It's been weeks, maybe even months since I've responded to Home Free Reaction, except for a few songs. I was just busy but also mentally tyred! But I always kept listening to Home Free. Especially to this song, one of my favorites. It's Rob's voice that always does so much for me. Often even shivers that go through my whole body, I can understand that he is called GospelRob🥰, his voice touches me in my soul. A cover again so wonderfully good. I also liked John Denver's, but this version of Home Free surpasses the original. Yet they do maintain the respect for the song. Rob with his overwhelmingly beautiful lead combined with the others is great again. And wow, all those runs. Adam who has swallowed another drum kit😉 finishes it off completely. In one word phenomenal👏❤
They took 5 years before they came up with an arrangement they felt good about, while the Fries continued to pester them requesting it. You can't rush perfection.
My mum loved John Denver and this was her favourite JD song, so I grew up listening to his original version. I’ve heard countless covers of it and always said:”no cover will ever do this song justice!” Oh boy was I wrong! First time I heard HF’s version I was blown away. And for the first time I actually really heard the lyrics. It brought back so many memories. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over a song before (or since), but this just hit me right in the feels! It felt like it grabbed my soul and squeezed it so hard all the build up pain leaked out. It was both awful and cathartic and I still can’t listen to it without tearing up 🥹 I miss my mum so much 💔
Great reaction DJ! When there is no beatboxing and they are in 5-part harmony, Adam Rupp is the ultra-tenor voice that can be heard. He is the one doing those high "whistle" notes. He has an incredible high tenor voice. His vocal ability is hugely overlooked.
Being from West Virginia, this song has a special meaning to me. It only takes a couple seconds of the opening and I'm right back home there. Came to northern Ohio when I was little but with all our family still there, we would take off on Friday evenings after my dad got off work and come back north on Sunday nights so we didn't miss school. During the summers my sibs and I would trade off weeks at a time to stay with the family. There is one thing that's messed up from the original song, but when Chance is singing and at 6:25, he says "modest lady, stranger to blue waters" but the actual words are "miner's lady, stranger to blue waters". Not a big deal but when your roots are deep set in those WV coal mines, it can sometimes get you. Check out "Forever Country". It's this song but it was put out by all these country stars in I think 2016 just before the CMA awards. It also has Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" woven in thru it and it's just so so good. John Denver is also a mostly a tenor which Austin singing the song would have been closer to the original but Tim can sing the phone book and make it sound like it was written for him.
The high whistle has to be Adam Rupp. Same as in the butts remix (thong song) and how great thou art. I may be wrong, but think about the high nomonica noise he makes. Would love to know for sure. Grandma Shirley loves y'all.
I really like the melancholy. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, and when you’re born and raised there, the mountains own a part of your soul. When I go back to visit my mother, there is a certain curve in the Interstate, when you round it, you get your first view of the mountains, and I can feel my shoulders drop and a peace comes over me. Although neither of my children grew up there, they feel the same thing. I’ve read comments by others who have their particular curve from their particular direction that affects them the same way. When I left home for college, I didn’t miss people, I missed places that made me homesick.
This has never been my favorite John Denver song, but..... The boys have elevated it for me. Fabulous leads, Amazing harmonies. Perfection. Oh! You should also check out the Adam Chance / Peter Hollens duet version.
I've always loved the late John Denver's music & I think he would have approved of their rendition. The singing, harmonies & beatboxing are incomparable. They're all vocal chameleons - Tim & Chance, Austin & Rob trade off all the time and it's so smoothly done you can't even tell.
This is a gorgeous cover! One of my many favorite covers they’ve done. You can definitely feel the emotion from them. I imagine you’re right on the money with the emotion this song emotes for the guys. They’re on the road so much for concerts, promos, videos, etc.. Loved your heartfelt reaction.
I grew up listening to the original song and have heard quite a few renditions but when I heard this version I immediately added it to my playlist and it was on repeat. Nothing against John’s version but this right here hits me deep in my soul.
Anyone in driving distance of Nashville today (Friday), don't miss Austin's fist live solo show with his band, appearing as special guest with country music legends. It's a free show in aid of first responders and volunteers, 4.30pm, Charlie Daniels Park, Mount Juliet. He's doing a full set including some brand new songs and some old favourites. Wish I could be there, but the first of many, I'm sure. This is a lovely arrangement of a song I've never been too fond of.
This was a true ensemble piece with them. You can truly believe that it took them *years* to finally settle on this version before they said they were ready to bring it to the public.
I have so much to say here. I went to WV University and this was our school song. Imagine a whole stadium singing it during a football game. Like 50,000 people, all at once, every word, whether we win or lose. Now, I will show my age, but my dad also had John Denver's Greatest Hits (original singer) on 8-track growing up, and he used to sing my sister and I to sleep with this one and many others by JD, and he has a beautiful tenor voice. I digress, though. Back to the topic at hand: John Denver's version was more upbeat, but the HF version resonates in a different way, a more complicated way, for so many reasons! It embodies a bittersweet feeling that I think the original was missing because some of us are longing for the past sometimes or just want to relive it for a moment. That's the melancholy part. But there is still hopefulness within the song. It speaks to the future, as well. I think this arrangement is one of their very best because of all of the emotions it can elicit no matter who you are. Love them for being able to create such a feeling. Thank you for loving this one, DJ!
I grew up listening to John Denver's songs. Hundreds of artists have covered this song. But I feel Home Free took this one to another level for me. It is one of my favorite covers of this song. I love everything about it. It is a masterpiece. Home Free is my favorite a cappella group hands down.
Great reaction, as always DJ, to our #HomeFree boys! It's hard for me to narrow down a Top 3 or 5, but this is definitely in my Home Free Top 10! I love the layering, the harmonies, BGVs and percussion, and especially the back-and-forth at the end of this one. Home Free never disappoint!
John Denver would be proud of this version of his song. His version was a bit "happier", but since he sang solo there were no gorgeous harmonies in his original song. I don't think he intended it to be a sad song,, it's from the viewpoint of someone who was happy to get home to the place and people that he loves.
Absolutely love this arrangement and definitely in the top 3 of my HF songs. They take it to a new level. More reactors need to listen to this one. Thanks for your reactions!
This is my favorite version of all the recordings done of this song. I loved how you kept getting blown away by each new part in the song as each of the guys contributed their unique talents. Most Home Fries have their favorite singer they like to hear take the lead, but in this the lead was passed around, and Austin and Adam Rupp got to shine too, so everyone could be happy. So glad you got to hear it!
This is one of my absolute favourite country/folk songs anyway and Home Free absolutely nailed this version. Their voices were absolutely at their PEAK with this one, stunning. Thank you for this reaction DJ, absolutely great reaction and I loved what you picked up on and pointed out to us
John Denver's sweet melodic voice singing this song cannot be beat! But these guys do it GREAT justice & I'm sure John is looking down smiling every time they sing it. 😊 We miss you, John! 💔 ❤️
Love this cover from Home Free. Amazing as always. The song wasn't "originally" from The Kingsmen. The original was recorded and released by John Denver in 1971. It was a huge hit for him. Enjoyed your reaction.
John Denver was one of three people that wrote this song. A couple that was good friends with JD was having trouble with writing the song so JD helped write it with them. Then he sang it and it was AWESOME! DJ_410, you should react to the original version by John Denver .
It’s one of my favorites of theirs. They killed it. Everyone got a verse or two and then Austin doing his runs throughout was fantastic. They took years to get the arrangement just right of this iconic song and made it more like a ballad. Loved it! Love your reaction too!
