flying is a two-seat experimental aircraft, designed in the 1970s by Burt Rutan. Denver’s particular plane, N555JD, bought used, had been changed from Rutan’s original published plans: The fuel tank selector valve had been moved from a location just aft of the nose gear wheel housing and between the pilot’s legs to the bulkhead behind and to the left of the pilot’s (front) seat. [4]
Denver apparently lost control of the aircraft while attempting to manipulate the fuel selector handle after running out of fuel in one tank. Witnesses stated that the plane made a sudden pitch-down plunge into the water, leading to speculation that, in reaching around to the rear, Denver bumped or kicked the side-stick control. The official investigation decided that he had likely inadvertently pushed the right rudder pedal trying to gain leverage to turn in his seat to reach the fuel handle.
A pilot with over 2700 hours of experience, Denver had multiengine, instrument, and Learjet type ratings. He had recently purchased the Long-EZ aircraft and had taken a half-hour checkout flight with the aircraft the day before the accident. The NTSB cited Denver’s unfamiliarity with the aircraft and his failure to have the aircraft refueled as causal factors in the accident. Denver was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Prior to the accident, the FAA had learned of his failure to abstain entirely from alcohol subsequent to prior drunk driving arrests, and since his medical certification was conditional on this, a determination was made that due to his drinking problem he was not qualified for any class of medical certification at the time. At least a third-class medical certification was required to exercise the privileges of his pilot certificate. There was no trace of alcohol or any other drug in Denver’s body at autopsy, however.[5] As the wreck badly disfigured Denver’s body, dental records were needed to confirm the pilot of the Long-EZ was indeed the fallen singer.
Upon announcement of his death, Governor Roy Romer of Colorado ordered all Colorado flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Denver. He was cremated alongside his 1910 Gibson guitar that his grandmother had given him, and subsequently inspired much of his legacy. Denver’s life was celebrated at funeral services at Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado on October 17, 1997. His ashes were scattered in the Rocky Mountains. Further tributes were made at the following Grammys and Country Music Association Awards. Denver’s final album, All Aboard! consisted of old fashioned swing, big band, folk, bluegrass and gospel styles of music woven into a theme of railroad songs. All Aboard! won a posthumous Best Musical Album For Children Grammy.
Posthumous recognition
In 2000, the CBS television movie Take Me Home: The John Denver Story was released, with loosely-based on Denver’s memoirs, starring Chad Lowe. However, Denver’s brother, Ron Deutschendorf voiced the feelings of many of the singer’s fans when he wrote a letter to the Los Angeles Times criticizing the films many inaccuracies: chronic chronological errors, the release dates of Denver’s biggest hits, an exaggeration of his relationship difficulties with his father and a totally superficial treatment of Denver’s commitment to his various causes. As one critic observed “An overachiever like John Denver couldn’t have been this boring.” [6] In a letter to “The World Family of John Denver”, Ron Deutschendorf has since expressed the desire to make a feature film which accurately portrays the events of his famous elder sibling’s life.
John Denver’s music remains very popular around the world. Previously unreleased and unnoticed recordings are now sought-after collectibles of both the folk and country genres. Also in demand are copies of Denver’s many television appearances, especially his one hour specials from the 1970s and his 6 part series for Britain’s BBC, “The John Denver Show.” Despite strong interest in these programs, the vast majority of this material still shows no sign of “official” release.
An anthology musical featuring John Denver’s music, “Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday,” premiered at the Rubicon Theatre Company in November of 2006.
