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Back Home Again (John Denver album)

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Back Home Again
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 15, 1974
StudioRCA (Hollywood, California)
GenreCountry folk[1]
Length38:08
LabelRCA Victor
ProducerMilton Okun, Susan Ruskin
John Denver chronology
John Denver's Greatest Hits
(1973)
Back Home Again
(1974)
An Evening with John Denver
(1975)
Singles from Back Home Again
  1. "Annie's Song"
    Released: June 1974
  2. "Back Home Again"
    Released: September 1974
  3. "Sweet Surrender"
    Released: December 1974
  4. "Thank God I'm A Country Boy"
    Released: March 1975
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
CreemC+[3]

Back Home Again is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Denver, released in June 1974.

The multi-platinum album reached the top position on the Billboard 200 and contained the hit singles "Annie's Song" (#1 pop, No. 1 adult contemporary), and "Back Home Again" (#5 pop, No. 1 AC, No. 1 country). In addition, the studio versions of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and "Sweet Surrender" appear on this album.

The song "Grandma's Feather Bed" was written by banjoist Jim Connor, of the New Kingston Trio, based on a verse he wrote for his grandmother. Denver first heard Connor playing the song in 1968. Connor played on Denver's recording, and toured with the singer.[4]

The song "The Music Is You" is a bonus track on the 1998 reissue of Rocky Mountain Christmas.

On the cover, John is shown with his then-wife Annie Martell.

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks written by John Denver, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Back Home Again" 4:42
2."On the Road"Carl Franzen2:33
3."Grandma's Feather Bed"Jim Connor2:15
4."Matthew" 3:43
5."Thank God I'm a Country Boy"John Sommers3:06
6."The Music Is You" 1:26
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Annie's Song" 2:58
2."It's Up to You"Steve Weisberg2:26
3."Cool an' Green an' Shady"
  • Denver
  • Joe Henry
3:07
4."Eclipse" 3:41
5."Sweet Surrender" 5:29
6."This Old Guitar" 2:50

Personnel

[edit]
  • John Denver – 6 & 12-string acoustic guitars, vocals
  • Buddy Collette – clarinet
  • Jim Gordon – drums, percussion
  • Hal Blaine – drums, percussion
  • Jim Connor – banjo, harmonica, vocals
  • Julie Connor – vocals
  • Glen Hardin – piano
  • Lee Holdridge – orchestral arrangements
  • David Jackson – bass
  • Dick Kniss – bass
  • John Sommers – banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, backing vocals
  • Steve Weisberg – acoustic guitar, dulcimer, dobro, backing vocals, arranger
  • Don Wardell – Executive Producer
  • Uncredited – piano, harmonica and organ on "Back Home Again", piano on "The Music is You"

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[19] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[21] 3× Platinum 3,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Okamoto, David (January 1, 1998). "John Denver". In Knopper, Steve (ed.). MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 132–133.
  2. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r5455
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert (October 1974). "The Christgau Consumer Guide". Creem. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  4. ^ Andy Powell, "Connor’s ‘Grandma’s Feather Bed’ almost wasn’t recorded", The Gadsden Times, June 2, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2017
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – John Denver – Back Home Again" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  7. ^ "Charts.nz – John Denver – Back Home Again". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  9. ^ "John Denver Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "John Denver Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  11. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 426. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  12. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1974". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1974". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 427. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  15. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1975 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1975". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Top Country Albums – Year-End 1975". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1976" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  19. ^ "Canadian album certifications – John Denver – Back Home Again". Music Canada. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "British album certifications – John Denver – Back Home Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  21. ^ "American album certifications – John Denver – Back Home Again". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 14, 2022.