John Denver's version is obviously the classic. Chance's version with Peter Hollens is lovely and has a modern feel. But Home Free's version is still my family's favorite--hands down! Besides the unbelievable harmonies, getting to hear Adam Rupp's sweet tenor actually singing is such a great treat ❣️🎼🥰🎶❤️ #HomeFree #AdamRuppSinging
Love this song Every time I listen to it I seem to either be playing Red Dead Redemption 2 or Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 so thank you so much for finally reacting to this song
John Denver's original is more.....wistful than sad. And there was this anticipation at his going home. Recommend watching the "Professor of Rock"'s video about the creation of the song for more amusing insights to how it all came together.
One of my favourite versions of this song - really nice arrangement and harmonies. Look forward to seeing your reaction to this. Hidden away in the depths of Caleb Hyles channel you will find my absolute favourite version of this song. A straight country cover by Caleb and Jonathan Young. Yes JoYo singing straight country style! No rock or metal style adaptations at all and I love it. Another side of JoYo for you to discover. Also on Caleb's channel you will find them doing a straight country cover of Jolene, along with Thomas Sanders. I'd love to see you react to both of those.
BTW, the Blue Ridge Mountains are in Virginia, not West Virginia, but John Denver couldn't get the lyrics to work so he screwed with the geography! Just FYI.
I've lived my entire life in West Virginia, and this is absolutely my favorite version of this song. John Denver had never actually been here when he wrote this, but his lyrics coupled with Home Free's melancholy vocals really captures the spirit of this state. It's an absolute shithole, but you become agonizingly homesick for it when you're away. Figure it's the mountains. I think they filmed this in eastern Tennessee, which looks much like WV. They (and North Carolina) also stole our idea for slaw dogs and claimed it as their own because they are bastard states full of hooligans.
Check out the Jo0hn Denver original. Whether or not you make it a reaction video is up to you. It might make you want to hear some of his other songs, like Annie's Song or Rocky Mountain High.
At 10:40 you said Adam Chance, not Adam Ripp, was doing the vocal percussion. Uh...no. How are you going to handle future reactions with all three Adams, if you can't differentiate between them?
It's been weeks, maybe even months since I've responded to Home Free Reaction, except for a few songs. I was just busy but also mentally tyred! But I always kept listening to Home Free. Especially to this song, one of my favorites. It's Rob's voice that always does so much for me. Often even shivers that go through my whole body, I can understand that he is called GospelRob🥰, his voice touches me in my soul.
A cover again so wonderfully good. I also liked John Denver's, but this version of Home Free surpasses the original. Yet they do maintain the respect for the song. Rob with his overwhelmingly beautiful lead combined with the others is great again. And wow, all those runs. Adam who has swallowed another drum kit😉 finishes it off completely. In one word phenomenal👏❤
They took 5 years before they came up with an arrangement they felt good about, while the Fries continued to pester them requesting it. You can't rush perfection.
I love how Adam Rupp is perfectly sedate and still when singing, but as soon as he starts beatboxing he can't keep his hands still. XD
That sustained high note could very well have been Adam Rupp.
My mum loved John Denver and this was her favourite JD song, so I grew up listening to his original version. I’ve heard countless covers of it and always said:”no cover will ever do this song justice!”
Oh boy was I wrong!
First time I heard HF’s version I was blown away. And for the first time I actually really heard the lyrics. It brought back so many memories. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over a song before (or since), but this just hit me right in the feels! It felt like it grabbed my soul and squeezed it so hard all the build up pain leaked out.
It was both awful and cathartic and I still can’t listen to it without tearing up 🥹
I miss my mum so much 💔
They had a lot of fun with another John Denver song: Thank God I’m a Country Boy.
Great reaction DJ! When there is no beatboxing and they are in 5-part harmony, Adam Rupp is the ultra-tenor voice that can be heard. He is the one doing those high "whistle" notes. He has an incredible high tenor voice. His vocal ability is hugely overlooked.
