You’d probably be surprised to learn that some of your favorite songs were meant for someone else entirely. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver is one of them.
Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’s “Whiskey Lullaby” was first held by the Dixie Chicks. Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” was supposed to go to Blake Shelton. Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” was originally offered to Sara Evans.
Those are just a few cases. But let’s take a closer look at the story behind “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
How the Song Came to Be
When Denver released “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in 1971, it took off right away. It reached number two on the Hot 100, number three on the Adult Contemporary chart, and even landed at number 50 on the Hot Country Singles chart.
That last one was a big deal. Why? Because Denver wasn’t a country singer — he was known as a folk artist.
The song’s popularity didn’t fade with time either. In 2014, West Virginia named it the state’s official anthem. In 2016, it was one of three songs featured in the all-star tribute “Forever Country,” made to celebrate the CMA Awards’ 50th anniversary.
Over the years, countless artists have covered the song, and it’s shown up in commercials, films, and more. At this point, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at least once.
The Song Was Meant for Johnny Cash
Here’s the twist: if things had gone as planned, Denver never would have sung about West Virginia being “almost heaven.” The song wasn’t written with him in mind — it was meant for a country music legend instead.
Songwriters Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert were the original writers behind “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Writing it took time, but they already knew who they wanted to sing it — Johnny Cash.
They had their hearts set on “The Man in Black” recording the song. No one else crossed their minds.
That’s exactly what they told Denver when they played it for him after a show in late 1970. They explained they had spent a month writing it with Cash in mind.
But once Denver heard it, something changed. “I flipped,” Denver said, as quoted by his biographer John Collins in John Denver: Mother Nature’s Son.
How Denver Ended Up Recording It Himself
Denver loved the song so much that he started adding his own ideas. The three of them — Denver, Danoff, and Nivert — worked on it together until six in the morning.
By that point, Danoff and Nivert knew there was no going back to their original plan. They offered the song to Denver, and he said yes without hesitation.
He was so excited about it that he decided to put it on his next album right away. And he did — “Take Me Home, Country Roads” ended up on his record Poems, Prayers & Promises.
John Denver's "Poems, Prayers, & Promises" was released 45 years ago this month. Listen: https://t.co/j33sQbsa1D pic.twitter.com/wU7q0ML8gS
— Legacy Recordings (@SonyLegacyRecs) April 15, 2016
Had Danoff and Nivert stuck to their original plan and given the song to Cash, it would have sounded completely different. His style was nothing like Denver’s. It’s fun to imagine how his deep, powerful voice might have brought the lyrics to life in a different way.
And speaking of the lyrics — the song wouldn’t be what it is today without Denver’s input. He ended up becoming the third co-writer, shaping the song into what we know now.
Danoff and Nivert never planned on giving the song to Denver. But his enthusiasm for it was impossible to ignore. They took a chance on him — and it paid off in a big way.
These days, when people think of John Denver, “Country Roads” is the song that comes to mind first.
