I head him sing this live at a concert. He had the strongest voice I'd ever heard. He had to pull way back from the microphone. He probably didn't even need the microphone. Awesome song. Awesome voice. I'll never forget it.
Every time I listen to this song it brings me to tears. It makes me long for John Denver's youth, and for my own youth. It makes me sad for the future which existed in times past.
BD -- could've written every single word you wrote. It hits something that I find impossible to explain, but it does it every time. Ditto on the rest too.
Most singers wil pull back when they head in for the power notes. My ex was a musician and he said it had something to do with preventing vocal distortion from the mic and the push they need to power into it. That's not his exact words, it was a lot more technical, but that's the gist of it.
@@justpassingthrough9887 If a contemporary mic is correctly adjusted, there should be no unpleasant distortion even if you yell into it. This may have been the case in the past, though. However, pulling back for high notes prevents them from appearing too flat. The notes just appear to be lower in pitch, except they aren't, it's an acoustic delusion. The opposite is sometimes done by singers who deliberately want to sound lower in pitch, this includes "fake" basses. A lot of supposed basses in popular music aren't. This applies to the lead singer of the Crash Test Dummies, Tim Lindemann of Rammstein and others. They use vocal fry and a close mic to achieve that effect when, in fact, their singing voice isn't that deep at all.
You know why I loved John Denver so much because he sang about good things. So much beauty in the world and John could just convey that through his songs. I love this one especially because of how much John loved these great birds and you can feel the strength and inspiration as he sings.....beautiful voice and soul John Denver.......you made such a positive difference and I sure do miss ya!
This song of John's ranks up there with the greatest songs ever written. It is my absolute favorite of all John's songs. I still miss him and am so sorry we all missed out on some great songs that he would have written. You are sorely missed.
Once when driving to Seattle, as we past Ellensburg with my family, I had one of John's CDs in. As this song began a big red tailed hawk swooped past ove the freeway infront of us just as the guitar began to build. I thought that was pretty neat. Then as the sone neared its end I looked off to my left towards a lake and there was a bald eagle circling there. Things like that cant happen by accident.
My favorite song. Thanks for sharing... I saw him in '83 - ex wife to be took me and my Mom, it was the nicest thing anyone ever did for Mom. There was no backup at all, just him, and his 12 string, and it was simply amazing.
This is one of the most inspirational songs in existence, if not the most. John's voice is well suited to this tune. All of his songs carry a message, and he relays them with great emphasis. His songs are timeless, and there will never be another John Denver. What a singer!
He was a rich tenor with full feeling in everything he wrote and sang because it was all purely his emotion in a poetic sense. and making the guitar or piano or string orchestra sing with him. It was a heavenly synthesis beyond the 60's "wall of sound" trend.
Simply the best. I never stop listening to JD. Just about every song of his are a hit with me. Seeing him LIVE at Red Rocks in Golden, Colorado back in 87ish was Heaven on earth. Very underrated musician/artist. R.I.P. John.
I have recently been on a John Denver kick, as he was one of my favorites in my youth. I recently watched an interview of him and he said he tried through his music to communicate the joy he felt in living. I think he was successful.
When I was a teenager (40 years ago) I used to get woken up every Sunday morning with JD blaring from my pops stereo system while he was running the vacuum. This was one that stands out. What a great way to start every Sunday morning. Thanks pops
I grew up listening to John Denver. Both of my parents are big fans and although we live in the South Eastern US, we always had a South West style living. The Native American colors, the cowboy hats, we even had a bunch of mandelas hanging around (they look like giant furry dream-catchers). John Denver was always a big part of my up bringing. When I heard he died I was only 8. Since then none of us can listen to him without getting teary-eyed. I think we will always miss him.
Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of his passing it just seems like yesterday his music continues to be played at weddings and receptions he would have been 74 his music still continues on John you are so missed by all your fans 20 years later
Whatever he sings, in whatever year he sang, he was the best! His voice only got richer as he got older. Isn't great that we still want to hear him! He'll always be with us.