Their version really showcases all those beautiful voice. Love you and your reactions. So excited going to see Home Free tonight in Tahoe.❤❤❤
Being from West Virginia, this song has a special meaning to me. It only takes a couple seconds of the opening and I'm right back home there. Came to northern Ohio when I was little but with all our family still there, we would take off on Friday evenings after my dad got off work and come back north on Sunday nights so we didn't miss school. During the summers my sibs and I would trade off weeks at a time to stay with the family. There is one thing that's messed up from the original song, but when Chance is singing and at 6:25, he says "modest lady, stranger to blue waters" but the actual words are "miner's lady, stranger to blue waters". Not a big deal but when your roots are deep set in those WV coal mines, it can sometimes get you. Check out "Forever Country". It's this song but it was put out by all these country stars in I think 2016 just before the CMA awards. It also has Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" woven in thru it and it's just so so good. John Denver is also a mostly a tenor which Austin singing the song would have been closer to the original but Tim can sing the phone book and make it sound like it was written for him.
They performed this song at my very first Home Free concert. In West Virginia. It was emotional.
The high whistle has to be Adam Rupp. Same as in the butts remix (thong song) and how great thou art. I may be wrong, but think about the high nomonica noise he makes. Would love to know for sure. Grandma Shirley loves y'all.
I really like the melancholy. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, and when you’re born and raised there, the mountains own a part of your soul. When I go back to visit my mother, there is a certain curve in the Interstate, when you round it, you get your first view of the mountains, and I can feel my shoulders drop and a peace comes over me. Although neither of my children grew up there, they feel the same thing. I’ve read comments by others who have their particular curve from their particular direction that affects them the same way. When I left home for college, I didn’t miss people, I missed places that made me homesick.
This has never been my favorite John Denver song, but..... The boys have elevated it for me. Fabulous leads, Amazing harmonies. Perfection. Oh! You should also check out the Adam Chance / Peter Hollens duet version.
John Denver was always one of my favorite singers growing up. I had two of his albums. Home Free does this one well. Great reaction.
Then there’s Chance holding down the bass when Tim opens, and those great bell notes!
Chance holds the bass for a good chunk of this song and I feel a lot of people don’t give him enough credit.
I've always loved the late John Denver's music & I think he would have approved of their rendition. The singing, harmonies & beatboxing are incomparable. They're all vocal chameleons - Tim & Chance, Austin & Rob trade off all the time and it's so smoothly done you can't even tell.
This is a gorgeous cover! One of my many favorite covers they’ve done. You can definitely feel the emotion from them. I imagine you’re right on the money with the emotion this song emotes for the guys. They’re on the road so much for concerts, promos, videos, etc.. Loved your heartfelt reaction.
I can’t believe it took you this long to react to this song… but you reacted perfect.
This is My Favorite song by them..don't get me wrong I love Home Free..but thus hits different...great reaction as always!❤
This is really beautiful. ❤ One of my favourites by Home Free.
I'm from West Virginia and grew up listening to this song, the original is more upbeat, but this is by far my favorite version
I grew up listening to the original song and have heard quite a few renditions but when I heard this version I immediately added it to my playlist and it was on repeat. Nothing against John’s version but this right here hits me deep in my soul.
I love this because this arrangement is genius, and to turn this happy poppy original becomes Country Blues....it's totally perfect
The original is more upbeat. It still evokes longing, but doesn't have the same melancholy this does.
Anyone in driving distance of Nashville today (Friday), don't miss Austin's fist live solo show with his band, appearing as special guest with country music legends. It's a free show in aid of first responders and volunteers, 4.30pm, Charlie Daniels Park, Mount Juliet. He's doing a full set including some brand new songs and some old favourites. Wish I could be there, but the first of many, I'm sure.
This is a lovely arrangement of a song I've never been too fond of.
Wish I lived anywhere near!
This was a true ensemble piece with them. You can truly believe that it took them *years* to finally settle on this version before they said they were ready to bring it to the public.
