Windsong Explained

Windsong
Type:	studio
Artist:	John Denver
Cover:	Windsong album cover.jpg
Released:	September 19, 1975^[1]
Recorded:	July 1975
Studio:	RCA (Hollywood, California)
Genre:	Folk country pop
Length:	42:48
Label:	RCA Victor
Producer:	Milton Okun
Prev Title:	An Evening with John Denver
Prev Year:	1975
Next Title:	Rocky Mountain Christmas
Next Year:	1975

Windsong is the ninth studio album recorded by American singer-songwriter John Denver, which was released in September 1975. Denver's popularity was at its peak by this time.

The album contained the songs "I'm Sorry" and "Calypso," which comprised a two-sided hit for Denver in the fall of 1975. "Looking for Space" was dedicated to Werner Erhard, "Two Shots" to Michael P. Shore, "Fly Away", featuring the backup vocals from Olivia Newton-John, and "Calypso" to Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau and all those who served on his ship, Calypso.

Track listing

All tracks composed by John Denver; except where indicated

Side one

1. "Windsong" (Denver, Joe Henry) – 3:57
2. "Cowboy’s Delight" (Bob Carpenter, David James Holster) – 3:05
3. "Spirit" (Denver, Joe Henry) – 3:33
4. "Looking for Space" – 3:56
5. "Shipmates and Cheyenne" (music: Denver; lyrics: Joe Henry) – 3:22
6. "Late Nite Radio" (Bill Danoff, Taffy Danoff) – 2:44

Side two

1. "Love Is Everywhere" (music: John Sommers; lyrics: John Denver, Joe Henry, Steve Weisberg, John Sommers) – 3:30
2. "Two Shots" – 3:29
3. "I'm Sorry" – 3:29
4. "Fly Away" – 4:08
5. "Calypso" – 3:32
6. "Song of Wyoming" (Kent Lewis) – 3:19

Personnel

• John Denver – vocals, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars
• Hal Blaine – drums, percussion
• Dick Kniss – double bass
• John Sommers – banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, backing vocals
• Steve Weisberg – electric and acoustic guitars, pedal steel guitar, electric and acoustic dobros, backing vocals
• Byron Berline – mandolin, fiddle on "Love is Everywhere"
• Mary Ann Duffy – vocals on "Late Nite Radio" and "Love is Everywhere"
• Olivia Newton-John – backing vocals on "Fly Away"
• Jesse Ehrlich – cello on "Windsong"
• John Ellis – oboe on "Windsong"
• Jimmie Fadden – harmonica on "Song of Wyoming"
• Lee Holdridge – arranger, conductor

Technical

• Kris O'Connor – production assistance
• Mickey Crofford – engineer
• Acy Lehman – art direction
• Albert MacKenzie Watson – cover photography

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1975)	Position
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[3]	15
Chart (1976)	Position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[4]	7
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[5]	33
US Billboard 200^[6]	26
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)^[7]	9

Notes and References

1. Web site: Brodsky . Greg . John Denver: From Pop Singer to Country Boy in 10 Songs . Best Classic Bands . 4 June 2022.
2. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 87.
3. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1975 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart . . November 8, 2021 .
4. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 1976 . . nl . November 8, 2021 .
5. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1976 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart . . November 8, 2021 .
6. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1976. Billboard. July 19, 2021.
7. Top Country Albums – Year-End 1976. Billboard. July 19, 2021.