"Rocky Mountain High" now Colorado State Song.

[donco6]

I know - most of you probably thought it already was. Just goes to show what a Democratic legislature can really do.

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=66238

Snip

State lawmakers voted today to make John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" a co-state song, joining the song "Where the Columbines Grow".

Democratic Senator Bob Hagedorn of Aurora says the song has been an unofficial state song for many years and it's the way many people around the world first learn about Colorado.

The move comes nearly 10 years after Denver died in a plane crash near Monterey California.

[LSparkle]

1. OMG -- they actually have a state song with the word "Columbine" in it?

I originally thought "Rocky Mountain High" might be seen as too "far out" (hahahaha) but it's a better choice than any song that conjures up memories of a mass shooting ...

[donco6]

2. Well, that one was around since 1915.

And I have NEVER EVER heard anyone perform it. I have no idea how it goes.

[SoCalDem]

7. Columbines are the state flower, I think

They are very cute little flowers.:)

[fishwax]

30. yes, exactly

The columbine was a state symbol long before the tragic events at the school. Singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt--who went to school in Colorado and has several great songs about the state--has a song called Columbine as well :)

[SemperEadem]

3. it's been 10 years? Wow

I was watching something on PBS the other day about him. Everytime I see video of him, it just makes me cry that he's gone... I don't know why his death affects me like that, but it does. I was pretty much a child when he was in his musical hey-day.

[donco6]

4. I grew up with John Denver.

I know, people think he was pretty schmaltzy, but I liked him. I'm happy about the song.

[Raine]

20. I couldn't even watch the special

it makes me so sad :cry: such a loss, I still miss him.

[lisa58]

5. I love that song....

....you would have thought they would have done this sooner.

[kestrel91316]

6. Well, I suppose this was just a matter of time..............

[lse7581011]

8. I'm So Glad!

that Mr. Denver is finally getting the recognition he deserves!

[donco6]

23. I expect to hear many renditions over the years.

It's nice to have a state song people actually want to HEAR. :)

[Homer Wells]

9. I wonder how they will deal with the line

"Friends around the campfire, and everybody's HIGH"??

That will make the Repugs heads collectively EXPLODE!!!!!!
:rofl:

[lse7581011]

11. I Think

it was intended to be referring to "everybody being high" on the beauty of the Rocky Mountains-JMO though!

[jobycom]

12. you do understand that wasn't about drugs, don't you?

:shrug:

[lse7581011]

14. I Don't Think It Was

again, just my opinion!

[jobycom]

18. It wasn't. That's the whole point of the song.

Ironic, considering John Denver's drinking problems, but the song was something of a counter to the drug culture. Not really a criticism of it, just a counter to it.

[lse7581011]

21. Which Is Why

I have the utmost respect for the man and the song! Congrats to one of the best performers of my time!

[lse7581011]

22. Another Great Life Taken Too Soon n/t

[Homer Wells]

25. I really have no problem with references to smoking dope

at that time. I was a young guy then, and I think we all smoked dope in my little circle.

The reason I consider it a good bet that he was referring to "High" in that way is that , if you listen to another of his wonderful songs, "Poems and Prayers and Promises", the refrain spells it out.

"I'd Like to say it now, it's been a good life, all in all,
It's really fine to have a chance to hang around;
And lie there by the fire, and watch the evening tire,
While all my friends and my old lady sit and pass the pipe around.

And talk of poems and prayers and promises, and things that we believe in.
How good it is to love someone, how right it is to care.
How long it's been since yesterday, and what about tomorrow
And what about our friends, and all the memories we share."

John was one of the truly wonderful minstrels of our time,and I DO indeed miss him!!

[lse7581011]

26. More Beautiful Lyrics...

thanks for sharing!

[jobycom]

28. Me, either, but that's not what the song was about.

It's a clever song, about getting high on mountains and being born again by finding a home you've never been to before. That's not saying anything about John Denver's drug use or views on it or other songs about it.

He was born in the summer of his 27th 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

[lse7581011]

29. A Variation

Shortly after he passed our local radio station played a version that sang:

"He walks with God
And he talks with God
And he understands the why's"

I liked that take on his early passing too!

[donco6]

32. Ah, the theme of countless proms and weddings.

It was our prom theme in 1978! And it was a great prom - still remember it.

[jobycom]

10. I've got new respect for Colorado. Now if West Virginia would make

"Country Roads" their state song, I think John Denver would be the first composer of two. Don't know that for sure, though.

Damn, I still miss him. What a beautiful songwriter.

[donco6]

19. That would be great.

Love that song, too. And what a fun song to sing with a group.

[FourScore]

13. Great song for a great state!!!

But I gotta' say, being a Georgia-girl and all...we still have the best state song:

"Georgia On My Mind" by Ray Charles

[lse7581011]

15. New Hampshire Naturally

isn't bad either!

[donco6]

17. That's definitely hard to top.

:)

[jobycom]

24. I don't know, it might be a tie. Both beat mine, though.

Texas: "Texas, Our Texas" which sounds disturbingly like Borat's version of the Kazikstan National Anthem. http://www.lsjunction.com/song.htm

Mississippi: "Go, Mississippi," which I think was written just to teach people how to spell the state's name.

[Booster]

16. Damn, John would be so proud.

[otohara]

27. Bravo -

WTG - there was all this nonsense about it being about pot and therefore....it shouldn't be our song.

[rockymountaindem]

31. 'Bout time

Nobody even knows "Where the Columbines Grow".

[eleny]

35. Well, I had some in my yard but the ferns nudged them out

Okay, seriously, I'm happy about this.

[Skittles]

33. now make Take Me Home Country Roads West Virginia's!

almost heaven, West Virginia! :)

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

36. Wow, you were fast

That's been happening to me a lot, lately. I'll post something and find out while I'm writing it that the previous post has the same idea. Either I'm reading people's minds, or there are a lot of very similiarly astute and brilliant people out there.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

34. Has West Virginia adopted his song "Country Roads?"

I believe John Denver has a composer's credit for that song. It's my favorite John Denver song and about the only version of Country Roads I like. I'm not a country music fan, but John Denver's version of Country Roads is what got me to listen to his music many years ago. Maybe it's because, to me, John Denver had a way of making a country western song sound like a folk song.

[Skittles]

37. my favorite too - gives me goosebumps

yes INDEED

[doc03]

38. I don't know but it should be, anytime a performer

sings "Country Roads" in WV that song always gets a standing ovation. Great Song!

[otohara]

39. I Want to Know WHO Voted Against This?

results of vote aren't up on Colo.gov site yet.