On September 24, 2007, the California Friends of John Denver & The Windstar Foundation unveiled a bronze plaque near the spot where his plane went down near Pacific Grove. The site had been marked by a driftwood log carved (by Jeffrey Pine of Colorado) with the singer’s name, but fears that the memorial could be washed out to sea sparked the campaign for a more permanent memorial. Initially the Pacific Grove Council denied permission for the memorial fearing the place would attract ghoulish curiosity from extreme fans. Permission was granted in 1999, but was put on hold temporarily at the request of the singer’s family. Over 100 friends and family attended the dedication of the plaque, which featured a bas-relief of the singer’s face and lines from Denver’s composition, ‘Windsong’: “So welcome the wind and the wisdom she offers. Follow her summons when she calls again.” Source: Julia Reynolds, “Friends welcome Denver plaque”, 24/9/07, http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_6982141?nclick_check=1)
To mark the 10th anniversary of John Denver’s death, his family is releasing a set of previously unreleased recordings of Denver’s 1985 concert performances in the Soviet Union. This two CD set, John Denver – Live in the USSR, was produced by Denver’s friend Roger Nichols and released by AAO Music. These digital recordings were made during 11 concerts, and then rediscovered in 2002. Included in this set is a previously unpublished rendition of Annie’s Song in Russian. The release date is scheduled for November 6, 2007. [2]
Related artists
Main article: The John Denver Band
Denver started his recording career with the Chad Mitchell Trio; his distinctive voice can be heard where he sings solo on Violets of Dawn. He recorded three albums with the Mitchell Trio, replacing Chad Mitchell himself as lead singer. His group Denver, Boise and Johnson released a single before he moved on to a solo career.
Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, co-writers of Denver’s most familiar song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, were close friends of him and his family. The pair appeared as singers and songwriters on many of Denver’s albums until they formed the Starland Vocal Band in 1976. The band’s albums were released on Denver’s Windsong Records (also known as Windstar Records) label.
Denver’s early solo success is often attributed to the recording of his Leaving on a Jet Plane which was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary. It became a number 1 hit for the group.
Denver recorded songs by Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, John Prine, David Mallett, and many others in the folk scene. His record company, Windstar, is still an active record label today.
Olivia Newton-John,an Australian singer whose across-the-board appeal to pop, MOR, and country audiences in the mid-1970s was similar to Denver’s, lent her distinctive backup vocals to Denver’s 1975 single “Fly Away”; she performed the song with Denver on his 1975 Rocky Mountain Christmas special. She also covered his “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and had a hit in the United Kingdom (#15 in 1973) and Japan (#6 in a belated 1976 release) with it. Her recording of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is featured in the opening credits of the Anime film Whisper of the Heart.
Awards and recognition
Grammy Awards
Best Musical Album For Children, 1997, “All Aboard!”
Grammy Hall of Fame Award, 1998, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
American Music Awards
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, 1975, 1976
Favorite Country Male Artist, 1976
Favorite Country Album, 1976, “Back Home Again”
Country Music Association Awards
Song of the Year, 1975, “Back Home Again”
Entertainer of the Year, 1975
Academy of Country Music Awards
Album of the Year, 1974, “Back Home Again”
Emmy Awards
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special, 1975, “An Evening with John Denver”
Other recognition
Poet Laureate of Colorado, 1977
People’s Choice Award, 1977
Carl Sandburg’s People’s Poet Award, 1982
NASA Public Service Medal, 1985
Albert Schweitzer Music Award, 1993
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, 1996
Rocky Mountain High declared state song of Colorado, 2007
As the Deer is a well-known praise and worship song by Martin Nystrom. Written in 1984, this song is based on Psalm 42:1;
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, o panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
Lyrics
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after you
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship you
You alone are my strength, my shield To you alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship you
You’re my friend and you are my brother
Even though you are a king
And I love you more than any other
So much more than anything
Chorus
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
Chorus
Alternate New Verses (by anonymous) based on further meditation of Psalm 42 and the original tune. These are being used in a few communities in northeastern Massachusetts:
Based on Psalm 42:5:
When my soul is weighed down with sorrow,
I put all my trust in You.
All my hope is in You, my Savior,
So I lift my praise to You.
Chorus
Based on Psalm 42:8:
Day by day You send forth your love,
And it waters all the earth;
Night by night Yóúr song within me
is my prayer and my rebirth.
Chorus
(Sometimes they use ” You are more costly than gold You are more precious than silver”
