Will Hick ’27
Staff Writer
I will be reviewing John Denver’s arguably most popular album: Back Home Again. This album was released in 1974, at the height of his career, but was cut short when he unintentionally crashed a jet plane. His death almost 27 years ago stunned the world. This album covers multiple genres but is generally considered an easy-listening folk album. If you’re interested in relieving stress as classes intensify, I would begin with this album, although it may leave you missing home.
The title track, “Back Home Again,” gives listeners a serene introduction to the following songs. Denver effectively brings his audience back to peaceful, slow days at home as he sings, “There’s a fire softly burning, supper’s on the stove.” In the next track, he continues with a similar tone, yet transitioning to a road trip he took with his family. The calm state in his voice as he sings, “We didn’t know who we were, we didn’t know what we did, we were just on the road,” shows us that we don’t always need to know where we are going. As long as we are moving forward, we are ultimately progressing and making strides towards who we want to be. The next song alternates to a more upbeat, playful tune about Denver’s family and his grandmother’s infamous “feather bed.” Fast forward to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” it highlights Denver’s decision to stick to his roots and encourages the audience to sing along with him.
Some would argue that his most beautiful song is “Annie’s Song,” which kicks off Side B. However, I believe a song towards the end of the album shows more of Denver’s abilities while also projecting a deeper meaning. Written for his first wife, this track recognizes the charms of an ideal marriage, which is emphasized through the lyrics, “Let me drown in your laughter, let me die in your arms.” “It’s Up to You,” sends a message similar to the previous song, but with more zing. Slowing down the tempo again, Denver’s “Cool an’ Green an’ Shady” shifts its focus from his wife to the beauty of the outdoors. The elegance of the guitar and Denver’s voice coincides with how Denver believes nature should be perceived. “Eclipse” extends the message of loving the outdoors while critiquing how most people are growing closer to technology. I believe that the next song, “Sweet Surrender,” is one of Denver’s best, as it features a chorus that is easy to retain and lyrics that make you want to live every day like it’s your last. Though it may be beneficial that this happens at the conclusion rather than anywhere else in the album, the song “This Old Guitar,” does a poor job of wrapping up the album. The song itself is great; however, I think it would have been more effective at the beginning. On top of that, to conclude the album with “Sweet Surrender” would have left the listener with a more enjoyable song with a significant meaning rather than a song solely about Denver’s personal journey with his guitar.
Back Home Again successfully presents its meaning with a mix of slow and lively songs that made me think about the true purpose of life. We must stop stressing about the little things in life and look at the bigger picture. The lyrical spotlight of the week, or the lyric that stood out the most, is, “My life is worth the livin’, I don’t need to see the end,” coming from “Sweet Surrender.” This reiterates that you should live every day to the fullest and not take anything for granted. The complete album receives a score of 9.5/10. As we approach exams and other times full of pressure, I urge everyone to step back and “live without care.”
Featured image courtesy of Britannica
Edited by Alexandra Berardelli ’25
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