About the song
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a beloved song with a rich history that transcends its catchy melody and sing-along chorus. While it has become synonymous with the state of West Virginia, its origins and rise to fame are full of interesting twists and turns.
Composed by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver, the song was released in 1971 and quickly became a hit for Denver. However, the inspiration for the title line came not from West Virginia, but from a drive through Maryland by Danoff and Nivert. The song’s connection to West Virginia grew organically as Danoff incorporated elements of his childhood spent listening to a West Virginia radio program.
Despite its unexpected origin story, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” resonated deeply with West Virginians. The song’s evocative lyrics about winding roads and a longing for home struck a chord with the state’s residents. This connection was further solidified when Denver himself performed the song at a West Virginia University football game in 1980.
The song’s popularity eventually led to its official adoption as one of West Virginia’s four state anthems in 2014. It is also played at various university functions and sporting events, further cementing its status as a beloved symbol of the state.
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a testament to the power of music to evoke emotions and forge connections. While its creators never intended it to be a state anthem, the song’s enduring popularity speaks to its ability to capture a sense of place and belonging that resonates deeply with West Virginians and music lovers everywhere.
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Lyrics
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
All my memories gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
I hear her voice in the mornin’ hour, she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
Drivin’ down the road, I get a feelin’
That I should’ve been home yesterday, yesterday
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, (down) country roads
Take me home, (down) country roads