About the song:
John Denver’s “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” is a country-folk song about a man who is longing to return to his home state of Colorado. The song was written by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, and it was first released by John Denver on his 1971 album Poems, Prayers & Promises.
The song begins with the narrator describing the man’s current situation. He is living in New York City, and he is working in an office job. He is not happy with his life, and he is constantly thinking about Colorado.
The narrator then goes on to describe Colorado in detail. He talks about the mountains, the rivers, and the stars. He also talks about the people of Colorado, and he describes them as being kind and friendly.
The song ends with the narrator expressing his hope that the man will one day be able to return to Colorado. He believes that the man would be much happier if he were living in a place that he loves.
“I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” is a beautiful and evocative song that captures the feeling of homesickness. The song’s lyrics are simple but effective, and they paint a vivid picture of Colorado. John Denver’s performance is also excellent, and he brings a great deal of emotion to the song.
The song has been covered by many artists, including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Dillards, and Emmylou Harris. It has also been featured in several films and television shows, including Thelma and Louise and King of the Hill.
“I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” is a classic country-folk song that continues to be enjoyed by listeners of all ages. It is a song about the love of home, and it is a song that will always resonate with those who have ever felt homesick.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song was released as a single in 1971, and it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- The song was also a hit in Canada, where it reached #1 on the RPM Country Singles chart.
- The song has been certified Gold by the RIAA.
- The song was written in the key of G major.
- The song has a tempo of 120 beats per minute.
- The song is 3 minutes and 22 seconds long.
Here are some interesting facts about the song:
- The song was inspired by a real person named John “Lobo” Anderson. Anderson was a friend of Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, and he was actually living in New York City at the time the song was written.
- Anderson was not happy with his life in New York City, and he was constantly dreaming of returning to Colorado.
- Danoff and Nivert wrote the song as a way to express Anderson’s feelings of homesickness.
- The song was a big hit with Anderson, and he even recorded his own version of it.
- Anderson eventually did return to Colorado, and he lived there for the rest of his life.
Video:
Lyrics:
“I Guess He’d Rather Be In Colorado”
I guess he’d rather be in Colorado.
He’d rather spend his time out where the sky looks like a pearl after the rain.
Once again I see him walking, once again I hear him talking
to the stars he makes and asking them the bus fare.I guess he’d rather be in Colorado.
He’d rather play his banjo in the morning when the moon is scarcely gone.
In the dawn the subway’s coming, in the dawn I hear him humming
some old song he wrote of love in Boulder Canyon. I guess he’d rather be in Colorado.I guess he’d rather be in Colorado.
I guess he’d rather work out where the only thing you earn is what you spend.
In the end up in his office, in the end a quiet cough is all he has to show,
he lives in New York City. I guess he’d rather be in Colorado.