Beloved John Denver and your extraordinary way of touching the beauty and awe in our world. I grew up loving your music and its meaning. Thank you John. Thank you for your talent and beauty.
Saw the concert with his former band members and John on tape last night. During the program they played a clip where he said if he came back it would be as an eagle. He was an amazing performer!
In my humble opinion this song is one of John's finest songs if not the best. Although I have heard him sing both versions; this one where he accompanies himself on the last of the song with his voice vice just playing his guitar just brings the song to a higher level of beauty.
When I was in Junior High School I discovered John Denver, and would literally spend hours listening to his albums. The Eagle and The Hawk was the absolute very first song I ever listened to, and I was hooked ten seconds in. John thank you for the goosebumps discovering your music gave me.
The angels up in heaven have 2 of the most harmonic, artistic singers of all time in Karen Carpenter and John Denver. RIP Karen and John. Your music will live on
Absolutely. His version of ‘The Bells of Rhymney’ is a masterpiece. The piece is so difficult, mimicking church bells, that he had to pull extra energy from himself to play it.
chrishall i think we had a similiar background where radio blasted various forms of rock n roll music and as a young lad, i was quite influenced by this. John Denver however, greatly inspired me to take a break from life's noisey and often confusing demands. This tune also moved me to play guitar and look above matters (not unlike an eagles view) when my heart had been robbed by a break-up or
I read the NTSB report about his crash and it just makes me furious about how the plane was laid out and that lead to his crash. It’s frustrating he should still be with us but he left such an amazing legacy with his activism and depth of song that I will forever be grateful that I got to hear him in his albums. This is one concert I never had the chance to go to and that will always bum me out.
This is such a magnificent song. I've always loved it. I love John Denver's songs, I have ever since he first sang them. He really did have such a strong, confident singing voice.
John Denver would have been 70 years old this year 2015. Few people know that he was picked #2 to be the first usa-civilian in space behind Christine McAuliffe whom died in the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. Can you imagine if John Denver had been in that accident ? yet he did succumb to death later on in his life in an air accident while flying his just purchased experimental plane over Monterey Bay. Rolling Stone magazine hated John Denver and did all it could to make fun of him and to tell his many many listeners that they were all stupid. While at RCA Denver sold 100 Million albums only to be let go later in his career. Where have all the John Denver's gone ?
From "John Denver Live at the Apollo Theater". The show is a 1 hr 39 solo, acoustic performance. This song appears at 43:49. Amazing. As much as he enjoyed sharing the stage (once said if he could he would always have a symphony to back him up), I've come to believe accompaniment was an option.
It is not really cool to like John Denver, but those who feel that way really are missing out - he had a great voice, his songs told stories and if you have never been to the Rockies (like me) then you do feel that a part of your life is missing and you should go. (P.S. All financial contributions welcome!!)
@MilesMacf Who cares if anyone thinks that John Denver's music is "cool"?? If I cared for that, I would have never listened to the most beautiful, touching, meaningful songs in my life. Long live John Denver, at least in our hearts! :)
That power from his 12 string. Are we sure there is not anther guitar back stage helping the sound out? I grew up in the 70s only listening to rock and then I got a job on a dude ranch in Colorado for the summer and there were a couple gals who could play and sing some john Denver songs. There is nothing like a good guitar player, camp fire and the night sky to make you love this type of music. "Seen the fire in the sky"
Age has nothing to do with the way you perceive the world's ways....some people are mature at very tender age..and some are not...they are prey to eagles and hawks...they are like pigeons...and easy prey
![John Denver / The Tonight Show ['81, '82, '84]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AxyDRmys9NI/mqdefault.jpg)
![John Denver / The Tonight Show ['81, '82, '84]](/img/tr.png)
I head him sing this live at a concert. He had the strongest voice I'd ever heard. He had to pull way back from the microphone. He probably didn't even need the microphone. Awesome song. Awesome voice. I'll never forget it.
Every time I listen to this song it brings me to tears. It makes me long for John Denver's youth, and for my own youth. It makes me sad for the future which existed in times past.
Same here. Still can't believe I was lucky enough to be there. Sounds stupid to say a concert can be life-changing, but it kind of was. Really.
