The Life and Lyrics of John Denver Quiz

Answer: "Take Me Home Country Roads"

Although this song talks about West Virginia and is used by the tourism board of that state, it is geographically wrong. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River are both located in Virginia.

Answer: False

This is a myth that Milt Okun has perpetuated. "Aspenglow" is written in a minor key.

Answer: "Rhymes and Reasons"

"Rhymes and Reasons" was picked because of the lyrics,
"For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness could clear a cloudy day
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow
They're a promise of the future and a blessing for today."
Lovely, isn't it?

Answer: "Calypso"

"Calypso" was written in honor of Captain Jacques Yves Cousteau, who brought us closer to the world beneath our seas. His ship was named "Calypso". John wrote this song while filming a special aboard the ship. He and Capt. Cousteau became good friends. Sadly, Capt. Cousteau passed away several months before John did in 1997.

Answer: True

Peter, Paul and Mary released their recording of "Leaving On A Jet Plane" first. It was very successful for them. Mary Travers also recorded several of John's songs on a Solo project. Her version of "Follow Me" is one of my favorites. Currently in concert when "Leaving On A Jet Plane" is performed they dedicate it to John's memory.

Answer: True

This song was written for the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. I remember watching John sing this as part of the opening ceremonies. They taped him singing it on top of a snow-covered mountain. It was breathtaking to watch.

Answer: Christa McAuliffe

Christa McAuliffe was to be the first teacher in space. Her life was cut short when the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up 73 seconds after lift-off on January 28, 1986. John had desired to fly into space and had hoped to be one of the first citizens in space.

He wrote the song "Flying For Me" in memory of the Space Shuttle Challenger and her crew. An interesting side note- Judy Resnick was one of the other crew members aboard that flight.

Answer: True

The other two songs in this trilogy are "Leaving On a Jet Plane" and "Goodbye Again".

Answer: Peter, Paul and Mary

John wrote this song to express the feelings of loneliness he was having while traveling with the Chad Mitchell Trio. The song also came to express the longing and loneliness many young men and women were feeling at that time as they were going off to serve in the Vietnam War. Though John wrote it and later recorded it, Peter, Paul and Mary had the first recording of this song.

Answer: John's Uncle Dean

"Matthew" was written for John's father's family, the Deutschendorfs. Uncle Dean was the second youngest of his dad's brothers. John and his uncle worked the wheat harvests together. Dean was killed in an auto accident shortly before his 21st birthday.