I have so much to say here. I went to WV University and this was our school song. Imagine a whole stadium singing it during a football game. Like 50,000 people, all at once, every word, whether we win or lose. Now, I will show my age, but my dad also had John Denver's Greatest Hits (original singer) on 8-track growing up, and he used to sing my sister and I to sleep with this one and many others by JD, and he has a beautiful tenor voice. I digress, though. Back to the topic at hand: John Denver's version was more upbeat, but the HF version resonates in a different way, a more complicated way, for so many reasons! It embodies a bittersweet feeling that I think the original was missing because some of us are longing for the past sometimes or just want to relive it for a moment. That's the melancholy part. But there is still hopefulness within the song. It speaks to the future, as well. I think this arrangement is one of their very best because of all of the emotions it can elicit no matter who you are. Love them for being able to create such a feeling. Thank you for loving this one, DJ!
This is one of my very favorites by Home Free. They just took it to the next level!!
I grew up listening to John Denver's songs. Hundreds of artists have covered this song. But I feel Home Free took this one to another level for me. It is one of my favorite covers of this song. I love everything about it. It is a masterpiece. Home Free is my favorite a cappella group hands down.
Great reaction, as always DJ, to our #HomeFree boys! It's hard for me to narrow down a Top 3 or 5, but this is definitely in my Home Free Top 10! I love the layering, the harmonies, BGVs and percussion, and especially the back-and-forth at the end of this one. Home Free never disappoint!
John Denver would be proud of this version of his song. His version was a bit "happier", but since he sang solo there were no gorgeous harmonies in his original song. I don't think he intended it to be a sad song,, it's from the viewpoint of someone who was happy to get home to the place and people that he loves.
DJ you really need to listen to John Denver sing this, one of his best known songs. While you're at it, dive into John's catalogue.
This is perfection! IMHO the best version of this song bar none.
Absolutely love this arrangement and definitely in the top 3 of my HF songs. They take it to a new level. More reactors need to listen to this one. Thanks for your reactions!
The guys worked on this song for a long time before they felt like they did it justice.
This is my favorite version of all the recordings done of this song. I loved how you kept getting blown away by each new part in the song as each of the guys contributed their unique talents. Most Home Fries have their favorite singer they like to hear take the lead, but in this the lead was passed around, and Austin and Adam Rupp got to shine too, so everyone could be happy. So glad you got to hear it!
This was the song that pulled me down into the rabbit hole😅
This is one of my absolute favourite country/folk songs anyway and Home Free absolutely nailed this version. Their voices were absolutely at their PEAK with this one, stunning.
Thank you for this reaction DJ, absolutely great reaction and I loved what you picked up on and pointed out to us
I love the chord changes in this version -- great arrangement!
Great reaction. Really wonderful rendition.
John Denver's sweet melodic voice singing this song cannot be beat! But these guys do it GREAT justice & I'm sure John is looking down smiling every time they sing it. 😊 We miss you, John! 💔 ❤️
Oh !! A masterpiece this one, such a beautiful arrangement from the Guys 💖💖 Can't wait !!
As a Home Free fan and a West Virginian, this always hits differently than most songs.
Love this cover from Home Free. Amazing as always. The song wasn't "originally" from The Kingsmen. The original was recorded and released by John Denver in 1971. It was a huge hit for him. Enjoyed your reaction.
John Denver was one of three people that wrote this song. A couple that was good friends with JD was having trouble with writing the song so JD helped write it with them. Then he sang it and it was AWESOME! DJ_410, you should react to the original version by John Denver
.
Austin and Rob always sounded good together. I loved it when they'd harmonize together.
Love this version of this song Home Free does such a great just job😊
Peter Hollens and Adam Chance also did an amazing version 😊
Home Fries really appreciate you!
This is so, so good. EVERYONE shines. ❤
This is pretty much my favorite one from the boys!! It's incredible
Easily one of my top 5 Home Free songs.
This is stunning! So happy you are finally reacting to it! ❤ Best version ever!
Chills!❤❤❤❤
This is such an incredible arrangement- thank you for a wonderful reaction.
