I Want to Live - John Denver (1977) 9/14/22

Today's "Great Song of 1977, "I Want to Live" By John Denver, has been virtually forgotten--even by his fans--but it's not his fault.

In 1976, John and Harry ("Cat's in the Cradle") Chapin had been working together to promote the idea of a President's Commission on World Hunger. President Carter was on board with the idea, but apparently the rest of the government was not interested, and the commission fell apart after an initial report.

Meanwhile, John wrote, recorded and released a song that he thought would be the perfect theme song for the "Hunger Project."

"I Want to Live" was heartfelt, sincere and quite beautiful...and it even made it to #10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart. But with the project failing to garner major support...there was nothing to promote.

However, from that moment on, John would perform it at all his concerts, many times with an with an inspirational introduction promoting the idea of ending famine worldwide. (I've added an example below from 1991: John with the Boston Pops directed by the legendary John Williams.)

(Note: Of course, in 1985, USA for Africa's "We are the World" was far more effective at famine relief, mostly because of all of the artists who were a part of the song.)

Still, that doesn't take away from the beauty and sincerity of "I Want to Live." It's a "Great Song of 1977," even if has been largely forgotten."

John w/the Boston Pops & John Williams: