Like WVU or not, Country Roads is a great song. Discuss amongst yourselves!
I'm feeling a bit verklempt at the moment.
** Edited by HokieNL at 7/1/2026, 11:46:04 PM
** Edited by undefined at 7/6/2026, 8:55:45 AM
36 Replies
1mo
on country roads in Maryland, and that he was thinking about the scenic roads of the Appalachian region generally—not specifically West Virginia. He also admitted that "West Virginia" simply sounded better in the song than "Massachusetts," which he had originally considered.
(In response to this post by HokieNL)
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Techdady
1mo
To Germantown to Boyd’s Maryland. In the 60”s 70’s it was an isolated rural road. It was an absolutely gorgeous road to drive on back then.
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1mo
** Edited by FirstHokie at 7/2/2026, 3:57:52 PM
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Techdady
1mo
Right smack dab in the middle of Montgomery County but very rural in the 70’s.
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Truthahn
1mo
In the round in their basketball arena around 1979. A really fun evening ruined by an audience full of idiots who insisted upon singing along, loud and proud, to every song.
(In response to this post by HokieNL)
1mo
Allegheny Mountains, Kanawha river would be more accurate.
(In response to this post by HokieNL)
1mo
been on a Rocky Mtn High, removed those little round 👓, parted those shaggy bangs and looked at his map of the Eastern U.S. with a magnifying glass where he spotted Harper's Ferry. Yup, that river and that mountain (at least the western side of it) are located in the pan-handle of the wild, wonderful state! More importantly, "West Virginia" worked better musically (right # of syllables) than the more appropriate choice.
Should have said "Old Dominion, mountain mama..."
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1mo
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1mo
Just sneak “South” in front of “West Virginia” and we can claim it too. I’m from Franklin Co, VA so I especially embrace the “moonshine” line 😆
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RiverVT
1mo
Would Neil Diamond song they coming to America more appropriate?
Does the state even know what soccer is?
(In response to this post by HokieNL)
1mo
Sweet Caroline. Grossest song ever. Can’t believe people listen to it, sing along to it, and glorify it.
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1mo
The man just needed a name with three syllables and saw a photo of Caroline Kennedy and the name fit.
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1mo
being inspired by a picture of an 11 year old girl?
But defend him if you want.
(In response to this post by VictoryTurkey)
1mo
Take Me Home, Country Roads
John Denver
Almost heaven, Southwest Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
Southwest Virginia, Mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads
All my memories gather 'round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrops in my eyes
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
Southwest Virginia, Mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads
I hear her voice, in the mornin' hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away
Driving down the road, I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
Southwest Virginia, Mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
Southwest Virginia, Mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads
Take me home down country roads
Take me home down country roads
In this version, the moonshine refers to Franklin County.
There are still some things that *might* not *quite* fit perfectly, but hey - first of all, get the song inside the confines of the Commonwealth!
Suggestions/additions/corrections welcome.
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Truthahn
1mo
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1mo
I was at TJ Oshie's last hattie when he played his former team, the Blues, on Country night when that song played about 5 times. My mom is from WV and loves that song. Had a couple tears that night.
(In response to this post by HokieNL)
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VPI_1998
1mo
well - sorry - I can't because it would violate the Terms of Use of this Board.
** Edited by VPI_1998 at 7/2/2026, 4:46:03 AM
(In response to this post by HokieNL)
1mo
Life. Well, close enough. It *was* a four letter word, though! 😂
(In response to this post by VPI_1998)
1mo
Country Roads
Take me home
Where the things I sing of
Are hardly shown
Barely in West Virginia
...
Make me rich
Country Road$$$
😊
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1mo
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1mo
Alcohol gives one the courage/foolishness to say them.
(In response to this post by TheFacts)
1mo
The radio station in the song is WWVA in Wheeling, WV. The writer used to listen to it in the 50s.
Denver played it at a concert at Concord before the song was released as well. Not to mention he performed it to open Mountaineer Field.
“I’m a songwriter. I was looking for words. The words that I loved in that song were Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. They’re songwriter words, so that got me to West Virginia," he said.
At the time, Danoff had never been to West Virginia, although he has since been to West Virginia several times and even waded into the Shenandoah River. He’s even proud to have been named an honorary West Virginian -- but the Georgetown University graduate says there are times he doesn’t love hearing the song.
“When West Virginia [Mountaineers] plays the Hoyas in basketball, when they beat us they play my song,” he said.
** Edited by reestuart at 7/2/2026, 8:25:36 AM
Link:
WV
(In response to this post by TheFacts)
1mo
As a native Virginian, it certainly doesn’t matter to me. And it is a great song!
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1mo
Had never even set foot in west va when he wrote rhe song, he is actually from New Mexico. The song is geographically misleading-the vast majority of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River are in Virginia and the “country road” that inspired the song is in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
1mo
either. But the song is 100% about WV. Or going home to WV. They stated that in plenty of interviews.
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1mo
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