John Denver on The Tonight Show (1984) - A Wild Heart Looking for Home

[Neuge17]

John Denvers songs and his voice have always been familiar to me since I first heard a song

from my father's tape recorder. I was no more than a little boy who loved the music - by the way,

I am German, and I was scorned and laughed at by other children because I preferred hearing Songs from John Denver and Johnny Cash instead of Boney M. or other music which was "modern". Later, after I had learned the English language, I started to realize that his words and music were more...

[magicme4492]

oh my goodness. his voice is so wonderful... i love to listen to John Denver. He sounded great on this!

[lindabrrown10]

You don't get a voice like that taking lessons. It is God given straight from the heart and soul. You don't just hear it when you listen to a John Denver song...you feel it to the bottom of your soul. BTW scottevans1000, I am the biggest John Denver fan...sorry. His music gave me hope when I had none. But I will share the position with you. *LOL*

[sandhorse1]

His voice was his instrument. Bless you John for making our lives better just because you were in this world.

[dreamkingdj]

what a voice he was amazing,saw him live in washington dc in around 1991 he was just amazing

[TheDandaman52]

I also am hearing this song for the first time...and yes, he puts his heart and soul into every song he sings. You can hear it in his lyrics. Thank you Mike, for a wonderful video. God Bless John~

[michaeldonegan]

@TheDandaman52 Thank you too. You are always welcome.

[Earthlinked]

As the description said - he was a good piano player - but when complared to his guitar - he was one of the best guitarists around. Piano - no so much - but with a voice like that - that is a powerful instrument!!!!!! ABsolutly beautiful - by any standards!!!

[carrotjuse]

I've never heard this before. I'd forgotten how clear and beautiful his voice was. Dear John. Seems like he bared his soul writing this song. It was after his divorce from Annie, wasn't it? Thank you for the reminder.

[michaeldonegan]

@carrotjuse Thank you for your comment. You are always welcome.

Yes, this was after the divorce.

[jehovahuponyou]

ISN'T ELTON JOHN DENVER JUST WONDERFUL - LOOK AT HIM!

ROFL!

MISS YOU BUDDY!

[michaeldonegan]

@MrXAVIERDB Thank you for your kind comments. You are always welcome.

[michaeldonegan]

@workinprogress82 Thank you for your kind comment. You are most welcome.

I also thought John was quite good on the piano, even though he thought otherwise.

[obsessong]

What a nice surprise to come across this beautiful performance. Thank you, Michael.

[sweetpea027]

Beautiful dear John Denver. You play the paino very pretty & sweetly done.

~Ava~ Only John can sing his songs the best regardless who wrote it. John made it better. Thanks for sharing this Michael.

[michaeldonegan]

Always a pleasure. Thank you for your comment.

[aspensh1]

I love this song and have never seen him sing it before. thankyou for posting.

[michaeldonegan]

My Pleasure.

[michaeldonegan]

I'm sorry! I can't give a date for this show - but it does seem to be mid-1980s! These shows were never seen over here. Perhaps another fan could answer this question.

[mayamgk0220]

It was 1982

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for this information. Much appreciated.

[mayamgk0220]

No problem it threw me off because I remember seeing this on television in 1982 and I looked for the song on the next album Its About Time that was released...but it did not make it until 1986 Dreamland Express..and it should have definitely made it on the 1983 release, but then again the 1983 album was recorded in 1982 so the songs where already chosen at that point!

[michaeldonegan]

I must admit my guess was 1986 because it was on the Dreamland Express album. I never imagined it was as early as 1982. You have been very helpful.

Sadly, JD's album output had slowed down by the ealy 1980s, so it is understandable that songs waited years before they made it onto vinyl. Sadly, also, his later songs were either never recorded or not released on an album.

[mayamgk0220]

Well, I know he was dropped from RCA and he was devastated! And struggled to find a label to believe in him and that left him struggling within himself and left a part of him broken hearted.

His music was not getting any airtime on the radio.

But still he struggled professionally for along time because of it. So I cant imagine the songs he has written but have not been released. I think between his brother Ron and I think or his children will someday get them out for the fans!

[michaeldonegan]

I hope so! JD deserves it.

[mayamgk0220]

Yes..he does. And fans like us do too.

That is what John wanted,was to be heard so that

all those beautiful songs that in my eyes came naturally to him! But John on a more personal note was not as lucky in love as allot or if not most of are not! And thats where his music comes into plays for the Broken Hearted and the Great Spirited songs that where filled with hope .

[mayamgk0220]

Because I know personally without music I dont think I would have survived the devastation that has come my way! And JD music was there for me...like a pillar when I just wanted to fall to my knees in despair!

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for your nice comments. Very well stated!

[puck57]

Well mainly what brother Ron does (with Windstar) is release previously recorded stuff JD has done- and revamp them like the Russian CD that came out in '07. Any UNRECORDED stuff JD had would obviously have to be recorded by another artist- and then be okayed by the estate run by Zak with Annie's oversight as well. After 12 yrs- who knows. I think the bulk of "new" stuff would again be reengineerd recordings and videos- like the "Around the World" one that's coming out.

[mayamgk0220]

No offence but....I know for sure that JD has over 100 songs he recorded in his home studio.

And all they need are added musicians,production and engineering!

All of which are probably some very good work.

[michaeldonegan]

I always hoped to hear something like this. These songs must be released!

[puck57]

Oh SURE- we've all love to hear what JD might have written but not recorded- I would never argue that. And you might be able to work out with some singers like John Adams and a few others who have sung a lot of JD stuff. BUT the rub would be after 12 years to get a record comp to pay out to do the production & adversting to make it worth while with their bottom line- which is what they will look at. And with Windstar there would be very little adversting they could do outside their web site.

[puck57]

JD was reportly very close to 2 record offers from RCA & Sony/BMG at the time of the crash- & most likey had some great music to put on a new recording. BUT we still don't know what the record execs would have liked and not- so again after 12 yrs. NOT trying to be argumentive but would Thau be able to convince a record co TODAY to put out the music with another singer- that's a tall order. And this coming from a lifelong JD fan-I'm just putting myself in the record exec's mindset-not MY opinion.

[mayamgk0220]

I am not going to get into the fan factor.

But if John has songs recorded we want to hear them from JD himself...no one else will do for me.

No matter how raw they might be...still would not matter! Just to hear John singing his own songs in his own voice is all true fans of John would need and want!

[mayamgk0220]

John is a musician, so whatever doubts he may have had about his ability to play the piano is no surprise...most musicians doubt there own abilities because he is know for his guitar!

As fans all of us can see that no matter what John played...he was and will always be a truly gifted man!

[michaeldonegan]

Absolutely gifted! Thank yiou for your comment.

[bettywhitedog]

This is amazing that you have this. I've never heard this song before. He always talked about his soul...he was searching for something. I wonder if he ever found it. You gotta love him. He was so wonderful. Thanks.

[michaeldonegan]

John recorded this song on his Dreamland Express album, released in 1985.

[michaeldonegan]

Yes, he was an amazing performer! Thanks for your comment.

[jmbmt30]

I double-dare anyone to claim that there ever has been a performer who could, without any outside enhancement or accompaniment, sing and play a song on the guitar or piano with so much emotion. Absolutely amazing!! Thank you. This is a song that is not very well known, but is a work of incomparable beauty and meaning.

[starwd3]

I'm not a pianist but I agree with your thoughts. You would think listening to him perform that he had played since childhood.

[michaeldonegan]

I think he protested too much! He would not have used the piano had he felt unable to perform well enough. For me, his playing was faultless!

Thanks for your comment.

[puck57]

I would have loved to have seen JD play more on the piano. I think everyone must understand though- JD was a perfectionist from the get go. To play the piano pretty good was NOT to his standards- you don't get to the pinnacle he got to by being "average"- he was his own worst critic I am sure-& was tough on his band members as well. LIke a gifted athlete- talented musicians are NEVER satisfied with being "just average"!!! Hard to relate to for us just average mortals but that was how JD felt.

[michaeldonegan]

Thanks for your comment. I don't think JD's fans were ever so critical of his ability on the piano.

[puck57]

I would agree- I don't think any fans would complain about JD's piano playing- including me- he did well & wished he would have done more. BUT to JD playing pretty good compared to how he played the guitar and with his voice to match- well to the perfectionist & overachiever- he still would not be satisfied!!! You could tell he was sort of nervous/uncomfortable- not his usual fully confident self!!! I loved when he played "All This Joy" with just the piano at the Windstar seminar- GREAT.