This is my #1 favorite Home Free song. Period!
It’s one of my favorites of theirs. They killed it. Everyone got a verse or two and then Austin doing his runs throughout was fantastic. They took years to get the arrangement just right of this iconic song and made it more like a ballad. Loved it! Love your reaction too!
One of their best!! Glad you loved it!!❤
I love the way they did the cover of this song!💜💜💜
I love how they went gospel on this. 😊
This is definitely one of their best❤❤
I've been voting for this for SO long! 😂
John Denver's original was filled with longing for home.
I really think you should hear it.
You should definitely give the original a listen, it’s great. The first time I heard this song was a club mix version when I was in my 20s 😂
Still waiting for their version of Down to the Honkytonk
I'll add it to the weekly poll in Take Me Home's place as soon as the return in Nov
Outstanding! ❤
Thanks DJ 😊
Please continue Epic the musical, can't wait for you guys to react to the Circe Saga
1st song will be coming out soon!
John Denver's version is obviously the classic. Chance's version with Peter Hollens is lovely and has a modern feel. But Home Free's version is still my family's favorite--hands down!
Besides the unbelievable harmonies, getting to hear Adam Rupp's sweet tenor actually singing is such a great treat ❣️🎼🥰🎶❤️
#HomeFree #AdamRuppSinging
Love this song Every time I listen to it I seem to either be playing Red Dead Redemption 2 or Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 so thank you so much for finally reacting to this song
John Denver's original is more.....wistful than sad. And there was this anticipation at his going home.
Recommend watching the "Professor of Rock"'s video about the creation of the song for more amusing insights to how it all came together.
Oh and listen to the original by John Denver..he is buried in The Rockies of Colorado
One of my favourite versions of this song - really nice arrangement and harmonies. Look forward to seeing your reaction to this.
Hidden away in the depths of Caleb Hyles channel you will find my absolute favourite version of this song. A straight country cover by Caleb and Jonathan Young. Yes JoYo singing straight country style! No rock or metal style adaptations at all and I love it. Another side of JoYo for you to discover.
Also on Caleb's channel you will find them doing a straight country cover of Jolene, along with Thomas Sanders. I'd love to see you react to both of those.
Cant wait for your Reaction to Voiceplays Halloween Song (Thriller)
You need to listen to John DenverAn amazing voice very unique and beautiful and yes seems very melancholy on this song
You should listen to John Denver sing this. His voice is instantly recognizable.
Yes it is. I've heard him sing all of his songs. Rocky Mountain High my fav.
❤❤❤
❤love this one
Also as a Country girl it hits hard
BTW, the Blue Ridge Mountains are in Virginia, not West Virginia, but John Denver couldn't get the lyrics to work so he screwed with the geography! Just FYI.
High note = Adam without a doubt
Country Roads is John Denver 's song he released in 1971. It's not "from " the Kingsman
I've lived my entire life in West Virginia, and this is absolutely my favorite version of this song. John Denver had never actually been here when he wrote this, but his lyrics coupled with Home Free's melancholy vocals really captures the spirit of this state. It's an absolute shithole, but you become agonizingly homesick for it when you're away. Figure it's the mountains. I think they filmed this in eastern Tennessee, which looks much like WV. They (and North Carolina) also stole our idea for slaw dogs and claimed it as their own because they are bastard states full of hooligans.
The original was song by John Denver.
Check out the Jo0hn Denver original. Whether or not you make it a reaction video is up to you. It might make you want to hear some of his other songs, like Annie's Song or Rocky Mountain High.
Sadly Austin has left the group.......hope they will continue on
IF YOU LOVE THIS SONG CHECK OUT JHON DENVE
At 10:40 you said Adam Chance, not Adam Ripp, was doing the vocal percussion. Uh...no. How are you going to handle future reactions with all three Adams, if you can't differentiate between them?
He probably just misspoke, but he can differentiate.