Posted in West Virginia State Pride April 15, 2021 by

In Honor Of 50 Years, Here Is West Virginia’s State Song 5 Ways

West Virginia’s favorite state song has a huge birthday this year: the big 5-0. And good news! You’re invited to the party. Crank up the volume, we’ve got some music to share.

On April 12, 1971, something happened that would change West Virginia forever; we just didn't know that yet. John Denver released a single called "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
Famartin/Wikimedia
It soon became apparent that Denver had a hit on his hands. By August, it was #2 on the charts. It was certified "Gold" in 1971 and "Platinum" in 2017.
RCA Records/Wikipedia
By now, 50 years after that first release, we think it's safe to say that just about everybody knows it, and just about everybody loves it... especially in West Virginia.
WVUsports/Youtube
"Country Roads, Take Me Home" has easily become the Mountain State's anthem and rallying cry. Even the state nickname "Almost Heaven" derives from the song.
West Virginia Tourism/Youtube


In light of all this, and in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the song's release, here's "Country Roads" five ways:

This one is from West Virginia Tourism's Youtube channel and features some of the most gorgeous views in the state.


That was native West Virginian Brad Paisley singing at a WVU game, courtesy of WVUsports's Youtube channel.


And of course John Denver got plenty of requests for his hit song. Here, courtesy of John Denver's official Youtube page, watch him sing it live all the way from Japan in 1981, when the song was just 10 years old.


"Country Roads" has even made it to The Voice a time or two, including here on the BBC's The Voice UK clip, and everyone loved it so much they forgot what they were supposed to be doing!


Do you know of the videogame Fallout? It's based in West Virginia, and it pays homage to the state it's chosen for its inspiration with this version of "Country Roads" as one of its theme songs, shared by Youtube user Bethesda Softworks Music.

Which of these five versions was your favorite? Do you have another version that you like even more? Please share it with us! Here’s one more just in case you haven’t quite had enough for today: a dozen or so famous West Virginians who have scattered all across the world come back together (via video) to sing the state song.

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