John Denver on The John Denver Show (BBC), 1973 - Casey's Last Ride

[kiokifun1]

funny I love this song altho my name is Casey :)

[bobbyswamp]

Thanks for posting this. My dad loved this song...

[michaeldonegan]

@bobbyswamp Thank you for your comment.

[grampamurdoc]

I have been looking for this for a while, some songs just stick with you.

[mreichley44]

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS SONG MEANS? I HAVE MY THOUGHTS. SOME FRIENDS AND I LISTEN TO THIS ALOT AND DISCUSS WHAT IT MAY MEAN. KINDA LIKE A BOOK CLUB. ANALYZING JD'S SONGS

[7808521113]

I live in Jasper (Canadian Rockies) and the thought of living in a city is just too scary. We have no air or even light pollution - still get our water from glacial rivers so the lines ... "the poison air he's breathing has the dirty smell of dying 'cause it's never seen the sunshine and it's never felt the rain" is so sad for all the people that have no choice and have to live in dirty cities. Another glorious day in paradise - Jon Denver wrote a few songs in Jasper and we love him here.

[7808521113]

I saw this in the '70's and it has haunted me til I could see (hear) it again THANKS! I don't really get off on anyone else' versions and believe me I have heard a lot!

[michaeldonegan]

@7808521113 Thank you for your comment.

[WildAlaskanBlossom]

@7808521113 I wrote a poem inspired by this, for my poetry class. He really captured the tone and mood of this song.

[WillieBoDave]

@7808521113 - I would have to agree. Have heard many, many different versions, this one is - as you have mentioned - haunting. By far, the best version.

[Zoltrik101]

Lovely thing.

[chayanbanerji]

Awesome!

His voice brings the lyrics alive.

[MoosTheMonk]

This is just beautiful : - )

[sue4343]

i listened to "casey's last ride" again by the everly brothers and i love their voices together on this  song. if you have not heard it yet please listen to it and watch the video.

[michaeldonegan]

I never knew they did 'Casey's Last Ride'. I certainly will look for it. I have always loved the their music. I will find it on Youtube.

[sue4343]

ok. i hope you like it by the everly brothers.  if you like the other versions better that's ok. everyone has different tastes.

[michaeldonegan]

I have just heard it. Thank you for telling me about it. We all have our different tastes but good music is always good music.

[sue4343]

i agree with you. i love all kinds of music. i even like some of the 70's songs such as the eagles, fleetwood mac and jackson brown and so many others.

[michaeldonegan]

All great to listen to.

[sue4343]

michaeldonegan, i  have not heard kris's version. He wrote the song, right? in my opinion, Kris is one of the all time greatest song writers.

[michaeldonegan]

Yes, I believe Kris wrote 'Casey's Last Ride' and a host of other great songs. I first heard his version way back in the 1970s when I bought his 'Me and Bobbie McGee' album. I think he wrote all of the songs on that album.

[sue4343]

i have always loved the song 'me and bobby mcgee and alot of other songs that kris wrote. wow, i  wish i had that "me and bobby mcgee" album.

[michaeldonegan]

Correction: This song was on Kris' first album, 'Kristofferson' from about 1970. The album was later re-released with the name 'Me and Bobby McGee', after that song earned widespread popularity.

[sue4343]

i just listened to "casey's last ride" by john denver for the first time. i like the everly brothers version way better. john does not sound bad, maybe i love Don and Phil's voices together so much. i can't explain how i feel when i hear the everly's sing. they sound like angels.

[michaeldonegan]

You are welcome to your opinion. There's nothing wrong in that. Myself, I have never heard the Everly Brothers version. I am familiar with Kris Kristofferson's.

[sue4343]

i love the version by the everly brothers better. i was never a john denver fan, maybe  thats why.

[justaguy500]

Thanks. I like Denver's version better 'cause I heard it 1st. the E.Bros. version is good in that it makes a better transition b'tween Casey's memory and the present moment. I like sad and loney songs. Any others to share?

[sue4343]

you know i really can't say i was not a fan of john denver. i just wasn't into him at the time i think. i like alot of his songs. i love sad and lonely songs also. i can't explain it but they actually make me happy, not sad. i love "so sad" by the everly's, and "love of my life". i will think of more for you later.

[sue4343]

justaguy500-- have you ever heard the song "all for the love of a girl" by johnny horton? if you have not heard it, look it up. it is so beautiful and sad.

[mrsnips1]

Rock and roll I gave you all the best years of my life...by kevin johnson

[justaguy500]

I heard this tonight for the first time. (Thank you XM-Sirius.) What's the deeper meaning?

[mrsnips1]

Try the everly brothers version. Just as good, but in a different way!!

[JLenoC6]

Awesome..awesome...awesome....­.I have the vinyl of the Aerie album...this song is maybe the most haunting of all his songs. I remember listening to it in my twenties and loving it. So I searched til I found the album. Thanks for posting the video.

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for commenting.

[preclusion]

As you get older your voice goes through a maturation process. This changes the quality of the voice. I always liked to listen to him no matter the age because he had such a unique way of telling a story.

[azahora22]

Why cant I find the video where John Denver sings "We dont live here no more"? Can someone help me or doesnt it exist anymore?

[michaeldonegan]

if it's not on Youtube fear not! I will upload it as soon as I can. Check again sometime tomorrow.

[sue4343]

azahora, i went through the same thing a while back. i looked everywhere i could think of and i could not find the  song "string along" by rick nelson. when i came to youtube, there it was.

[Tralman1965]

The deep and mature side of John Denver non-fans don't know existed.

[HollyinMaui]

His voice was different when he was young, wasn't it? I find his voice here not as rich and beautiful as it was when he was older, but compelling, maybe more interesting, and certainly suited to the songs he chose in those days.

I am enjoying all the clips from his BBC shows. It's a treat to see him early in his career. Thanks for sharing.

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for your comment.

[JonathanG]

Kris Kristofferson might be a mighty awesome wordsmith, but it took the likes of J.D to make it a song...and more than describe.

[demarko55]

Nice song.

[maryg46]

Haunting Song! I love it. Sorta reminds me of "We Don't Live here Anymore"

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for commenting.

[aliciastef]

I wasn't familiar with this song before....thanks for the wonderful post....straight to my favs !!!!

[Moonlightwolfpup]

This song is on the Aerie album 1972

[michaeldonegan]

Indeed it was!

[michaeldonegan]

It is quite an old song written by Kris Kristofferson and it was on Kristofferson's first album 'Kristofferson' way back in 1970. The album was later released as the mega-successful retitled 'Me and Bobby McGee' after that track was a huge hit for Janis Joplin.

Thanks for your kind comment.