BD -- could've written every single word you wrote. It hits something that I find impossible to explain, but it does it every time. Ditto on the rest too.
Most singers wil pull back when they head in for the power notes. My ex was a musician and he said it had something to do with preventing vocal distortion from the mic and the push they need to power into it. That's not his exact words, it was a lot more technical, but that's the gist of it.
@@justpassingthrough9887 If a contemporary mic is correctly adjusted, there should be no unpleasant distortion even if you yell into it. This may have been the case in the past, though. However, pulling back for high notes prevents them from appearing too flat. The notes just appear to be lower in pitch, except they aren't, it's an acoustic delusion. The opposite is sometimes done by singers who deliberately want to sound lower in pitch, this includes "fake" basses. A lot of supposed basses in popular music aren't. This applies to the lead singer of the Crash Test Dummies, Tim Lindemann of Rammstein and others. They use vocal fry and a close mic to achieve that effect when, in fact, their singing voice isn't that deep at all.
All that we can be and not just what we are-What an artist.He is missed.
Yes. Just said same right now. It's 8/6/24.
"All the we can be, and not what we are." Words of wisdom.
Sometimes he changes it to...All that we can be and not JUST what we are. Brilliant!
We should all aspire to that every day. We are better than we realize.
You know why I loved John Denver so much because he sang about good things. So much beauty in the world and John could just convey that through his songs. I love this one especially because of how much John loved these great birds and you can feel the strength and inspiration as he sings.....beautiful voice and soul John Denver.......you made such a positive difference and I sure do miss ya!
Thank you
Exactly. Clean. We need this real bad. He lived his music unlike rock stars. Shows ya it's possible ❤
This song of John's ranks up there with the greatest songs ever written. It is my absolute favorite of all John's songs. I still miss him and am so sorry we all missed out on some great songs that he would have written. You are sorely missed.
Once when driving to Seattle, as we past Ellensburg with my family, I had one of John's CDs in. As this song began a big red tailed hawk swooped past ove the freeway infront of us just as the guitar began to build. I thought that was pretty neat. Then as the sone neared its end I looked off to my left towards a lake and there was a bald eagle circling there. Things like that cant happen by accident.
That is so cool!
I still get a thrill from hearing John Denver's beautiful voice and his music. I miss him in our world today. He was a magnificent talent!!!
I got to meet and thank him for the eagle and hawk 1975. After a show.........a 19 year old doesn't forget a moment like that.
A voice of the ages........nuff said
Even with bad VHS tracking and tape stretch, John Denver NAILED it. RIP, John... miss you terribly.
My favorite song.
Thanks for sharing...
I saw him in '83 - ex wife to be took me and my Mom, it was the nicest thing anyone ever did for Mom.
There was no backup at all, just him, and his 12 string, and it was simply amazing.
What a spirit this man has and had! No one else could have written this amazing music.
Ya. It's overwhelming that he's gone.
This is one of the most inspirational songs in existence, if not the most. John's voice is well suited to this tune. All of his songs carry a message, and he relays them with great emphasis. His songs are timeless, and there will never be another John Denver. What a singer!
He was a rich tenor with full feeling in everything he wrote and sang because it was all purely his emotion in a poetic sense. and making the guitar or piano or string orchestra sing with him. It was a heavenly synthesis beyond the 60's "wall of sound" trend.
@@laurenmontera9516 Another one of my favorite songs by John Denver is "Perhaps Love" which he and Placido Domingo performed together.
This guy isn't remembered enough for the musical gifts he left behind. A troubadour in every sense of the word!
Love this song has so much meaning another John Great song Thanks for sharing
So pure. One man, one guitar, glorious music.
One of the best musicians / caring people. Rest in peace John and God bless your family and fans
Amazing voice he had.
Simply the best. I never stop listening to JD. Just about every song of his are a hit with me. Seeing him LIVE at Red Rocks in Golden, Colorado back in 87ish was Heaven on earth. Very underrated musician/artist. R.I.P. John.
