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Take Me Home, Country Roads

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a 1971 song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver and recorded by Denver.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" is a 1971 song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver and recorded by Denver. It became one of Denver's best-known songs, reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and is strongly associated with West Virginia. The song was later adopted as one of West Virginia's official state anthems.

Background

The song was written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver. According to the Library of Congress, Danoff and Nivert first hoped to sell the song to Johnny Cash, but Denver persuaded them otherwise.

Release and reception

John Denver released the song as a single on April 12, 1971, and it became his first major hit. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later certified gold by the RIAA in 1971 and platinum in 2017.

West Virginia connection

Although the song became closely tied to West Virginia, it was not written there. The state adopted it as one of its official state anthems in 2014, reflecting its enduring cultural significance there. The lyrics mention West Virginia in the opening verse.

Legacy

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" has remained one of John Denver's most popular songs. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and added to the National Recording Registry in 2023.

Key facts

  • The song is also commonly known simply as "Country Roads".
  • It was first recorded by John Denver in January 1971.
  • The single reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
  • It was certified gold by the RIAA in 1971 and platinum in 2017.
  • The song was selected for the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2023.
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Canadian context

John Denver’s recording has been widely known in Canada as part of North American country and folk radio culture, but the song has no specific Canadian origin or official Canadian status.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "Take Me Home, Country Roads"?
It was written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver.
When was the song released?
John Denver released it as a single on April 12, 1971.
What album is it on?
It appears on Denver's album "Poems, Prayers and Promises."
How did it chart?
It reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Why is it associated with West Virginia?
The lyrics mention West Virginia in the opening verse, and the song became a widely embraced symbol of the state.
Did West Virginia make it an official song?
Yes. In 2014, it became one of West Virginia's official state anthems.

References

  1. Library of Congress — https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/take-me-home.pdf
    Supports: Song authorship, original recording context, 1971 release, chart performance, state anthem status, and National Recording Registry selection.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Home,_Country_Roads
    Supports: Song title, alternate name, release date, chart peak, certifications, and West Virginia association.
  3. Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/john-denver/take-me-home-country-roads
    Supports: Title change from "Country Roads" to "Take Me Home, Country Roads."