My Gen X Playlist: Rocky Mountain High – John Denver

In high school, my track coach once told me to take the team on a two mile run. I competed in the field events and never was a fan of running, but what could I do? We ended up running to the nearest Thrifty’s, sat on the curb and ate ice cream in the hot sun.

There was a time that I tried running to get in shape. I used to run around the Rose Bowl, approximately three miles. No matter how long I trained, I could never make it the entire way. I always stopped short. Maybe the max in my engine is two and a half miles.

A proud moment was completing a half marathon. Sure, I didn’t run the entire way and it was a mix of running and walking. Just the mere fact that I crossed the finish line and lived to tell the tale is good enough for me. I literally was in pain for days. It was worth it.

No, running is not my favorite form of exercise. Sad to say, we are not friends. I may not even call us acquaintances. Let’s just say that we know who each other is, but if we saw each other at a party, we’d smile but wouldn’t chat or say hello.

My preference is going for a long hike. Different hikes for different reasons. There are times when I go for distance. I’d hike 10 miles to think, clear my mind and enjoy the mountains. Other times, I’d go for a work out and look for elevation gain. The pull of your muscles as you reach the top is worth it. Mountains, trees, blue skies, going at your own pace. That’s for me. I’d take it over that three mile Rose Bowl loop any day.

Yet another John Denver song for the playlist. Before this blog, I hadn’t given him much thought. He was just a singer that my mom loved when I was a kid. But I’ve grown an appreciation for his music lately. Rocky Mountain High was a hit inspired by a meteor shower in the mountains.

Denver started writing this song during the Perseid Meteor Shower which happens every August. He was camping with friends . . . and all of a sudden there were many shooting stars and he noticed “The shadow from the starlight”… thus the line from the song.

– Songfacts

“I . . . [was] thinking about how in nature all things, large and small, were interwoven, when swoosh, a meteor went smoking by,” wrote Denver. . . “It got bigger and bigger until the tail stretched out all the way across the sky and burned itself out. . . it was raining fire in the sky.”

– wide open country

Although I’ve heard this song a million times, this is the first time I’ve really listened to the words. I used to think this was just a simple song about Colorado, but it’s more than that.

He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door

This reminds me of the long hikes to clear my mind. Similar to a few other songs on the playlist, I’m left with the image of closing doors behind and opening other doors ahead. Maybe the universe is gently trying to tell me something.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

He was born in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he'd never been before
He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again
You might say he found a key for every door
When he first came to the mountains, his life was far away on the road and hanging by a song
But the strings already broken and he doesn't really care
It keeps changing fast, and it don't last for long

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
The shadows from the starlight are softer than a lullaby
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend, but kept the memory
Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the streams, seeking grace in every step he takes
His sight is turned inside himself, to try and understand
The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high

Now his life is full of wonder, but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he can not comprehend
Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land

And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
I know he'd be a poor man if he never saw an eagle fly
Rocky Mountain high, the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky
Friends around the campfire and everybody's high
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high
Rocky Mountain high, Colorado. Rocky Mountain high