I have recently been on a John Denver kick, as he was one of my favorites in my youth. I recently watched an interview of him and he said he tried through his music to communicate the joy he felt in living. I think he was successful.
When I was a teenager (40 years ago) I used to get woken up every Sunday morning with JD blaring from my pops stereo system while he was running the vacuum. This was one that stands out. What a great way to start every Sunday morning. Thanks pops
Listening in pandemic 2020. I need something honest and innocent and good to take my mind off what’s happening in the world. ❤️
I grew up listening to John Denver. Both of my parents are big fans and although we live in the South Eastern US, we always had a South West style living. The Native American colors, the cowboy hats, we even had a bunch of mandelas hanging around (they look like giant furry dream-catchers). John Denver was always a big part of my up bringing. When I heard he died I was only 8. Since then none of us can listen to him without getting teary-eyed. I think we will always miss him.
Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of his passing it just seems like yesterday his music continues to be played at weddings and receptions he would have been 74 his music still continues on John you are so missed by all your fans 20 years later
Saw him live in '78, and I never got over it. Never will, either. No words can do it justice.
who's watching in 2020
John is soaring with them we hope
one of my favourite songs, John blows me away with his live version of this song
My heart belongs to you Vincent 💓.
I play my 12 string because you empowered my soul.
Whatever he sings, in whatever year he sang, he was the best! His voice only got richer as he got older. Isn't great that we still want to hear him! He'll always be with us.
Its 2 min of my life I love spending over and over again!
What a voice John has !! One of my fav songs.
This number still gives me goose bumps 36 years after I heard it the first time.
"Reach for what we can be not just what we are." ❤
BEAUTIFUL SONG THAT CUTS TO THE HEART.
He still moves me to joy and to tears.
I miss him so.
Beloved John Denver and your extraordinary way of touching the beauty and awe in our world. I grew up loving your music and its meaning. Thank you John. Thank you for your talent and beauty.
blew my mind the first time i heard it
An atypical song for John with this guitar riff.
Intresting in it's way.
Denver remainings the last touching poetry of usa music.
This song is my favorite Denver song. I like the version found on his greatest hits album.
i just listen an cry - awesome video
Saw the concert with his former band members and John on tape last night. During the program they played a clip where he said if he came back it would be as an eagle. He was an amazing performer!
This is one of my favorite songs from John Denver.
Absolutely amazing. RIP John. Thanks for posting chiphead12
Best version of my most favorite of Johnny D's songs ♥️
beauty at it's finest.
beautiful, just like everything John sang. I saw 3 concerts of his, and consider myself so fortunate.
In my humble opinion this song is one of John's finest songs if not the best. Although I have heard him sing both versions; this one where he accompanies himself on the last of the song with his voice vice just playing his guitar just brings the song to a higher level of beauty.
I LOVE THIS SONG. THANK YOU
My favorite of his, makes my spirit soar just to hear it.
Stunning! This was JD; his life is often compared to that of an eagle. Yearning to soar, indeed to touch on the mountaintops.
Cheers,
Chris
His music was really deep & it made me appreciate nature all the more. I miss you John, RIP.
I love your comment...it's so true :-)
When I was in Junior High School I discovered John Denver, and would literally spend hours listening to his albums. The Eagle and The Hawk was the absolute very first song I ever listened to, and I was hooked ten seconds in. John thank you for the goosebumps discovering your music gave me.
That about when I discovered his music.
The angels up in heaven have 2 of the most harmonic, artistic singers of all time in Karen Carpenter and John Denver.
RIP Karen and John. Your music will live on
Until recently I did not understand how great of a guitar player that Jon was.
Absolutely. His version of ‘The Bells of Rhymney’ is a masterpiece. The piece is so difficult, mimicking church bells, that he had to pull extra energy from himself to play it.
My dear friend John...
Totally love this song!!!
Outstanding guitar player as well as vocalist
After all these years it still gives me goosebumps!
Wow! He's awesome!!!
Great singer.
RIP *22 years*
Im not a huge JD fan, but this song always gives me goosebumps.
I am glad to know that one day after this is all over we will get to hear John sing again. Too bad he left us so soon.
