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Toots & The Maytals — Take Me Home, Country Roads
Album: Toots In Memphis
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2050









Released: 1988
Length: 3:14
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Almost heaven, West Jamaica
True ridge mountains, shining down the river
All my friends there, older than those ridge
Younger than the mountains, blowin' like a breeze

Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Jamaica, my ol' momma
Take me home country roads

I heard her voice, in the mornin' hour she calls me
Said "Son you remind me of my home far away"
And drivin' down the road I feel a sickness
I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

All my memories, all gathered 'round her
My my lady swingin' through the water, water
Dark and dusty painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, tears gone from my eyes

Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Jamaica, my ol' momma
Take me home country roads

Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Jamaica, my ol' momma
Take me home country roads

Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Jamaica, my ol' momma
Take me home country roads

Country roads take me home
To the place
Comments (298)add comment
 amosnews wrote:

He doesn't even know the works. If you are going to cover a song, at least learn it. I've heard better drunk karaoke.




But you don't know how to spell, or listen. 
Posted 1 week ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 hellsgardener wrote:


Please tell me you think this is a Good Thing!


if john denver hadn't done this first you would love this!
Posted 1 week ago by carmelmike    [ Reply ]
 johnfiva wrote:

RP is determined to play everything there is. 



Please tell me you think this is a Good Thing!
Posted 3 months ago by hellsgardener    [ Reply ]
RP is determined to play everything there is. 
Posted 4 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
This is a really fun enjoyable take.  I love the original and I love this version.  
Posted 4 months ago by brosen    [ Reply ]
He doesn't even know the works. If you are going to cover a song, at least learn it. I've heard better drunk karaoke.
Posted 5 months ago by amosnews    [ Reply ]
If Willie Nelson can do reggae songs, I think it only fair that Toots does their transformation of country.  And I, for one, actually like it much more than John Denver's original.
Posted 7 months ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
 Hodgie wrote:

Possibly John Denver's only avenue to RP's playlist.

Really liked John Denver's work in the mid 70's (his hits, anyway) when I was an adolescent and not-yet weened from Top 40 radio. I think I still like many of those hits. How confused all this makes me.



It shouldn't be. I really wish RP would play him. 
Posted 10 months ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:

Too bad Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. isn't around today to hear this.



If this came out in 1988 JD had to have heard it.  I expect he appreciated this version.  I do.
Posted 10 months ago by jas1776    [ Reply ]
 k3rmit wrote:

The chord change is wrong on "place". Yes, I said wrong, not "different". Makes my brain hurt to hear (or not hear, as is the case).


I also don't like this uninspired and dull cover. The original is so much richer and nuanced. It's not about taste but about quality and respect, and this ripoff (yes, not even a cover) just spits in the face of JD.

This version takes away everything that makes the original special but has nothing to add but a watered down reggae rhythm - any AI can do better nowadays.
Posted 11 months ago by grexe    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
That would be AWESOME , indeed!


Edit: I replied to my own post without realizing it!! 


It's good that you two get along so well 😅
Posted 11 months ago by grexe    [ Reply ]
Have i said this before?
This is the first version of this song I ever knew. My dad played this a LOT in the 1970s and I didn't realize this wasn't the original until I was a teen in the 80s. 

I love this version. 
Posted 1 year ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
Just a perfect cover...of a perfect song. Just beautiful.
Posted 1 year ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
HA how did I never notice the lyric is "West Jamaica"! LOL
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
 maggierob wrote:

I like neither John Denver nor reggae, yet somehow I like this. 



Fascinating?! I love reggae, can't say I'm a Denver fan, and really do not like this. And so the musical wheel keeps turning!
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
I like this song, brings a big smile to this aging but happy face.  Free feel to guess why this connects.  Peace and thanks so much to Radio Paradise, the music of my life.    
Posted 1 year ago by countryrds    [ Reply ]
 CWKeeney wrote:

I once picked up Toots at the airport for a concert that a friend had arranged. I had a strict rider and it specified all sorts of red stripe, etc for the busride.   I dutifully got the Red Stripe, picked him and the band and family up.  We got to the bus and i pointed out the Red Stripe.  He looked at it, then at me and said "I don' want no Red Stripe, man.  I want Red Wine!  When we gonna drink some red wine?!"  We went and found Red Wine.  I will never forget it. 



