Lana Del Rey has released a cover of country-folk singer John Denver’s classic hit song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Del Rey’s cover, produced by Zachary Dawes, swaps out Denver’s original acoustic guitar for piano as she sings the song solo until the end, when a choir of background singers join in for the final chorus.
The 38-year-old singer-songwriter has previously included nods to Denver in her own music, notably in her song “The Grants” from her album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. A lyric in that song reads “My pastor told me, ‘When you leave, all you take is your memories’ … I’m gonna take mine of you with me/ Like ‘Rocky Mountain High’ the way John Denver sings,” referencing Denver’s 1972 smash.
Denver, who died at age 53 in 1997, released the original “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in 1971. It has become synonymous with West Virginia, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. The legendary songwriter went on to top the chart four times: in 1974 for “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Annie’s Song”; and in 1975 for “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and “I’m Sorry.”
Take listen to Del Rey’s version of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – here.
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