What an amazing musician
thank you for saying that! God and Jesus are hope.
Miss him
John Denver is my favorite male singer. I still miss him. But at least his music is still here.
Saw him twice Awesome 👍😁
chrishall
i think we had a similiar background where radio blasted various forms of rock n roll music and as a young lad, i was quite influenced by this. John Denver however, greatly inspired me to take a break from life's noisey and often confusing demands. This tune also moved me to play guitar and look above matters (not unlike an eagles view) when my heart had been robbed by a break-up or
I read the NTSB report about his crash and it just makes me furious about how the plane was laid out and that lead to his crash. It’s frustrating he should still be with us but he left such an amazing legacy with his activism and depth of song that I will forever be grateful that I got to hear him in his albums. This is one concert I never had the chance to go to and that will always bum me out.
This is such a magnificent song. I've always loved it. I love John Denver's songs, I have ever since he first sang them. He really did have such a strong, confident singing voice.
John had a four octave range...in this song he hits high C above C...very amazing....🦅🦅
Wow, just wow.
What a blessing it would've been to meet him, or seen him perform... but sadly, I was born only 3 years before he died. A legend among legends.
The best 12 string I've ever seen!
*
You should watch/listen to JD play Bells of Rhymney! That'll blow you away :)
Still has, through the amazing music he made for us all =D
John Denver would have been 70 years old this year 2015. Few people know that he was picked #2 to be the first usa-civilian in space behind Christine McAuliffe whom died in the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. Can you imagine if John Denver had been in that accident ? yet he did succumb to death later on in his life in an air accident while flying his just purchased experimental plane over Monterey Bay. Rolling Stone magazine hated John Denver and did all it could to make fun of him and to tell his many many listeners that they were all stupid. While at RCA Denver sold 100 Million albums only to be let go later in his career. Where have all the John Denver's gone ?
I love this version where he almost adds a second chorus to it. I always felt like it needed to go back to the opening chorus to end it properly.
I play a thrash punk version of this song lately in my band. it fucking rocks.
Is there a video of your punk version? I'd love to see it!
Sends chills. Astounding.
From "John Denver Live at the Apollo Theater". The show is a 1 hr 39 solo, acoustic performance.
This song appears at 43:49. Amazing. As much as he enjoyed sharing the stage (once said if he could he would always have a symphony to back him up), I've come to believe accompaniment was an option.
It is not really cool to like John Denver, but those who feel that way really are missing out - he had a great voice, his songs told stories and if you have never been to the Rockies (like me) then you do feel that a part of your life is missing and you should go.
(P.S. All financial contributions welcome!!)
THAT ENDING!
for the new moral guru of the valleys
12 String guitar - i tried to play this but wondered why my guitar sounded thin - this is one of his best songs. A very difficult song to sing live.
I feel the same way about playing "Calypso" on my viola. They both need a full orchestra to create that heavenly brightness.
Spectacular.
Jesus Christ, man. This is out of this world.
@MilesMacf Who cares if anyone thinks that John Denver's music is "cool"?? If I cared for that, I would have never listened to the most beautiful, touching, meaningful songs in my life. Long live John Denver, at least in our hearts! :)
So Inspiring!
First song I played on my guitar .
this song came to me when my Mother died...
loop it over and over
wow thanks for posting, he is the master of that song! and with what sounds like minimal effort. i didn't know he did it on a 12-string.
He played quite a bit of 12 string. Bells of Rhymney will blow you away.
That power from his 12 string. Are we sure there is not anther guitar back stage helping the sound out? I grew up in the 70s only listening to rock and then I got a job on a dude ranch in Colorado for the summer and there were a couple gals who could play and sing some john Denver songs. There is nothing like a good guitar player, camp fire and the night sky to make you love this type of music. "Seen the fire in the sky"
"Far Out !!"
wow
I'm in AZ and a Hawk came down to me on my patio
Age has nothing to do with the way you perceive the world's ways....some people are mature at very tender age..and some are not...they are prey to eagles and hawks...they are like pigeons...and easy prey
Would love to see Vedder cover this song
Nice thought man.