Great story! Thanks!
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 michaelc wrote:

you have not heard this song until you hear it sung by 100's of drunk germans at octoberfest.  



Hahaha!
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 Oscar_the_Grouch wrote:

Toots *is* roots!! Play mooooooooooooooore!!!!

HATERS GONNA HATE

Pack up your lack of musical diversity and close minded corporate FM radio brainwashed self and GTFO out.
kthxbai



Hahaha!
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
Sorry, no. The original just holds too many memories for me. 
Posted 2 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
you have not heard this song until you hear it sung by 100's of drunk germans at octoberfest.  
Posted 2 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Cosmic symmetry: Willie Nelson sings The Harder They Come while Toots sings Take Me Home, Country Roads....
Posted 3 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
of course this is an exquisite song as written and performed by John Denver but  the love and joy in Toots' version brings it to a whole different level. What a tribute
Posted 3 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
beautiful version play loud sing along...
Posted 3 years ago by TeeCee33    [ Reply ]
Too bad Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. isn't around today to hear this.
Posted 3 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan of "ska" or "rock steady" or even covers, but I'm enjoying this.
Really nicely done.
Posted 3 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

I love this version. Too bad JD's  not around to sing along with it. That would be super fun!




Neither is Toots now. 
Posted 3 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:
I have checked but there is no John Denver in the RP-playlist. 



Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

I love this version. Too bad JD's  not around to sing along with it. That would be super fun!

That would be AWESOME , indeed!


Edit: I replied to my own post without realizing it!! 
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Toots!
Posted 3 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
I love this version. Too bad JD's  not around to sing along with it. That would be super fun!
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
FUN!
Posted 4 years ago by islanduo    [ Reply ]
Well, it's considerably better than the original . . . pxd
Posted 4 years ago by pxd    [ Reply ]
I loved the John Denver version  when I was a kid, but this ads an extra jolt of joy.
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I once picked up Toots at the airport for a concert that a friend had arranged. I had a strict rider and it specified all sorts of red stripe, etc for the busride.   I dutifully got the Red Stripe, picked him and the band and family up.  We got to the bus and i pointed out the Red Stripe.  He looked at it, then at me and said "I don' want no Red Stripe, man.  I want Red Wine!  When we gonna drink some red wine?!"  We went and found Red Wine.  I will never forget it. 
Posted 4 years ago by CWKeeney    [ Reply ]
Smiling here, any song that lifts up my spirits like this - automatic 8.  
Posted 4 years ago by countryrds    [ Reply ]
Love this album, but this song is not on it.  Find it on the much earlier "Funky Kingston".
Posted 4 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
Give me John Denver's pop classic any day  ....sorry
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
My guess is John Deutschendorf would have like this.
Posted 4 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Smiling here, always nice 
Posted 5 years ago by countryrds    [ Reply ]
Such a warm, resonant voice.  The original was great, but I like this more.
Posted 5 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
"West Jamaica, my ol' momma "
Posted 5 years ago by dischuckin    [ Reply ]
Further testimony to what a great songwriter John Denver was. This remake is outstanding. Toots soars here
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 SinisterDexter wrote:
This is the best remake of a John Denver song EVER.

 
 
 
gif of Prince nodding and saying "Yes, Yes"
Posted 6 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 Hodgie wrote:
Possibly John Denver's only avenue to RP's playlist.

Really liked John Denver's work in the mid 70's (his hits, anyway) when I was an adolescent and not-yet weened from Top 40 radio. I think I still like many of those hits. How confused all this makes me.

 
I also have a very soft spot in my heart for John Denver
most likely because I heard his music as a pre-teen/early teen
don't we all get mushy and nostalgic for the music we heard as youngsters?
and don't we all think our generation's music was the best, the peak, and it's all  gone downhill since then?
Posted 6 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
I like neither John Denver nor reggae, yet somehow I like this. 
Posted 6 years ago by maggierob    [ Reply ]
my soul is soaring
Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
Toots is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, soul singer ever.  Period. So under-rated.  He turns this vapid top 40 filler into a celebration!
Posted 6 years ago by che_cavolo    [ Reply ]
Oh, here's to John Denver.{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 6 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
The chord change is wrong on "place". Yes, I said wrong, not "different". Makes my brain hurt to hear (or not hear, as is the case).
Posted 7 years ago by k3rmit    [ Reply ]
 gosvimmink wrote:
this is the worst song i've ever heard

 
Wow. You gotta broaden your horuzons a little.  There's a whole world of music out there you'd probably hate more. My first recommendation: Nickelback.
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
A reggae version of this song ?  Never thought I'd see the day ...   It's actually pretty cool  :-)
Posted 11 years ago by pontfarrer    [ Reply ]
Fun version!  We like reggae though so enjoying it!
Posted 11 years ago by msturgis    [ Reply ]
 jbunniii wrote:

I once heard this song performed by a Karaoke singer in a hotel in Thailand, who clearly did not speak any English and was simply doing her best to imitate the syllables. It breathed new life into the song for me.
 
I'd rather hear that than this.
Posted 11 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
The John Denver version is so terrible that any other version must be better.
Posted 12 years ago by JHZ    [ Reply ]
Hated this version.  Just play John Denver if you want to hear this song.
Posted 12 years ago by xenarocks    [ Reply ]
 gosvimmink wrote:
this is the worst song i've ever heard
 
I once heard this song performed by a Karaoke singer in a hotel in Thailand, who clearly did not speak any English and was simply doing her best to imitate the syllables. It breathed new life into the song for me.
Posted 12 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
love Toots....wanna singalong....
 
Posted 12 years ago by tania300    [ Reply ]
Even though better than mr. Denver's, it doesn't work for me. My suggestion, remove it from playlist.

Posted 12 years ago by pk53    [ Reply ]
Gotta agree with you man...  Toots does it up right.
 
unclemrbig wrote:
I love this song for some very odd reason. It may be that although sappy it is lightyears ahead of Denver's version. 
 


Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
hiss to the haters here - this is a bunch of fun.  it might be in bad taste to diss a dead denver, but let's cut it with the wholesome, shall we ?
Posted 12 years ago by planet3one9    [ Reply ]
Five years on (you can look it up!), this still bites.
Posted 12 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
Not bad, but it's still reggae. I give it a 2.
Posted 12 years ago by mbolch30307    [ Reply ]
My 13-year-old loves this version, and that's saying something, since kids at that age are notoriously too cool for almost everything their parents like...
Posted 12 years ago by sandyclaws    [ Reply ]
Possibly John Denver's only avenue to RP's playlist.

Really liked John Denver's work in the mid 70's (his hits, anyway) when I was an adolescent and not-yet weened from Top 40 radio. I think I still like many of those hits. How confused all this makes me.
Posted 13 years ago by Hodgie    [ Reply ]
this is the worst song i've ever heard
Posted 13 years ago by gosvimmink    [ Reply ]
Love the Toots. What a voice!
Posted 13 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
I love this song for some very odd reason. It may be that although sappy it is lightyears ahead of Denver's version. 
Posted 13 years ago by unclemrbig    [ Reply ]
This is just so...odd. And yet, it makes me smile and bounce a little. Yep, it's a solid 6.
Posted 13 years ago by errantpenny    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Hey, I heard this song in Chipotle the other day too. Right after the Violent Femmes.

 

Hey! You live 5.7 miles from Chipotle?

Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I hate this song. Just hate it. Unreasonably so. Not the version, the song itself. Hate it. No further comment necessary.
Posted 13 years ago by Old_Pat    [ Reply ]
Caribbean karaoke.
Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 vaughn wrote:
Just too fun and strange not to give it a most excellent rating!
 

You know what? I am with you, I have always loved this song!{#Lol}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 jlind wrote:
I think there's worse, but they're probably all also reggae.
 
Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
{#Lol}
Posted 13 years ago by SuzG    [ Reply ]
2 —> 5
Posted 13 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Please stop it! {#Puke}
Posted 13 years ago by Stylist    [ Reply ]
Just too fun and strange not to give it a most excellent rating!
Posted 13 years ago by vaughn    [ Reply ]
 Art_Carnage wrote:
Hands-down, absolutely the worst song played on RP.
 
What heart-of-Texas are you from?  John Denver was a Dallas boy and Toots has an amazing voice and is our ocean-neighbor.  The 'worst' designation belongs to that Euro-synth-pop-crap (Belle and Sebastian, Portishead, Bjork - I could go on).
Posted 13 years ago by mvanderford60    [ Reply ]
Hey, I heard this song in Chipotle the other day too. Right after the Violent Femmes.

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 Art_Carnage wrote:
Hands-down, absolutely the worst song played on RP.
 

I think there's worse, but they're probably all also reggae.
Posted 13 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
Hands-down, absolutely the worst song played on RP.
Posted 13 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Yea, this is a fun song!{#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Take me home, West Jamaica!  Too Funny!!   {#Roflol}
Posted 13 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
It really makes me wonder why something like this gets played here and why not John Denver's rendition. Perhaps because John Denver is too country?

Wait, too country? What's that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or-D0wanAK8
 

I know Country isn't really welcome here (unfortunately) but please, why not trash this crap where it BE-loHHONGs, the dumpster...

{#Naughty}

Posted 13 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
Is it April 1st? Perhaps two of the worst songs back to back this evening. Bedouin Crapolla and this nonsense. Holy smokes, Bill, I just logged in. And now I'm logging out.
(10 seconds pass ...)
Okay, you rascal - I see McCartney's cool little ditty is next.
"...meh-nom-meh-nom-wee-nimbeo-bow ... meh-nom-meh-nom-wee-nimbeo-bow- ..." or something like that.

 
Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
 tryallmusic wrote:
Agree with general consensus.
Toots = goodness.
Toots + Denver ≠ goodness.
 
What's more ridiculous - Toots singing about his home in West Virginia or John Denver getting back to his reggae roots?  We'll never know, and fortunately that's a good thing.

Posted 13 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Agree with general consensus.
Toots = goodness.
Toots + Denver ≠ goodness.
Posted 14 years ago by tryallmusic    [ Reply ]
 pk53 wrote:
Hate to say it, but Denver's original is better than this.
 
I love to tell you: this one's so much funnier than Denver's version.

Posted 14 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
Two Toots covers in an hour!  Madness!
 

same thing today... i have to agree that, although this is actually the first version i ever heard (my dad had the vinyl of Toots' Funky Kingston and played it to death in the 70's) i like Denver's version more... maybe i'm just less sick of it. 
Posted 14 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
The original is wonderful, but this isn't half-bad.

Good to hear Toots on the RP in any form.
Posted 14 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
Hate to say it, but Denver's original is better than this.
Posted 14 years ago by pk53    [ Reply ]
Two Toots covers in an hour!  Madness!
Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I've never heard of Toots, but I think it's not half bad.  A lot more soul than the original.
Posted 14 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
I'm a huge fan of Toots, but this song, there's just no redemption. It's awful.
Posted 14 years ago by ceviche    [ Reply ]
I adore his voice and energy
Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
More Toots please! 
Posted 14 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
A very unexpected cover of a JD song, but strangely, it works. I loves me my reggae... {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
This is the best remake of a John Denver song EVER.
Posted 14 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:

Wasn't this guy on the last season of The Brady Bunch?



 
I guess when you do it in reggae style, it's "Jah" Denver!

Posted 14 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:


I'll take you a step further, the very fact that there even exists a "best of Toots" is beyond comprehension to me.

I love RP, and I would not change a thing about it, but this is something I have to mute and wait for the next song. 
 
You both exhibit a level of ignorance that defies comprehension. I understand the concept of "to each, their own" but Toots is as important a figure to reggae (and music as a whole) as Marley, Tosh or King Tubby. Of course you've probably never heard of them either.

Posted 14 years ago by akousa    [ Reply ]
Why?
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I do like the ? after the Release date, as if no one could believe it actually got released.
Posted 14 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]

Wasn't this guy on the last season of The Brady Bunch?



Posted 14 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Toots *is* roots!! Play mooooooooooooooore!!!!

HATERS GONNA HATE

Pack up your lack of musical diversity and close minded corporate FM radio brainwashed self and GTFO out.
kthxbai
Posted 14 years ago by Oscar_the_Grouch    [ Reply ]
Never thought I'd say this cause I was "too cool" back in his day but John Denver was an incredibly gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice and apparently, a hell of a genuine nice guy.
Posted 14 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
I smile whnever I hear "West Jamaica."
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 Art_Carnage wrote:
This is on a "very best" collection? Oh, the irony!!!

Possibly the worst song on RP.
 

I'll take you a step further, the very fact that there even exists a "best of Toots" is beyond comprehension to me.

I love RP, and I would not change a thing about it, but this is something I have to mute and wait for the next song. 
Posted 14 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
not too shabby, a foot tapper at least. I'm actually a close relative of John's - my oldest stepbrother's first wife was his first cousin. No, really.
Posted 14 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
My first time hearing this one, right when it started, I thought, Ray Charles? Then I went {#Think} 

Posted 14 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
this version is a 9 ~ but I likes my reggae
Posted 14 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
This is on a "very best" collection? Oh, the irony!!!

Possibly the worst song on RP.
Posted 14 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
 akaike wrote:
All West Virginia University Mountaineers are required to/will learn this song by the end of their first semester.  Personally, that training has paid off numerous times with spontaneous eruptions of this song occuring whenever I've met fellow Mounties around the country.  It's almost like a secret handshake that identifies that you're in the club of people that know about the great "secret" beauty of the people and place that is West Virginia.  This version goes beyond that singular world and highlights the universal desire we all have for country roads to take us home.

  

Akaike  You offer wonderful information and observation about this version of the song.  I'm not a big John Denver fan but the three songs that I do like by him transport me.  "...Country Road"  is one of them and Toots' version takes me to another dimension.  Thank you Bill and Rebecca!{#Notworthy}

Posted 15 years ago by elgreenie1    [ Reply ]
 akaike wrote:
All West Virginia University Mountaineers are required to/will learn this song by the end of their first semester.  Personally, that training has paid off numerous times with spontaneous eruptions of this song occuring whenever I've met fellow Mounties around the country.  It's almost like a secret handshake that identifies that you're in the club of people that know about the great "secret" beauty of the people and place that is West Virginia.  This version goes beyond that singular world and highlights the universal desire we all have for country roads to take us home.

 

You should be slapped upside the head by kinfolk for not using the proper reference - West by God! Dammit boy, git it right.
Posted 15 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
is it cover day?
Posted 15 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
OMG, I love the mangled lyrics.  Go Toots! :-)
Posted 15 years ago by big_gare    [ Reply ]
All West Virginia University Mountaineers are required to/will learn this song by the end of their first semester.  Personally, that training has paid off numerous times with spontaneous eruptions of this song occuring whenever I've met fellow Mounties around the country.  It's almost like a secret handshake that identifies that you're in the club of people that know about the great "secret" beauty of the people and place that is West Virginia.  This version goes beyond that singular world and highlights the universal desire we all have for country roads to take us home.

Posted 15 years ago by akaike    [ Reply ]
Cool.. never heard this version before.. fun .. {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 15 years ago by CyberCoyote    [ Reply ]
akmegan wrote:

It worky for me! I dig! Refreshing reprieve from boring ass John Denver (not that Bill or Rebecca would ever play that version here!) {#Tongue}


I heard some John Denver recently. It was surprisingly good after having avoided it for 30 years. I read up on his wikipedia entry because I had this vague remembrance that he was some psychotic racist. I guess that's not the case. He actually kicked some serious humanitarian and environmental ass. Anyway, I have new respect for him. Must be getting old.


Posted 15 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]